The bottom line – 3 maternity essentials

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

107 Comments

- - kjgarner said
  - 12 Jun 2013
    2:14 pm
I did have all 3 but the fact for me was they really don’t make maternity jeans for people having twins, cause I out grew them and I had to wear skirts mostly and if I was cold then leggings that sit below your belly. I was huge and by the end of my pregnancy I was buying sizes that were +8 more than the size I normally wear because maternity clothes didn’t fit any more.

- - rachkap said
  - 10 Jun 2013
    2:38 am
Thanks for this invaluable advice!

- - jenyl said
  - 06 Jun 2013
    7:40 am
Very true, I had all three during pregnancy and they continued to be useful after bub was born. I’d add a black maternity skirt to that list though 🙂

- - teetee said
  - 04 Jun 2013
    1:42 pm
Thank you for the great tips and advice.

- - nadia said
  - 03 Jun 2013
    10:23 am
I lived in black pants for work and dresses for everyday because it was so hot. leggings were my best friend for exercise and bed.

- - wiggynome said
  - 02 Jun 2013
    10:15 pm
I lived in all of these

- - purplecoffee26 said
  - 02 Jun 2013
    1:02 pm
I’m not a fan of leggings. I don’t own any and they won’t be apart of my maternity wardrobe. I love a good comfy pair of jeans though.
- meros replied
  
  22 Aug 2013 , 9:04 pm
  Jeans wouldnt be so comfortable but I would prefer jeans over leggings anyday
- - sapshu936 said
  - 01 Jun 2013
    11:25 am
very true – all these three things are really very handy and essential during pregnancy.

- - mrs harkness said
  - 31 May 2013
    10:46 pm
black pants and a pretty top was my staple wardrobe when pregnant.

- - jackie_wenke said
  - 31 May 2013
    4:41 pm
thank you for the advice

- - anitamaree1 said
  - 31 May 2013
    8:26 am
Im 30 weeks and just wearing my normal jeans. They just sit under my belly

- - naz4321 said
  - 30 May 2013
    2:33 am
I can’t wear jeans but trousers are ok for me

- - katelt said
  - 29 May 2013
    2:30 pm
I had no choices at all. Clothes manufacturers seem to all be of the opinion if you are over size 18 you do not deserve maternity wear!

- - stass1 said
  - 29 May 2013
    9:47 am
Leggings are not pants people and should not be a staple in any wardrobe!

- - chicken83 said
  - 28 May 2013
    12:48 pm
So not a must have mum. I loved trackies & a singlet, still do.

- - solere04 said
  - 28 May 2013
    11:54 am
i lived in a loose pair of cargos. I couldn’t wear the pants with the big bands because my belly got too big, so elastic waste to sit under the belly was the best bet!

- - candyfairy said
  - 27 May 2013
    3:54 pm
So true, I am currently living in black leggings! haha! 🙂

- - allisonbriggs said
  - 27 May 2013
    11:55 am
i love legging so comfortable the short ones in summer and long in winter and look great oh and i love my jeans too

- - flackstar said
  - 26 May 2013
    12:46 am
I couldn’t fit into jeans with my large butt and leggings look terrible on my short/fat frame. I do agree with the black pants! You can buy them in most discount department stores in short, regular or tall length. Instead of buying expensive maternity clothing; I purchased large button up shirts and crop tops. And comfortable flat shoes are a must!

- - 220606 said
  - 25 May 2013
    12:15 pm
I personally couldn’t afford an overhaul on my wardrobe whilst pregnant. I don’t spend much on me per year, I can 100% say, I spend less than $100 a year on clothes for myself. My baby, my daughter and hubby, I spend on. I live in jeans, and when I was pregnant, I bought a belly belt kit, the one where it clips on/buttons onto your existing pant’s buckle/buttons. I loved them as they came in 3 different colours and they grew with the belly. At home, I just wore sarongs and wraps. As for shirts, I don’t wear tight fitting shirts so my normal shirts worked fine. I did walk into shops and see the maternity range and always felt “I’d really like some”, but like I said I can’t afford it, well I can, but that money to me can be used for more important things. If I was stable financially then yeah, I’d be prancing around in it all. Maybe next time. Oh, I found the yoga pants in kmart that roll down great, they were very comfy for a growing belly.