tips for dressing your baby bump |easy ways to extend your wardrobe|

I originally wrote this post with my first pregnancy (and with my previous blog), but since I’m 7 1/2 months pregnant with my second, I thought I would share some easy tips for extending your wardrobe throughout your pregnancy, while staying on a budget.

One of my favourite maternity wardrobe tips is to buy Old Navy tanks in the tall style (I can only purchase the tall tanks online though, they don’t carry them in stores). These tank tops are so comfortable, fit snug and the extra length have them covering my belly from the beginning to the end of pregnancy. They also come in a ton of colours and are really, really affordable.

^my first pregnancy, around 20 weeks pregnant (you can tell I was kidless still because I a) still had my long hair, and b) actually curled my hair in those days haha)

I love layering these tank tops underneath flowy shirts of mine and using them for extra coverage.

^this top is a favourite of mine – yes it’s basically a tent but it’s sheer enough to be acceptable lol and comfortable enough for me to not care.

top (it’s an old one – similar) | jeans – non maternity (I bought from winners – similar) | flats

I bought a few maternity shirts with my first as well, and they are a great item to purchase since a higher quality top will last.  I’ve been wearing them throughout my second pregnancy too) .  They are perfect on their own, but also layered under a cropped shirt, like this cute sweater.

sweater (similar) | tank (from Thyme Maternity but they no longer carry this pattern – similar) | jeans

cardigan (an old one – similar style) | leggings

Invest in a few comfortable pairs of maternity pants, and buy early on (you get so much more use out of them).  I have never understood extending normal pants (especially jeans) until the 7th or 8th month. Hips expand, the belly grows and looping an elastic through the waistband on normal jeans just isn’t that comfortable. It works in the first two months, but that’s it really.

There are so many cute maternity jeans, I love mine from Thyme Maternity, plus The Gap has cute ones and H&M is definitely worth a look (you can order online in Canada now too!!!).

^these jeans are so soft and stretchy, I ♥ them ~ they’re from Thyme Maternity

Moving on to shoes, my pregnancies have both stretched from late-spring all the way to mid-winter.  My go-to warmer weather shoes consisted of these really comfy sandals that I bought (I highly recommend them and so worth the investment, especially if you have higher arches).

My favourite flats are these simple nude flats.  I picked mine up at Payless a few years ago, they are matte with a patent toe and have cushioning on the inner sole.  I literally wear them with everything lol.

Another fave that I talked about in my pregnancy favourites, are these slip on sneakers…

^they’re from ardene’s and really comfy – I feel like I’m walking on a yoga mat!

For fall/winter, I have a few boots that I wear; my ankle booties are a comfy fave (I can wear them for all day shopping trips with no problems!).  My tall black boots that I bought last winter are in heavy rotation (love the cute quilted detail in the back), and of course, on chillier days, what would a northern albertan mom be without a cozy pair of Uggs?  #momlife

Lastly, I love my cardigans, sweaters & scarves!  They can dress up any outfit, like this pretty summer scarf I adore…

I wear my leopard print infinity scarf every other day, I swear…

And for chillier days, my favourite is this cozy blanket scarf…

I have several sweaters and cardigans that I wear, some are maternity and some aren’t, there really isn’t a difference in fit (that I’ve noticed), so I wear them whether I’m pregnant or not.

A round up of my favourite tips:
#1 | Pick up a few Old Navy tank tops in tall (they’re like $5-$8) – great for layering, on their own and are long & flattering

#2 | Invest in maternity jeans early on in the pregnancy – you get so much more life out of them that way, plus the demi-panelled jeans are perfect for the early pregnancy bloat 🙂

#3 | Layer different sweaters/flowy tops over longer tank tops for different outfits

#4 | I’ve noticed with some clothing items (cardigans, flowy tops, sweaters), that the only difference between them & a non-maternity item that is similar, is a huge price increase!  So keep an eye open when browsing non-maternity clothing, there are tons of soft, cozy items that can double as pregnancy wear.  Plus anything with a good stretch will make a great breastfeeding friendly top as well.

#5 | Accessories are all that’s really needed to change up an outfit!  Necklaces, scarves, a denim jacket, etc… these are all perfect for completely transforming an outfit.

Do you have a favourite pregnancy wardrobe ‘hack’?  I would love to hear about it!  Share below ♥ Have a great day!

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