8 Clever Ways to Hide a Baby Bump
How to dress your changing body before you're ready to spill the beans
By Vera Sizensky, Women's Health
Dressing for Two
If your tummy's popping before you're ready to share the baby news, use these styling tips from Women's Health senior fashion editor Thea Palad to keep your pregnancy secret a little longer. Bonus: They'll be just as cute on you post-pregnancy as they are now.
Mirror Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Mirrored prints
"Reflecting a print along your vertical axis is instantly slimming and can help hide any weight gain," says Palad.
Color Block Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Color blocks
"Make sure the darker colors are strategically placed over your tummy and any other parts you want to shrink visually," says Palad. Disappearing panels and ombre designs also have the same effect, so the darker portion will help mask your middle.
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Belt Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Belts
"Wear a wide belt high and tight around your natural waist if you're still able," says Palad. When you accentuate the smallest part of your midsection it draws attention from your growing belly.
Blouse Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Peasant blouses
"They're meant to have a billowy fit, so it's a good way to hide a belly," says Palad.
MINImize Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Mod-style mini dresses
"This style is cut to skim the body and flares out into a slight trapeze shape, so it hides a growing waistline-not that anyone will notice because the focus will be on your stems," says Palad. "Be sure to wear great heels!"
Blaze Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Boyfriend blazers
Boxy overcoats are a big trend for fall 2013. "Swap out any fitted or cropped iterations with this more forgiving one," says Palad.
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Elongate Your Bump
Rock This Trend: Maxi dresses with prints
"Maxi dresses with busy graphics-like a beautiful floral, a realistic photo print, or an ethnic tribal print-can elongate your form and disguise your growing tummy," says Palad.
Don't Do THIS to Your Bump
"Nothing will get tongues wagging about your possible pregnancy faster than an empire waistline," says Palad. Save this cut for when you're ready to proudly show off your baby belly.
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