How to Pick Out Maternity Clothes for Your Body Type

Maternity can be a beautiful and joyful time in a woman.s life, but it also presents one the biggest fashion challenges you can imagine. Picking out the right clothes becomes even more of a challenge if you have a body type that doesn.t conform to the average, regular sizes. Here.s a quick guide to maternity fashion for moms-to-be, arranged by body type.

Curvy

Curvy body types have one of the toughest fashion challenges: to find outfits that balance out their proportions, which usually involve wide, curvy hips. The following items help curvy body types look slimmer and more proportionate.

1. Low neckline

Low necklines show off your increase bust size, which balances out curvy, full hips. Depending on the cut of the dress or shirt, low necklines can also have a slimming effect.

2. Bootleg jeans

By adding an extra curve to the bottom of your frame, bootleg jeans balance out a thick or curvy torso.

3. Wide leg cut

Wide leg cuts have a similar effect as the bootleg jeans, but rather than add an extra curve at the bottom, they flare out from the waist down. This has a slimming effect, as it makes your torso and hips look, by contrast, not as wide.

4. Little Black Dress

The little black dress is great for cocktail parties and dining out. Thin straps especially help balance out the top and bottom halves of your frame, and black is always a slimming color.

5. A-line skirts reaching below the knee

A-line skirts balance out your hips, and for moms-to-be, help contrast well with your growing belly.

Tall Body Types

Tall body types tend to have long limbs, and are best complemented by long-cut clothes that cover their frames evenly. For pregnant women, this is especially important.

1. Long tunics

Long tunics help break up a tall silhouette. If you have long legs especially, long tunics help make them look more in proportion with the rest of your frame.

2. Layers

The illusion of layers helps to balance out your long torso and legs. They also work to section off a tall slim silhouette, to give it shape and form.

3. Long gowns

Long gowns are great for tall moms-to-be. They look flattering on statuesque figures and look regal as they flow down and out from your swollen belly.

4. Long-blouses and shirts

These help avoid revealing midriff, which can be a problem for tall body types who often have trouble finding stylish tops that aren.t too small for their torso. Extra long blouses are especially needed during pregnancy months.

5. Dark skinny jeans

These are great for showing off long, shapely legs while still allowing you to wear long tops that can balance out your frame.

Petite

As a petite body type, your challenge is to find stylish outfits that don.t over-crowd or swamp your small frame. A lot of maternity clothes come in loose fits and long cuts. The trick is to look for maternity clothes whose design has an elongating effect on your body shape.

1. Keep hemlines above your knees

Above-the-knee hemlines help to accentuate your legs and thus make your frame look longer. This is an especially great option during the summer months, as short summer dresses and shorts are in style.

2. Short jumper

Jumpers are great for petite body types. They cover your middle and show off your neckline, shoulders and legs. The effect is slimming and helps balance out a short frame.

3. Deep V-necks

By creating long lines along your frame, deep V-neck blouses and dresses lengthen a petite torso. During your maternity months, it also gives you a chance to show off your new bust size.

4. Slightly flared skirts

If you have a slim, petite body shape that tends to look flat with long dresses or form fitting jeans, try wearing flared skirts, as these help to emphasize your curves.

5. Fitted tops

Fitted tops cling to your shape. This helps give your body form, which is usually lost in loose maternity gowns that tend to drape over and overwhelm petite forms.