Fashion advice, please -- not "out" at work yet and need camouflage

[Anonymous]

I'm 12 weeks and not yet "out" at work (still waiting for test results, and we've also had a previous miscarriage early in the second trimester, so am being cautious).

In the meantime, I'm struggling to figure out what to wear. I haven't gained much weight yet -- only 3-4 pounds -- but even though I just bought a couple of new pairs of pants that were a size or so up from normal, I am suddenly noticing that the waistbands are putting more pressure on my belly than feels comfortable. I would go with the belly band or something, but then I'd have to figure out what to wear to cover it up, right? And I typically wear a very tailored, non-ruffly work wardrobe, so I don't look good in (or usually wear) floaty loose peasant blouses or long empire tops -- so I think if I start doing that to cover a belly band, people will start to suspect.

Any advice on good camouflage that won't give me away quite yet? TIA!

[Anonymous]

A big scarf works wonders!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A big scarf works wonders!

+1

I just used one yesterday to hide my food baby while wearing a fitted sweater dress

[Anonymous]

JCrew makes long cardigans that might work for this. I was able to hide the bump with belly band, and cardigans when I wore tighter tops. I was able to use my existing silk work tops for this (like ones you'd wear under suits).

Is this your first? Even if people suspect, you have every right to come out at work when you are ready. People were suspecting for at least 3 weeks, and most said nothing, before I came out. I wanted to tell my boss first. I even flat out lied to coworkers as I just wasn't ready. So don't stress.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to go for peasant tops or empire-waist tops. You can get a few longer shirts that will cover the belly band--just ones that hit at the hip or low hip, possibly a size up from what you'd normally wear. Long cardigans, sweater/shirt combos that can be worn untucked (what I think of as a Liz Lemon look--a shirt with buttons, untucked, with a v-neck sweater over it). A blazer or jacket will provide good cover if you have one, but I wouldn't buy one just for this purpose.

[Anonymous]

another option is to get a bigger sized blazer that when you button it, still leaves a little room at the belly. Use the blazer, unbuttoned, then use a scarf to cover the middle. works wonders and you can use that look for a long time.

[Anonymous]

I too wear tailored clothes and here are some suggestions:

get maternity pants if your one-size up ones are too small. You can hide the band and sometimes underbelly bands don't even look maternity.

To hide: Suggest blazers at all times.
under blazer get some long tank tops to wear under your usual shirts or the one-size ups suggested above. a nice fine-gage sweater that you might already own would do well over tank (tank is to make sure belly/band of pants don't show). Also, monochrome your tops to match your blazer.

Finally, if people notice, they won't mention b/c they know they are not supposed to for the reasons you mentioned as well as social niceties.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I hit it at work until 15 weeks. I'd gained about 4 lbs by then. Another vote for blazer + scarf. I also wore some of my heavier sweaters. I had a few A-line dresses that hid it pretty well at 12 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Dresses. You can find a cute dress that has a little give in the waist (empire/peasant is helpful- but notmandatory- just chose the right material and no zippers) with a pair of knee high boots or some heels. With the right shoes and accessories, the look can be dressy enough (it works for me)

[Anonymous]

i would just offer to NOT wear empire waist tops and dresses, because those usually scream pregnant to peopole, even if they can't see the extra weight. i agree with heavier weight fabrics for tops, and jackets. i've been wearing heavier cardigans with my same pants to hide my little tire i have.

[Anonymous]

You've gotten a lot of great advice. The only thing I'll add is that Gap is good for longer tanks/tops. Look in the tall section--a godsend for long-waisted women (like me), and those in early pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- you all are fabulous, thank you! These are great suggestions...will do some closet-digging and a little shopping this weekend!

[Anonymous]

Spanx or ann Taylor tights with control top, if you can find a boxy sjorter blazer that works well when paired with an a line miniskirt. With pants a longer k.e button blazer works well. Be sure to always have a tank top on under your outfits.

Big chunky earrings and necklaces are also great. Ponte fabric worked well for me. It is stretchy and thick at the same time. I didn't tell my office until I was 20 weeks along andfound that regular clothes made me look less pregnant than the maternity clothes. That being said, concealing has a price. Once I started wearing maternity at 24 weeks I felt so comfortable and my GERD really improved, I sort of wish I had made the switch a little earlier.

[Anonymous]

Not fashion advice but: If someone asks you if you're pregnant and you're not ready to tell, I think you should feel totally comfortable saying No! and looking shocked. I did this to one clueless person at work who asked me. When I announced it a few weeks later she said "But I just asked you and you said you weren't!" and I said "You're not supposed to ask that question!" It felt satisfying.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- oh, no one at my office would ever ask me if I were pregnant -- they are too well mannered for that. But as in most offices, there's a rumor mill, and I'd just prefer to share the news on my own terms...