Maintaining their style during pregnancy is a small but an effective way of uplifting the spirits of expecting mothers.

Almost every pregnant woman remembers the day she couldn’t button up her regular pants. They might have been expecting it but still the first instance is always slightly unnerving. Dressing for expecting mothers is often a huge challenge. And it’s not only about the fit either. For some it could be the feel of the fabric or the unease caused by the style, factors that weren’t relevant before can become incredibly irksome.  However, Sunita Kawan (a mother of a four-year-old herself) of Maternity Clothing Nepal says she can help them out with that.

“Yes, it’s about style,” says Kawan and, according to her, we can’t afford to undermine its importance during a woman’s pregnancy. Experiencing your body go through those immense changes in the nine-month period can be both physically and emotionally overwhelming.  “While you are trying to deal with all the discomfort, you don’t need the anxiety of not having anything proper to wear as well,” she explains.

Kawan also points out that most Nepali woman these days choose to work during the earlier months of their pregnancy so wearing jamas like their mothers or ill fitting over sized clothes isn’t an option anymore. 

Then, there is the confidence factor. It isn’t uncommon for expecting mothers to feel insecure about their weight gain but, while that is inevitable, Kawan believes it is easy to help pregnant women shake off their inhibitions by providing them with ways to embrace their new figures. Maintaining their style during pregnancy is a small but an effective way of uplifting the spirits of expecting mothers.
With these perspectives and personal experiences, Kawan started Maternity Clothing Nepal in February last year. Today she runs her business from the comforts of her house and relies social media and her networks to spread the word. Despite it being a small operation, there is a steady flow of clients. Many even choose to shop in bulk.

She brings most of her clothes from the American retailer, Destination Maternity Corporation that also happens to be the world's largest designer of maternity apparel. While choosing the clothes, Kawan shares that her biggest priorities are comfort and quality. She also shares that most of her clients like colors, patterns, and prefers a loose fit around the belly, so those are the styles she sells.

Here, Kawan takes The Week through some items in her collection. 

Maternity style secrets
 

Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you need to dress in jamas or oversized clothes. Even with that bump and extra baby weight, you can choose to step out of the house in style. Here are some tips and tricks that we would like to call your stylish guide to pregnancy.

First thing first, acknowledge your new body shape
This is necessary because you will need to be open to new cuts and styles. The way you were dressing yourself before the pregnancy might not flatter the shape that you are during your pregnancy. So start from scratch, acknowledge your new shape and consider new styles that might suit and flatter you more. 

Layering is fun

Again, layering doesn’t make you look larger. If you watch your proportions and do it right, it can actually help cover up the parts that you are slightly insecure about. Add a jacket, trench coat, cardigan, or denim jacket over your shoulders or through your arms – it’s just another simple way to add style to your look. This also includes throwing on a scarf, neck-tie or layering long tops or shirts under knitwear. A long tunic with skinny jeans will help elongate you as well.

Don’t give up on belts

Even when you are pregnant, belts can actually be the key point of your outfit, For instance, if it is a loose fitting dress add a thin belt above the bump just to bring it in a little at the waist. Small adjustment like these can help pull a look together. Indeed give shape to roomy pieces with a simple cinch. You can totally transform a voluminous dress or shirt with it. A belt below the belly also works well with fun tunics and long tees. Just don’t go too tight! 

Invest in good pants

If you only splurge on one item, make it a pair of pants that make you feel fantastic. At Maternity Clothing Nepal, Kawan shows us pants that have secret fit belly that help accommodate the bump. With this secret fit belly, even jeans are an option for pregnant women. You can easily dress them up and down, depending on where you are headed.

Don’t forget the jewelry
One way to balance the belly is with jewelry. Jewelry always draws attention away from the bump and onto the neck and face. We can see many pregnant celebrities trying this trick as well. Be it a dramatic beaded neckline, a choker or a simple long necklace, do accessorize. You can even be creative with headbands or stacks of bangles, while staying perfectly comfortable in a flowing dress or caftan. Yes, it’s that easy not to ditch your style.

You can never go wrong with a good pair of leggings. Comfortable on your bloated days, you can choose between solid dark colors as well as prints.  

When you are choosing maternity wear, it’s best to opt for ones that will fit you t hrough most part of your pregnancy. 

It is hard to say enough fabulous things about these oversize tops that hit below the hip. They hide as well as flatter your bump.

 

Don’t be afraid of color and patterns
Remember the colors that suit you. These colors still apply during pregnancy. Some might feel the need to only stick to darker colors because they think it might help them look slimmer but that would be a shame. Colors can flatter your body and also help uplift your mood. Similarly, patterns and stripes can also help give your pregnancy look that playful vibe and add more style to your wardrobe.

Keep your edge
You might be on your way to becoming a mother but that doesn’t mean you have to adopt the plain and boring way of dressing. Don’t make baggy clothes (even worse, your husband’s clothes) your go-to outfit. There are many other alternatives that are just as comfortable. Leggings, maxi dresses, jersey knits all work great.
Also, do embrace your bump. Don’t feel the need to hide them all the time. You’re better off buying maternity clothes that actually fit you than ones that cover you up.

Text: Priyanka Gurung
Photos: Pratik Rayamajhi
model: manju neupane

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