Clothes for hiding a growing bump?

[sdlaura]

Anyone else planning to hide their pregnancy for a long time? 

I don't want work to know until after my year-end review.  I'm expecting a decent salary increase and they're not going to be thrilled that I'm taking a third maternity leave.  I don't want them to adjust it, even subconsciously.  Plus, we didn't find out about our first baby's defects until the anatomy scan, so I'd rather wait longer to tell even without the year-end review issue.

Of course, given that this is my fourth pregnancy that has made it this far, my body knows what to do, and I already look pregnant in certain clothes - at 10 weeks.  So it's going to be a challenge to hide it until 18 weeks or so, which is my goal.

Any ideas/tips on stuff to wear? Thanks in advance

[violetrose]

Do you like Lularoe? I've found if I size up on their Irma and Perfect T shirts, it hides my bump very well! I've found that if I buy flow-y tops in a size larger than I normally wear, it hides the bump well too.

[kaimee27]

Anything that is flowing or somewhat baggy. Legging are your friend. Maybe a scarf or infinity scarf to add bulk up top and draw people's eyes away from your midsection.

[teachermomtobe]

Poncho type sweaters maybe but you'd have to pair with leggings or skinny jeans to not make it look like you're hiding a pregnancy.

[marshian]

Good thread! I also would like to not tell work until after our annual feedback and raises/bonuses are determined. That might not be until early February, but I don't have to tell them officially until 25 weeks. I seriously doubt I can hide it until then, but I can at least not send in my letter to HR until then.

[sdlaura]

violetrose, I've never tried Lularoe - mainly because the lower half of my body is larger and I'm not a fan of bright colors or patterns on my thighs But maybe I'll check them out.

teachermomtobe, that's my main concern - that if I change how I dress too much it will look like I'm just trying to hide a pregnancy and that defeats the point.

Most of my maternity clothes tend toward accentuating a bump, so I might have to buy some interim items...

[violetrose]

Nov 15, 2016 15:39:20 GMT -5 kaimee27 said:

Anything that is flowing or somewhat baggy. Legging are your friend. Maybe a scarf or infinity scarf to add bulk up top and draw people's eyes away from your midsection.

+1 to this! All the leggings and scarves.  

[lindsay]

Flowy sweaters, shirts with empire waists, button ups that are a little big, shift dresses, big scarves

[MrsEmuTavi]

Luckily I will mostly need winter clothes so big bulky sweaters FTW.

[applemuffins]

I find pants to be the worst culprit for belly bulge. Good pants can hide a belly pretty well. If they're too tight and squeeze, then you look bigger than you are. Dresses can also be big offenders. Fit and flares are not your friend right now (nor are they mine, haha). Sweaters, and maybe control top underwear if they don't put too much pressure on your belly, will help. I currently look least pregnant in high waisted jeans that are fitted through the thigh and slightly form fitting shirts (that cover the high waist pants).

[sdlaura]

Nov 15, 2016 20:36:04 GMT -5 lindsay said:

Flowy sweaters, shirts with empire waists, button ups that are a little big, shift dresses, big scarves

I think button ups are a great idea.  With my body type, though, empire waist shirts make me look pregnant even when I'm not 

[lindsay]

sdlaura yes totally, I guess it was a bad suggestion for some lol. My SIL said the same thing. If it's a baggy empire waist then it helps me hide atm