The maternity fashion world is a dangerous one, where the potential for sartorial missteps is high. While things have improved since the days when women cloaked their baby bumps in muumuus and sailor dresses, it’s still tough to look like you’ve got it together when you’ve got one on the way. Here are a few style pointers for Kate and Kim:
1. Wrap dresses are not your friend. As your belly expands, these frocks will become more and more treacherous, and far more likely to generate the kind of wardrobe malfunctions that celebrity magazines pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for.
2. Go for the wedge. You know those LK Bennett black patent-leather wedges Kate wore a few summers ago, and everyone ran out to get the same pair? Pregnancy does strange things to your balance (not to mention your feet), so wedges will be a much better bet than heels — they’re much sturdier. (Just don’t be surprised if you end up having to buy them in a bigger size.)
3. Ruching is good. If you looked askance before at styles with gathered material, you’ll soon realize they are very flattering on the pregnant form. (And you better get used to it, because 90 percent of maternity dresses and shirts seem to feature ruching!)
4. Stay away from big prints. This one should be self-explanatory, but we just thought we’d put it down in writing. You’ll thank us for it later.