Shopping is hard. Shopping while pregnant is harder. I just spent two full days at various malls, stores and boutiques trying anything and everything on. Hopefully so you don’t have to.  

My goal was to find items that I didn’t want to light on fire in 40 weeks i.e. I wanted items to be mix-and-matchable over this next trimester and maybe even rewearable post-partum. Perhaps this is too ambitious. Perhaps not. Only time will tell. 

As such, this will be Part 1 in a series called Dressing for the Bump. I will keep you posted on what did and didn’t work, if I achieved my goals, and of course post photos to IG. 

Let me introduce you to Part 1 in the series where I will share my lessons and links from what I found to be the most flattering, comfortable and affordable. 

A few caveats:
How far along are you?

• I am currently 14 weeks along (due in early August) at the time of writing this and this is my first pregnancy (aka I have no idea what I am doing, SOS)

When did you start shopping? 

• I personally didn’t start feeling the need to shop for my changing body until 12 weeks, but as always, everyone’s body is different 

BRAS
All I can say is. holy. boobs. NOT something I am used to. I did a bra haul at Aerie but know I will need more support at a later date, so stay tuned. 

PANTS
Drawstring waist-bands are my current faves. 

Fall/winter?
I sing the praises of Reformation’s Olina pant. 

Spring/summer?

1. Leset soft buttery yellow is perfection.
2. Green cargos, always in style. 
3. So thrilled that the boxer short trend from last season is back, and this time with its longer cousin. Anthropologie has been my go-to for the boxer crop pant. I bought in two colors.  

ATHLEISURE
Workout classes are my happy place. They might not be yours. But because they are mine, I needed new sports bras and workout tops like whoa. So I did what any sane person would do and ventured into the Lululemon outlet store. It was a scene. The checkout line was 45 minutes. But I did snag 3 bras two sizes up, several longer sleeveless workout tops (nobody needs to see my belly button right now) in one size up, one long-sleeve layering top in two sizes up, one tennis dress in one size up and a pair of leggings also one-size up for like $100. After speaking with the kind associates, they gave me some tips: 

• Because they are so soft and stretchy, most women can wear their true-to-size Align leggings/shorts all the way up to 7-8 months, so only size up in Aligns if/when you need to. I found this to be true of bottoms but not of tops, so I did end up sizing up one for Align tanks (so far). 
• Most women size up only one size in non-Align leggings. Frankly, I wasn’t interested in non-Align leggings, so I didn't invest any of my funds towards a brand I didn’t find to be buttery smooth. 

TOPS

• Button-downs have been my bestie. I bought this Gap one in 3 different colors. 
• As of right now, my shorter/more cropped tops are going to the back of the closet, and my regular t’s and tanks are getting pulled up. If these aren’t cutting it, I suggest sizing up in non-maternity brands. I swear by this Target tank and own it in 4000 colors. 

JEANS
I only wear them 1-2 times/week. I have been sizing up in baggier Levi’s jeans styles (thank you, Rent the Runway) and avoiding styles with a button-fly. Zip flies only please. 

Phew, let’s see how these next few weeks go. 
And if you have any second trimester must-haves, please share them in comments! 

PS: If you jumped straight into clothing shopping and missed my first-trimester purchasing recommendations, check it out here.