You may not be ready to announce your pregnancy to the world. Perhaps you are waiting until you are safely through the first trimester, when your risk of miscarriage diminishes. You might have an upcoming job interview or social event and do not want your pregnancy to be a topic of conversation. Whatever your reasons for concealing your pregnancy, there are clothing choices that can help.
First Trimester
In the first trimester, your pregnancy may not be apparent to other people. Nevertheless, you are likely gaining some weight and experiencing bodily changes that make fitting into your pre-pregnancy jeans impossible. Rather than moving right into maternity clothes, adapt your favorite clothes to fit until you are ready to reveal your growing secret. Purchase a wide elastic band which fits over the waistband of your pants and skirts. You can then leave the waistband unbuttoned or unzipped without fear of losing your pants. Pair this with a long shirt and no one is the wiser.
One trick to help your pre-pregnancy clothes fit for longer is to loop a ponytail holder through the buttonhole of your pants to give you another inch of growing room. Visit a second-hand store and buy a larger pair of non-maternity pants.
Layering
Once you reach the middle trimester of your pregnancy, your waistline will begin to expand rapidly. Even so, you can still use clothes to hide your pregnancy. Now is the time to think about layering your wardrobe. Avoid wearing loose clothing that flows around your body. Instead wear a fitted camisole paired with a sweater or jacket in the winter. In the summer, wear a pair of capris or shorts with a long sleeveless top. Adding a belt will give the illusion of a smaller waist even as your baby grows.
When you purchase maternity pants, choose those with a hidden panel. Some maternity jeans and pants are easily mistaken for non-maternity clothing because they have a faux zipper and button.
Patterns and Colors
In addition to wearing the right clothes, pay attention to colors and patterns. Choose a monochromatic outfit in a dark color to look slimmer. Or combine a slim pair of dark pants, a skirt or shorts with a lighter-colored top. Avoid horizontal stripes and plaids. A beautiful, bold print top is a great choice when paired with a solid bottom.
Accessories
Successfully hiding a pregnancy involves more than just clothing choices. Pairing the proper clothes with carefully selected accessories is a way to camouflage your pregnancy. When choosing accessories, select ones that will draw attention up and away from your belly. Wear a great necklace and it will be the focal point of your outfit. Learn how to arrange a scarf artfully, and people will look at your face and not your tummy.
Large purses can also help you hide your growing belly. Choose a beautiful large bag that you can hold in front of you when you are standing up or having your picture taken.
Be careful not to overdo the accessories. A good rule of thumb is to wear one less accessory than the number of articles of clothing you are wearing. For example, if you are wearing a jacket, a shirt and a pair of jeans, wear just two accessories. Fashionable choices would also include a stylish pair of earrings or a headband.
