Belly belt
Early pregnancy is a frustrating time. You feel sick, tired and grumpy and to make matters worse, your jeans won’t fasten properly. So what do you do? Invest in a Belly Belt kit!
This clever little pack consists of four waistband extenders, for both button and slide fastening garments. There are also three fabric panels in black, white and denim, which give up to 18cm of extra space for your bump and allow you to wear your favourite clothes for the majority of your pregnancy.
Bump band
This soft, wide fabric band is worn over the bump and hips. It enables you to wear your trousers unbuttoned under the band, holds up maternity jeans that are too loose, keeps trousers up when the belly is pushing them down and even offers gentle support to the lower back. The band can also be doubled over and used as a boob tube under strapless and see-through tops.
Maternity bra
Don’t cut corners when it comes to your vital assets! During pregnancy, a supportive bra is essential. Under-wired bras are a no-no as they can dig in and be uncomfortable.
The best time to buy a maternity bra is around weeks 8-12 of pregnancy. Arrange a fitting with a professional to ensure you are purchasing the correct size and fit. Not only will you feel better, but your posture will benefit too. Most specialist maternity shops offer a personal bra fitting service in their shops.
Cardigan
In our unpredictable climate, cover-ups are a must. Wrap-style cardigans are ultra-flattering and perfect for layering. Short bolero styles sit nicely above the bump and look great when teamed with a dress. Topshop maternity and Mamas & Papas have an extensive selection to choose from!
Tunic top
People think they need to buy lots of maternity tops. It’s not necessary, particularly if you have a bump-band and belly-belt. You could for example, head to Primark, spend £30 and buy enough tunic tops to last the entire nine months.
However, maternity wear is designed with your bump in mind and you’ll want to buy at least one specialist top.
Jersey dress
There’s nothing like a soft jersey dress to make you feel comfortable in your own skin. It’s best to opt for an empire-line or wrap dress. Beg, buy or borrow two – a black one and a printed version.
Maternity jeans
If you buy one thing make sure it’s a good pair of maternity jeans. They have elastic panels, which stretch as your bump grows. Cropped styles are great for airing hot and swollen ankles over the summer! Whereas Carpenter jeans, are roomy and comfortable to wear.Comfy trousers
Towards the end of the last trimester, it gets tiresome to wear anything that digs into your tummy. Soft, pull-on trousers are a godsend. Yoga trousers are a good bet, particularly styles with a fold over waistband. Moda by Mothercare has a great range of jersey bottoms.
Swimwear
Even if you’re not going on holiday this year, swimming is the best tonic for aching limbs and back pain.
Flat shoes
Your feet expand and get a bit puffy when you’re expecting. Try to avoid wearing flip-flops – it’s better to have a shoe that grips your foot. Birkenstocks are good during hot weather – their moulded foot-bed supports the foot. If you’re really stuck, pop on a pair of Crocs (they are comfy, after all). No one will question your choice of footwear; they’ll just assume you’re a bit mad and hormonal!