Looking Glam in Maternity Wear

I had the opportunity to write a guest post for The Bargain Queen on shopping for maternity wear.

You may have seen The Bargain Queen recently on A Current Affair. She has a great website dedicated to sharing all sorts of ideas on how to save money.

Like all good wardrobes, your maternity wardrobe needs great fitting basics to form a foundation on which to build. A good quality black or navy skirt, slacks, dress or top, and a great pair of current style jeans are essential. You can then add fashionable separates to compliment these pieces with your personal style.

Sometimes it's worth paying for some good quality basics. For example, with my first pregnancy, I bought a very fashionable pair of Monica Monkhouse jeans and a classically styled pair of Materna Moda black pants. I got a lot of wear out of them during and immediately after both of my pregnancies.

However like bridal wear, maternity wear can often be expensive, but there are ways to cut down on unnecessary expense. There's a great store in Mosman, Sydney called Wear it Again Sam, a recycled clothing store for kids that also offers a wide range of recycled maternity wear. A friend recently picked up some bargains; a lovely pair of Monica Monkhouse 3/4 length pants for just $10, a pair of Belly Basics jeans for only $18 and a grey Mimi Maternity short sleeve knitted top for just $22!

If you're dressing for the office, it's best to steer clear of too many prints as they can look out of place. Also, you can still wear your jackets (classic or cropped styles) and coats (trenches, etc) for as long as they're comfortable, as usually they don't need to be buttoned up anyway. Wherever possible, favour stylish accessories such as good quality shoes and bags.( wear comfortable shoes while commuting and change into your dressier pair at the office on arrival.)

For more casual needs, Belly Basics make an excellent Pregnancy Survival Kit which includes a baby doll dress, a t-shirt, a skirt and either leggings or bike pants, all in a comfortable jersey fabric. The kit is available at department and maternity stores for around $165, but if you buy direct from Belly Basics you can pick one up for just $45!

Another handy item is the Belly Belt. It's a great way to keep wearing your regular jeans and pants, if they feature a button at the top. They retail for around $29.99, however if you buy them on eBay you can get them at a bargain price.

Also, don't forget to experiment with leggings (or footless tights) to give a longer, slimline look. They tend to look best if they extend to no more than 2-3 inches below the hemline or knee, as opposed to being pulled down almost towards the ankle. You can pick up an inexpensive pair at your local supermarket in basic black.

Finally, if you know your size in a specific maternity label, be sure to check out eBay. A girlfriend bought a brand new Ripe Maternity skirt in her size, for a third of the original price, through a maternity store which was clearing some of it's stock.

However, I would say that the best savings are made when clothing is borrowed, which happens a lot with maternity wear. I remember giving a girlfriend some clothes...in the collection was a striped football-style jersey which I had hardly worn. Afterwards, she told me she liked it so much that she wore it to the delivery!

For some inspiration on gorgeous maternity clothes, take a look at; Pea in a Pod (both pictures), Maternity World and Szabo Maternity.
Personally, I think you can definitely look stunning in maternity wear!