The Pregnancy Styling Tricks Polly Swears By
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Live In Elasticated Waists
At almost 30 weeks, I’ve found I can mostly avoid buying maternity trousers by opting for elasticated waists in a few sizes up. It’s helped me feel like I still have options – ASOS ARRANGE has some great barrel-leg styles and I’ve also been wearing lots of silky trousers from & Other Stories.
Focus On Great Accessories
When I’ve struggled with body changes that feel out of my control, I’ve found it helpful to focus on the things that don’t require adjustment: bags, jewellery, sunglasses, neck scarves and hats – and, to some degree, shoes (although swollen feet are an issue). These have always been the cool finishing touches for a lot of my looks but even more so now.
Lean Into Oversized
You don’t necessarily need to size up in coats, jackets and shirts. Instead, make the most of the fact that oversized is an on-trend silhouette and use outerwear to anchor your looks and make them still feel like you.
Accept That Denim Is Tricky
Unfortunately, I’ve found the range of maternity jeans on offer to be pretty dire. I’ve never been a low-rise denim girl and I find stretchy belly bands restrictive, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that I don’t love the fit of most maternity jeans. However, all is not lost. NEXT has some great barrel-leg maternity jeans for £38 and I’m also a fan of Ilouity's styles, although they come with a higher price tag. My ultimate hack, though, is Rag & Bone’s Miramar jeans. They’re essentially tracksuit bottoms in a very convincing denim print – you’d never know they aren’t real jeans – and they’re ridiculously comfortable.
Try Shoulder Pads
Not only are they a big trend this season but statement shoulders are a great way to balance things out if you’re feeling a little bottom-heavy. You can buy individual shoulder pads on Amazon with Velcro that attach to your bra strap. Try adding them underneath knitwear or a button-down shirt to make your outfit feel a bit more directional.
Keep It Simple
Finding two or three outfit formulas that work will save you plenty of nothing-to-wear meltdowns. For me, that’s been black maternity jeans with a boxy jacket, leggings with a blazer or adidas track pants with a racer vest. I then switch up the shoes, jewellery and bags to keep things feeling fresh. It’s not a perfect solution but it definitely helps when you’re in a rush.
Look At Australian Maternity Brands
Trust me, I’ve spent a lot of time investigating maternity brands and some of the coolest options are Australian. The likes of Soon, Légoe Heritage and Bae the Label have some lovely bump-friendly options that don’t feel like you’re compromising on style.
Invest In Some Comfy Basics
For the most part, you can get away with sizing up but it can be surprisingly irritating to keep pulling a vest top down over your belly. It’s worth investing in a couple of longer-length maternity tees and vests, as these will form the foundation of your outfits. H&M Mama is a good place to start.
Shop Pre-Loved Where Possible
Naturally, buying maternity wear can feel a bit wasteful when you only intend to wear it for a short period of time. If cost or sustainability is a concern, there’s so much maternity wear available on eBay and Vinted, often from the current season. I’ve also found some great designer pieces on eBay with elasticated waists, which feels like a bit of a treat without splurging on something new. My best advice is to set up alerts for brands you love and follow a few professional sellers.
Pick Your Event Style
There’s no easy event dressing hack that will apply to everyone but in my experience, big, billowy dresses – like those from Sister Jane – work really well if you don’t want to wear anything tight. You also don’t necessarily need to size up, so you’ll be able to wear them afterwards. If you’re going for a bump-baring moment, look for form-fitting dresses in ultra-stretchy fabrics that will hug your shape. I found a great one from Sir for a recent wedding but ASOS has some similar styles too.
Nail The Fabric
Comfort really is key during pregnancy, so choose natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen and wool where possible to prevent overheating. There’s nothing worse than feeling hot, flustered and restricted.
Remember, You Deserve To Feel Good
I hear a lot of women say they don’t want to buy clothes for this phase of their life because it feels like a ‘waste’. I’d gently refute that. While pregnancy is fleeting in the grand timeline of life, you also deserve to feel good during it. So, if that means treating yourself to a pair of jeans a couple of sizes up in the first trimester that will realistically only work for a few weeks, that’s okay. You’ll likely wear them postpartum too and you can always sell them on once they’re no longer relevant for you.
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Photography: Victoria Adamson
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