For the most part, you won’t need to buy anything new during the first trimester. But if you must shop (and lets face it, 3 months with out shopping is just silly), look for loose layers and things you can grow into.  Bows, belts, pleats and long scarves help hide any budding bump before you’re ready to break the big news. Try buying one size bigger (as long as it still looks good on you now). These are key wardrobe essentials that you can find anywhere

1. Long, Draped Cardigans (A|Wear, €30 €25)

2. Ruffled, Elastic Waist Tops and Tunics (A|Wear, €30)

3. Thick Leggings (Gap, $19.99 $14.99)

4. Mid-length Jersey Knit Dresses with Empire or Natural Waist and Pleating (ModCloth, $49.99)

5. Loose Waist Dress (ModCloth, $64.99)

6. Long Scarves and Wraps (Old Navy, $12.50)

♥ Ruffled, elastic high waisted sheer top: Penneys ♥ Crocheted belt: Penneys ♥ Red cardigan: H&M ♥ Navy tank: American Eagle ♥ Jeggings: Dunnes ♥ Boots: Clarkes ♥ Lovely ‘Love’ necklace: Courtesy of Accessorize ♥

@12 weeks ≡ I wore this to a little get together with friends to make our big announcement. Jeggings, as I’ve said before, are a must! They’re much more comfortable than trousers with buttons and zippers and help show off those gams. Ruffled, flouncy shirts will be your best friend in maternity dressing. Pulling a wide belt along the elasticated waist help cinch you in where you’re tiniest. You still won’t need to buy new things yet, but if you must consider getting a size or two bigger than you normally wear (but not so big it swallows you). Long cardigans will also be a necessity as that elastic waist starts getting tighter and tighter.

There is a tiny bump there, but you’d never notice. Of course, it’s going to be getting a lot bigger!

I LOVE this necklace that I got courtesy of Accessorize. I thought it was appropriate for sharing our big news.

♥ Dress: OldNavy ♥ Oatmeal Drape Sweater: Penneys ♥ Felt Flower Broach: Complements of JenLovesKev ♥ Boots: Clarks ♥

@11 weeks ≡ Time to retire those body con dresses to the closet, because by the end of the 1st Trimester you may still look like a million bucks but certainly won’t feel like it. I didn’t at least. I know (by looking at the photos) that I wasn’t really showing at this time, but I felt terrible and tired. The solution, clothes that feel as close to PJs as possible while still looking cute for the office. In this case, my most favourite black jersey dress with an elasticated, natural waist. The loose draping falls over any growing curves. Note on dresses: if you’re getting anything new to last you a few months, make sure it’s not too short to start with. Remember, ever centimeter you grow out is a centimeter the dress goes up.

Accessories work miracles in maternity dressing, so expect to see them a lot here. They add interest to otherwise dull outfits and can distract from the slowly growing middle. Here I’m wearing a lovely handmade felt rose broach that i won from JenLovesKev. (I feel terrible about not blogging about this before, but my gift box arrived the day before we moved out of our old flat…will fill you in on all the goodies soon)

Dressing for comfort doesn’t mean you have to start rebuilding your wardrobe, and if you’re lucky to be in the 1st Trimester during winter (like me) you’ll already be layering up. Drape sweaters are fantastic because you can wrap or belt them to look chic, and the long layers of fabric conceal your tummy. As long as the sleeves aren’t too tight, you should grow into it nicely.

Grey Wrap Sweatshirt: Gap Body ♥ Super Soft Tee: H&M ♥ Jeggings: Dunnes

@10 Weeks ≡ Okay, so I’m definitely not showing yet to the untrained eye…but to me, I already started to feel uncomfortable in my regular clothes. A comfy sweater/sweatshirt tied around my waist helped me feel more cozy, especially during bouts of morning-afternoon-evening sickness. I quickly moved to jeggings because 1) it was snowing a lot and they fit best in boots and 2) elastic waists are way more comfortable, even with the tiniest growth.

I might add that while Dublin may love snow, it certainly does not love ice.