Pregnancy style: 6 women share fashion and beauty tips for ever-changing bodies
After Kate Middleton thrilled the world with her poise, grace and style during pregnancy this summer, the bar got raised real high for what an ever-expanding waistband means for pregnant women everywhere. For those of the fashionable cloth, it posed a welcome challenge: Look perfect while feeling your worst. Happily, it seems for six Toronto women who all joined us for a photo shoot celebrating their maternity style. Flip through for their tips, from wearing heels to the best stretch mark oil. Consider this what to expect when you’re expecting, the fashion edition.
Sam Diamond
Principal, ROI Relations
How has your style changed throughout your pregnancy?
I’ve officially given up jeans until 2014. These days, I am all flow-y skirts and jersey dresses, along with a great assortment of leggings and spandex. I used to wear much looser tops, but I’ve actually found that they make me look a bit bigger, so I’ve embraced tighter tanks that show off the belly a bit.
How has your body changed for better or worse?
Well, the tummy expansion has been a bit of an adjustment, but I’ve started to embrace it. I’ve gone up a bra size—that’s been a welcome change.
How have you changed your beauty routine?
I’ve subbed in a lot of natural products to my daily routine – pure coconut oil for my face and body, pure Shea butter all over my tummy to prevent stretch marks. And I’ve upped the SPF, I wear at least 60 on my face and reapply most days because my skin has become more sun-sensitive.
Do you have any plans for mommy fashion?
I haven’t really thought about it. I don’t really see a reason to change how I dressed pre-pregnancy. Perhaps I’ll stick to old t-shirts when the baby starts eating tomato sauce, though!
Sarah Daniel
FASHION’s Beauty Editor
How has your body changed for better or worse?
My cankles are off the charts and ballet flats are all I’ve been able to wear on my feet in the final months. But despite the sketchy and strange things that happen, being pregnant has made me less vain about my body and more in awe of what it can do.
What is your go to item right now?
A jersey pencil skirt from Asos.com, and a few shapeless dresses and tops I bought at COS in Paris.
How has your beauty routine changed?
I’ve been using natural and organic skincare lines like Burt’s Bees and Shoosha. The latter makes an amazing serum that soothes skin as it stretches.
What do you like most about pregnancy?
Almost always getting a seat on the 501 Queen streetcar.
Do you have any plans for mommy fashion? Is that even on your mind?
No, I’m just excited to get back into some of the clothes that I haven’t been able to wear for nine months!
*Editor’s note: Sarah gave birth to two beautiful twin girls before press time!
Sam Margolis
Director of communications, The Mint Agency
What is your go to item right now?
Cotton dresses. They stretch out and are super comfortable but can still look put together for work or evenings out when paired with the right accessories. I have this amazing black number from Rudsak that I’ve been averaging about once a week.
What changes have you noticed to your skin and beauty?
Surprisingly, more improvements than I thought I would experience including thicker, healthier hair and nails. Also, my acne has totally disappeared which has been a pleasant surprise. I still use the same beauty products but have added in a few different balms for the belly. My favourite is one from Matter Company that is all-natural and made here in Canada.
What do you like most about pregnancy?
I am not one of those girls that love being pregnant. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to be a mom but excited for this process to be over soon. I do consider myself/women fortunate to be able to bond with the baby and literally feel them develop and grow over the last nine months. Its like I’ve gotten to know the little guy before I meet him in a couple of weeks.
Do you have any plans for mommy fashion?
My style is casual and a bit boho with comfort always a key factor. I think that should continue to serve me nicely into motherhood.
Maryam Keyhani
Jewellery designer and artist
How has your style changed throughout your pregnancy?
I’m not sure my style has changed much. I usually wear clothes bigger than my own size, which is proving to be useful during my pregnancy.
Do you have any plans for mommy fashion?
I’ve been designing a few pieces for the baby, as I couldn’t find what I was looking for but for now that’s about it.
How has your body changed for better or worse?
Oh my. It’s a new thing everyday. It’s both incredible to see what your body is capable of and also frightening at times to see that most of it is out of your control.
I’ve been doing a lot of yoga and walking and so far things are going well but I still have a while left so maybe too soon to judge.
What is your go to item right now?
I love Weleda pregnancy oil for stretch marks.
What do you like most about pregnancy?
Well it’s just incredible to have life in you. It’s really extraordinary.
Bojana Sentaler
Designer, Sentaler
How has your style changed throughout your pregnancy?
During the first three months, I was able to get away with my regular style (structured and tailored clothes) as my belly was still flat. In the forth month when the baby bump started growing, I found Bella Bands to be the perfect solution. I wore my jeans unbuttoned with the Bella Band and a longer tunic overtop. For outerwear, I wore my Sentaler capes as they are great for accommodating the baby bump. Later in the sixth, seventh and eighth months I switched to flow-y caftan-style dresses and stretchy dresses. DVF, Vince and BCBG were my go-to dresses and Augustina Boutique has some great styles that are perfect for the baby bump as well.
What is your go to item right now?
My Gucci flat sandals. I got away with wearing heels up until month 8 but reaching the end now, I love my flats.
What has changed in your beauty routine?
I still use the same body and face products, I just ensure to use those with natural ingredients (the less preservatives, the better). Also I use pregnancy-safe sunscreen and I stopped applying nail polish and I stopped coloring my hair to avoid the chemicals going to my baby.
What do you like most about pregnancy?
I think it is a true miracle to carry a baby. The part that I like most is the anticipation of meeting my baby. It is the biggest surprise I will ever have in my entire life.
Delphine Nicolls
Principal, ROI Relations
How has your style changed throughout your pregnancy?
I’ve noticed that I don’t worry about how an outfit hugs my curves anymore and I tend to play up different features that I normally wouldn’t have. I’m somewhere in between “I’ve given up” and “I’m woman, hear me roar.” I figure that all of the attention goes right to my growing baby bump, so I’ve become more comfortable with body hugging fabrics.
What is your go to item right now?
Lululemon’s “Still Pants” and oversized American Apparel tank tops. Comfort is key. It’s pretty easy to stay looking fashionable as a pregnant woman during the summer months because the trends are flow-y. Tank dresses have been a godsend.
What have you noticed beauty wise? Do you still use all the same body and face products? If not, what’s changed?
My hair is much thicker than before and I’ve hardly had any skin breakouts. I find that I’m moisturizing my body much more than before and I’ve become a devout user of Stratamark’s stretch mark prevention cream. I’m much more sensitive to smells so I’ve had to put away some of my stronger smelling perfumes and have opted for lighter body sprays instead.
What do you like most about pregnancy?
One of the best parts of pregnancy has been the deeper bonds I’ve been forging with the women in my life. Soon after we found out I was pregnant, my mother gave me a handmade scrapbook filled with photos and excerpts of her diary from when I was a baby to age 6. I’ve discovered what she was like as a young mom and what my milestones where and at what age I reached them. So many of my friends and family are pregnant right now or have young children now so I have a great support network and trust their advice.
