Are you frightened of going shopping for maternity clothes because you’re afraid that all you’ll be able to pick from are floral tents? Those days are gone, and these days there are lots of available options that can be both flattering and comfortable. Here’s a guide to picking comfy, attractive clothes while you’re waiting for the little one. Shopping for maternity wear can be practical and even enjoyable.

Now that you’re pregnant, you don’t want to worry too much about your clothing. But there are a lot of changes happening, so you’ll still want to look and feel your best, even while they’re going on. You should expect to gain between twenty-five and thirty-five pounds, with most of that being added at the end of the first trimester. You’ll put on weight from the baby, the expansion of your womb, breast growth, and a bunch of other places.

Plus, you can expect your weight to change. You might even end up wearing a bigger shoe size, as strange as that sounds. The right maternity clothes can help you keep from feeling frumpy, and they’ll adjust to the needs of your body as changes take place. Ideally, good maternity wear will adjust as you slim back down and will double as clothing for nursing. Fortunately, there are plenty of mix and match options you can choose to wear at any time of day. A few key pieces can do the work of a huge number of less appropriate ones. Take note of these tips.

As soon as you start to feel slightly uncomfortable in your old clothes, begin looking at your maternity wardrobe. You don’t want to be shopping at the last minute, and the sooner you start planning, the more wear you’ll have from your maternity wardrobe. Don’t forget that maternity wear sizes follow your pre-pregnancy size, so a normal size ten or twelve should take the same or a medium in maternity clothing.

Of course, you need to buy with growing room, and stick to the right underthings, also. Choose maternity underwear and bras for greater comfort, and the right amount of support while you’re still growing. It won’t matter what the top layer is if you’re not wearing the right foundation, after all. You can keep to your favorite fashions, too. Bikini underwear is still available for women who are pregnant.

Look for solids or patterns that will mix and match to stretch your maternity clothing budget, while avoiding clothes that will draw attention to your middle. Darker clothes are great if you want to look slimmer, but don’t feel confined to black and navy if they’re not your thing. Choose lighter weights than usual, however, since many expectant mothers feel hot – even in the winter.

There are lots of trendy, comfortable styles that’ll let you feel like yourself and keep with your regular looks. The days when new mums had to feel like they were running around in their nightgowns are long gone, and that’s a great thing. Check out some of the great styles currently on the market, and begin your maternity wardrobe soon!