ISO office-appropriate pre-maternity wear

[Anonymous]

I am only 9 weeks pregnant with my first, and not "out" to my office about the pregnancy. I would like to avoid telling them until I am undeniably showing. Right now my normal clothes still fit, but differently -- my bloated tummy sticks out enough that I look like I have very poor posture, or possibly a beer gut. I have been getting some looks, especially because the rest of me (i.e., bust) is still small.

I need to buy some cool-weather tops anyway, so can anyone recommend brands or styles that are forgiving in the waist/tummy area but can still be worn under a suit jacket? I have been looking at Pennys and similar stores because I don't want to spend a fortune just to tide me over ... but a lot of the less fitted styles are too tunic-y to go under a jacket. Faux-layered cardigans don't work for the same reason. Should I maybe try a loud print or something to distract the eye?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Just wear your own stuff until you're actually showing. The bloat you describe goes away most times for 1st time moms.

[Anonymous]

I'd size up in a few things so you can wear them post-partum, too. I was not back to my regular size when I went back to the office.

Looser knits, faux wrap tops. I think the key to knits is finding ones that are thick enough not to show every jiggle.

Lands End tops tend not to be very fitted in the waist and might be forgiving enough... Possibly even a button front.

[Anonymous]

Just buy some second-trimester maternity wear at Old Navy or Target. Honestly, no one will be able to tell it's maternity wear, and you'll get lots of use out of it pre and post baby.

[Anonymous]

I'm 8 weeks with my second, and button downs have been working well for me. But I'm going to have to bust out the maternity pants in a few weeks, way sooner than with #1.

[Anonymous]

Size up in printed shells that you can wear with your current cardigans/jackets (unbuttoned if need be). Things like this:
http://tinyurl.com/8zk2vca
http://tinyurl.com/9383fvx

The bonus is that, if you get something that's short-sleeved/sleeveless now, you'll be able to use it again when you are transitioning back to work in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Very helpful (especially the links). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Do not buy maternity wear! it is totally obvious. Buy inexpensive boxy office appropriate clothes a size or two up from normal. You will need something to wear when you go back to work so buy basic colors. Jackets/blazers totally hide pregnant bellies. Back when everyone wore suits it was typical for people in my office not to tell people until the 5th month.