Once you reach destination T3 (trimester three of pregnancy) you can officially start the countdown to meeting your new little family member. While you have been dressing to suit a bump over the past six months, it doesn’t mean it gets any easier as your body shape is continually growing and changing throughout the full pregnancy. Thus, you need to adapt your look each trimester to suit your new body shape.

Personally, at 30 weeks, I am well and truly pregnant-looking – there is no doubt in peoples’ minds when they see me, it can’t be mistaken for a beer belly at this stage! Yes, my body has changed quite a lot, but I am delighted that people can tell it is a pregnant bump as I am so excited – and I’m really enjoying showing it off in clothes that flatter the bump.

As a personal shopper, I am going to share my top tips with you for dressing in the third trimester of pregnancy to complete your maternity capsule wardrobe for the final stages of pregnancy.

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Embrace your bump

Enjoy dressing your bump – baby bumps are a beautiful thing, so make the most of it while you can. You don’t need to wear over-sized clothes to allow for the bump, there are plenty of fitted maternity clothes that have space for your bump. By opting for oversized items, like man-style shirts, you will add an illusion of a lot of extra weight that doesn’t actually exist. Don’t be afraid of the fitted maternity clothes.

Invest in maternity tank tops

Your own tank tops may still look like they fit on the upper part of the top, but the length of a non-maternity top will cause it to rise up your belly due to the excess material now needed here. It is definitely worth investing in maternity tank tops – opt for ruching at the side as these are more flattering and last longer for different stages of the bump and can be worn after pregnancy too.

Layering

Layering has two benefits. Firstly, as your body temperature rises in pregnancy, you can control this a little better by wearing layers and removing as you need to. Secondly, layering allows you to add length to your regular non-maternity tops if they are rising up now that your bump has grown further.

Think cost per wear

Formula: Cost of item/number of times you will wear it = the real cost per wear. This theory is one to use not only during pregnancy, but anytime you are shopping for clothes. Example: €300 maternity occasion wear dress/one wear = €300 cost per wear Example: €100 maternity jeans/50 wears = €2 cost per wear.

Hire occasion wear

If you have an occasion coming up, such as a wedding or formal party, and you do not want to spend much money on a maternity dress for this occasion, but you still want to look well, a savvy solution is to hire a maternity dress. One such place to hire occasion wear dresses is Stylemama.ie.

Time to rethink footwear

I say this with a tear in my eye! At 5ft 3”, I love wearing heels, but I have noticed my balance is starting to go! The advised heel is not tall, not flat, but approximately 2” from the ground. If you are like me, and love your heels, my solution is to wear your flat shoes and bring a second pair of shoes in your bag that you can change in to if you want at any stage. The other thing to keep in mind is the bigger the bump gets, the harder it is to put shoes on, so slip-on shoes could be the best option.

Accessories

The great thing about accessories is that they are body shape transitional, unlike maternity wear. Accessories will continue to fit no matter what size you are and can update your look instantly, such as jewellery, scarfs, and wraps.

Outfit for leaving the hospital

While you might be tempted to pack your pre-pregnancy clothes, it is advisable to pack comfortable maternity wear (or a nursing wear top if you plan on breast-feeding) for when you are leaving the hospital. The bump won’t disappear straight away – no matter what the movies make you believe.

The star of the show

And, of course, the most important outfit of all – the first baby outfit. It is time to get shopping for the first outfit for your little bundle of joy for the first big photoshoot in the hospital.

Feature by Siobhán McHugh of Styleuphoria.com, contact info@styleuphoria.com. Photography: Ramona Farrelly Makeup artist: Nicole Cardiff at Inglot Liffey Valley.