This is a collaborative post

Pregnancy changes a lot of things, and one of the most annoying surprises can be how quickly getting dressed really starts to feel like a bit of a chore. After all, one day your normal jeans fit, and the next day they really don’t, and you’re not even sure what you’re meant to wear now. 

And another problem is that somewhere along the way, maternity clothing got a reputation for being rather dull, but that’s not necessarily the case, and once you start looking, you’ll soon see there are plenty of options, so keep reading to find out more. 

Comfort Doesn’t Mean Giving Up

The main thing you need during pregnancy is comfort, of course, because your body is doing a lot, and tight waistbands and awkward fabrics aren’t going to be much good at all – you won’t be able to stand it. 

But the good news is that comfort doesn’t automatically mean shapeless or plain, and you can still wear clothes that feel like you, but are a bit more flexible than you might normally choose. That could include things like soft knits, stretchy dresses, relaxed layers, and the kind of clothing that moves with you so you can still look stylish but be nice and comfy at the same time. 

It’s About Feeling Like Yourself

Pregnancy can be quite a weird time for identity – you’re changing physically, your routines are different, and sometimes you don’t even recognise your own body in the mirror. Clothes can also really affect how you feel, and it helps to have the options that make you feel confident rather than just covered up. 

Even small things like wearing colours you love or choosing outfits that look good together can make a good difference. 

The Right Basics Make Everything Easier 

A good maternity wardrobe doesn’t have to be huge, and just having a few reliable basics that you can build around tends to be the right way to go about things. You can have one pair of trousers you actually like, a couple of tops that fit well, a dress that can work for a variety of different occasions, and some layers to bring it all together, for example. 

Something like finding good maternity pants online can really help matters because once you’ve got a comfortable pair that fits properly, getting dressed gets a lot less stressful, and less stress is exactly what you need during pregnancy. 

You Can Still Have Fun With Style

The best part is that pregnancy style can still be fun if you let yourself play with it a little, and try things like oversized shirts with leggings, fitted bump dresses, matching sets, trainers, boots, coats that add shape, and so many other ideas. It really doesn’t have to be complicated, and it really doesn’t have to be boring. 

And you don’t need to ‘dress maternity’ in a way that feels completely different to how you’d normally dress – you’re just adapting your style to fit your body, not changing it completely. Bear that in mind, and finding and styling clothes will become a whole lot easier.