If you're pregnant or have ever had to shop for someone who is pregnant, you'll notice that in your average shopping mall there are very few maternity options.

Around the four to five month stage, many women start to show a more obvious baby bump and when your work and day to day life has to mix in with your new shape, your wardrobe doesn't always agree. So this post is all about knowing what to wear when you're pregnant, when you're just starting to get into maternity wear zone and when you're well and truly ready for your bundle of joy to come out so you can stop wearing things that have a large elastane quality.

Unfortunately, as maternity wear is seen as a niche market, it's also quite expensive. Businesses know you'll only need these items for a short amount of time.

What they don't know is that you're an Effortless Bitch and that chic bump you've got going on has a whole lot of great wardrobe options to go along with it! In this post, you'll get lots of tips and ideas of items you can add to your wardrobe that will help you push through (pun intended) those months in style.

Wear Your Jeans A Little Longer:

When you're just starting to feel like your jeans are getting a little firm, it's time to locate that last elastic hair band that's floating around your home somewhere and put it to good use! Unbutton the top button of your jeans and pass one end through the buttonhole, tuck the other end through it and pull so your elastic is tied around the buttonhole. Then loop the open end of the elastic over your jeans button and yay! There's an extra inch, and more if you unzip that fly a little and cover it with a longer top. You're very welcome!

Using elastic to extend the waistline of jeans for pregnancy

A Plain White Button Up:

Get your hands on your partner's white shirt, roll up the sleeves and wrap a belt just under your bust when you wear it. Throw it on with jeans and a scarf, or jazz it up with a nice necklace with black pants for work and you've got yourself an Audrey Hepburn-worthy fabulous look that screams 'Give me Breakfast AND Tiffany's!'

A Knitted Skirt:

These things are wonderful because there's room for a baby and a few croissants! You may already have one in your wardrobe as they've been creeping onto the stores shelves for the last two or three years but incase you don't, this is something you can keep in your wardrobe even after when you're getting used to your new post-pregnancy body.

Wrap Dresses:

These little wardrobe basics are the unsung heroes of pregnant women everywhere, especially at work! Pick a slightly longer style to compensate for the length lost from your bump and don't forget to accessorise!

Long Vests:

I'd recommend these any day, pregnant or not, but they're great as a layering piece over a shirt or dress, so you can maintain your style and use it post-baby too!

Waterfall Cardigans:

These are great for work if you can find them in a great quality wool, they'll dress up a plain dress or pants and can be mixed in with casual wear. The best part about it is that they'll fit, pregnant or not!

If you're after some more tips on maternity wear, check out the maternity category in the menu bar or read up here on summer and winter maternity wear posts!