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 insider scoop on
the hippest bump styles à la mode straight from the fashion experts who have created them.

Willie Udagawa, founder of Lauren Kiyomi, gives us the tips of her trade.



Lauren Kiyomi's signature kimono top comes in three fun colors: jade, orchid and tuttifruit (shown in orchid)


	The Scoop Neck Top with Banded Sleeves shows off spring’s interesting sleeve, banded and angled to flatter the arms.

General Buying Tips:
Don’t drastically change your sense of style—you don’t have to compromise. There’s no one, right piece. Wrap dresses are great for some, baby doll dresses for others. Remember: your basic body type doesn’t change during pregnancy and you should look for silhouettes that flatter your body type and your fashion sensibility.

Buy your pre-pregnancy size. Women shouldn’t swim in their maternity clothes. Basic body structure, arm and leg length,
do not change. Buying one size up results in sleeves and pants that are too long and outfits that make women look frumpy. Well-made maternity clothing is designed to accommodate pregnancy weight gain.

Don’t skimp on quality. Invest in key pieces, such as pants and skirts, which can be worn with masculine pieces and hold
up to regular washing and dry cleaning.

Maximize your investment with transitional pieces. Pieces such as soft knits with rouching, elastic waist pants with belt
loops and shirts with surplice necklines for easy nursing access work well throughout the nine months of pregnancy and
into the postpartum stage.

Indulge a little. Punch up maternity basics with fun, stylish pieces in colors that flatter.

Follow the same rule that applies to your non-pregnant style: balance. One piece should be structured. Fuller trousers
should be paired with a cropped jacket or tailored blouse; baby doll tops with straight legs to minimize volume.

Spring/Summer Style Tips:
Lace, ruffles and fine detail are key for spring, but should not draw attention away from your belly. Look for details in the cuffs, around the neckline or at the hemline. Skirts with details at the hemline draw attention away from hips and the underside of the belly.

There are a lot of interesting sleeves for spring and summer. Whichever style you choose, make sure the bottom of the
sleeve does not hit at your bust line. This will make it appear as one long line and add to the fullness of the bust area.

Don’t be afraid to mix things up. Add a long-sleeve tee under a chiffon blouse on chilly days or at night or pair a summer
top with trousers and sandals.

For more of the latest trends by super hot maternitywear design house Lauren Kiyomi, go to www.laurenkiyomi.com.