Written by AKANKSHA KAMATH for VOGUE INDIA
Did you hear? The Design Collective’s very own, Shahili Gomes, has been labelled by Vogue India as one of the most stylish mommy-to-be?
With an article as amazing as this, we decided to simply add our suggestions (picked by Shahili herself) to Vogue’s list. Can’t wait to see it? We can’t either! Read ahead and let us know if you agree!
The experience:
I am now 24 weeks pregnant and due at the end of April. I found the first 14 weeks of pregnancy to be the hardest of my life. I had the worst fatigue and non-stop nausea. I felt quite bad for my husband, David, for the nights I didn’t quite make it to the bathroom (definitely not a highlight of my pregnancy so far). I was waiting every day for that pregnancy glow that everyone talks about, but it didn’t happen for me until after week 14. Fortunately, things then took a positive turn and I was starting to feel like myself again—feeling great mentally and physically. I was starting to also feel confident in my new body.
The style:
My style hasn’t changed much. I always try to dress for comfort and that has continued throughout my pregnancy. Of course, I have had to say goodbye to all my non-maternity jeans and pants and invest in some maternity wear. I have mixed and matched my existing pieces with my new maternity pieces. Since we have been in lockdown most of last year (and continue to be in lockdown here in London) I still tend to be in active or leisure wear on most days.
The wardrobe:
I live in Blanqi leggings when I am working from home and for my personal training Zoom classes. For date nights at home I will make an effort with a Norma Kamali dress and red lipstick. Norma Karmali dresses are really fab for a bump as the fabric has a lot of give. I have a few in different colours and they work well for post-baby too. We were unable to travel this past year, but we were intending to go back to Sri Lanka (where I’m from), for which I bought stretchy Hunza swimsuits which are just so perfect for a bump. What’s great is that after a wash they shrink back to normal size so they work great as post-baby swimsuits as well.
The icons:
I love Laura Wills’s (@thefashionbugblog) account for her maternity fashion. She looks so effortlessly chic—and this is her fourth pregnancy!
https://www.instagram.com/thefashionbugblog/
The investments:
I am gravitating towards brands that are suitable for my bump, the London weather, and postpartum. My husband is worried that my maternity jeans will become my pasta jeans.
The baby brands:
Beautiful muslin clothes from Aden + Anais, a few onesies from The Simple Folk and a very stylish pram from Joolz!
Here our some of our suggestions from the The Design Collective for maternity wear: