First of all, CONGRATS! The miracle of life, the pregnancy glow, creating new life… blah blah blah. Let’s talk about getting dressed in the morning. Ugh. Dressing for pregnancy is hard. Trying to do so, without compromising your values is even harder. I know I always say that you don’t have to compromise values for style and vice versa, but it becomes difficult during pregnancy. Couple that with the intense desire to do nothing but sleep or puke, and you may find yourself giving up. I get it. And truth be told, I made a few ethical compromises during my first pregnancy. So, to help you out, I’ve put together a few tips for Ethical and Eco-Friendly First Trimester Style.
Most of us aren’t telling the world that we are pregnant. Your belly isn’t showing much (just looks like the aftermath of too many tacos), you are bloated, and you feel like sh*t. Your pants don’t fit. At this point, you are trying to not look pregnant, stay comfortable, but still look good.
The key to dressing ethically in your first trimester is to try to wear what you already have, and minimize buying anything new. You’ll most likely need to do that in the second trimester.
Should I get maternity clothes?
No, not yet.
In my first pregnancy, I didn’t start wearing maternity clothes until about the 17th week. And even then, it was more out of comfort than necessity. This time around, I started wearing them in the 15th or 16th (would have worn them earlier, but we didn’t get them out of the attic until then!). So, it is really up to you and your growing bump.
So, in the first trimester, resist the urge to shop. Your body is going to change a lot, and you can’t be quite sure how. You won’t know what is flattering until you really start showing. And, you are probably reading this because you are trying to reduce your environmental footprint and are generally a conscious consumer. While pregnancy adds new challenges, you might be surprised how far a little creativity and a lot of patience will go.
What else not to do during the first trimester:
Do not just wear bigger clothes
Big clothes are just going to make you feel bigger. You don’t need that now. Do not go and buy anything that is one size larger. Or wear your SO’s clothes. Just don’t. Oversized is a different story…
Do not go for the empire waist.
Yet. Save it for when you truly have a bump. The empire waist makes even the tiniest bloat look enormous.
What to do during the first trimester:
Take stock
Go through what you do have, and take your time. You might be surprised what will get you through the next few weeks. Most likely, you have quite a few things that can be repurposed as maternity wear, this trimester and beyond. Think about what you wear at your most bloated. Those are the ones! Look for your oversized, stretchy, some button down tops, your tunics, your leggings, cardigans, and more. I have a few dresses that I can wear into the 9th month.
Put aside the things you definitely won’t wear in the next few months
I recommend putting them in a separate section of your closet or in a different closet if possible. It will help you get dressed in the morning, and not make you long for the pre-pregnancy days of easy (easier?) dressing. This section of your closet will grow, just like your bump.
Know that it gets a little easier to dress in the 2nd trimester
Or at least it did for me. I felt more confident with my bump, and less like a flabby, tired version of myself. And, once you start really showing and telling people, you are’t trying to hide it. Flaunting a bump is much easier, and more flattering.
What to actually wear
Long tanks
I live in Southern California, so it is tank top season almost all year. For most of you, that isn’t the case, but these can still be life savers. Think of them as layering pieces. They will cover your growing bump, prevent showing your midsection, and hide your rubber band waist band (see below).
Dresses
They are comfortable, and depending on the style can hide your bump. I lived in a flowy maxi for the first 10 or so weeks. It draped just so, to hide the additional bloating, but showed off my shoulders and chest (think distractions!). The added bonus is that your exhausted mind doesn’t have to pair two items. Just add shoes!
Many people will tell you to stay away from bodycon dresses. I will not. I think a snug fit, even in the first trimester, works. They are comfortable, stretchy, and while not hiding any midsection gain, can still be flattering. My non-maternity body conscious dresses get me through at least 8 months. And in the second trimester they are so cute!
Oversized
Not larger, oversized. An oversized sweater, tank, or tee, that is already in your closet is perfect for hiding the bump-to-be. Think tunics, trapeze sweaters, even button downs. But pair them with slimmer pants so you aren’t just dressing like a tent.
Accessories
I am a big fan of the “distract” method of dressing. Huge scarves, big statement necklaces, bold bags and shoes, basically anything that distracts from your growing belly.
Kimonos, blazers, jackets
Anything that can be worn over your long tank, while giving your look a little something interest.
Accentuate your assets
Perhaps, you’re a little thicker through the middle, and your butt has grown. Most likely, your boobs have also grown. Why not show off a little cleavage? For most of my life, I had absolutely no cleavage, so pregnancy was a very exciting time for me! At this point, most women won’t have too many changes in their legs and arms, so show a little leg.
All of this might feel a little limiting, but it is only a few months. It might not be the most stylish time of your life, but it is short lived. Also, keep this list in mind. A lot of these tips will help in the fourth (fifth and sixth, if those were a thing) trimester as well.
Tips on wearing your existing clothes
The rubber band trick
You can keep your old jeans in rotation for a little longer if you rubber band them. Loop a rubber band or hair tie around the button and through the buttonhole, then back again. Voila! A few more weeks and a few more inches. Pair with your long tank and a kimono.
Belly Bands
You can also add life to your pants and skirts with belly bands. Either a DIY or grab one online. Before I could even search for any, my mom sent me two conventional ones during my pregnancy that I will wear this time. I did find this one. These can extend some pants well into the second, and even third trimester, depending on the pants and the way your belly is positioned.
DIY
If you have old jeans that you don’t think you’ll want to wear after pregnancy, you can DIY your own. Take a look at this tutorial. Or you can make your own belly band. A Beautiful Mess has a whole section on DIY maternity options, and if you can repurspose things you already own, perfect!
Be Creative. And Forgiving
You may try on a dozen dresses, and hate them all, including your pre-pregnancy favorites. Just remember, even if you feel like it lasts forever (while writing this, I am pretty convinced I’ve already been pregnant for 105 weeks. It is never ending), it is really a short period of time. You will get through it.
Get a little creative with your outfit combos, and try not to get too emotional when things don’t look or feel like you wish they would.
What you might need to buy
Again, this isn’t the time to shop. Save that for next trimester. But, my boobs change immediately. Like, literally the moment of conception (or so it seems). My bras strangle me. In the first trimester, I wore a few bralettes early on and practically lived in one of my yoga bras, but then moved on to seamless maternity/ nursing bras. I love boob for these. I went with maternity/ nursing combos to do double duty. I wisely chose to only buy a few because I didn’t know what wasgoing to happen in the next few weeks, but I chose stretchy fabrics, and have been pleased because they lasted me through my entire first pregnancy, and twenty months of breastfeeding, and are getting me through the second one as well. Waaaaaay beyond 30 wears! They are not exactly what I would call beautiful anymore, but they are doing the trick!
In short, use this time to be creative with what you have and start thinking about a capsule wardrobe. The most ethical solution is to not buy anything new at all, and the first trimester is the perfect time to do that.
