Idiosyncratic Style

Guest blogger: Nina O’Reilly-Draddy, a pregnant fashionista four times over

Lavish by Heidi Klum

The Basics
Don’t overbuy. Start with a few good basics like black pants, black skirt, white button down shirt and a wrap dress. Once you have the basics you can start to fill in the blanks with a few fun items. I have often rotated the same 6 outfits, but mixed different tops. Once you are post-baby bump, you don’t want to end up with an entire wardrobe you won’t wear anymore. Invest money only in a few great pieces and then round out your options with more inexpensive items to keep you from getting bored with your closet.

Shops: Michael Stars, Mimi Maternity, Pea in a Pod, Gap and Old Navy.

Maternity Staples by Pea in the Pod

Maternity Basics by Old Navy

The Filler Fashion
Don’t limit yourself to maternity wear, you will quickly get bored with the selection or tired of the heavy price tags. There is a lot offered in regular retailers that will work with a growing belly. Look for long shirts, empire waists, baby doll cuts, leggings, yoga pants, cardigans and bohemian tops and dresses. Keep your eye open for pieces with a loose-fit or made with stretchy fabric. Remember to leave a little room for growth if you are early in your pregnancy.

Shops: The sale rack at Anthropologie for tops, H&M for cardigans and  New York & Company for a good selection of knitwear.

Tops by Anthropologie

Knitwear by New York & Company

The Must Haves
Sevens Maternity Jeans
Be sure to buy them one size larger than you are now, if you aren’t really showing. I made the mistake of buying a pair when I was still skinny thinking that my butt and thighs were going to remain smaller - but as my husband pointed out “you can’t build a house without a foundation”, so give yourself a little extra leg room.

Maternity Jeans by Seven for All Mankind

Lululemon Yoga Pants
They will be your best friend throughout your pregnancy, especially towards to end when nothing but the comfort of yoga pants feels good stretched across your belly. When I got to my third pregnancy, I wore the same pants so much that my mother insisted on burning them.

Active Wear by Lululemon

Stay Yourself
Throughout your pregnancy remember to stay rooted in your personal style. You may not be able to wear the exact same things you once did, but you can keep consistent with your fashion choices. Most accessories are size-less so they can help anchor each look with your signature style throughout all nine months. You will go through many changes and it will be comforting to look in the mirror, see your idiosyncratic style shine through and be able to feel like yourself.

Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Heidi Klum & Nicole Richie