Planners, please enjoy the following interview style post from Emilie!

Jeannine:  “What’s new in the world of maternity fashion? (There wasn’t much to choose from back in 2001 when I was pregnant!)”

Emilie:  “Between brick and mortar stores dedicated to maternity wear, traditional stores that carry maternity lines and online stores, there are tons of options for pregnant planners these days!  I think the biggest trend would be that pregnant women aren’t wearing giant, form hiding shirts and dresses anymore – they are celebrating their new shapes and wearing form fitting items.  It isn’t as if you can hide it so why not show it off a little?”

Jeannine:  “What kind of challenges does pregnancy present for dressing professionally for client and vendor meetings?”

Emilie:  “Comfort is a huge issue when you are pregnant. One of the main sources of discomfort I have noticed this time around is the waistbands of my pants and skirts. Waistbands come in several styles – under the belly, mid-belly and over the belly. Experiment with different styles for different activities – the under the belly pants had a tendency to literally fall down while I was walking – not the best for site visits – but I found that over the belly stayed up just fine. I found some over the belly pants are too restrictive while sitting in lengthy meetings so I try to stick with mid-belly or under the belly for those meetings. It really is trial and error and based solely on what works for you.

Also, in the end of your pregnancy, your breasts will likely become a good bit more prominent than you are used to which can lead to some interesting cleavage issues.  For some reason, many maternity designers have decided that all pregnant women want nothing more than to give the world a peek and so they cut their tops extremely low.  Invest in several maternity tanks – either cotton bra tanks or spandex – that come up a little higher for layering under low cut tops.

Another suggestion I have is to purchase tanks that are long enough so they will also cover the bottom of your belly.  Sometimes those under the belly pants will leave a gap between pants and shirt.  Invest in several tanks in a range of basic colors – you can always scrunch them up in the beginning as you will likely need the length near the end!”

Jeannine:  “Could you recommend several basics for expecting wedding and event planners to help them get them through their pregnancies in style?”

Emilie:  “A few key pieces should be able to help at various stages of pregnancy:

Belly Band:  In the beginning, your normal clothing, including suits and dress pants, may still fit everywhere but in the waistband.  Buy a couple of belly bands and you’ll be able to wear those pants even longer.  Belly bands are simply tubes of stretchy fabric that you slip over the waist band of your unbuttoned pants to help keep them up.  You’ll have more breathing room while the baby starts to grow and be a whole lot more comfortable!  The brand I have used is Bella Band but there are tons of different brands as well.

Maternity Tanks:  As I mentioned, maternity tanks are great for covering up the slice of tummy that wants to peek out of the bottom of your shirt as well as helping to cover up those new assets up top.  Certain styles (the ones made of spandex that tend to be form fitting) also serve as good support for your back as the belly begins to grow.

Maternity undies:  Don’t laugh.  You may think you can get through your pregnancy with your normal lacey underpinnings but especially as time goes on, you will likely want a little more…full coverage.  Plus, underwear made especially for maternity are more comfortable and meant to fit your changing shape.  Buy at least one pack and you’ll probably wind up back at the store for more.  And don’t worry – they make maternity thongs too!

All the rest is solely based on your personal style!  These days a woman doesn’t have to sacrifice her personal style sensibilities to accommodate the pregnancy.”

Jeannine:  “In late pregnancy, swollen feet is a very common problem for pregnant women.  What kind of shoes have you found to work best while working in the latter stage of your pregnancy?”

Emilie:  “I have terrible feet whether I am pregnant or not!  I am one of those rare people who just hate shoe shopping because I have “Flintstone Feet” – nearly as wide as they are long!  For me, finding shoes that fit is a challenge so cute, sadly, comes second.  I have always been a fan of Danskos for that reason – no, they aren’t cute but I can still walk at the end of a long day without wanting to cry.  It also helps to have shoes that can be adjusted as the day goes on so you can let them out a little.”

Jeannine:  “Have you found a “go-to” store(s) that have really worked for you during your pregnancy?  You know, a place where you could go to find casual, professional and even formal attire?”

Emilie:  “Yes, I have!  Here is a breakdown: 

Professional and Dressy Pieces:  Both Motherhood and A Pea in the Pod actually have a line designed by Heidi Klum.  They have a nice in store and online selection of basic staples plus some more trendy items.  Be prepared for sticker shock – considering you can only wear the items for a limited time, maternity clothing can be extremely pricey.

Casual:  Old Navy and Target.  Both carry maternity in certain stores and a nice selection online.  Almost all my casual maternity clothing is from one of those two stores and many pieces have lasted me through both pregnancies.

Your own closet:  Don’t forget to look through your existing wardrobe to see what you can continue to use throughout your pregnancy.  Recent styles have seen longer shirts that hit low on the hip – you can likely continue to wear these throughout your pregnancy especially if they are stretchy.  Certain knit skirts can work through early pregnancy as well – but if they are short, make sure your hem doesn’t start to get wonky from the belly.  Don’t be afraid to take a look at your husband’s closet either – sometimes there is nothing better than a comfy sweatshirt from his wardrobe.”

Jeannine:  “Any tips (fashion or otherwise) for expecting planners who are wondering how to make it through their pregnancies while still working?”

Emilie:  “Plan accordingly and have great backup.  Although I have some friends who have worked right up to their due date, I was able to schedule my events to end right when I began to get really large.  You never know how pregnancy is going to affect your body and for me, both pregnancies have been different.  You might feel fantastic right up to the delivery or you might be put on bed rest.  Make sure that you have back up plans in case of an emergency for all points along the way.

Be up front with your clients and any potential clients.  As soon as you feel comfortable sharing the news, tell your existing clients exactly how you plan to handle being pregnant at their wedding or planning around maternity leave.  I have found with both pregnancies that my clients have been really excited for me and since I had a plan of action for their weddings, they were perfectly comfortable with the whole thing.  Don’t try to hide it from potential clients either – if you have a meeting set up and are 7 months pregnant, that potential client is likely going to feel blindsided if you don’t tell them up front that you are expecting!  Just as the first meeting sets the tone for the relationship, you don’t want clients wondering what you intend to surprise them with next.

More than anything else, make sure to take care of yourself and that little one growing in your belly first.  If you aren’t healthy, happy and comfortable, your clients and even more importantly, your baby will suffer.  Enjoy this time – you may be surprised that you will miss that huge belly once it is gone!”