A pregnancy is the most beautiful and the most trying time in your life, so you want to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible and feel as powerful as you can. But when you’re bent over the toilet most mornings and lied down due to backaches the rest of the time, it can be hard to feel very powerful. Fashion to the rescue! There’s nothing really like putting on a power outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks. However, when your body is changing as rapidly as it does during a pregnancy, it can be tricky to know what will look good. We’re here to help.

Don’t be afraid of the bump

You are pregnant. There’s no going around that, and after a certain point, you will definitely start to show. Sadly, we’re all a bit too obsessed with keeping everything tight and flat, and that makes us feel like our beautiful bump is something to hide away, instead of something to show off. But being pregnant is a beautiful thing, and you should never be afraid to show off your mommy belly. Keep this in mind every time you are dressing, because trying to cover up your belly by wearing baggy clothes will only make you look like a balloon.

Find the things that suit you

Your pregnancy style might not be your usual style, and that’s perfectly fine. Once your bump starts to show, you might not be able to wear the type of silhouettes that you usually do. But that doesn’t mean you should surrender to sweatpants and pajamas. Get a pair of comfortable maternity pants, a couple of shirts that are long enough to cover your belly but not so wide that you lose your shape and then start building your maternity style from there. Don’t be afraid to go shopping and try on different maternity outfits until you find your style. Remember that you will be needing your maternity clothes for some time after you give birth as well, so you shouldn’t feel bad about spending on something “you’re only going to wear for nine months”. You’re a momma-to-be. You deserve it.

Bring in your waist

The biggest problem future moms have is that they feel like their body has become shapeless. Your belly is huge, as well as your breasts and you can’t even see your feet. But in reality, besides your belly growing, you won’t gain that much weight and your body isn’t becoming a blob (although it might feel like it). You can feel better if you redefine where your waist is with a belt or clothing that shows it off. Keep in mind that your waist has certainly moved upwards, and that the best silhouette now is an empire waist. You also want to make sure that the clothes aren’t going too wide to the side from the waist down, because that will give you a tent shape, which isn’t all that flattering. You want it to naturally flow over your belly.

Of course, the rule for maternity wear is comfort above all else, but that doesn’t mean that you should let yourself go and just dress in whatever clothing you feel most comfortable in. There is a way to dress both comfortably and fashionably, because you have to remember that your life doesn’t stop when you get pregnant, and you have to still be able to dress for any occasion and go out of the house feeling great about yourself. Don’t forget that your belly is beautiful and showing it off should be a moment of pride, not one of shame.  Think of this period as a time to challenge yourself to try out new styles and cuts and have fun with what you’re wearing!