Pregnancy and Your Professional Style

For many women, the greatest pregnancy fashion challenge comes when choosing a work wardrobe. However, with just a little forethought and planning, you can quickly and easily pull together a polished and professional look without spending your baby's college tuition fund!

The key here is to shop with an open mind while keeping the following basic guidelines in mind.

1. Stick to solid colors and similar fabrics so everything goes together -- and you can get away with fewer pieces. Darker colors will give you more wear from each piece, plus it will help detract from your growing size. While nothing is going to hide that you are pregnant, you can certainly keep from calling attention to yourself if you avoid loud prints, bright colors, and extremely tight clothes. Simple basics in black, navy, brown, camel, or grey can be easily accented with brightly colored scarves, jewelry, hats, and shoes -- all of which you can also make use of long after baby is born.

2. Don't become a fashion tent. Large, full-cut tops and dresses may seem as if they'll hide your size, but in reality they will actually make you look much bigger, so shop for clothing that is slim cut with some shape. The goal is to develop a neat, pulled-together look that gently hugs your body without clinging. Items with a bit of stretch will not only fit better but also make you feel more comfortable in your clothes, as well as increase their longevity -- important if you can't afford to buy a lot of new pieces. When choosing slacks, look for styles with a slightly flared leg to balance your figure. Skirts should be long enough to allow you to feel comfortable while sitting in direct view of your boss. If you have great legs, however, don't be afraid to show them off with a slim-fitting, knee-length skirt -- just skip the minis and the slits up the side for now.

3. Update your look with fashion jewelry. Nothing says "this season" like a few well-chosen and trendy accessories. Great earrings in colors that complement your eyes will bring lots of attention to your face, while bracelets and necklaces will focus attention away from your outfit and onto your sense of style. And if pregnancy is keeping you from wearing this season's trendiest outfits, remember, for each new style there's a coordinating accessory, so going for half the look will help keep you looking up-to-date.

4. Never underestimate the power of a great jacket to give a polished look to any pregnancy outfit. Start with any full-cut blazer you already own -- it's OK to leave the bottom buttons open. Later on, invest in one or two maternity jackets. Usually cut with a wider girth, in an unobstructed style, they will drape gracefully over your belly without making you look too large. A great belly-hiding trick: Tie a long (60"-72") scarf loosely around your neck and put on a jacket, leaving all the buttons open. Not only will no one even notice what you are wearing underneath, the softness and full length of the scarf does a wonderful job hiding your growing tummy.