Kim’s Tips for Sustainable & Chic Pregnancy Style
ICYMI, I’m pregnant!
Kim here with an exciting announcement, my husband and I are expecting a baby this October! At the time of writing this post, I am 25 weeks pregnant. So just a few weeks until I enter my 3rd trimester.
I wanted to share some of the tips I’ve gathered so far for dressing sustainably while pregnant. It can be very tempting to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe while you’re pregnant. I fight the urge to do this daily! But the last thing I want is a slew of clothing that will only fit me for 3 months and then will be tossed away. Also, there is so much pressure to consume during your pregnancy - gadgets to help you sleep better, tinctures for all your aches and pains, and don’t even get me started on baby registries! The sustainable minimalist in me is fighting back! So read on for my tips and be on the look out for more maternity style inspiration to be shared here soon!
Tip #1: Audit your existing closet.
You’ll be surprised at the amount of clothing that still fits in your first and second trimester. Things like wrap dresses, button down shirts, stretchy knits, and leggings are still fitting me well into my second trimester. In fact, the wrap dress I’m wearing here is over 2 years old and still looks cute on!
Tip #2: Create a capsule wardrobe.
Once you’ve found existing items in that still work, group them together to create a capsule wardrobe and forget about everything else in your closet. Contrary to what you may read online, your body can and will change a lot in your first trimester. I personally had days of heavy bloating and my boobs grew 2 cup sizes. It really wasn’t fun playing the “will it fit today” game with my jeans during my first trimester and added unnecessary stress and anxiety to my day. So don’t do that to yourself! Put away anything that feels remotely tight and don’t even think about wearing it for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Tip #3: Don’t feel bad if your outfits seem redundant.
Now is not the time to experiment with trends or be adventurous with your style. So it’s totally fine if you want to wear leggings and a tee all week long. Or if you have 2-3 dresses that are the same style - like me and my many wrap dresses! Once you’ve figured out what you feel comfortable and cute in, keep wearing it over and over.
Tip #4: Avoid maternity clothing.
Why? There is a lack of eco-friendly maternity clothing out there. I suspect it’s because those stretchy fabrics used in maternity clothes are made of things like polyester and nylon (both are not good for the environment). Instead try thrift shopping to find affordable pieces that will grow with your baby bump.
My one exception to this rule would be these maternity leggings from Girlfriend. This is the only maternity purchase I’ve made so far and they are a dream! The fabric is so soft and stretchy and the larger band size cradles my belly in a really nice way.
Tip #5: Buy things when you need them.
Just before summer started I got a new swimsuit knowing that none of my current ones would fit me in a months time. Now that it’s hot enough to wear a swimsuit, I’ve already outgrown the swimsuit without being able to wear it once! On flip side of that, I bought a dress 2 sizes larger than my pre-pregnancy size thinking I’d quickly grow into it. However, I’m almost in my 3rd trimester and my bump still isn’t big enough to properly fill out the dress.
Moral of these stories is avoid shopping for things in advance because you really can’t anticipate how your body will grow or change during your pregnancy.
