Fashions For “The Bloat Phase”

I am sure you all know what I am talking about – the ever hated “Bloat Phase” when you are pregnant. That limbo time when your jeans still fit but won’t button, your tops are starting to get snug and shows a muffin top. I am currently in this phase of my pregnancy. Where my maternity clothing is still a little big and I look like sausage in casing in all my other clothing. Sigh.

With my first pregnancy, Forever 21 was my savor during this time. I went there the other day just to find some loose fitting tops and I came up empty handed. WTF! That is my go-to non-maternity store for preggo clothes. Apparently short, belly shirts with long backs are all the rage with kids these days. After reading that and saying it aloud I realized I am not a kid anymore although I wish I was…. Double Sigh.

So now that my husbands big birthday celebration is this weekend at a 5 star restaurant in South Beach and I have absolutely nothing to wear, I have hit an all time low in my Bloat Phase. I can’t see paying hundreds at those high end maternity stores so I needed an alternative to my Forever 21 disappointment.

Enter Love Culture. Blousy tops, flowy, CUTE dresses…have my prayers been answered???!! I think so. Check out some of these adorable and trendy clothes that will take you from bloat to hot and still give that little belly room to grow. All are fun and adorable but all under $30!

*DISCLAIMER: With all preggos, trying on is a must! So some of these may or may not work with our growing bods…but some will!

The Flowy Summer Dress

Obsessed with this Animal Print Chiffon Dress!

Light, breezy, perfect for your growing bump during the warm spring/summer time! I even love the hat…a bit dramatic but your pregnant, you can wear whatever the hell you want! If you like some color, try this guy on for size! Both look extra flowy and extra comfortable.

Boho Chic

Anything Boho is great for a bloating belly. Roomy, blousy and made of cool cottons that will only help keep your extra-hormonal body cool in the spring time.

This dress is great to hide the extra bloat and keep you feeling comfy through out the day.

I’m slightly obsessed with this top, great with a pair of shorts or maternity jeans for a night out with your girls or quick bite with your husband.

A Night On The Town

This sexy number may be a contender for my birthday party dilemma. Can go one of two ways – look hot on or I look like a beached whale.

If you want to be covered up a little bit more, this Faux Leather Chiffon Dress. Trendy, sexy and flowy. This has a slip built in and may or may not work with a growing body. Basically…try it on first, but its super hot!

Fun & Flirty Tops

I try to find tops that I can wear everyday that make me feel like I’m part of the times – not an outdated mom. So trying to incorporate my bloaty belly with a cute, everyday shirt has been hard. I really feel like I hit the jack pot with Love Culture because I found some great tops that will work with any occasion from food shopping to lunching.

This Chain Trim Tank has got both the cutesy, flowy feel that will make any mamma-to-be feel like she is “with-it”. Yeah, I said it. Plus the detailing adds a little somethin’ somethin’.

I’m getting this Bow Tie Blouse asap. They have a polka dot option too which is adorbs. I may look like a scoop of ice cream (with sprinkles), but I don’t give a fahhh!

So there you have it, some really cute options for big, bloating bodies! I hope this helps any mom or mom’s to be out there because the middle phase between getting out of normal clothes and into maternity feels like an eternity. An unfashionable, frumpy eternity.

Where do you find your pre-maternity/maternity clothes?

– Amanda