Maternity Apparel

Fashion industry has started addressing the voluptuous and pregnant woman with a variety of plus size and maternity apparel. Being pregnant is a special occasion and you need not compromise on your style but rather enjoy these moments by wearing stylish and chic clothes that enhance the maternal glow. Read up our useful tips on selecting maternity clothes.

Maternity Apparel

You are awaiting your little bundle of joy and have temporarily lost your waistline. Worry not - You can still look chic and stylish with maternity apparel that has been designed with comfort in mind. Pregnant women deserve a line of clothes that will make them feel stylish and attractive throughout their pregnancy. Maternity apparel is designed to keep the mom-to-be comfortable. Maternity apparel is designed to address the areas of a woman's body, which get larger during pregnancy - the breast and belly. although other areas may slightly increase during pregnancy, the breasts and belly seem to grow most.

Traditional style flowing dresses are no longer the only option for moms-to-be. You can opt for stretchy fabrics such as Lycra, which allow for comfortable figure hugging styles. Today, maternity clothes range from business suits to formal wear to intimate wear. You can choose from hemlines that end slightly above the knee and mid-calf to slightly above the ankle and at the ankle. Pant styles come in flair and bootleg, as well as the traditional straight leg, falling either at the ankle. Another comfortable option is the new-cropped length - slightly above the ankle.

Waistbands are held by limitless drawstrings. Front panels have zippers and series of buttons for expanding and restricting as needed. Though cotton continues to be the popular choice for maternity apparel due to its breathability, cotton blends are also forging their way onto the scene. Cotton/ Lycra blend is extensively used for maternity apparel for its body sculpting properties, which offers youthful and natural-looking support. Layered maternity apparel is particularly useful for the mother-to-be as it can help you regulate your body temperature, especially during hot summer days.

Tips on Maternity Apparel Sizing

Maternity clothes are required from the second or third month of your pregnancy. By this time your clothes will begin to feel too tight in the waistline as the baby and the uterus gets bigger. Most women experience an increase in their breast size also.

Additional fluids in the body can change the way regular clothes fit in the chest, arms, hips and thighs. Maternity clothes are made with the same proportions as non-maternity clothes but with additional ease to allow for your changing shape. When you buy maternity apparel, shop for maternity clothes labeled in your pre-pregnancy size.

All maternity clothes have room for an expanding belly and allow for the additional weight gain. If you are between sizes, buy the next larger size. In case of intimate maternity apparel, loose is the key. You can buy your favorite thongs or bikinis in a size or two larger but let the waistband rest under your tummy. Cotton and cotton blends, are the best fabric options for maternity panties especially for women, who are prone to yeast fungus infection.

Plus size apparel

Apart from mother-to-be, plus size apparel are also targeted for over-sized women and kids, who are too large to fit into the mainstream youth apparel. Once upon a time, not too long ago, plus size women clothing choices were limited to cheap looking, baggy and unattractive clothes that made you look old before your time.

Times have changed and how! There has been a cultural shift in the acceptance of plus size apparel for women, particularly in the fashion industry. Nowadays it's easy to find trendy plus size clothes such in formal wear, casual wear, workout clothes, evening wear, dinner and swim wear.

Thanks to the celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Camryn Manheim and Star Jones who take pride in looking fashionable no matter how much their weight fluctuates - plus size clothes are here to stay. However, sizing is a tough decision in plus size apparel. Here is a small sizing tip to help you buy your perfect fit.

Guide to choosing plus size apparel

For a weight of 210-230 lbs with a height of 5'6 inches, 2X is the probable size. For a weight between 280-310 lbs., 4X or plus size apparel might fit you better. Size and weight are guiding tools in finding the perfect fit. Plus size designer wear is flooding the market. You can find attractive plus size swimsuits in vibrant colors. If you are a few sizes too big and are planning the dress for your wedding, it is no longer an ordeal. You'll be delighted at the selection of plus size wedding dresses available in the market, all in chic styles and patterns. Plus size apparel also extends to plus size bras, thongs, gowns and robes and wedding lingerie.

Plus size apparel tips

Find some handy tips and tricks to use the right plus size apparel that will hide your figure flaws:

• Any color worn head to toe (monochromatic) in a clean, unbroken line will produce a dynamically slimming effect. Mix textures like knits with leather to make an interesting combination.
  
  
• Select dark print backgrounds, as it will help in creating a slimmer image.
  
  
• Select flat knit, fine rib and jersey tops.
  
• Choose pants with flapless pockets, flat fronts with just enough stretch for added comfort.
  
• If your legs are fuller inside, try a side slit. If your legs are fuller outside, a mid-front or back slit is a better choice.
  
• A slim v-neck makes the neck appear longer and is usually very flattering.
  
• Boat necks are great for minimizing waists and hips, while maximizing sexy shoulders. But they are a fashion no-no if you have broad shoulders.
  
• Make sure that each time you buy a new bra; you are properly fitted with the help of a sales associate at the lingerie or department store. Wearing a properly fitted bra can help in creating a slimmer image.