Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am currently pregnant with my first child and while the excitement and preparation of being a mommy is all-consuming, I'm very concerned about maintaining my personal sense of style as my belly is ever-expanding. I've seen women in maternity clothes (i.e. circus tents) and that look just isn't me! I want to embrace the belly! How do I develop my maternity look for work and for play: (1) without breaking the bank and (2) with absolutely NO MUUMUU dresses?

Signed,

Maternity Wear for Blossoming Baby Bump

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Dear M.W.F.B.B.B.,

Just because you're "with child" doesn't mean you have to be without style. Maternity wear has come a long modern way since the days of women being relegated to wearing muumuu's for any reason other than channeling Mrs. Roper from Three's Company.

As your pregnancy progresses you're going to want to invest in a few key pieces of maternity wear - two pairs of maternity jeans, two pairs of maternity work pants, four to six maternity tank tops - and/or a belly band - and solid colored maternity tops as you progress throughout your pregnancy. Escape the higher cost of maternity wear by looking at the sales sections first. Even if its a little larger than you are at that time, you can tell if you'll grow into it. Also, if its something you like you should get it so as you to continue to expand your family from the inside out you'll have new affordable baby-on-board clothing to look forward to wearing. Not only will this help you evade the feelings of "I'm pregnant and nothing fits" but it will work as an overall confidence booster if you're ever feeling at odds with yourself and your bodies changing landscape.

Look for maternity tops - or dresses - that appeal to your sense of style and work with your current wardrobe accessories. Go for jewel-toned tops and dresses that will pop against your skin tone and will add to your growing glow. A statement necklace, pair of earrings or bangles and bracelets will help draw attention away from your midsection and back to you. Even shirts or dresses that show off your cleavage or décolletage will draw the attention back to you and not your pregnancy.

So you see, you can move into maternity and avoid muumuu-ing. The closest you may come to a loose, body skimming dress would be in the form of an empire waist or halter dress which will be your friend once you start to reach your due date. This advice should help you keep your style while highlighting your pregnancy. The expression "you can have your cake and eat it too" comes to mind but in your case, you can have your baby and save the cake till after you've shed the post-baby weight.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com