These wardrobe basics will keep you looking great right through D-Day.
Shopping for clothes when your body is constantly changing can be challenging — and expensive. So we asked fashion stylist and mom Rachel Matthews how to put together a great-looking maternity wardrobe without spending a bundle. Her advice? It's all about six key pieces. Here's what to buy, how to mix them with what you've already got — and the secrets to reworking them over and over again.
Photo: aldomurillo/iStockphotoBuy: Black pantsTo go with: Your pre-pregnancy blazerA well-tailored blazer shouldn't be stashed away for the next nine months. You can keep wearing it — unbuttoned — right through your pregnancy. Pants, KickMaternity.comBlazer, BananaRepublic.ca Tank, OldNavy.caShoes and bag, Winners.caBracelets and necklaces, HM.com
Photo: Lily & LilacBuy: A long cardiganTo go with: Your pre-pregnancy leggingsAn on-trend cardi will take you through several seasons. Wear it like this now, and then layer over another thin sweater and add a scarf when the snow starts to swirl. Tip: No one will notice you're wearing the same pants on Thursday that you did on Monday. The secret to reworking your staples is wearing them in different ways using accessories, shoes and bags to transform your look. Cardigan and tank, Winners.ca Leggings, SevenWomen.ca
Photo: Lily & LilacBuy: A maxi dressTo go with: Your pre-pregnancy jean jacketA dress made of jersey material doesn't need to be maternity because it already has built-in stretch. Just shop a couple sizes up at your usual stores. Dress and shoes, Winners.caScarf, GapCanada.ca
Photo: Lily & LilacBuy: JeansTo go with: You pre-pregnancy oversized t-shirtsSkinny jeans can be paired with flats or heels, and they slip easily into a pair of boots. When shopping for classic riding boots, like the ones Amber is wearing, look for elastic panels and zippers to accommodate foot and calf swelling, and make it easier to get them on and off. Jeans, KickMaternity.comBurgundy t-shirt, ThymeMaternity.comGreen t-shirt and sunglasses, Winners.caCape, BananaRepublic.caBoots, RonWhiteShoes.comBag, Tilley.com
Photo: Lily & LilacBuy: A little black dressTo go with: Your pre-pregnancy cropped black jacket and heelsAdd padded insoles to your pre-pregnancy shoes for extra cushion. In the market for something new? Opt for a style with a platform, which gives you the illusion of extra height. (This three-inch heel will really only feel like one!) Black dress, KickMaternity.comShoes, RonWhiteShoes.comBag, Winners.ca
Photo: Lily & LilacBuy: A blouseTo go with: Your pre-pregnancy stretchy black skirt, tucked under your tummyTransforms a simple style with accessories. Use bracelets, necklaces, scarves and belts to create different looks you can wear to work or for an evening out.Get more tips from Rachel Top, skirt and shoes, Winners.caAccessories, HM.com
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