A pregnant woman’s wardrobe plan

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 14

A pregnant woman’s wardrobe plan

When planning your maternity wardrobe, the first thing to remember is that pregnancy spans three seasons.

You can break your pregnancy into three groups, of three months and then relate these three groups to the season and your growth. These factors, with colours, fabrics and pattern mix will give you a nine-month

wardrobe plan that carries you through your pregnancy in style and comfort.

As seasons change, you would usually weed out a few items from your closet and add a few new garments to your basic wardrobe. During pregnancy, however, things are very different During your last five or six months you are, discarding everything in your closet and starting fresh. The major growth areas during pregnancy are the bust, waist, hips, front waist-length and crotchdepth. The first three months, there is little or no growth and you can wear your regular clothes. By the end of the third month, however, you will find your clothes feel tight. During this time you will need elasticised skirts and pants, unbelted dresses and loose overblouses or large dungarees for casual-wear.

A pair of existing pants can be made into “prematemity” pants by making a slash of about 7.5 cm on both side-fronts; about half way between the center front and side seams.

Spread slash about 2.5 cm at top and insert wide elastic. Ask for foundation repair elastic, which is a least 7.5 cm wide. The slash will form a “V.” Zig-zag stitch elastic to the pants, this is for strength and finishing off the raw edge of the slash. During the second three months your pregnancy will begin to show and you will definitely need to make the transition to maternity pants, even though you may not feel ready for maternity tops and dresses.

Most pattern books will specify a special section for maternity-wear. These, and other patterns described as “suitable for maternity” have been designed to have enough “ease” or wearing-room for the first six months. For the last three months, maternity clothes are a must. The style of patterns chosen will depend on your daily activities You may work in an office or in the home. You may be very active in sports, have a very active social life, or. all of the above.

Since it is essential that your maternity wardrobe co-ordinates, fabric and colour are key factors.

Pick a neutral colour family as a base black,

riavy, grey, white or beige. Once you have chosen one of two basic colours* think about mixing in some Tighter shades of your basic colour for a tonal effect. Add complementary pales that mix well. Add a print, stripe or plaid that contain many of the same colours, and add a few brights for accents to liven things up.

Select natural fibres such as wool, silk, linen and cotton, or blends with natural fibres. Most women feel warmer during pregnancy, and because natural fibres “breathe”

they are more- comfortable. Select solid neutral colour fabrics for pants, jumpers, and skirts; tweed and plaids in your basic colours for autumn and winter jackets and capes; linen or raw silk, also in neutral baSic colours, for spring - and summer jackets; Blouses, tops, and dresses in solids, geometries, florals, stripes, dots and plaids for accent, or neutral base colours. Keep vividly coloured prints and stripes at a smaller scale for a more flattering look. (All information from Vogue magazine.) . '.