Dear Melissa M,
Whether you're a celebrity or not, the rules of maternity wear still apply. Now, whether you choose to ignore the rules is a personal choice. More often than not, stars act as though they are exempt from certain rules because of the bubble they seem to live in. Clothing rules, when applied to maternity wear, are quite simple. Unless you are on the beach or at the cottage, keep your belly covered. While most people are thrilled to give your baby bump a little rub or pat they don't particularly want to see it. Protect your stomach as you would your baby. An exposed belly tends to appear tasteless if not trashy. It's wonderful to embrace your new body, but no one needs to see your growing stomach at work or in the grocery stores. Wearing shirts or dresses that are form-fitting can be sexy, so who needs to unnecessarily expose skin?
A lot of women are also unsure of length when it comes to dresses, skirts or shorts. Baring your legs is a good way to feel sexy when the rest of your body is covered up. However, there is such thing as showing too much leg. Mid-calf is an acceptable length for skirts at both the office and around town . Any shorter and you may run into some problems. Because your stomach will grow outwards, the dress will be more open at the bottom appearing even shorter than it may be. Sometimes you may find it more comfortable (and just as stylish) to wear a long, flowing dress. When Ashlee Simpson was pregnant, she opted for long, bohemian dresses as she found them more comfortable. Although summer is wrapping up, shorts can be worn a little shorter but remember, keep your cheeks covered!
There are a lot of great maternity lines out there today that you may not have access to in your local department store. Thankfully, you have internet access one way or another so take a peek online and see what's out there. If you're three months pregnant or less this will work best for you since you should factor in delivery time. Maternity wear has come a long way so check your local stores again, because you might be pleasantly surprised once you try some garments on. Petite and small girls please note that you may want to purchase t-shirts or sweaters that are extra-large, and roll or hem the sleeves. You can also cheat with regular blouses and dresses as well. You have a definite advantage here, so explore those options. Who knows, it may even save you a few dollars. And don't forget to accessorize because a cute necklace and bracelets will become your fast friends. No matter how basic the outfit is or how large your belly grows, great accessories will always make you feel current.
If you still find yourself questioning whether an outfit is appropriate to wear just consider a few of the following things: would you be embarrassed to wear the outfit in front of a grandparent? If there is a gust of wind are you at risk of flashing everyone? If your answers don't sit well with you, chances are the outfit isn't a strong choice. And lastly, keep your baby bump to yourself. Love your body and flaunt your new curves, just do it in a tasteful manner.