Pregnant, Fashionable, and (gasp) Comfortable? Oh Yes.

I’m So Pregnant and Fancy… You Already Know

One of my favorite parts about pregnancy is no one expects you to step out of loungewear attire. No matter the time of day or the location, sweats and ponytails are a-ok. Never one to disappoint, most of the time I stick to my pregnancy attire like it’s a strict uniform policy. But it gets old and boring, and there are days where I miss my cute, sassy, figure flattering outfits where people gasp, “Is she a mother or the babysitter?” Well, in my head that’s how it goes, at least. A woman can dream, right?

The good news is you really can have it both ways, ladies. There are several fancy cheats that can keep you looking classy, sexy (YES! Sexy and pregnant… these two words do fit in the same sentence), and yet oh so comfortable. Gone are the days of staring at the gorgeous maternity pictures on Pinterest and complaining they look unrealistic, or thinking that looking fashionable would cost too much money, or realizing “that bump on that model doesn’t even look real.” Sit down, grab a virgin cosmo (aka cranberry juice. Sorry, it sucks but it LOOKS fancy in a fun martini glass), and listen up.

Flaunt the Feet. Yes I know they’re swollen and achy and carrying the weight of two people right now, but as pregnant ladies it is our obligation to pamper our feet now more than ever. That means pedicures, of course. But also sparkly black flip flops that make you look like a fashionista but feel like you’re sitting on the Lido Deck of that Mexican Riviera cruise you keep hinting at your partner to consider. High heels are out of the question right now, unless you can defy gravity. So go for comfort, but embrace the sexy styles of flats out there.

A photo posted by Girl Two Doors Down (@gtddshoes) on Feb 22, 2016 at 11:21am PST

Go for Cotton, Fitted Clothes. Some days I just don’t want to call attention to my pregnancy at all. If I’m going to the grocery store or the gym and I’m in a hurry, I tend to go with looser attire that draws a little less attention to my stomach. But other days, it’s fun to showcase my little Buddha belly as long as it’s comfortable. Cotton tops are ideal, because they’re soft and they stretch. They’re also less expensive than other fabrics. Pregnancy clothes are a lot like bridesmaid dresses. Everyone says, “And it’s so versatile you can wear it again!” but no one means it. Buy a couple of cute, stretchy cotton tops and rock them all pregnancy long. Target and Old Navy both have great maternity clothes that look trendy and stylish but will not destroy your budget. Remember, you will probably not wear these again post-pregnancy, so try not to kid yourself, and avoid the expensive maternity designers unless throwing away money is your thing.

Embrace the Natural Pregnancy Perks. I’m talking, of course, about your gorgeous pregnancy hair, skin, and nails. If you’re anything like me, your hair finally comes in during pregnancy looking thick and lustrous and you want to wave your head from side to side like a shampoo commercial. Do it, and love it, because this perk is only temporary and it’s just a matter of time before those gorgeous strands come out in clumps in your hairbrush. Wear your hair down, pretend you’re a Garnier spokesperson, and don’t look back.

Skin and nails should get similar love. You’ve got a gorgeous natural glow going on, so flaunt it. My makeup routine is extremely simple: CC cream, mascara, and some lip gloss. That’s it, and it looks fresh and gorgeous. And finally, your fingernails are strong and manageable, just like you always dreamed! File them to your favorite length, throw some color on them, and voila! Now go work it - or as your teenage niece says, “werk it.”

The closer you are to term, the harder it is to look and feel fancy, I know. It’s hard to catwalk when your strut begins to resemble a waddle. And lord knows, you have to want to feel glamorous, and those days don’t come all that often… especially when you’re on your second or third child and have enough crap to deal with already. But if you’re like me, and know this is your last time in elastic band jeans for a long time (maybe forever), you want to embrace this momentous life transformation some of the time. So take these simple steps to go from sweat suit chic to pregnancy prima donna in no time. Then go book that Riviera cruise, because dammit, you look and feel good, and that calls for a celebration!

This post is part of a Blogger Mentorship Challenge run by Julie Nowell of 3 Chicken Consulting. The free mentorship program is available again starting March 16. Sign up here if you’re interested. I highly recommend it!