It's absolutely amazing to be pregnant. I'm loving the whole experience and to think in a matter of months I'll be holding my own little bundle of madness is the most gorgeous feeling in the world.
Amongst all of the loveliness, there's just one thing that bothers me about pregnancy; Maternity wear!
For someone who seems to inflate from the moment of conception (i.e. ME!) shopping for clothes is a very trying time.
I have tried every shop and sent back more online purchases in the last three months than I have in the last three decades. I asked around about where I could go to get some nice maternity wear so I didn't have to hang up my fashionable boots for the duration. A lot of people told me to "just go a size larger and you'll be grand". But why couldn't I get stuff that doesn't either look like I'm trying on my own child's clothes or I've a tent draping over my shoulders?!
So, to help my fellow first time preggos, here are my wardrobe staples that will get you through your nine months of growing, in a stylish and stress-free manner.
For casual/everyday:
I found New Look quite good for tops and casual dresses. They carry everything from t-shirts to dressy tops that suit a date night or for that important meeting in work.
This is one of my absolute favourites. I LIVE in this top.
This dress is just perfect for a date night or a girls' night out.
This top is ideal for lounging around the house!
H&M are my go-to place for maternity jeans. I find over the bump so comfortable so I've been living in them from the moment my normal jeans got a bit snug!
Now for the trickiest of all... DRESSY OCCASIONS!
I really struggled with finding something suitable for this year's National Radio Awards, a black tie event where everyone gets really glammed up. It's our Oscars! I could not find a single shop that had dresses suitable for a gala.
I got to the stage where I thought "Oh my god. I can't go. I have nothing to wear!" Every woman on the planet says this before a big occasion and I have said it many times before but this time it was an actual fact! There wasn't a single stitch in my wardrobe that would close or even stretch to what I needed it to be. I was completely stuck.
Then, I was sent a fairy godmother who dressed me and sent me to the ball! All in one day.
Lisa from Beauty and the Bump saved my skin!
She is based in Monaghan and has clients from all over the country travelling for hours to see her.
All of her dresses are her own design and can be made to measure.
Not only are her designs perfect for every shape, she also offers an option of adding a cape for extra coverage/warmth without affecting the elegance of the dress. These capes are to die for! I'll be wearing one even after my little one arrives!
Without cape:
With cape:
I'm obsessed!!!
For more info on the lovely headpieces in the pictures, you can check out Millinery By Mairead.
So, ladies, we may be pregnant but we can still be ridey. Happy Shopping!!!
