Maintaining your Personal Image while pregnant
Adjusting to pregnancy body image-wiseShow it off - This may seem hard when your body seems to be taking off on its own and you feel so sick in the first trimester. The last thing on your mind may be thinking about what to wear. But as your pregnancy takes its course and the morning sickness wears off, remember this is one of the most sacred times for you as a woman and therefore make the most of it. Rather than cover up or try to hide away, choose clothing that still fits the lines of your body and flatters your basic body shape. (Note avoid over-exposure - see below). Keep Confident - Pregnancy affects women in different ways. Remember that your way isn't the wrong way however your body changes or grows. Please don't take it seriously when you see the likes of Victoria Beckham putting on what seems like no weight at all while pregnant, and within a few weeks not seeming as if a birth even took place. Most of media and society today focuses on the 'maiden' archetype - svelte and young looking women - and that of course doesn't resemble the pregnant 'matriarch'. Our body image can therefore take a bit of a battering. Pregnant women forget that this a time when you naturally 'glow' and many a friend has told me how men seem to flock to you naturally when you are pregnant and you receive a lot of complements. So if your new growing body seems a shock to you, it is in fact a magical thing to others. Rejoice in this time and start try to disguise yourself! And next time you start ranting about how you are worried about whether you can fit into a pair of jeans - remember you have a baby growing in there and hopefully that will give you a jolt of reality. Honour motherhood - If you find yourself feeling like you are losing yourself and something is taking over leaving you with no control or choice - let go! This is natures way of taking you into a new phase in your life - motherhood. Release the 'maiden' archetype that you are holding on to and jump with both feet into this new wonderful stage. Now this also doesn't mean 'let yourself go'; it means wearing your bump with pride. Your Image Type always remains the same, so avoid moving into a dowdy pregnancy wardrobe. Comfort and practicality are key but you don't have to forgo your own identity. Complement who you are already (you don't need to take a create a new image) and combine that with the demands of your new lifestyle. Pregnancy Style AdviceOne size up - In the first few months, it may be a matter of just 'filling' your current clothes more fully and to choose one size up. Your small bump and slight general weight gain will be better accommodated and you will still look good. Don't cheat - Once your bump starts to show a lot more, you then need to move to pregnancy clothing. Going two sizes up or more could be unflattering to the rest of your figure and you could easily feel and look a lot larger than you are. It is your baby that needs the extra room now and not the entire body. Capsule Wardrobe - Begin a small capsule pregnancy wardrobe with a pair of trousers and a skirt that enhance your Image Type and make you feel attractive and comfortable in. Complement these with five tops - like you would with your normal wardrobe - a shortsleeve, a long-sleeve, a knit/or thicker cotton, a camisole/tank top, a cardigan/wrap or tie around top. You also could incorporate a pair of jeans or a more casual sporty trouser. Outfit options: tank top, tie around top over it, jeans or shortsleeve top, camisole underneath peeking out of top, skirt. There are many options with just these 8 items. Lay the items on a bed and play at combining them using different variations. Accessorise - you can use existing accessories to maintain your style - jewellery, scarves and bags. If you start to change your style of accessories, then this is where you could go off tangent and move away from your style type. Colour - Keep wearing the colours that suit you best. Don't consider you have to wear black all of a sudden. This will only bring more attention to you and not make the most of your lovely new glow. Footwear - a clog, a wedge heel or ballet pump is more comfortable when pregnant. Avoid wearing just flip flops the whole time or going and buying a pair of comfort shoes. Shoes can dress up any outfit and a very casual maternity outfit with a fun French Sole ballet pump will immediately give you a lift. A flip flop may on the otherhand immediately dress it down. Over Exposure - Whilst Britney Spears may want to show off her belly, there is an element of etiquette as far as baby-bump exposure. It is not a matter of being proper and keeping your stomach where it is supposed to be - under your top, but a matter of dignity. This is not the time to suddenly reveal your midriff, that is best left for the teenagers. This is a time to cherish your new phase of womanhood with some elegance and as we all know, over exposure can often look trashy rather than trendy. A hot-mama is one that complements her existing style while making sure her clothes fit her. Hot-Mama's that honour pregnancy - Gwyneth Paltrow, Katie Holmes, Brooke Shields, Kate Winslet Current Must-havesThe Bella Band holds trousers up, fills in any gap between trouser and top and works at all stages of the pregnancy - early stages of covering up the underdone button of a jean, to the later stage where your largest tops are getting a bit short. A good bra will make your life so much easier and give you the support you need while breast feeding. Propoline Cream helps reduce stretch marks Best Jeans that will take you through your pregnancy and make your feel trendy and stylish. The Zolowear babysling with great shape and style Stores, On-line Stores and ResourcesNaissance Maternity Wear - designer stylish and sexy, LA Liz Lange - for classical lines and business - US Veronique - Voted best maternity store in New York Blooming Marvellous - a stylish UK store Formes - high end international own label Crave - lots of choice at this trendy designer UK on-line store Fun Mum - a great young UK on-line store Topshop - our favourite UK high street store A pea in the pod - US national store with lots of choice Cute designer pieces with this US on-line store H & M also offer maternity in-store but don't sell on line Try Babyworld for great information and resources Book a Distance Image Profiling Consultation and discover your 'Image Type' and how to dress for you whatever your lifestyle brings you. « Back to The Wardrobe Shrink Forum ©2005 Sarah Whittaker [www.TheWardrobeShrink.com]. 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