How To Dress Fashionably During Pregnancy — As Seen On Telemundo’s “Mujer de Hoy”

Yesterday, I filmed a segment for Telemundo’s “Mujer de Hoy” in which I discussed how to look stylish throughout pregnancy and beyond. If you missed it, make sure to check out the video above (or click here) since you’re likely to find some inspiration from the many pieces showcased. In the segment, I stressed that women don’t need to spend a bundle on maternity clothes that they’ll only be able to wear for several months and will then inevitably toss or donate to Goodwill. Instead, women who are expecting can invest in a couple of maternity pieces and otherwise rely on versatile garments that will flatter their changing figure and growing baby bumps but that will also look chic post-pregnancy.

I personally love long, easy, laid-back maxi dresses on pregnant women, so these types of garments figured prominently in the segment. Why are maxi dresses so great? Well, they tend to come in comfortable and lightweight fabrics that are breathable and fluid, keeping women comfortable and cool, plus they’re slightly fitted along the bust area and loose elsewhere so that they’re roomy enough to accommodate a growing baby bump. And, unlike the tent-like frocks pregnant women wore back in the day, today’s maxi dresses are cut so that the skirts have   straighter cuts, thereby grazing the sides of the body ever so slightly and appearing fluid and even ethereal.

Below, you’ll find our model Mariel wearing a yellow-and-white dress from Nieves Lavi, a beachy and sunny number in a soft and breathable jersey fabric and featuring braided straps and a Hawaiian-flavored floral print (visit NievesLavi.com for information on where to buy this and other garments from the brand). Though the dress isn’t billed as a maternity garment, it fit Mariel perfectly. To add some pizazz, I accessorized this maxi dress with the Amrita Singh Coral Branch Necklace ($100 at AmritaSingh.com), which boasts a similar island-ready vibe; a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings with an Egyptian-esque etched pattern (from Macy’s own collection) and tan Jaclyn Smith Flower Sling Back sandals ($9.99 at Kmart and Kmart.com), which feature rosette accents along the center vertical strip. 

Here are some behind-the-scenes images of Mariel with the other girls and preparing for the camera while in the Nieves Lavi maxi:

Here’s a look at the accessories Mariel wore:

Similarly, in one of the first scenes in the “Mujer de Hoy” video, you’ll find model Elaine wearing an absolutely stunning maxi gown from Muse Apparel. As soon as she tried on this garment, everyone let out a collective “Ooh!” In addition to featuring a watercolor-esque striped pattern, the Muse Multi Stripe Belted Maxi ($178 at MuseApparel.com) features a really flattering neckline that’s similar to a halter style but doesn’t hug the base of the neck as tightly as traditional halter necklines, with straps resting right along the inside of the clavicles. The maxi’s pattern is itself very flattering since the stripes along the bodice have a vertical orientation that lengthens and slims the silhouette while the stripes along the long skirt are slanted so that they essentially form an inverted “V” shape. Furthermore, the dress comes with a belt tie that allows you to demarcate the waistline, a design detail that will prove handy for pregnant women who want to create a visual division between their chest and belly regions. But, again, this is a dress any woman can wear — in fact, it’s officially on my “must buy” list for summer!

Below, you’ll find some photos of Elaine wearing this gorgeous frock, which I accessorized with some sparkly H&M earrings ($9.99 at H&M stores), two stacks of Indego Africa Sweetgrass Bangles ($36 each at ShopIndegoAfrica.org), and a pair of BONGO Whisper Sandals in blue ($9.99 at Kmart and Kmart.com).

Here are some of the accessories Elaine wore with this maxi dress:

Yet another maxi dress that’s perfect before, during and after pregnancy is the red silk Nieves Lavi caftan (visit NievesLavi.com for price and store details) that Elaine wore at the very end of the segment. Literally everyone on set — including yours truly — was coveting this number. Pictured below, this dress is crafted out of extremely fine silk and features an exotic pattern that incorporates koi fish and fan-like shapes adorned with florals. A luxurious piece with a 1960s Boho vibe, the Nieves Lavi Chinatown Caftan nods to the Far East with its kimono-style sleeves and neckline, which draw the eye upward, while an elastic below the bust line allows women to cinch their waist and give their form more definition.   Check out Elaine in this stunning piece:

Now, every pregnant woman knows leggings are an absolute must during this time. First, they’re incredibly versatile — you can pair them with a racerback tank and sandals for a casual look, a dressier blouson and a snug boyfriend blazer for a sharper look, and so forth. They’re also made of a stretch fabric that will grow in tandem with your body — even if your legs become meatier due to weight gain and water retention. To lengthen your figure, I always suggest pregnant women pair leggings with tunics, tanks or blousons that extend past the waist and fall along or below the hips.

Mariel, for instance, wore the Kardashian Kollection Chain Print Leggings ($28.99 at Sears.com), which feature a Versace-esque print that incorporates black stripes arranged in a diamond formation and framed by chunky gold chains, with the interior of these diamond shapes showcasing either an aqua blue hue or a snow leopard print, and medallions peppered throughout the print. Because the pattern is so busy, we wanted to keep the top very simple and so opted for a solid black tank. This particular tank is one of Destination Maternity’s best-selling items since it’s so incredibly versatile. The Isabella Oliver Sleeveless Scoop Neck Side Ruched Maternity Tank Top ($75 at DestinationMaternity.com) is crafted out of a stretchy jersey knit fabric so that it will expand as your belly does, and it features ruching along the sides which helps to lengthen the silhouette.

To give the look an urban edge, we opted for chunky gold hoop earrings, the Jaclyn Smith Bloom Sandals in a light blue color ($9.99 at Kmart.com), and the Kardashian Kollection Station Collar Necklace ($23.80 at Sears.com), a gold-toned bib necklace with geometric stations, some of them featuring glitter inserts. Check out Mariel’s look below:

If there’s one investment every pregnant gal should make, it’s a nice pair of maternity jeans. Given how often most women wear denim, this is the type of piece that’s bound to get tons of wear. And, of course, no matter how early or late you start to show, you’ll eventually be unable to button any and every pair of jeans in your closet. Unlike ordinary jeans, maternity jeans feature elastic panels sewn along the denim’s waist band. These elastic panels stretch all the way up your abdomen, hugging your belly, and the material will stretch as your center begins to grow so that the fit will remain perfect and your bump will feel secure inside this snug fabric cradle.

Model Janice wore the Hudson Petite Secret Fit Belly 5 Pocket Boot Cut Maternity Jeans ($210 at DestinationMaternity.com) for the segment, and we paired them with the A Pea in the Pod Sleeveless Embroidered Maternity Top ($85 at DestinationMaternity.com), a breezy top featuring a flattering mandarin collar with an embroidered pattern that lends it an ethnic feel. And, for some urban attitude, we accessorized with a pretty hat from the Eugenia Kim for Target collection (a piece from my very own closet).

Check out Janice’s look below:

Another subject that came up in the segment was that of whether or not snug, figure-hugging garments should be worn during pregnancy — particularly in the latter stages. My response: abso-friggin’-lutely! Pregnancy is a joyous time so women should be proud to flaunt their baby bumps! It’s all about finding the right cut. A dress like the Isabella Oliver Ruched One Shoulder Maternity Dress ($185 at IsabellaOliver.com), worn by our model Mercy, is a winning ticket since it features an asymmetrical neckline that draws attention upward and infuses a bit of sex appeal into the look by exposing a bare shoulder, plus it features ruching throughout to slim the hips and thighs, accentuating the belly bump while also defining every curve. Women who want to show off their baby bumps during the early stages of pregnancy, as with our model Janice, can opt for a dress like the black cotton spandex dress she rocked on air, which features a perky polka dot print and boasts a retro-flavored sweetheart neckline. This particular number is available at eshakti.com and was paired with a foldable pair of ballet flats from Yosi Samra but can just as easily be worn with kitten heels, wedges, or pumps.

Which brings us to another maternity style must: a comfortable pair of flats. Women can choose sandals during the summer months, of course, but for occasions that require a dressier shoe, a nice pair of ballet flats will come in rather handy. I love the Yosi Samra Samara Snake ballet flats ($70 at YosiSamra.com), since they’re foldable and take up virtually no space in your closet (or bag!), they feel lightweight and they have an elastic band that ensures a snug fit.

Check out Mercy and Janice’s body-hugging, bump-flaunting frocks, along with the Yosi Samra flats worn by Janice:

Another great tip when shopping for dresses is to look for pieces with waist ties so that you can create a visual divide between the bust and the belly. The A Pea in the Pod Elbow Sleeve Sash Belt Maternity Dress ($129.50 at DestinationMaternity.com) accomplishes this feat perfectly. The dress features a silhouette reminiscent of a T-shirt with its elbow-length sleeves and scoop neckline, but it’s made of a figure-flattering stretchy jersey knit fabric — and, of course, it features a sash belt immediately below the chest so that you can draw a visual divide between your bust and your belly. The geometric print, meanwhile, is incredibly lovely and reminiscent of medallion mosaic tiles but in a blue-and-white color combination that’s similar to that of a traditional Chinoiserie flatware pattern.  Check out Elaine wearing this knee-length dress below:

Last but not least, I can’t stress how well a wrap dress works throughout pregnancy. This timeless and chic silhouette looks beautiful on all women, but it transitions into pregnancy rather well. The cross-over neckline helps to show off some décolletage, drawing the eye upward and helping women flaunt their bosoms while still looking classy and elegant.

In the segment, we showcased two gorgeous wrap dresses: the Isabella Oliver Vivien Print Maternity Dress ($215 at IsabellaOliver.com) worn by Mariel, which features a watercolor-esque floral print in shades of pink, lilac, violet, white, and yellow and boasts 3/4-length sleeves; and the graphic Maggy London Feather Print Wrap Dress ($118 at MaggyLondon.com) worn by Janice, a flirtatious cap-sleeved frock with a V-shaped neckline and a whimsical scallop feather print.

Check out Mariel and Janice in these two wrap dresses below:

Well, chicas, I hope this helps you figure out how to tweak your wardrobe in order to look stylish throughout your pregnancy and show off that baby bump with pride!

Here are some of the final shots from the segment: