Submission Sunday: Krista

Intro:
Since we're interested in the many different kinds of wardrobe choices women make, we're thrilled to share a post from Liz's lifelong friend (and regular SSG reader), Krista, who was willing to write about her experience with maternity dressing, which none of us here at SSG have experienced ourselves.  Krista studied Political Science in undergrad and has spent several years working in the non-profit sector, and Liz would describe her style as timeless with a modern twist.  Recently, Krista has demonstrated that dressing well is still important during pregnancy, and we're excited to feature some of her tips for maternity dressing.

Draft:

Composition:
black dress with ruffle detail (Liz Lange for Target)
green sandals (BC Footwear via Nordstrom Rack)
necklace (J Crew)
metallic skinny belt (Gap)
(Photo taken at 38 weeks pregnant)

Usage:
I recently gave birth to my second daughter in as many years. That means I’ve spent a good portion of the last few years wearing maternity clothes. It’s not always easy to feel stylish when pregnant, but I’ve learned a few things along the way that I wish I’d known before I began investing in a maternity wardrobe.

Dresses: I practically lived in dresses during both my pregnancies, especially in the warmer months. They’re comfortable, versatile, and you’re unlikely to grow out of a dress. There were plenty of shirts that fit me during only part of my pregnancy, but almost all of my dresses looked great for all nine months. The dress I’m wearing in these photos was one of my favorites.
Invest in basics: It’s worth the money to purchase a few quality basics for your maternity wardrobe. I didn’t do this during my first pregnancy and I spent nine months wearing pants I hated. Never again! I wised up the second time around and bought three pairs of pants I loved and that made me feel good. Other good basics include anything that’s easily layered – tank tops, t-shirts, cardigans, etc.
Accessorize! Accessories can make an otherwise boring outfit stand out. Yes, pregnancy might sometimes make you feel fat and unattractive, but that's all the more reason to spend a little extra time on your appearance. In this outfit I added the belt to help emphasize my belly and the green shoes to add a pop of color. The necklace pulls the outfit together.
Leggings, leggings, leggings: For the pregnant body, leggings are both cute and practical. Even if you wouldn’t wear them when not pregnant (I probably wouldn’t), they make great sense during pregnancy. They’re incredibly comfortable and can be very flattering when paired with the right tunic or dress. On cooler days, I often wore them under the dress pictured here.
Fitted is often better: Some women are tempted to cover up during pregnancy. Don’t! Particularly as your belly bump grows bigger, show it off. A fitted top or dress will make you look smaller than one that’s loose and oversized. Belts under the bust line like I’m wearing here are a great way to show off the belly. Also, maternity shirts with side ruching are particularly flattering.
Size up: Maternity fashions have improved greatly even in the two years between my pregnancies. But it’s still not always possible to find the right outfit for the right occasion. Consider buying non-maternity clothes in a size larger instead of shopping in the maternity department. Or use items in your existing wardrobe that still fit, like jackets, sweaters, and empire waist tops.

Prompts:

• Do you have any other tips for maternity dressing?  Please share them!
• Pregnancy is one obvious life event that requires one to develop new dressing strategies.  What are some other life events that have forced you to find new ways to style yourself?