Plus Sized Mommy: Comfy, Cozy, Stylish Pregnancy Picks
Photo: Moonsheep
Frumpy maternity clothes are a thing of the past. We’ve got Angelina Jolie, Tori Spelling, Heidi Klum, and Mo’Nique to thank–among countless other celebs and their babies-to-be. Only the latter is a woman of size, so the majority of maternity wear out there is for women with little “baby bumps.” If you’ve got more to love, then you can demand more from the places you shop.
Even before your pregnancy, and even if you’re not a slave to fashion, you know how gorgeous you can feel when you find a new outfit. It doesn’t have to end while you’re pregnant. Why don schlumpadinka, baggy, ill-fitting, and shapeless clothing if you don’t have to?
You can find affordable, attractive, and comfy fashions that give you and the little one lots of room to roam, while looking and feeling beautiful in the process.
You might find more luck with that on the web, at the time of this writing. There are many virtual destinations featuring clothes that’ll hug your extra curves, with materials that are breathable (polyester be gone!), and comfortable. While many retailers carry Plus Size Maternity Wear, some can make it harder to find than others.
Here are some rules of the road as you search for your maternity ensemble:
New! Now! Next! No.: Don’t get fooled by ads, solicitations, or displays tempting you with “trendiness.” Wear something that’s comfortably “you,” just like you wore before the stork came calling. Think “fashionable” (which is perennial), not “trendy.” Don’t get sucked into “slimming fashions:” you’re pregnant, so you might as well show with pride for your 9 blessed months. You’re making a sacred miracle, here–and you can make it fun.
BellaBand, Baby: The BellaBand is a flexible, stretchable band for pregnancy and post-pregnancy wear. It stretches your budget and your wardrobe. You can slip it around your waist and it holds your clothing in place, so that you can repurpose the clothes you do own while “unzipped or unbuttoned,” with the BellaBand covering you up and saving the day. Because it’s band-shaped and rather wide, its elastic nature is a help rather than a hindrance. It comes in many colors and can save you a lot of time, money, and fashion woes. It’s 84% Nylon, 16% Spandex, and machine washable.
A “Material” World: Stretchable and breathable clothing is key. Even if you’re e-shopping, you can “read the labels” online. Look for cotton and lycra–materials that breathe, stretch, and expand. Though the classic elastic band idea has yet to phase itself out, it’s not the most comfortable when you’re with child. The idea here is to keep your comfort in mind for the long-term–for your sake and your little one’s, too. Your prairie skirt might look cool in the first hour you’re rocking it, but as time passes…it might wear out its welcome in terms of comfort. Even looser elastic can sink its way into your skin and cause a little soreness.
Good Things Come in Threes: Even if you have a small budget, plan your wardrobe in terms of each trimester, and think in these three categories–keep it simple: Practical/Casual, Business/Dress, and Underthings/Lingerie. In as many cases as possible, try to make your ensemble “scalable” with items you can layer with a potential for post-pregnancy wear. Some say you should wait until your second trimester to get new clothes, but that’s entirely up to you.
- Practical/Casual: Practical: Some items you might just wear around the house. In those scenarios, you might look to practical clothing, such as plus size yoga pants. Presentable, but perhaps not attire you’d wear out running errands, if you’re wanting to step up the style. Casual: Tasteful capris or an adorable cotton dress in a larger mommy-to-be size. Empire waists and baby-doll dresses, perhaps? Anything that makes you feel extra cozy that you feel is fitting while you’re out on errands. Femme-fabulous gear, perhaps, that puts an extra pep in your step without your having to worry about complicated buttons, zippers, or straps.
- Business/Dress: Business: Think of things you’ll need wear to work or business-related appointments, even if you’re a work-at-home mom running out to pick up a package from a client. Even throwing a black blazer over a nice, pert skirt can add an element of professionalism to your attire. Dress: If you’re going to a fancy function, you might think of having a plus sized dress taken in (or out, depending), or tailored. If it’s going to be that fancy, it’s fully appropriate for you to rise to the occasion.
- Underthings/Lingerie: Underthings: Without getting all up in your personal business, there are days when wearing underthings will work–and it doesn’t even have to be most days. This depends on your undie personality in general. Some folks only reserve lingerie for special occasions. Some women rock boxers. Again, choose your own adventure. Panties and undies with a cute design or pattern, or that are particularly soft, can add a lightness to your pregnancy, and make you feel good and happy about the changes in your body. Even something that elicits giggles or makes you feel feminine when you look at it. Lingerie: Some days you’ll be inspired to wear miscellaneous underthings or underwear. Others? Lingerie. Some women can’t imagine wearing anything but lingerie…there aren’t yet many plus sized lingerie specialty shops or departments. Hips and Curves is the place to go for gorgeous undergarments.
Tootsies for Two: Remember your feet. We might get some flame-mail for this, but Crocs are the no-brainer choice in terms of comfort. They’re reasonably priced, come in a wealth of designs, colors, and shapes, and are made of various types of material, all with versatility and comfort in mind. Unless you’re attending a specific dress function, Crocs would be an elevated form of footwear–a few steps above your typical sandals, UGGs, or shapeless, formless, or less-than-fashionable shoes you might be tempted to wear while you’re carrying. Whatever you do, don’t wear heels. It’s not advisable, and it’s just plain uncomfortable–no matter how fierce you may look wearing them. Heels and poor circulation don’t mix well, and it’s a new day: you don’t have to suffer for your beauty.
The following are a few suggestions that might provide more inspiration and guidance on your journey to a stylish pregnancy.
Amazon Maternity: There are just under 300 items here at this time; a lot of these cover the basics that you’ll need. You’ll look cutesy, and you’re likely to find more economical and competitive pricing, as well as shipping freebies and other perks.
Amazon Plus Size: You’ll need to do a lot more pointing and clicking to find distinctly plus sized maternity wear by visiting here, but it’s fun to virtually “window shop,” regardless.
Destination Maternity: This site’s been around for quite a while, and they pride themselves on their healthy-sized full figured maternity and nursing apparel selection. They also sell garments from Heidi Klum’s maternity lines “Loved” and “Lavish,” though currently Klum’s largest sizes available are indeed only venturing up to ”Large,” which might work for big girls on one side of the spectrum, or in earlier terms. Destination Maternity is also home to Edamame Spas, a small massage chain specializing in maternity massages.
Motherhood Maternity: Motherhood Maternity highlights its casual wear that can transition into your postpartum closet. Their plus size section is quite sizeable, and they also carry a few convenient sets. Motherhood Maternity also sells a wide variety of alternatives to the BellaBand including The Tummy Sleeve, Ultimate Maternity Belt, the Postpartum Support Belt, and the Maternity Support Belt. An aside: these bands and belts all have several names like “belly button–with buttons,” or “baby belt.” Truly, the band can be made by hand, however, it might not be the first priority on your to-do list while you’re carrying, unless you’re a super crafty mommy.
JCPenney: Not a vast selection, and what is there is rather functional (think: practical or casual wear). If you want to do some quickie shopping–in, out, fini–then you’ll find convenient functional picks here.
Other stores not listed in this article can be found below. Surely, there are more great stores out there that combine that delicate balance of fashion and function. We must be missing some lovely curvy mommy-friendly spaces or other. Suggestions? Contact us and let us know.
Related Links:
BellaBand Designers Ingrid and Isabel Homepage
Belly Dance Maternity – Plus Size
(Click Plus Size Maternity Graphic at bottom of JCPenney page)
Related Articles:
Expectant Mothers Need to Baby Themselves
Requested Photo Credit:
Photographer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73239326@N00/ / CC BY 2.0
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