Not all pregnant mom feel the need to change their wardrobe at the same time. But the signs for maternity wear shopping are the same: your jeans are becoming harder and harder to button, your bump is starting to pop out of your clothes, and you find a growing preference for stretchy fabric.

First Trimester

• You don’t need to make a lot of big changes in your wardrobe yet. In fact, you may still want to hide your little baby bump at this point. 

• If you want to conceal the bump, check your closet for looser tops and dresses, especially the types that drape strategically or have ruching that tend to distract the eye. Trapeze tops and oversized slouchy tops also work.

• If you’re fine with revealing your changing shape, you can see how you feel in stretchy, form-hugging pieces like tanks, maxi skirts, and t-shirt dresses.

• If you’re shopping for new clothes already, you’ll want clothes you can grow into. Take note that besides your bump, your breasts will be growing too.

• There are some special maternity items that can help you extend the use of your pre-pregnancy wardrobe. A popular choice is the maternity belly band, a stretchy tube-like fabric that holds up your favorite jeans and conceals the fact that you can’t button up anymore. It’s something you can use throughout your pregnancy.

• Some expectant moms use a hair tie to keep the jeans together, which is a good trick for the early part of your pregnancy.

Second Trimester

• Your body will be changing dramatically during this period. It may be a good time to invest in some stylish maternity pieces. If you were barely showing at the beginning of this trimester, that won’t last very long. 

• Choose styles that will allow you the space for your belly to grow. Loose and flowy, or stretchy and form fitting—the choice is yours. As long as you feel comfortable, you feel adequately covered, and you can move easily, maternity style can be quite personal.

• If the budget permits, you can have a couple of maternity jeans to last you until the end of your pregnancy, maternity leggings that offer support, and roomy blazers and sweaters you can layer on. Consider dresses that adjust as you grow, like infinity and wrap dresses.

• You may also want to look into maternity wear that also works as nursing garments, if you plan to breastfeed.

• Around Week 18, you may want to look into maternity bras. What you’re looking for are bras with cups that fully cover the breasts, bands that don’t ride up, thick back closures and wide, cushioned straps. And, no, you can’t simply go up sizes of your favorite bra style.

• Also: shoes. Invest in flat, comfortable shoes—maybe a size bigger than your regular one—to stay comfortable and safe. Indulge in something stylish so it’s something that makes you happy to wear often.

Third Trimester

• By now, you should be more comfortable in dressing a growing bump—but at this point, it’s easier said than done. Your belly is still getting bigger and there’s a lot of movement happening now. 

• What you need more than anything now? Comfort. Choose clothes that are easy to wear and move around in. Hopefully, your second trimester clothes can accommodate your growing body. Just make a few changes: open the cardigan, loosen the wrap dress, or layer your button-down shirt over your stretchy top.

• You may need some extra-long tees or blouses to fully cover your bump now. Find cute, inexpensive maternity tops to carry you to the end of your term. If you feel like they’re too casual, add a pretty scarf or a sharp jacket to pull a look together.

• This is the time to prepare what you need to wear for the hospital, and for after birth. You’d want a comfortable robe to slip on easily, and one you don’t mind soiling (you can choose something in brown, black, red, or other dark colors that can camouflage blood stains). And pick out a going-home outfit! Your body won’t be snapping back right away—no one’s body does—so pick one of your roomier second trimester clothes to dress up your postpartum body.

SOURCES:

Styling The Bump – First Trimester Tips (How to Style, What To Buy)

https://themomedit.com/2010/09/stylingthebump-firsttrimester/ 

First Trimester Fashion Advice: How Not to Look Pregnant (Even If You Are)

https://www.babble.com/pregnancy/first-trimester-fashion-advice-how-not-to-look-pregnant-even-if-you-are/

Stylish and Affordable Maternity Clothes for Every Season

https://www.thebump.com/a/maternity-clothes

Second Trimester Fashion Tips: How to Dress a Baby Bump

http://www.seraphine.com/en-gb/life/2016/06/second-trimester/

Third Trimester Fashion Tips: How to Work a Baby Bump

http://www.seraphine.com/en-gb/life/2016/07/3rd-trimester-fashion/

Dressing the Bump During the Third Trimester

https://lifebylee.com/dressing-bump-third-trimester/ 

How to Dress for Pregnancy—and the Fourth Trimester

https://www.workingmother.com/how-to-dress-work-pregnancy-fourth-trimester

Maternity Clothes: 5 Third Trimester Essentials

http://www.momtastic.com/pregnancy/489639-maternity-clothes-5-third-trimester-essentials/#/slide/1