How to dress for your first trimester, according to a fashion editor
Prioritize comfort, mama.
EZ Gif
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When it comes buying maternity clothes in the early days of pregnancy, it can be hard to find your personal style, especially if you are still keeping the exciting news under wraps. And while the first trimester comes with a lot of physical changes on the inside, the visible ones (hello, bump!) don’t take shape until you are further along.
So how, exactly, do you dress a bump that’s not quite there yet? The key is to know what exactly to wear during this time to make you feel the most comfortable and beautiful.
Looking for first trimester clothes? Here are our fashion tips to remember during those early days of pregnancy, mama:
1. Opt for affordable maternity styles and items that can you can wear long-term
In the second trimester you’ll have a better idea where your weight will be distributed (other than the belly), so it’s best to hold off on spending loads of money on maternity pieces to ensure this investment takes you through the duration of your pregnancy. Or, if you do find a piece you love and it’s a bit higher priced, ensure that it’s a practical purchase that can be worn into the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. (The best buys are items you can enjoy even after baby arrives!)
2. Embrace your belly
The baby is coming and you may or may not be telling everyone yet. We get it, mama! But you have a long journey ahead when it comes to showing off the bump so why not start embracing it now? The beginning days can appear more bloating than true baby bump so some mamas want to hold off on the form-fitting belly enhancing silhouettes until the second trimester. But, we say go for it!
3. Invest in a very comfy bra
Your breasts will start changing as early as conception—in fact, it may be one of the very first pregnancy symptoms you get. As your breasts grow, it’s a good idea to invest in a few new bras to ensure the fit and support is complimentary to your new shape. Our pick? This style from Motherhood Maternity. It’s soft as butter and will double as a nursing bra later.
4. Prioritize how you feel
We know, leggings are comfortable and easy to wear throughout your entire pregnancy. We love wearing them, too but it’s easy to fall into the legging rut early in the game. As an alternative, consider a pair of classic joggers. Or how about some sleek pants that are just as comfortable but far more polished?
4. Invest in practical, comfortable pieces that work as layers
Your body temperature will likely fluctuate as your hormones seem to shift to all corners of the universe. That means some days you’ll strip down to a tank and shorts. Other days you’ll want nothing more than to wrap up in a cozy sweater with a hot cup of tea. So, adding some layering options like a soft cardigan wrap sweater is a good idea.
5. Treat yourself to something cute and trendy, because you can
Gone are the dated, embarrassing maternity styles of years past. Todays’ pregnant woman gets to look adorable while tooling around town in the trendiest styles, including a roomy jumpsuit.
6. Don’t forget to add a comfortable, practical pair of maternity jeans into your cart
Wear them to work, wear them to run errands, wear them out for date night, or wear them to sit on the couch binge-ing Netflix. Just pick a pair you love and you’ll be all set.
A version of this story was published November 16, 2021. It has been updated.