WHAT TO WEAR TO WORK WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT (AND BE COMFORTABLE)
I had to go to the office for my first pregnancy, in an era that now seems totally obsolete.
I tried and tested many options and came up with a few key tips on how to dress for work and stay comfortable.
The worst thing when you are pregnant is feeling uncomfortable, there are a many pieces you can use from your normal wardrobe and a few strong pieces that are worth investing in.
I am sharing my personal styling tips with you below.
Many people don't believe you need to invest in pregnancy T shirt but I loved mine as they were long and really covered the bump.
This jacket was bought in Paris at La Fee Maraboutee, I love the print and the colour, it really helps lift a very simple outfit.
I find a good jacket is key to elevate any pregnancy outfits, because of the jacket and the necklace, the Tshirt no longer looks casual.
I found it hard to wear heels during my pregnancies but I liked the comfort of espadrilles. These are Castaner and were bought second hand, new in the box from Vestiaire Collective.
If you really don't want to wear heels, I love those leopard loafers from Dune, they have built in support which means they are very comfortable.
I loved Bellabands during my pregnancy as it allowed me to keep wearing my normal trousers. They can either be worn fully up or rolled in half at the start of pregnancy or when the weather is too hot. The band will help support your bump and will hold your trousers in place.
Bella band no longer ship to Europe but here is a link to similar : https://www.pregnancyandbaby.ie/carriwell-maternity-support-band/
I invested in a white shirt from the H&M pregnancy collection. I was very happy with the maternity clothes from H&M, I wore everything I bought on both my pregnancies, the quality was good and I achieved the 30 wears out of the pieces I bought.
That shirt worked well as it was long, I still wear it post pregnancy.
This jacket is a very well cut blazer from Moss Bros I bought second hand from Portobello market for about £15, the tailoring is excellent, the fabric is 100% wool and the colour has an elegant velvet collar, it was made in England. Second hand can be very good for those pieces. I feel money won't buy you that kind of tailoring now.
Trousers are from Cos, they have an elastic band built in, which means they were ideal for early pregnancy, they were worn with my bellaband later on. During pregnancy, I did not want to engage with the wide leg look as I felt is was just too much. I stuck with slim fitting.
Trousers https://www.cos.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/trousers/product.slim-fit-trousers-black.1047314001.html
The outfit is pulled together but remains very comfortable. It's about buying a couple of pieces that make your life easier during pregnancy and are real work horses.
This is the same blazer as above worn with a pregnancy black tank top.
The jeans are maternity from Gap, I really liked the low band in the summer especially, found they stayed in place better, I didn't have that annoying extra piece of fabric and they didn't keep my bump as warm.
Those Dune loafers worked hard during my pregnancy as they are so comfortable and supportive.
Supportive shoes are important during pregnancy as they help avoid your shoe size changing.
When we had client meetings, I felt dresses were the best way to go. I mostly wore Cos dresses over my bump, I was wearing one the day before my son was born at 9 months. They look so flattering on and won't lose their shape if worn over the bump. I liked wearing clothes that weren't maternity as it gave me a feeling of normality. Over my Cos dress, I am wearing a woolen perfecto from Zara, this has been such a great buy, the shape is a little rocknroll but the woolen navy fabric makes it corporate, it was a good mix for me as I was never happy in a fully corporate look and enjoyed having fun little touches mixed in.
I bought the light blue dress from the maternity collection from Gap, it's a very nice shirt dress, the knot makes it extra flattering, I felt it was a good look for meetings when I didn't want something too tight on and my bump to become a centre of interest. I still looked very pregnant but it was a softer look. I am wearing my trusty blazer over the dress, the length of the blazer was really good during pregnancy as it helped elongate the silhouette.
For reference, I was 7 1/2 months pregnant when all the pictures were taken.