Maternity

Q. My girlfriend recently had a baby, and is self-conscience of her mid section. She has broad shoulders and back with a large bust. What are some good styles of summer dresses for her inverted triangle figure?

A. Ahhh, that post-baby period can be a difficult period of adjustment - maternity clothes are too large but you're not quite back in your old clothes either. While your girlfriend is getting used to her new (temporary) figure, she has several styles of summer dresses available to suit her:

1. EMPIRE WAIST HALTER DRESS - Halter necks are a great silhouette for broad shoulders, while an empire waist style should hit right above a post-natal tummy. A printed border on the bottom draws the eye away from her chest. BCBGMAXAZRIA Print Matte Jersey Dress, $158 at nordstrom.com

2. TRAPEZE DRESS - The best way to balance out an inverted triangle figure is to choose a triangle shaped dress. The softly draping fabric accommodates a shrinking tummy and large bust, while flattering broad shoulders and slim legs. Maggy London Border Trapeze Dress, $128 at nordstrom.com

3. PRINTED SHIRTDRESS - This style adjusts for a larger bust and the empire waist style should hit her at her most slender area, right below the bustline. The busy print also helps to camouflage lumps and bumps. Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Crepe Shirtdress, $138 at nordstrom.com

Q. Hi Alison, love your site!  I am pregnant with twins and need to find a good maternity coat. Since I will only be wearing it for one season, I would ideally like to find one coat that I can wear to work (casual office), out to dinner and on weekends.  Oh, and I don’t want to spend a fortune. Can you help?
-Baby on Board

A. So I took on this search for affordable maternity coats with full enthusiasm and after an hour passed, my search started losing steam. This is a niche market that has not been fully realized. Do maternity designers think when you get bigger you stay warmer? Even at 30 degrees?  I checked countless sites and while the tops, bottoms and dresses are darling and numerous, the choices of coats seem very finite.  So, while I have options, your search should be for empire, swing, and trapeze style coats with a hem that falls just above or below your knee to give you enough coverage over your belly and the opportunity to wear the coat with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses. And look for wool or wool blends for the most warmth. Keep the color neutral so it will match with more items in your wardrobe and you won’t feel like a walking preggers billboard. While I know you will have a big belly, you may wish to try on some regular style coats in a larger size in those same styles of empire, swing and trapeze to compare the hems and fit.

1. Tweed Coat, $325 at apeainthepod.com
2. long wool coat, $148 at mimimaternity.com
3. LL Collezioni Baby Doll Swing Coat, $299 at bloomingdales.com
4. wool cashmere coat, $295 at destinationmaternity.com

5. Maternity Frost Free Belted Anorak, $78 at oldnavy.com
6. Wool wrap coat, $125 at gap.com
7.  Gallery Wool Blend Trapeze Coat, $168 at nordstrom.com
8. wool dressmaker coat, $69.98 at motherhood.com
9. double-breasted long coat, $158 at mimimaternity.com

Q. I need help with a summer dress. I am breastfeeding my five month old son, and I have to always wear a nursing bra - no strapless bras this summer. I would love a cute summer dress for a few parties going on this summer, but it seems like all the dresses have spaghetti straps. I just turned 27 and want something cute!
-Top Coverage

A. You want coverage and you want to look cute - nothing too complicated, old or body baring, so you can still wear a full-style nursing bra. And of course you want options and a chance to enjoy the dress when the nursing is over. You’ll need a dress that won’t bare the bra straps and isn’t low cut. Look for fun mini dresses to stay cool or a dress with front buttons or a wrap style just in case you want to bring the little one along and you find a private spot to nurse. You can also opt to wear a tank top under any style that shows too much cleavage or won't hide bra straps.

Here are some options:

left to right: Inset-Waist Jersey Dress, $98 at bananarepublic.com; Diane von Furstenberg Bundette Shirtdress, $298 at saks.com; Diane von Furstenberg St. Jude Wrap Dress, $325 at saks.com; Charles Nolan Vintage Print Dress, $408 at saks.com; Kimono-Sleeve Knit Dresses, $24.50 at oldnavy.com; Anchor-Print Shirtdress, $150 at jcrew.com

Q. Do you have any suggestions of stores and styles to try for a 5 foot, size 0, pregnant gal? I am about to enter the 6th month of my pregnancy and now that I am truly showing (and 3 cup sizes larger) I can no longer get away with my pre-pregnancy clothes. It was always hard to find styles that were proportioned to my small build but add in a baby belly and it seems impossible. A lot of maternity clothes are cut like tents, which make me look as wide as I am tall. Also, I don't want to break the bank for clothes that are only going to be useful to me for another 3 to 4 months. Any suggestions as to how I can live out these last months in a more Angelina than Britney fashion?
-Pleasantly Preggers

A. There are countless women who will read your question and think, “If only I could have your worries of being a size 0 and trying to find maternity clothes!”  Since affordable and stylish maternity clothes are difficult for every size, I’ve pulled a list together that will fit into every pregnant woman’s wardrobe worries, from tops and pants to skirts and dresses. Check out sites like babystyle.com, japaneseweekend.com, nicolematernity, naissancematernity.com, target.com (for Liz Lange) and oldnavy.com. Always check the sales and clearance sections of the maternity websites for great deals. Also, you can get the most out of pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy clothes using Belly Bands, a great maternity accessory we recently featured.

hug-a-boo rib kimono top,
$70 at japaneseweekend.com

trixies tube,
$66 at naissancematernity.com

Perfect Cropped Poplin Pant,
$78 at babystyle.com