Pregnant businesswomen still have to maintain a professional image. Here are some tips on how to look businesslike when you're lugging around a tummy the size of a watermelon!
Basic clothing in the same fabric and colour
Stick with classic colours that will mix with what you already have in your wardrobe. Wear stretchy fabrics that drape nicely over your body. You don't want tight, but you don't want baggy, either. That just makes you look larger.
Skirts
Invest in a good black maternity pencil-style skirt that hits at the knee, and wear the heck out of it for nine months. Pair it with blazers, sweaters, and tailored shirts.
Jackets
Nothing communicates the image of an experienced professional like a jacket or blazer. You can wear jackets from your existing suits for quite a few months into the pregnancy. As you grow, invest in one or two maternity jackets that fit really well. You will be able to wear these jackets belted if you are planning to return to work soon after having the baby.
Toppers
As a change from the blazer, pick up a classic white shirt from a maternity store. Avoid the ruffles, lace, and cutesy detailing. Choose a shirt with a classic collar and little detailing. Simple is better. Your life is already complicated.
LBD
Yes, even when pregnant, you need a little black dress. Experts suggest buying one made of a cotton/lycra mix that is easy to clean. How many of us didn't notice that we had dripped food on our laps because we forgot we had laps? You will be washing maternity clothing a lot. Look for empire line dresses. This style is still current and is particularly flattering on expectant women. It shows off the upper body and sends the message to ignore the rest of you.
Shoes
Comfy is the operative word. Try a pump style with a low heel, half a size larger than you usually wear. Avoid flats. As you enlarge, your posture shifts and flats will make you feel unbalanced.
Finally —and this came as a shock to us — maternity clothes are not put away right after you have the baby. It's not like in Hollywood, where actresses drop all their weight and regain muscle definition in 24 hours. We real women will continue to wear some of our maternity clothes for weeks after the baby arrives. www.rmibranding.com
