The Family Groove Belly Files

THE BELLY FILES
MATERNITY FASHION'S HOTTEST HOUSES TALK SHOP-PING

Looking and feeling pretty, oh so pretty isn't always easy when your belly is a-swelling. A lot of times
mamas-to-be resort to oversized (read: frumpy) clothes (read: their husband's), feeling as out of touch
with the latest styles and how to wear them as they do with their growing bodies.

THE FAMILY GROOVE is here to say that you don't have to sacrifice style for the next nine plus months—
and you don't have to spend a fortune to do so either. Each month, we'll give you the skinny on the
hippest bump styles à la mode straight from the fashion experts who created them.



This month, pregnancy fashion doyenne Liz Lange gives you ten tips for ten months of looking and feeling good.

1	The must-have outfits for all mamas-to-be is a matte jersey top and matching pants and a matte jersey dress. They're comfortable, chic and so versatile.
2	You don't just give birth to a six to eight pound baby and then miraculously have your old body back. There is that post-baby period I like to call the secret fourth trimester. It's a secret because no one really talks about it, not to mention what you should wear. Since you still kind of look pregnant, you need to return to those transitional pieces that you bought to wear during your first trimester and the beginning months of your pregnancy. Many women still wear their maternity clothing—which is sort of a bummer—so be sure to buy cute stretchy things when you are pregnant. A sweater dress is a great trend that works both before and after baby.
3	Force yourself to indulge in little extravagances when you are pregnant. Foot massages, special pregnancy massages and long soaking baths will make you feel better. And they're treats that you won't necessarily have the time for you once your little one arrives.
4	Speaking of time and lack thereof, now is your chance to take a romantic vacation with your husband. Don't put it off—take it from me, once you have the baby, everything changes. Even when you do find the time to take the vacation without the kids, it's never quite the same. It's not a bad change—just different. Take this last not-a-care-in-the-world-but-each-other vacation now.
5	Yes, your bellybutton sticks out when you're pregnant, which can be tough with all of these fitted outfits that you should be wearing. But you know what, a protruding belly button is a protruding bellybutton. There's nothing you can do about it, so just go with it. It's a cute part of being pregnant that sticks out to you more than it does to anyone else. If you're really not into this look, then you can cover up the belly button with thicker fabrics.
6	Let your husband help you in the ways that he can. When I was pregnant, I often asked my husband to get me water at night and do errands/chores that I would normally have done. This is one time when you have a free pass to let your husband do more for you. Enjoy it—without the guilt.
7	Light exercise actually helps you feel better when you are pregnant. Take a short walk or a yoga class. Having said that, pregnancy is not a time to put pressure on yourself, so if what makes you feel better is sitting on your couch with a pint of your favorite ice cream and a Friends rerun then I say go for it.
8	Don't bother with special maternity underwear. These days there are so many cute underwear styles that will easily fit below your bump. All the low-rider styles are perfect for your growing bump. Who wants to be wearing a big pair of grandma underwear, anyway?
9	You probably have that fabulous pregnancy glow, but you can still treat yourself to new makeup. One size fits all when it comes to cosmetics. You can continue to use your new products postpartum and enjoy the luxury of a fresh, new look now.
10	Show a little skin—in your shoe choice. You don't want to wear very high heels because it would put too much pressure on your legs and create varicose veins. However, you don't have to go for dowdy shoes either. If you wear flats, choose a pair or two that show a little toe cleavage. You can also sport a kitten heal, a look that provides a little height minus the teetering.

Want more from Liz? Go to www.lizlange.com.