There are pros and cons to wearing non maternity outfits during your pregnancy. The biggest pro is of course saving money while being able to make good use of your existing wardrobe, however, the con is that this rule doesn't apply to everything you own.
For example, jeans and other trousers are just not going to cut it anymore - and this is where maternity clothes come in.
I'm currently seven months pregnant and I knew from the get-go that I didn't want to compromise on my style or spend loads on items I might not wear again - even if I were to have a second baby, I might be in my third trimester during a different season, thus making maternity summer dresses pointless.
So I set about looking at my existing wardrobe and seeing what I could make work vs. what I had to park for a few months. Luckily, I am a big dress wearer, and particularly love floaty styles and knitted dresses in winter, both of which could easily fit my growing bump.
Other wardrobe basics I found worked were oversized shirts and jumpers, as well as jumpsuits and blazers. Quite a few pregnant women have gotten in touch with me on Instagram asking me 'how can I wear non-maternity clothes while pregnant?', so I thought I'd share my top picks here.
These are all items you can buy now and wear during your pregnancy, but also cherish for long after your baby's born.
The best non maternity outfits
Non maternity outfits: The shirt dress
The shirt dress is a wardrobe staple regardless of whether you're expecting or not, but it's one that I've definitely worn more with the bump. This style tends to come oversized anyway, so it should be easy to wear going into your third trimester.
Non maternity outfits: The oversized shirt
I know I keep banging on about the oversized look, but it really is one of my favourites. In normal times, I think it looks incredibly chic and makes an item look more expensive than it is. In bump times, it's just a comfortable basic.
This gorgeous Del Moment wave shirt isn't strictly oversized, however if you want to serve Rihanna vibes, I really love opening up your shirt buttons over the belly to expose it. This look isn't for the faint-hearted though, and it does also work with a high waisted skirt underneath so you can give a little bit less of a glimpse.
Non maternity outfits: The jumpsuit
You don't have to go with the standard pregnancy denim dungarees to enjoy jumpsuits during those nine months. I have knitted and oversized ones that I've managed to wear throughout, or you can opt for a wide leg style like the above Cos one, which could absolutely pass off as a dress.
Non maternity outfits: The floaty dress
My love for floaty dresses knows no bounds, and they've served me well during my pregnancy. Now that the weather is (hopefully) getting warmer, opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics such as silk and linen. Word of advice when wearing silk: do wear a bra and maternity pads if you can. I found out the hard way that colostrum leaks are definitely a thing, and that dry cleaning is the only way to get rid of the stains.
Non maternity outfits: The A-line dress
A-line styles are a great option for the office, since they're a little more tailored than floaty styles, so give off a more polished look. Finding the right size for you is a bit trial and error, I went for my usual size, but then my breasts haven't grown too much, so depending on your bust size, you might want to go a size or two up, which will still fit post pregnancy, with or without a belt.
Non maternity outfits: The knitted dress
Lastly, another maternity staple for me has to be the knitted dress. I wore countless long-sleeved styles this winter, which have evolved with my bump. There are plenty of cool sleeveless styles for summer too, and they're a great option if you want a fitted look to show off your gorgeous body. Pro tip: try and rotate those wears as much as you can so the dress doesn't lose its shape too much.
