How to pick the right maternity dress?

So you’re well into your second trimester and beginning to pop! The excitement of looking pregnant after months of only feeling pregnant is huge! The world now can see that you’ve got a baby on board and you can’t wait to show it off. Who doesn’t love a pregnant belly, they’re so cute! Showing off your belly with maternity photos is such a fun milestone, so I want to help you choose the perfect dress.

Full-length or short.

When choosing a maternity dress, I recommend going full length or short, but nothing in between. This is not to say that midi dresses and skirts can’t look cute, but they can be harder to choose the right one. Here’s the perks of both.

If you select a full length dress, you will have more flexibility on shoes. Your shoes will be much less visible, so you will be able to choose shoes that are a bit more comfortable. Full length is flattering on every body, no matter the shape. Full length dresses do a great job of concealing the extra curves and varicose veins you may be less fond of and also allows for the most freedom of movement in poses without flashing anyone.

Short dresses can be very fun and playful in maternity photos. They are more exposing, so expect to be standing in all of your photos, because posing in a shorter dress is more challenging.

Midi dresses, in most cases I recommend avoiding these unless they are form fitted all the way down (like a pencil skirt). Here’s why, midis when they are flow-y can create a widening effect all around because they crop in the middle to lower end of the legs. Skinny legs at the bottom of a very wide dress, isn’t very flattering. Midis don’t allow your bump to pop as much, which your bump is the whole reason for the photos and we want to show it off! I want you to look and feel curvy and so beautiful. So if you wear a midi, be very selective.

Neckline.

Necklines can be very important for maternity photos. You body will grow and change very quickly, so if you order your dress more than two weeks prior to your session, consider a higher neckline rather than a plunge top. The girls may expand faster than you expect and you don’t want to feel like you are busting out of your top. I found bras to be very challenging during pregnancy, so this is another good reason to opt for a higher neckline if your dress is one that requires a specific type of bra.

Please, also keep in mind, if you have young children that will be accompanying you at your photos, a higher neckline will make posing with them easier. Children often pull down tops inadvertently. So consider this if your family will be included in your session.

Sleeves.

I recommend always wearing dresses with some type of sleeve in all photo session types, maternity is no exception. Full length, short sleeve, off the shoulder are all great options and very flattering. I just recommend avoiding spaghetti straps and tube top dress types, because some women find that they are self conscious of their armpit, chest and upper arm areas and may not realize it until they receive their pictures. Better safe than sorry when selecting your dress. I love a sneaky sexy look. So, a little concealing allows the mind to be more intrigued when looking at photos.

Waistline.

Choose a dress with a defined waistline, rather than a boxy t-shirt styled dress. The defined waist helps your bump to pop more. The boxy styled dresses can create a widening effect in the wrong areas, so it is best to choose a dress with a stretchy elastic defined waistline.

Fabric.

When selecting fabric there are so many choices, I suggest something flow-y and lightweight like chiffon. Select a solid color rather than anything with a pattern. If you choose a bolder non-neutral color, be sure to dress the rest of the family in neutral, solid colors to balance the visual elements of your photos.

Shoes.

Now shoes are not a dress issue, but I like to touch on them. I always recommend wearing weather appropriate shoes that are comfortable and stylish. Lower profile shoes tend to look best, especially if the feet are closer to the camera in seated poses. I typically recommend avoiding bulky shoes like Birkenstocks for maternity photos, because we want a slimming effect all around the body, except the belly to accentuate the baby curve.

Be yourself in whatever you choose. These rules are not hard rules, just suggestions. I value everyone’s uniqueness and love to show that off. Happy dress hunting!

Warmly,

Britt

Ready to book your maternity photos? Click the link below to get started!