Finding your maternity fashion fit
December 14, 2008
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Want to find fitting, flatterning fashions for your term? To get started off on the right foot, don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to buy bigger sizes when you are pregnant.
Why not? Maternity manufacturers have already made it easy — they scale the clothes to correspond to pre-pregnancy sizes, and have adjustment the cuts to fit growing bellies and bosoms. This means that pant legs and sleeves will still fit your frame (assuming your legs and arms don’t get longer with pregnancy!), necklines fall correctly and your hemlines are proportionate.
One more piece of advice — be sure to look for your pre-pregnancy numbered size, not letter size (i.e., look for a 10, not a Medium). Manufacturers vary widely on what they each call a small, medium, large and x-large, so be sure you know what the corresponding number size is before you buy. (Even if ordering online, most maternity wear websites have measurement charts to help you get the proper fit.)
Well-made maternity clothes give you the extra room only where you need it — belly, bust, hips, and arm holes — while maintaining the pre-pregnancy proportions of each size range. Front hemlines on tops and jackets may be slightly longer earlier in your term to allow for gradual leveling out as your belly expands.
Also, particularly early in pregnancy, expect a little extra material in dresses and jackets to allow for expansion. Jacket clips or tie-backs can be used used to gather any extra fabric back until you need it — and need it you will, sooner than you think!
By Teresa Gallagher and Maria Mueller, formerly of AnnaCris Maternity
Pictured is the Chiarakruza Floral Bristol Maternity Dress from Due Maternity.
Read More:
How to look pregnant, NOT pudgy
Maternity clothes that fit YOUR style
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