MATERNITY WORKWEAR

Dressing for the office can often be difficult enough without having to factor in morning sickness, increased body temperature and the beginnings of a bump! Queen Bee likes to make things as easy as possible for ladies facing this challenge, so we’ve broken down what you’ll need for a fabulous maternity work wardrobe — by trimester. Here’s our how-to guide for the professional woman.

Luckily, in the first trimester, you will probably be able to wear much of your normal wardrobe. Anything which has a little stretch on top is usually fine. Pants and skirts are where you’ll start to feel uncomfortable first, so in the initial three months of pregnancy, you can simply leave the top button open on your pants and skirts when appropriate and wear a blouse over the top to camouflage.

Queen Bee’s tummy tie is a great accessory for anything with a button fastening, and B-buckles will attach to any pants or skirts with belt loops, making them ideal for jeans. Both these nifty accessories can hold your pants or skirt up while they’re unzipped or unbuttoned for that bit of extra space and comfort. Queen Bee also stocks a handy accessory called a belly band in a number of groovy patterns which is great for keeping the midriff covered as it grows, extending the life of your normal blouses and shirts.

In the second trimester, you’ll start to really change shape. While you may not be quite big enough to look properly pregnant, and you may not have even told people at work you’re pregnant yet, they might be starting to notice. If you don’t show much yet, you may think you don’t need maternity wear…but you’re probably feeling just a little uncomfortable in your regular wardrobe. This is because most of the time, the pants and skirts we wear to work are made from non-stretchy fabrics. We recommend jumping into some soft and relaxed non-bonding fabrics such as jersey, knits, cotton and viscose - basically anything with a stretch. Believe us when we say you’ll be so comfortable the first time you put on a proper pair of maternity pants or a maternity skirt…you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner!

You can also start wearing elasticised waistbands for extra comfort. Queen Bee’s popular straight-leg Seraphine pant is a great place to start and if you prefer a more relaxed chic, you can't do better than the Treasured Wide Leg. Team either of these pants with some fun bright viscose tunics to draw attention away from your middle. Queen Bee stocks some really cheerful Funmum tunic tops in raspberry and petrol blue for a perfect fashion-forward solution to those days when you’re feeling a bit icky and bloated…. And for those of you who have dramatically changed cup sizes, our Knot Work Maternity Shirt or the Samantha Mock Shirt work wonders on bust minimisation. What’s really great about these fabrics and clothing styles is that you can keep right on wearing them after you have given birth and before you fit back into your normal wardrobe.

During the second trimester, knits, tunics, long jackets and soft jersey shirt-dresses are ideal choices for working women on the run, gently concealing your stomach without emphasising it. The Astute Collared Wrap Maternity Dress, the Overtime Jersey Maternity Shift Dress and the Resolute Cuff Sleeve Jersey Maternity Jacket offer a fashionably flattering and comfortable alternative to ordinary office wear.

Pregnancy in the workplace is really about mixing and matching. As you head into the third trimester, chances are the bump is now out and proud. Dressing for two can be a painful experience but it doesn’t have to be. Go for the brightest, cheeriest fabrics you can and team them with our great maternity leggings or even jeans.

If your job is in a professional setting which has a more formal dress code, then pick a number of key pieces in similar fabrics and complimentary shades. A top (like our Achieve Button Scoop Maternity Top), a jacket, a dress, pants and a skirt are a great place to start. Remember to mix in any of your non-maternity pieces to increase the range of your work wardrobe.

And don’t forget to pay some attention to your feet if you’re updating your wardrobe. Women’s feet often expand during pregnancy, especially if you spend a lot of time standing. As your waistline expands, your centre of gravity shifts so your balance may be a bit wonky. Think about trading in your heels for some elegant ballerina flats or some funky brogues. Team them up with a white blouse from Queen Bee and some classic black trousers. Finish it off with a pork pie hat. Who said dressing for two couldn’t be chic?

Hannah