Some of you may be wondering How to Hide Your Pregnancy Bump, or whether you even want to! Bumps are cute, and bumps are super powerful! If done right, your little pregnancy bump can be your get-out-of-jail-free card. I kid you not. It gets you a comfier seat on the bus and lets you cut in line without those judgmental looks. If you play your cards right, you might even be ‘bumped up’ to business class as a result of the bump. (See what we did there??!??!) Worst case scenario, you get extra peanuts and snacks because, hey, you are kind of eating for two.
While the pregnancy bump has its perks, we also understand why some of us moms prefer to hide it for a while and not announce the news before the fourth-month mark. As it turns out, the pregnancy tummy seems to have a strange impact on some people who want to… touch it? I really don’t understand why. I don’t think any amount of classes or research will really prepare you for the amount of people wanting to touch your Belly.
Should I Hide My Pregnancy Bump?
While some women prefer to embrace the change and flaunt their new curves, (taking inspiration from Raihana, but that is a whole different energy), others might have good reason to hide them just a little while longer. Because once your Pregnancy bump begins to show, come the questions that are just too soon, or too invasive. If it’s your second or third child, some of the comments are simply downright hurtful, even though they may have been well-intentioned.
“Oooh, having another baby? You guys just can’t keep your hands off each other, can you? Congratulations love.” One co-worker would say. Um, actually, no, Cynthia. We’ve been trying for a while now but I’ve had two traumatic miscarriages in between, so please don’t jinx this. But because I’m feeling nice today, I’ll just nod politely and say thanks.
Someone who hasn’t been through a traumatic conception period, may find themselves uncomfortable with the attention. Their hormones may be haywire and some of the comments like these can simply rub mums the wrong way. This is why we completely understand if you are an expectant mother who isn’t ready to share the news and simply wants to pass it along as a food baby- during the first or even second trimester. (Word of advice, the food baby might only work for a few weeks.)
But we get it! If you are wondering how to hide your pregnancy bump, we are here for you! Here’s how, depending on the season and the wardrobe, you can look ‘everything but pregnant” with these outfits and accessories.
How to Hide Your Pregnancy Bump with Summer Outfits
Summer is all about staying cool and comfortable, and functional outfits can help you hide your Pregnancy bump without layering up. (Besides, those Pregnancy hormones can make you sweat, so it is best to focus on comfort!) There’s a reason sweat pants and oversized tees are a mom thing! They conceal a lot of baby fat and are simply comfortable.
Because, and let me be clear about this, the minute that the strip shows two stripes, “Comfy” and “Breathable” clothing become your first preferences as you scan your wardrobe in hopes of picking the right outfit. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style.
Several outfit options can help hide your Pregnancy bump, including loose-fitting tops, dresses with empire waists, and flowy skirts and dresses with empire waistlines. Not only do they work well for everyday grocery runs and school pick-ups, but you can pair them with a light blazer or just style them for an easy-breezy work outfit that will keep that Pregnancy bump a well-kept secret.
Similarly, accessorizing with scarves or statement jewellery can draw attention away from your Pregnancy bump. Comfort is vital during pregnancy, so breathable fabrics and flat shoes are your best bets!
Here are some summer outfits that will make you feel comfortable, fun, and put together.
Dresses
Floral and pastel dresses are a perfect choice for summer and can also be a great way to hide your Pregnancy bump. Look for dresses with an A-line silhouette or a flowy, loose fit that skims over your midsection. Empire waist styles are also a great option, as they accentuate the flow of the dress and hide those growing curves. Love a maxi dress? That’s great because that can be your best bet if the aim is to keep your bump under wraps (pun intended).
Take some inspiration from Ashley Tisdale and her flowy maternity styles and style those printed maxis with ruffles, an LV bag, and a black pair of boots.
Our Top Tip: When it comes to dresses, play around with colours and patterns. Choosing dresses in darker or busier floral prints like Ashley’s can help distract the eye.
Invest in dresses you love because these can also be used postpartum and will make you look like an ethereal goddess for your maternity shoots and baby photography sessions. By the way, black gives you a slimming effect, so it just might become the dress you reach for every time.
The Power of Patterns and Pleats
Patterns and pleats are a simple but effective way to visually camouflage a growing belly. By breaking up the silhouette of the body and creating a distraction for the eye, these design elements can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your clothing choices during this particular time.
Go for pleated dresses with a high waistline as they can provide extra fabric to drape over the belly area. Pair with a blazer and you’ll be rocking those business meetings! Maxi dresses with a relaxed fit can also be a comfortable option.
Baby doll and Peplum tops
Finding the right clothes to stay cool and comfortable when the temperatures rise can be a real challenge. Fortunately, baby doll tops and peplum tops are other great options for hiding your Pregnancy bump in the summer. Baby doll tops are flowy and typically have an empire waistline, creating extra fabric around the belly. Peplum tops have a flared ruffle around the midsection, which can help conceal a growing bump. Look for these styles in lightweight and breathable fabrics, such as cotton or linen, for maximum comfort in warmer weather.
Petite and showing a bit sooner than you expected?
Plop on a loose denim shirt or accessorise your top with a scarf. Just make sure you don’t mix and match too many patterns and prints. Or keep it classy and just pair a white baby doll top with a light blue, slightly oversized denim shirt.
Empire Waisted Tops
Empire-waisted tops are another great choice for expecting moms. These tops have a high waistline just below the bust, allowing for plenty of room around the midsection. Their flowy silhouette creates comfort in the scorching weather, making them an ideal choice for everyday wear.
Your husband’s entire wardrobe
If you don’t want to dish out on a new wardrobe or have simply envied the collection of cotton shirts hanging in his, now is the time to raid that closet. To feel good and look great, pair his button-down shirts with tights or a pair of loose-fitting pants. Fold the sleeves and pair with denim shorts, or cinch into a loose-fitting dress with a belt!
Our Top Tip: Keep it classy and channel your Kim K look with a white button-down paired with black tights and a chunky piece of jewellery or a statement necklace.
How to accessorise with scarves and statement pieces to hide your Pregnancy Bump
Take inspiration from a magician and whip up an illusion. Better yet, direct their attention away from the bump to something more interesting.
Accessorize with scarves or statement jewellery that draw attention away from the bump.
Use a long scarf to create a vertical line down the front of your body to elongate your silhouette. Alternatively, tie a scarf around your waist to create definition and draw attention away from the belly. Experiment with different tying techniques and fabrics to find what works best for you. You can be pregnant and chic at the same time with the right accessories.
How to Hide Your Pregnancy Bump with The Right Winter Wear
Autumn brings a bunch of reasons to layer up, and one of them is an excellent opportunity to keep that news under the covers a little longer. However, layering can often make some of us look—and feel—like a polar bear. That’s why we share some tips and tricks that, if done right, can make you look sleek and stylish.
If you are petite, stay away from baggy pants paired with a loose top. This will make you look short and round. Instead, choose tight, skinny jeans and fitted pants or bottoms that are breathable because constricted clothing can increase your risk of a yeast infection during pregnancy. Understanding Tim Gunn’s rule of thirds can help you achieve a flattering a streamlined silhouette when layering with cardigans and jackets.
Oversized Sweaters
As temperatures drop and winter sets in, sweaters become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. They are cosy and comfortable, and they are an excellent way to conceal your changing body.
Go up a size or two and choose the right style of material. That means no fitted or ribbed materials. Instead, knitted dresses and wool are great picks. Remember, a loose and chunky knit sweater will provide that extra fabric around the belly area.
Need some style advice? Learn from Jennifer Lawrence, who styled a blue knitted dress with a tailored blue coat and looked cosy and fabulous.
Jackets
Jackets are a winter staple for everyone, and when you are a mom-to-be, they can amp up your style game while keeping you warm and chic. Look for styles that provide extra fabric around the belly area, such as A-line or swing coats. And yes, you can wear that leather bomber jacket as long as you don’t plan to zip it up!
Boyfriend Hoodies
Boyfriend hoodies can be a relaxed and stylish way to hide a Pregnancy bump during the winter. Go for a size or two larger than your usual size to create a loose and comfortable fit. Pair with leggings or skinny jeans to balance the volume on top. These are great for school pickups and errand runs, but they might make you look a little laid back at work, so I suggest you save them for casual days.
Oversized Blazers
The blazer is a timeless staple that adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit, and oversized blazers are super trendy. Plus, they have versatile clothing items that can be worn in a variety of ways during Autumn and winter seasons.
Perrie Edwards showcased her maternity style in a variety of chic and comfortable outfits, including a recent look featuring an oversized beige blazer.
Layer Up
Ah, the faithful trench coat and overcoat. Think Meghan Markle? She rocked those trench coats throughout her pregnancies.
To layer up, start with a base layer such as an oversized graphic tee. Add a loose-fitting sweater or cardigan and style it with a long coat or jacket. Similarly, add a turtleneck over a dress and a blazer over that. A thick vest over a dress or an oversized loose sweater with a pencil skirt could also be worn. There’s just so much room to play and experiment with different colours and styles here.
Top Tips to hide your Pregnancy Bump
Pick the right material
Look for fabrics that drape well and do not cling to your body, such as cotton, linen, and silk. These materials are breathable and comfortable. Avoid fabrics that are too tight or too stretchy, as they can accentuate your belly curves instead of hiding them. Wear layers or structured pieces like blazers or cardigans to help create a more balanced silhouette.
Do the tuck
It goes without saying, but avoid anything tight around the waist. Instead, do the French tuck. This is a clever way to tuck a top in from the front and pull it out and over.
Get Creative
Fortunately, most of us don’t have paparazzi’s tailing us as we step out to grab a cup of coffee, and so we don’t have to go to extreme measures to hide your bump. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the pros, particularly those who were in the middle of filming a season and had to get creative as they began to show on a show where their character couldn’t conceive.
This is what happened with Robin and Lily on the set of ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ Cobie Smulders, who plays Robin, and Alyson Hannigan, aka Lily, had to hide their bumps. The directors decided to get creative and used various camera angles and inanimate objects such as lamps and pillows to conceal their growing bellies.
If you think about it, it isn’t the worst idea. While I definitely don’t recommend walking around a lamp, here are some everyday objects at work that could help you keep that Pregnancy bump hidden even from the keenest of sight:
A Large Tote
Not ready to share that you are pregnant? Well, a large tote bag could be your best friend. Walk into work and make sure you position the bag so that it covers the Pregnancy bump from the side and slightly in front. You could also use a medium-sized satchel and hang it on your wrist, angling it so it hides the bump.
Folder/ Files
Walking into a conference or meeting and wondering How to hide your pregnancy bump? Well, use folders, files and even your laptop to your advantage. But try to be subtle, and this may require a little practice so as not to arouse suspicion.
The Wrap-Up
Hiding your Pregnancy Bump is a choice, not an obligation. You may be choosing to hide it to have some Fun with your Friends and Family, or you may wish to keep your Family Life Private – either option is fine! We hope our tips to help you hide your Pregnancy Bump have been helpful, and feel free to reach out to us if you have had any of your own creative ideas!
If you do decide to share the news with your Family and Friends, then consider reading our Fun Article on Gender Reveal Ideas
Thanks for reading 🙂
