What to expect when you're expecting (83 page)

Think black.
And navy blue, chocolate brown, or charcoal. Dark colors are slimming, minimizing body bulk and giving you an overall trimmer appearance, even if you’re wearing a T-shirt and yoga pants.

Think monotone.
One color fits all—or at least looks slimmer. Sticking to a single hue (or to one color with slight variations. from top to bottom will make you look longer and leaner. A two-tone look, however, will create a break in your figure, causing the eye to stop right at the color change (and possibly right where your hips start spreading).

Think vertical.
It’s the oldest trick in the fashion book, but for good reason—it works. As you widen, choose clothes with vertical lines (which create height and give you a leaner look) instead of horizontal lines (which widen you even further). Look for clothes with vertical stripes, vertical zippers, vertical stitching, and vertical rows of buttons.

Focus on the pluses.
Like those probably plus-size breasts of yours (there’s never been a better time to spotlight your cleavage). And minimize attention to the spots that you might be less inclined to want to show off, such as those swollen ankles (keep them under pants or comfortable boots, or wear slimming black tights).

Stay fit
. With your clothes, that is. While you’ll definitely want clothes that have room to grow in the bust and the belly, look for tops—shirts, sweaters, jackets, and dresses—that fit you well in the shoulders (probably the only part of your body that won’t be widening). Hanging shoulders will give you a sloppy (and bulky) look. And though clinging can be slimming, watch out for clothes that are so clingy they appear too tight, like you’ve outgrown them (which you probably have). The overstuffed sausage look is never in style, after all.

Here are some tips to consider when making your purchases:

You still have a long way to grow. So don’t set off on a whirlwind spending spree on the first day you can’t button your jeans. Maternity clothes can be costly, especially when you consider the relatively short period of time they can be worn. So buy as you grow, and then buy only as much as you need (once you’ve checked what you can use that’s already in your closet, you may end up needing a lot less than you’d figured). Though the pregnancy pillows available in try-on rooms in maternity stores can give a good indication of how things will fit later, they can’t predict how you will carry (high, low, big, small. and which outfits will end up being the most comfortable when you crave comfort most.

You’re not limited to maternity clothes. If it fits, wear it, even if it isn’t from the maternity department. Buying nonmaternity clothing for maternity use (or using items you already own) is, of course, the best way of avoiding throwing away a fortune on clothes you’ll only wear briefly. And depending on what the stores are showing in
a particular season, anywhere from a few to many of the fashions on the regular racks may be suitable for pregnant shapes (though you may need to size up). Still, be wary of spending a lot on such purchases. Though you may love the clothes now, you may love them considerably less after you’ve worn them throughout your pregnancy. Plus, if you’ve bought them on the big side, they may not fit once you’ve shed your baby fat.

You’ve got it, so flaunt it. Bellies are out of the closet—and out from under those polyester pup tents. Many maternity fashions celebrate the pregnant belly, with clingy fabrics and styles. And that’s something to celebrate, since belly-accentuating maternity wear actually slims your silhouette down, rather than bulking you up. Another great option: low-cut jeans and pants that can be worn under your belly. A low cut’s also elongating (and what expectant mom couldn’t use a little elongating?).

Don’t overlook those accessories the public never sees. A well-fitting, supportive bra should be your bosom buddy during pregnancy, especially as that bosom expands … and expands. Skip the sale racks and put yourself in the hands of an experienced fitter at a well-stocked lingerie department or shop. With any luck, she will be able to tell you approximately how much extra room and support you need and which kind of bra will provide it. But don’t stock up. Buy just a couple (one to wear and one to wash), and then go back for another fitting when you start growing out of them.

      Special maternity underwear isn’t usually necessary, but if you do decide to go that route, you’ll probably be relieved to find that it’s a lot sexier than it used to be (good-bye granny panties, hello thongs and bikinis). You can also opt for regular bikini panties—bought in a larger-than-usual size if you need the room—worn under your belly. Buy them in favorite colors and/or sexy fabrics to give your spirits a lift (but make sure the crotches are cotton).

Dip into your partner’s drawers. It’s all there for the taking (though it’s probably a good idea to ask first): oversize T-shirts and regular shirts that look great over pants or leggings, sweatpants that accommodate more inches than yours do, running shorts that will keep up with your waistline for at least a couple more months, belts with the few extra notches you need. Keep in mind, though, that by the sixth month (possibly a lot sooner), no matter how big your man is, you’re likely to outgrow him and his clothes.

Both a borrower and a lender be. Accept all offers of used maternity clothes, as long as they fit. In a pinch, any extra dress, skirt, or pair of jeans may do—you can make any borrowed item more “yours” with accessories (a fabulous scarf or a flashy pair of sneakers, for example). When your term is over, offer to lend those maternity outfits you bought and can’t or don’t want to wear postpartum to newly pregnant friends; between you and your friends, you’ll be getting your money’s worth from your maternity clothes.

Cool is hot. Hot stuff (fabrics that don’t breathe, such as nylon and other synthetics) isn’t so hot when you’re pregnant. Because your metabolic rate is higher than usual, making you warmer, you’ll feel more comfortable in cottons. You’ll also be less likely to get heat rash (a common complaint among the pregnant set). Knee-highs or thigh-highs will also be more com
fortable than pantyhose, but avoid those that have a narrow constrictive band at the top. Light colors, mesh weaves, and looser fits will also help you keep your cool in warm weather. When the weather turns cold, dressing in layers is ideal, since you can selectively peel off as you heat up or when you go indoors.

“Now that my abdomen is swelling, the fact that I’m really pregnant has finally sunk in. Even though we planned this pregnancy, we suddenly feel scared.”

Sounds like you’ve got a little case of the pre-baby jitters—which, you’ll be relieved to hear, many parents-to-be come down with at some point in their pregnancies. Even the most eager of expectant couples may find themselves with second thoughts once pregnancy starts to become a reality—and that isn’t so surprising when you think about it. After all, a little person you haven’t even met yet is already turning your lives upside down, making unexpected demands on you, both physically and emotionally. Every aspect of your lifestyle—from how you spend your evenings and your money to what you eat and drink to how often (and how) you make love—may already be changing, with plenty more changes on the postpartum horizon.