Life & Style
Mama Knows Best
Adapting her trademark cool to flatter her changing figure, multi-talented India Cardona makes pregnancy dressing look a beautiful breeze in her digital newsletter, The India Edit. So we asked the creative mother-to-be to share her styling secrets…
India’s Top Tips For Pregnancy Style
Dungarees are a godsend as firstly, there’s nothing tight around your waist, and secondly, you can wear them with so much – tees, blouses, jumpers etc.
Embrace the bump – I’m grateful to be pregnant at a time when it’s legit to have your bump out (thanks Rhianna!). If you’re not ready for that, then enhancing it with details like shirring works perfectly too.
Elasticated waist trousers will see you through. I got a couple of satin pairs by Vince in a Large at the start of my pregnancy and they’re still something I reach for constantly in the third trimester. Cost per wear and all that!
Hide everything in your wardrobe that doesn’t fit – it’s no fun seeing clothes you can’t squeeze into! I sold a ton of things and then vacuum packed other pieces for post-pregnancy dressing.
In the later stages of pregnancy, if you’re planning to breastfeed, start thinking about adaptable, feeding-friendly designs that you can wear pre- and postpartum. Shirts, button-up blouses and floaty tops are all on my list.
Investing in underwear that fits well is a gamechanger, both in terms of comfort and how your clothes look and feel. Buying bigger pyjamas is a must, too, or I love a nightie.
The Bonie stitch tool is amazing for making quick adjustments. Often I’ll have sized up, but then one part of a top is too big, so I pop a stitch in to adapt the fit. Or if I’m wearing trousers slung below my bump and they’re too long, I’ll hem them temporarily.
On holidays, sarongs are your best friend. I love that they’re easily adjustable and you can wear them above or below your bump. When dressing up, I’ve loved a dropped waist silhouette - they work perfectly with a pregnant figure.
Accessories are a great way to make an outfit feel more ‘you’. Think chunky earrings, fun necklaces and belts, but be sure to belt below rather than above the bump to keep your outfit looking contemporary.
Sporty onesies have seen me through my pregnancy workouts as they stretch a surprising amount!
Bias-cut slip dresses are a great investment: they hang well over a bump and just get a little bit shorter as you get wider!
India’s Pregnancy Picks
