Fashion
May 20, 2015

DRESSING THE BUMP SERIES: WHAT TO WEAR DURING YOUR SECOND TRIMESTER

Hover over this image for clickable links to each piece I am wearing! You can also view a complete roundup of my maternity looks here. Also, make sure to check out the rest of my Dressing The Bump series for First Trimester and Third Trimester as well!
 

I am so excited to dive into all of the ins and outs of dressing during your second trimester of pregnancy in my Dressing the Bump Series. (You can view all of my picks for what to wear during your first trimester here) The other day someone said to me, “So you’re going to have the baby in what? Two and a half months?” There is no way. Right?? Oh my goodness, I am into my third trimester and I feel like this pregnancy is flying by right now. I did not feel like this with my first pregnancy. I don’t know if I am relieved and excited or nervous and not ready!

So the second trimester. That bump is definitely out there, and you no longer look like you just ate too big of a lunch. It’s most definitely a baby and that is what makes the second trimester my favorite stage of pregnancy to dress. That pouch now becomes an accessory you get to style! I spent a lot of time these past few weeks pouring through websites and in stores actually trying on clothing to pick my very favorite items. Some of these pieces I have worn during all three pregnancies, and some pieces are newly discovered this time around.

Here are my favorite things to wear during the second trimester of pregnancy:

FITTED STRETCHY DRESSES:

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I put these first because they are absolutely my favorite thing to wear. They accentuate your bump and they look adorable. The key to fitted dresses are stretch and ruching on the sides (the bunching up on the sides of the dress, allowing enough fabric to stretch over your bump, like this dress and this dress have). If you are a little self conscious about something so fitted over your bum and thighs (I swear, my butt gets just as pregnant as my stomach), I would highly recommend these pregnancy spanx (I will reference them below too) They work wonders with dresses like these.
MATERNITY PANTS:

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I dreaded these so much in my first pregnancy that I didn’t buy any. I bought a few pairs in my second pregnancy, but was still reluctant so I bought cheap pairs that I didn’t love. And because I didn’t love them, I would buy another cheap pair. In the end I spent about the same amount on 4 or 5 cheap pairs of poorly fitting maternity jeans, when what I should have done was just invest in one well-made pair. This time around, I invested in these AG jeans and I love them. I wear them about 4 times a week. They stay up and they are a great fit. (I want to get the same exact pair of these non maternity after the baby too!). Also, don’t be afraid to start wearing them early on. I bought mine 2 sizes larger than my pre-pregnancy size, and started wearing them at the end of my first trimester.
MAXI DRESSES:

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Cant stop won’t stop with maxi dresses. They are great when not pregnant and amazing when pregnant. If the dress is more of a loose caftan, try belting right above your bump (like I did here and here). It will keep you from feeling like a tent, and accentuate your bump.
SWIMWEAR

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Let’s face it. If you are pregnant during any point of a summer, you are going to need a bathing suit. While wearing a bathing suit when pregnant isn’t my most favorite thing to do, the right one can make all the difference. I have this one and this one and would highly recommend them!

WORKOUT CLOTHING:

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I wrote a whole post about my favorite ways to stay healthy and active during pregnancy here. Don’t risk stretching out your nice expensive workout pants trying to fit into them during your whole pregnancy. These pants are my very very favorite. I can’t even describe how soft they are. They are about as much as my Lululemon non maternity workout pants, and I love them just as much. I will probably wear them after the baby too. And invest in a good sports bra! Your old ones won’t fit those growing hoots at this point. I would recommend one that zips in the front like this one that making nursing so much easier after the baby comes. I got mine when I was nursing Cash and I still love it!
TOPS:

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For the second trimester I started to drift away from loose flowy tops. I wore them like crazy in the first trimester, but now that the bump has made an appearance, a big top can now just make you look….bigger. I have this top in a few different colors and it isn’t even maternity (and currently on sale!). It is ruched on the sides and is great for accentuating the bump.
SHIFT DRESSES:

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These can be a little tricky with a growing bump. I mentioned earlier that loose tops with a bump can make you look even bigger than you are, and the same is true with shift dresses. So look for ones with a great drape that hang really nicely like this one. They will still be loose and comfortable, but form a little more to your curves, which will help keep you from looking like you are wearing a potato sack.
EXTRA NECESSITIES:

I have a separate love affair for each of these items. To me, these are must haves for the second trimester. A good bra is crucial! I have this one and its great. You are going to need a lot of support for your girls and a bra that fits correctly makes a world of difference. I talked about prego Spanx earlier in this post and cross-my-heart-hope-to-die, they are a lifesaver on Sundays.

If you haven’t yet, make sure you check out my Dressing The Bump Series

Also, make sure to check out the rest of my Dressing The Bump series.
View the First Trimester and Third Trimester posts below. Also, see all of my maternity looks from my #leannesbabybump from Instagram right here!

 

 

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