First trimester style: tips on hiding a baby bump

[goldenpig]

Several of you commented on the fave outfits thread where I outed myself, that you couldn't believe I was hiding a baby bump under those dresses and wanted some tips on how to hide the belly. I thought I'd start a new thread so I don't hog the other one.

Yes it's true, that last pic in that series was actually the earliest pic, at the end of 10 weeks. The other ones were taken at 12 weeks! It's amazing to me what a difference the type of clothing you pick can make in minimizing or playing up the bump. That was the biggest lesson I learned in my first trimester, that structure and waist definition is the best way to hide the bump and you should try to wear your non-maternity clothes as long as you can. I was already an apple pre-pregnancy (because of my two prior pregnancies) so many of the clothes I have already flatter the apple shape, using the techniques I learned from YLF as I revamped my closet. So a defined waist (either a nipped waist jacket or belting at the natural waist) with a little bit of a flare over the belly is the best way to conceal an apple/bump.

For example, these pics were all taken the same day (10 weeks):
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--wpZiJMzqE8/UC8qr_UZVII/AAAAAAAABFw/8IDWlKj-IiI/s400/IMG_7863.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dogzlSjt_JI/UDmu33EoS7I/AAAAAAAABHg/4-mZiSJgLNE/s400/IMG_7866.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DT30Wf4B_Oo/UDiYoYXyBsI/AAAAAAAABHM/TeFpeA_YwMM/s400/IMG_7873.jpg
In the first outfit (which I wore to work) I'm wearing a pencil skirt and a nipped waist peplum style jacket that gives the illusion that I have a small waist (even though my belly circumference is now officially larger than my husband's, LOL!). In the second outfit (just trying it on at home!) I'm wearing a maternity top with stripes that really accentuate the belly and maternity shorts. Quite a huge difference!

Here's another set of before and after pics, both from today (13 weeks):
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gZ7wQswbyso/UDmx_IGLqnI/AAAAAAAABIY/R1VkSbAmsCc/s400/IMG_8353.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3B_P7J41L3o/UDmx9TP3utI/AAAAAAAABIQ/-7h_IYeCsls/s400/IMG_8428.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f5N1Bt-KL-E/UDmx4HWn8FI/AAAAAAAABII/bDKlS-ZpofE/s400/IMG_8430.jpg
In the first pic I'm just wearing an old Gap turtleneck sweater and maternity jeans to take the kids to the museum. There's no mistaking the belly there because there's nothing to rein it in. I felt a little too casual/schlumpy, so I changed into a dress to take them to a birthday party. When I changed into an H&M safari shirtdress and slapped on a belt, I could almost pretend I wasn't pregnant! Even though I can tell it's getting a little fuller below the waist, there's still some room to grow under that skirt. Same color sweater & dress, but a much different feel!

So the first tip is to use waist definition and structured garments to rein in the belly. BTW a lot of what I'm learning is actually going to be useful to me as I'm recovering my shape post-partum, and I'm still going to be an apple even if I make it back down to pre-preg weight, so bear with me--I feel like I'm posting this for my own future reference as well as sharing tips with my fellow apples!

More to come shortly, as I'm limited to 7 pics per post...

[goldenpig]

When I first found out about my pregnancy, I kind of panicked a little that I was not going to be able to wear all of my newly acquired wardrobe anymore. I started trying to buy floaty blouses and tunics and stretchy peasant blouses. Well, the second lesson I learned for first trimester dressing is not to suddenly change the way you dress, because it will probably raise suspicions. I ended up returning the peasant blouses because they made me feel even huger than I really was. And empire waist tops are not the greatest for the first trimester either, because they scream maternity.

That said though, the banded blouses/tunics worked pretty well--here are a few that I ended up liking (and could still wear postpartum). They especially work well with white jeans (these ones are my normal pair, but I bought a pair of white maternity jeans to wear for 2nd/3rd trimester). They're all patterned, which is great for distracting the eye. And slightly loose which is great for skimming over the belly bump.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hjgSARjJMho/UCUeO0laO-I/AAAAAAAABEw/rlewtB3nqvw/s400/IMG_8990.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--SnfyC3WjMo/UDmxfNy_zeI/AAAAAAAABH4/9VoN8WLMBjs/s400/IMG_9267.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cAzYfMOZQ6g/UDmxivABfMI/AAAAAAAABIA/3Mn-kswkAKw/s400/IMG_7511.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-58N2C7iC7Ag/UCUeOaWN3ZI/AAAAAAAABEk/qdCrFE6iGF4/s400/722f75ec799785783ed416e9258857d5256_image.jpg

OK, these last two are empire waisted tunics so technically not great for first trimester, but I bought them more to wear for 2nd/3rd trimester.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-423oNxGCVGs/UDmx_8GLCZI/AAAAAAAABIg/Xe69qIVifEY/s400/IMG_7057.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p333YPQbIGc/UDm9nz0LbSI/AAAAAAAABI0/tqzRguh0eTU/s400/IMG_9091.jpg

[goldenpig]

Structured dresses: I was surprised to find that I still fit into my sheath dresses and pencil skirts throughout the first trimester, because I thought those would be the first to go, but they ended up actually being my go-to 1st tri outfit. For pencil skirts I just would pull the waist of my skirt up an inch or so (they were already somewhat high waisted) so that they ride above the widest part of my belly. And for dresses, I tend to favor ones that have a defined waist (sometimes with a belt). One tip for apples is to make sure that the dress is slightly higher waisted. For example, I've had a hard time finding good wrap dresses because when the tie belts across the widest part of my belly, it doesn't look good. I have to find ones that tie higher up at my natural waist. (The ribbon one is actually a Banana Republic one from the 90's, and the only other one I've been able to find is this new black and white one). Since most of my dresses are already empire or high waisted, there was still room for the belly to still fit under the dress. Fit and flare and wrap dresses are also nice because they have a cinched waist and then flare out below that (so there's room to hide a growing belly). Again, prints are great for distracting the eye and camouflaging the belly. (I'm sure you can tell I love prints!)

Sheath dresses (the last two were worn this last week at 12 weeks!)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W5b8gsbUyzQ/UDnEbXJPrVI/AAAAAAAABJI/y5g4S7A7RCc/s400/P1170877.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qs8RsnjSPL0/UC8qr5AvxSI/AAAAAAAABF0/qH_gbMz4KL4/s400/IMG_8116.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t1NPRes4i00/UDnEbO8oJtI/AAAAAAAABJE/cyKbFr57Qi8/s400/IMG_7880.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V_qQdMeGFIQ/UDiWy5halxI/AAAAAAAABG8/V61jFuDAcyA/s400/IMG_8292.jpg

Wrap dresses (also worn at 12 weeks)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-akrpQgQ6NSA/UC8qsqp5luI/AAAAAAAABF8/dzOlYk4duAA/s400/IMG_8211.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ns5nfgRuZL8/UDiWBiDyFfI/AAAAAAAABGY/qlNh5ZqwX4w/s400/IMG_8289.jpg

[elektra]

Wow goldenpig- you are the most stylish pregnant lady ever! I love the tunics, especially the blue floral one and the grayish one you have on with the black pants.
Are you sure you are not pulling a beyonce on us and wearing a baby bump "enhancer" with that striped maternity top!? ;)
I can really see what you are talking about with the pinned waist with that blazer, and how it really slims your waist line.
I am trying to figure out if some of these guidelines would apply to me. I have generally stayed away from flowy tunic tops and it makes my tummy look bigger because I have a larger bust, and wheat falls straight down from my bust it makes it look like I am hiding a big tummy under there. But I can see something like that gray tunic working for me. Where did you get that one? Thanks for posting these pics and tips!

[goldenpig]

I also already have several faux wrap jersey dresses that are nice and stretchy and comfy, but they don't do a very good job of hiding the bump. They'll be great for 2nd/3rd tri though and I think they'll be my uniform of choice once I grow out of my structured dresses.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0RuZC-AWoEE/UCUePsZL3kI/AAAAAAAABE8/K_4xas5WBxM/s400/IMG_9018.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iKZeVauKDV4/UDnEfqz2bGI/AAAAAAAABJU/OO2c_ekjP1A/s400/IMG_7288.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ElhY1OLSpHc/UDnIMyKEtGI/AAAAAAAABKI/WHt_OeK_StU/s400/IMG_7405.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uglQSKbtPh4/UDnIOCHWQHI/AAAAAAAABKQ/icwbmYb0uxc/s400/IMG_7664.jpg

But again, look at the difference in the belly coverage between the above dresses and more structured dresses that I wore at the same time:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgbJRVGniNs/UC8qr2tf29I/AAAAAAAABFs/d3AJpG_mUfk/s400/IMG_6631.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jKfCoEIEOFM/UDnEjG1MtfI/AAAAAAAABJc/7wi72LCauW4/s400/IMG_8087.jpg
The structured dresses are much better for first trimester. With the jersey dresses, while the ruching and draping helps with hiding the tummy somewhat, there's still enough suggestion there to cause people to question things (my friends just admitted today when I told them I was pregnant, that after I wore the 4th dress to a party last week, they were whispering to each other, "Is she or isn't she?"). However, I think I'll be able to wear the jersey dresses even into 3rd trimester, so hopefully I'll be able to avoid buying maternity dresses. I am trying to minimize the maternity clothes purchases since this is our last one, and I still have 6 year old maternity clothes stashed away (even though they won't feel as fab anymore). I have at least five or six stretchy dresses in my current closet that I think I can make do.

[goldenpig]

Elektra, thanks! Yes I think the cinched waist tunics would work great for you if you have a large bust. Here is the link to the tunic. It's got a really cool peacock print on it. It's from Nordstrom and looks like it's on sale for 50% off now! I sized up to a M (normally wear 4-6 and size S for most tops) because the sleeves were a little tight. Hope you get one!

Alberto Makali Peacock Tunic (http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/alberto-makali-peacock-tunic-camisole/3298489?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=0)
http://g-lvl3.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/medium/1/_7044581.jpg

[queenmama]

Whoa!!!! (I actually thought of an expletive which I won't use!) I cannot believe the difference the cut of a dress makes! Unbelievable!

You look absolutely gorgeous, rockin' the bump OR concealing it!

And I reiterate, why couldn't we have been pregnant at the same time?! :p

[Fairy]

I just wanted to say, you look amazing, and you are the most stylish person, my gawd! Love. Flove. Every now and then I'm mistaken for pregnant, and it bugs the crap out of me. I try to avoid the empire and other stuff that screams pregnant, so your thread intrigued me, and I'm so glad I took a peek!

[goldenpig]

Hiding a bump under jackets--this tip also worked really well. I wore suit jackets and leather jackets as blazers, and you can hardly tell when the jacket is zipped up and/or belted that there's a bump under there.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BZYCz06bAiI/UDnEn6m4WqI/AAAAAAAABJs/GcgyN5oHXCg/s400/IMG_7528.jpghttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qXBnkgZHOyw/UDnErKqtd7I/AAAAAAAABJ0/CBIoCzkZ1KE/s400/IMG_9561.jpghttps://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dJPAr1g3YXU/UDiWL0Ae4hI/AAAAAAAABGg/JmX6kubvWUE/s400/IMG_8196.jpghttps://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1q6aTLQgLZY/UCUeK6xHToI/AAAAAAAABDo/ueU5iOUn4EU/s400/16f7181e9fc361b44ae8deec31e889b8989_image.jpg

In fact, the only reason I got outed yesterday is because I had to take my jacket off to do some procedures. It looked fine with the jacket on and zipped over the belly, but when I had to take the jacket off you could really tell, especially since the blouse and skirt are both snug and stretchy. One of the nurses asked me why she was the last one to find out that I was pregnant. I laughed and said I hadn't told anyone and that she was the first one to be rude enough to say anything to me (I thought you weren't supposed to ask if someone is pregnant unless she's in labor!). She felt so bad about it, so I went ahead and made the announcement so she wouldn't have to keep the secret (I was going to wait one more week till I reached 2nd tri, but close enough!). I'm relieved to finally not have to hide the bump anymore, and can start showing it off!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-83oGp7BAGtI/UDiWWZKIFqI/AAAAAAAABGs/qR55GxojcZw/s400/IMG_8302.jpghttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hi8fC9JqBy8/UDnSRvVp52I/AAAAAAAABKk/y1TUwBMOU_k/s400/IMG_8314.jpghttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B3pjD9P4C40/UDnSRqOfIzI/AAAAAAAABKg/KECYrZGcNsk/s400/IMG_8317.jpg

Oh, and last tip...posture! I have a natural tendency to slump, and I found that when I stand up straight (esp when taking mirror pics and can see what I look like), I automatically look slimmer! So no Elektra, I wasn't wearing a "bump enhancer" in that maternity top picture, but maybe that was just my natural posture! I think I look a couple months bigger in that pic than I should. (But I mostly blame the striped top!)

Hope these tips are helpful! Feel free to add your own helpful hints, because I still have six months to go and would love some more advice myself!

[Globetrotter]

:bowdown: When are you going to write your illustrated fashion guide? You look amazing, even during your pregnancy. Congratulations!

[specialp]

You look awesome!!!!!! I love, love, love your use of pattern and colors. And congratulations! This is a great and helpful post.

I needed to hide my bump until week 15 this time. The patterned banded tops and jackets worked best for me. I scream their praises to everyone now because they worked so well. I did buy a few pencil skirts in a size larger than normal to buy me time and those worked great and I figured they will be helpful when I am not quite pre-pregnancy weight again. It is really hot and humid here so I had to load up on lightweight jersey jackets at Nordie’s and they worked beautifully. If I wore a more simple, not patterned, top and jacket, I would also wear a chunky short necklace to draw the eye up to my neckline and away from my belly.

Structured dresses did not work for me at all so small chested or pear shape ladies, be careful. If you do not have a lot of goodies up top to balance out the bottom it can accentuate the bump rather than disguise it. That’s definitely not true for apple shapes or those who are more balanced up top.

Again, you look so cute and I cannot wait to see more from you this pregnancy!

[hillview]

Congratulations! You look AWESOME! I love that link to the tunic thanks!

[nupe]

:bowdown: When are you going to write your illustrated fashion guide? You look amazing, even during your pregnancy. Congratulations!

I know, along the lines of a Lucky guide to dressing while pregnant!

You are very talented!!

[DrSally]

You look so great, hiding or showing bump.

[wendibird22]

Holy carp! You look fab! There's no way I could've pull that off so well. When I was pregnant both times I was using the rubber band trip on pants/skirts by week 7. I wouldn't have been able to close/hook/button anything structured through the first trimester. You are my hero!!!

[citymama]

Yay goldenpig, congrats! YOU LOOK FAB!!! (As always). Such great news. I'm back after a couple weeks off (including a vacation from my laptop) and this is my first post viewed or commented on!

[arivecchi]

Congratulations!!!!!!!

And you look amazing as usual!!!!

PMing you...