Tips for a Stylish Pregnancy

There's more to mother-to-be fashion than the comfortable-but-limiting muu muus that line the racks of many stores. As pregnant fashion maven Gwen Stefani proved in a sparkly Salvatore Ferragamo gown at the 2013 Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts gala in Los Angeles, gestational stylishness is within reach. Other maternity trendsetters include actress Kerry Washington; broadcast journalist Lisa Ling and the former Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, all of whom have shown that you can be polished and pregnant one terrific tunic and marvelous maxi dress at a time.

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Drapey dresses are anything but dowdy. A great example is the sexy and strapless purple draped Jason Wu frock actress Kerry Washington rocked at the 2014 Academy Awards in LA. "Dresses really are a wonderful way to stay fashionable while rocking the tummy," says actress Lilly Melgar, a wife and mother and the owner of the Los Angeles-based Scentual by Lilly bath line. "They are cozy and flattering. You don't need to lose your femininity or style while you're pregnant."

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Dresses aren't the only maternity option. Yoga pants and elastic-wasted boleros and palazzos are also extremely practical and useful. Look no further than a pregnant Emily Blunt, who sported a pair of comfortable-but-stylish black yoga pants while running errands in Los Angeles in 2013. "When you're pregnant, you not only desire but require a comfy wardrobe," Melgar says. "Yoga pants are perfect. You can wear them anywhere. You can be casual with flats and an oversize blouse or you can dress them up by adding a low heel and a dressier blouse."

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Musician and designer Gwen Stefani (pictured) turns to tunic tops as one of her signature looks because they are as fun as they are functional before, during and after pregnancies. "They are just so versatile and certainly a worthwhile wardrobe addition," says Song Pardue, CEO and owner of Pickles & Ice Cream Maternity Apparel, which is based in Dallas. "Dress a tunic top up over a pair of leggings with cute wedges or down over a pair of shorts or jeans with comfy flats."

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Ask any expert and they are likely to tell you maxi dresses are one of the best things that could've happened to baby-bump fashion. Actress Natalie Portman wears a Rodarte goddess-styled maxi to great effect at the 2011 Academy Awards in LA. "Not only are they quick, comfortable and cute, but they provide a nice option for women who feel more comfortable with longer lengths," Pardue says. "We are fortunate these days to not have to sacrifice the styles we love for maternity wear."

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Don't think of blazers and trenches as accessories that will hide a beautiful pregnant belly. Fitted jackets and coats do quite the opposite, as the Duchess of Cambridge proved during her pregnancy when she wore a now-signature polka dot dress and blazer at an event in London in April 2013. "Saturday Night Live" alum Rudolph has also sported some rather flattering and fitted thigh-length trenches. And there are plenty of options for moms who prefer a more A-line style, Pardue says.

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With the right accent pieces, tank tops can be a mom-to-be's best fashion staple. It's something Nicole Richie turned to when she was pregnant, as in this photo at an event in LA in May 2009. The reality star paired layered tanks and jeans with cute cardigans and hats for a flirty and easy look."I wore a lot of colorful tanks while pregnant because I did a lot of prenatal yoga and was pregnant in the summer," Melgar says. "If you are active, this is a great choice."

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A quick and simple way to dress up casual maternity wear is with sophisticated scarves and jewelry. The key is relying on clean and easy styles and a less-is-more approach. For instance, Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow used scarves to accentuate her long and graceful neck and features when she was pregnant with her second child, Moses, in 2006. "Scarves just look great on everyone," Pardue says.

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Expectant mothers wear high heels all the time. Take a look at any of the pregnant stars gracing red carpets. But there are safer and still fashionable alternatives — such as flat sandals, ballet flats, boots and even sneakers, says Melgar, who opted for flats during her pregnancy. Ankle boots, pictured here on a Olivia Wilde, are another practical pick. The further along a pregnant woman is, the flatter the shoe should be because of the increase in weight and the shifting center of gravity, doctors say.

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