Wardrobe & Image Planning

Maternity Fashion Wear Clothes 2006

By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com

Wardrobe & Image Planning Maternity Clothes 2006

• Choose Comfortable Fabrics for Maternity Wear

• UK Maternity Wear Websites Online

• USA Maternity Wear Websites Online

• Australian Maternity Websites Online

Young mothers to be in the late noughties will find more and more ranges across the high street with dedicated maternity sections.  Mothercare is not the only place to find comfortable maternity wear.   Dorothy Perkins has sold a very fashionable maternity collection alongside its everyday range for years, but now Next, Topshop, New Look and even Marks and Spencers all have small ranges of maternity clothing.

Maternity wear has at long last become more attractive.  Fashionable styles in maternity wear have become more available since the 1990s.  Now with the volume silhouette back in fashion, the early months of pregnancies are even more easily accommodated with normal clothes.  Fashion hasn't favoured those expecting babies for since baby doll dresses were all the rage in the 1960s.

Baby doll fashions and some loose baggy styles straight off the high street ranges are great to wear during the early months of pregnancy.  But after 6 months, women always need to accommodate that ever growing bump.  This is where specialist maternity wear with generous waistlines, which can grow with you and baby, are essential for your comfort and morale.  If your clothes fit you, however heavy you feel, you will cope better and your self-esteem will improve when you know you have made the best of yourself that day.

This lovely empire-line, baby doll, maternity dress is from Dorothy Perkins 2006 range.  (See picture to the right.)   The dress is perfect for a summer's day when pregnancy can make a woman feel even more hot and bothered than usual.

Choose Comfortable Fabrics for Maternity Wear

Look out for maternity wear with fabrics that are comfortable and which will move with you. 

You may also want to breastfeed after the birth so think about how a garment will open for easy access for baby.  This white smock (right) also from Dorothy Perkins has every element of this season's fashionable whitework look. Note how it also has an open front, making breastfeeding an easier option than a closed top.

For maternity wear, jersey knits are ideal.  Maternity clothes can be outgrown before you know it, so make sure that you buy the right size; opting for a larger size if you are debating between 2 sizes.  By the final week of pregnancy you will be so glad you still have room to expand.

You may feel rather large for some weeks after the birth so you can continue to make use of the maternity wear until you can get your figure back.  Those who have Caesarean births may also want only loose clothes over the scar area until it settles down.

Whilst in love with the idea of motherhood, you may not be too thrilled about your enlarging waistline for the next months.  You want to sail through pregnancy looking as elegant as always.  The maternity fashions shown on this page should help you assess the variety of practical styles available to you in the high street.  You can also browse the list of UK, USA and Australian maternity wear specialists below. 

Remember that little black dress can make you feel just as good during pregnancy as you normally do.  Just get the correct fit for your growing body. This one left is from Dorothy Perkins.

One idea worth considering if you have lots of friends, is to pool maternity wear.  Perhaps you could form a group with friends who have just been pregnant and are thinking of another pregnancy soon.  You may have an event such as a wedding to attend, consider saving on buying a garment and either hire an outfit or ask around other recently pregnant mums.  Just as some friends loan each other cruise wear for exotic 5 star holidays, so you can share during pregnancy too.

Buy maternity jeans for everyday wear to help you feel more normal and like everyone else.  Both Blooming Marvellous and Next do reliable maternity jeans that have adjustable waistbands, which makes them longer lasting and therefore better value.  You may also like wearing cropped jeans like these from Dorothy Perkins and shown right. The adjustable waistline means you can let out the waist and remain in fashion.

One thing that is best bought specifically for you is the correct support wear for both your bust and your baby bump, start planning from about 6 weeks into pregnancy.  Ask your local lingerie specialists for maternity advice on bras and other support wear.  Don't neglect this area however much it costs.  Supporting your figure at this stage will help maintain a better shape after the event and reduce stretching of skin.

Underwear specialists Rigby and Peller, Bravissimo or Figleaves also feature maternity lingerie products such as nursing bras as do most of the maternity stockists mentioned on this page.

These days you can take much of the hassle out of trudging round stores for basic items by shopping online, you can browse a wide range of maternity fashion suppliers including Next, Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Emma Jane and Isabella Oliver.

Here are some suppliers (in no particular order) for you to check out.  Many sell all types of related maternity and new baby products, but some especially feature a specific type of maternity garment and I've tried to mention this briefly.

You are reading an original maternity fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas at www.fashion-era.com
 

UK Maternity Wear Websites Online

http://www.funmum.com/ good range fun wear, occasion, work wear, petites and taller clothes

http://www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/ some attractive items

http://hommemummy.co.uk/

http://www.maternitysuperstore.com/ low priced budget clothes

http://www.tiffanyrosematernity.com/ stylish, glamorous, maternity wedding dresses, swimwear

http://www.cravematernity.co.uk/ work wear, jackets, tailoring, dresses

http://www.pushmaternity.com/ UK trendy designer maternity fashion wear boutique

http://www.yummymummy.co.uk/ silk nightwear, maternity wear, yummymummy home parties

http://www.yummymummymaternity.co.uk/ linen trousers and more, yoga wear, occasions, bras

http://www.blossommaternity.com/pp_section.htm business maternity wear

http://www.mothercare.com/ mother and baby, bras, tights, swimwear, clothes, hospital bag,

http://www.budget-bumps.com/ good as new maternity wear for the budget aware

http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/ everyday wear and health and fitness garments

http://www.fromheretomaternity.co.uk/ funky and attractive fashions

http://www.maternityexchange.co.uk/ dress agency second wear clothes for maternity

http://www.lovematernity.co.uk/ Cheshire based maternity wear.

USA / Canada Maternity Wear Websites Online

http://www.theality.com/intro.php

http://www.apeainthepod.com/ designer denim, designer maternity clothes, lovely cocktail dresses, long dresses and ranges such as Diane Von Furstenberg etc, coats, shorts, career wear...

http://www.evalillian.com/ nice feminine maternity dresses, well covering swimwear, transitional wear -  http://www.evalillian.com/Belly-cast-kit-prod35.htm  bellycast and clothes 

http://www.dressmaternity.com/ bridal maternity wear

http://www.maternity-clothing-fashions.com/ great site, maternity wedding gowns, plus sizes

http://www.momshop.com/  swimwear average and plus size maternity dresses

http://www.grandstyle.com/ plus size wear maternity size 14+

http://www.nicolematernity.com/ also stocks plus size maternity wear

http://www.bellablumaternity.com/ business maternity and also petite maternity

http://www.onehotmama.com/  swimwear, mama Spanx, bras, other

http://www.fitmaternity.com/ including tennis maternity wear

http://www.pregnancyclothes.com/ including transition maternity wear such as jeans

http://www.westernmaternitywear.com/ for western styled maternity wear

http://www.roundbelly.com/  organic and tall maternity clothes, arts 'n crafts Eco wear

http://www.euphoriamaternity.com/ fashion tuned styles

http://www.9monthsinstyle.com/store/index.php includes swimwear

http://www.blossommaternity.com/

http://www.modernmaternity.com/ Canada fashion wear for mums-to-be

http://www.melissareneematernity.com/ for a new line in maternity with international shipping

Australian Maternity Websites Online

http://www.ripe.com.au/  some pretty tops and 2 long evening gowns

http://www.fertilemind.com.au/   See my page on the 6 Way Dress here.

http://www.barefootmaternity.com.au/ functional clothes including some plus size maternity.

http://www.queenbee.com.au/ belly bands and attractive, dresses, skirts tops, jeans and other items.

http://www.motherhoodavenue.com.au/ For some pretty maternity dresses and other items. New site.

You may also like to see how the 6 Way Dress works as a great solution for part of your maternity wardrobe.  The 6 Way dress can also be comfortably worn as a skirt in several styles either under or over the belly as well as styled as a dress with several halter neck options, as a strapless, baby doll, cowl neck or cap sleeve variation.  See my page on the 6 Way Dress here.

You have been reading an original maternity fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas at www.fashion-era.com

Page added 6 April 2006.  Updated August 26.

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