Maternity Wear
New Zealand Maternity Wear
Gone are the days when being pregnant meant hibernating away from the spotlight. These days, women are proud to show their blossoming bellies. At a time when feeling good about yourself is just as important for your baby, here are a few maternity wear tips to get you through the maternity and nursing phase.
For the first three months or so you will probably want to wear your normal clothes, so you have plenty of time to shop around, and remember that you will be at least one size larger in maternity wear clothes.
Belly bands and belts
Now why didn’t we know about these BEFORE pregnancy? Wouldn’t they be a great addition to your Christmas wardrobe when rich foods rather than a cute baby provide the need for these functional and cheap additions to your wardrobe. Try the SNAP belt or SNAP belly band - these allow your clothes to expand and shrink with you.
Maternity jeans and trousers
Pregnancy jeans come in good styles and you’ll no doubt be wearing them well after your baby is born, so invest in a quality pair. How about trying out our own celebrity maternity wear designer, Mandy Barker’s fashion maternity wear range for inspiration. Buy pregnancy trousers in neutral colours to mix with new tops and accessories.
Pregnancy and nursing tops
You’ll need at least four pregnancy or nursing tops to mix-and-matc,h but with many tunics and smocks available at normal clothing stores you can easily find some funky maternity tops to buy. The longer style of tops available will also be a good option during pregnancy. V-neck t-shirts are flattering and cross-over shirts last well as your size increases.
Little black dress
This proven formula for hiding all our bodily faults is put to great use during pregnancy. Wrap dresses enable you to expand without breaking a seam, and the little black dress can be dressed down for work or up for a formal occasion so it passes the versatility test. Try Little Foot Designs' black maternity dress for a flattering fit. Maternity evening wear is enhanced by pashminas and wraps, which are also a good way to cover up on chilly evenings both before and after your baby is born.
Maternity lingerie
Hot Milk? No, not what you give your baby, Hot Milk lingerie offers a range of maternity and nursing lingerie to make Kiwi mums and mums-to-be feel special. Bendon have also just launched a reasonably priced 'motherlove' range so there is plenty from which to choose. Just remember that cup sizes change dramatically after your baby is born and you might like to consult a specialist bra shop at 37 weeks to be specially measured for a breastfeeding bra.
Office outfits
Invest in a good quality suit and then buy cheaper tops to mix-and-match with it. Cross-over shirts are a good style for the office and are practical as well as comfortable. You probably won’t have as many clothes in your maternity wardrobe as in your normal wardrobe so invest in plenty of accessories.
Big foot
Your shoe size can increase in your last trimester - many women suffer from swollen feet. Tying your shoelaces may also prove difficult towards the end of your pregnancy, so invest in quality slip-ons with room to move. Crocs shoes are ultra-comfortable and now come in prima ballet slipper pumps!
What’s yours is mine
Don’t forget to raid your partner’s wardrobe for t-shirts and shirts to wear loosely over an ever-blossoming tummy. That way you can give it back to him once the baby is born and save some money for yourself.
Ready-made capsule
Many maternity wear retailers offer trendy maternity garments in a ‘capsule’ or ‘survival kit’ format. How about trying EGG Maternity’s Survival Kit that includes a v-neck top, singlet, 5-way skirt and wide leg pants. It’s worth considering at $269.50 as a discount maternity wear option, available from EGG Maternity Wear. And if cheap maternity clothes are what you're after and you live on the North Shore in Auckland, consider an appointment with Blooming Beautiful who sell second-hand maternity clothes which can be sold back to them after your baby is born.
Pregnancy knickers
These stretch as your tummy grows. Don’t forget to bring more than enough to the hospital to avoid wearing the ones they leave you next to the bed! Low-slung or hipster styles are also suitable for maternity pants as they fit comfortably under your tummy. With so many new maternity lingerie ranges available you won’t have to forgo style for comfort.
Here comes the bride... plus one
These days, many women get married while pregnant and this provides extra challenges in the bridal dress department. Remember that your back will broaden with your pregnancy so do any dress fittings as close to the day as you can. Most brides lose weight to the run up to the wedding, which isn’t an option during pregnancy. Enjoy your size and curves and focus on accessories, hair and makeup to take away from any feeling of being out of shape. A long veil is also a good cover-up for self-conscious brides.
With many women saving up to have time off with their baby, maternity clothing may not be top of the list. Think about borrowing from friends, buying online from sites such as Trade Me for second hand maternity clothing options and if you can sew - or you know someone who can - look into pregnancy clothing patterns.
Looking for more information? Find maternity wear clothes in the NZS.com directory.
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Family images from Flickr: Baby Boots, Kids Classroom and Hands.
