When it’s time to expand your wardrobe to match your expanding waistline, there are three basic maternity essentials that every gal needs.

These three trousers can provide endless combinations of outfits as you mix and match them with non-pregnancy wear, maternity and feeding tops taking you from T2 when your tum begins to blossom, through to T4 when you are one hot mumma.

1. Jeans

Maternity jeans have to be the number one must-have in every woman’s maternity wardrobe.

It’s really a no-brainer. Just like the pre-preggers wardrobe, no matter what shade of denim, jeans are considered a neutral colour, like black, so matching them is a cinch.

Aside from choosing the leg width (skinny, straight, bootleg) and colour (dark, washed, light) like you would an ordinary pair of jeans, there is one serious decision – under or over the bump.

And you’ll only know after trying on both styles. I chose over the bump preferring the extra coverage for winter and to avoid the imagined nightmare of them sliding south publicly.

Mine were so comfortable, I never wanted to take them off, even well after my babies arrived.

This is one garment to invest in and it’s worth doing your homework as you will be likely to be pulling them on at least three days of the week for the nine months from T2 through to T4 as you body recovers after bub’s grand entrance.

But like non-pregnancy jeans, what suits your BF won’t suit you. So the only solution is to get shopping and try some on!

2. Leggings

Black ankle length leggings are an absolute basic in any maternity wardrobe – they are so versatile and comfortable you’ll never peel them off. Even after bub arrives!

Leggings quickly and stylishly take a top, tunic or dress designed for warmer weather into autumn or winter wear, dressing it up in the process.

And they are one of the few garments that can make the transition from yoga to opera and everywhere in between with a switch of shoes and accessories.

Matt black minimises and disguises, creating longer and thinner legs nicely balancing the burgeoning bump above.

Preggers leggings come up over the belly bump to stay in place, offering some much-needed tummy support. The last thing you want to be doing is pulling and tugging to keep them up.

Or even worse, bending down to retrieve them! You can roll them down under the bump for temperature or comfort control.

And no matter what your bumped-up pregnancy style is, these basics can adapt to suit.

3. Black pants

Black maternity pants are such a basic, they are almost invisible. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good thing!

Black pants disappear to showcase what ever you choose to pop on top – a tailored shirt for work, a bump hugging t-shirt for a girl pal lunch or some black on black – a T, blouse or tunic to accessorise according to your personality.

As you’ll be living in these basics, take the time to find the perfect pair with just the right leg width to suit you. A wider leg is flattering to most as it balances the extra dimension you bump delivers.

Check the length too, that there is enough of it to wear a heel so you don’t look like you’ve stolen your big sister’s gear!

Choose under or over the bump according to what’s best for your bod. Bonus hint: For under the bump, maternity tops have the extra length to cover any belly flash.

Getting practical, you’ll need some room to expand (think elastic or adjustable waist) and this key piece will need to washable given the mileage they will get.

So, now you know what three key pieces you need for pregnancy on your bottom half, it’s time to shop! Enjoy!

For more hints for dressing with a bump, pop over to http://www.pregnancypanache.com.au