Fashion trends are always changing. They tend to meet the demands of rapidly developing society. In the modern world, young professional pregnant women, who are my target market, prefer continuing their careers as long as possible before their child is born. Of course, they want to wear nice clothes when they work during their pregnancy. Hence, the tendencies in maternity fashion are the topic of this research.
Current Trends
According to Pregnant Statistics, there are about 60 million women in the childbearing years in the United States (“Pregnancy Statistics”). This period coincides with the active career building. Consequently, the women are likely to continue working during pregnancy. The contemporary young ladies prefer staying active. Often they present themselves more as a professional than as women. Within the last decades, it was a challenge for designers to develop the “maternity style” which will be different from “moo-moos and matronly tent dresses” (Cohn-Barr). New brands are created to provide women with fancy clothes before, during and after the pregnancy. Besides, the silhouettes are changing in recent seasons too. Thus, the maternity clothes can be worn by any woman, and regular clothes are loose enough to be dressed by a future mother (Marriott).
The choice of the maternity wardrobe greatly depends on the season and the area of living. Airy dresses and tunics are suitable for hot summer days, while snowy winters demand warm pants and woolen sweaters. Still, when a pregnant woman continues working, the choice of clothes is conditioned by the gob as well. As a rule, young professional expectant mothers prefer smart casual clothes. Baggy outfits that were supposed to hide the figure are not attractive any longer. The ladies wear the same skirts or dressed, but designed to be comfortable. Layering is also popular. A woman can wear jeans or trousers with a stretchy top and a loose cardigan.
Fashion designers work hard to inventing maternity clothes. The recent fashion magazines represent empire-dresses, Greek maternity dresses, and tulip dresses for pregnant women (“Maternity Clothes”). Apart from dresses which gas been a component of maternity fashion for years, pants and leggings are gaining popularity. It is still a matter of discussion if there is the feminist influence in this tendency. Nevertheless, the trend provides comfort for pregnant women.
Color Direction
It is known that the tastes of pregnant women may change radically. Speaking of colors, there is a tendency among the pregnant women to choose calm pastel colors for casual clothes (“Maternity Clothes”). Consequently, the major colors of maternity fashion are sky blue, light green, light pink, white, and beige. They are good for tops and dresses. For dynamic and expressive ladies red, pink, yellow, magenta and purple colors are also in fashion.
Maternity dresses, which are an integral part of a pregnant woman’s wardrobe, may be of various colors. The pastel shades would give the image of charm and romance while bright colors would underline the active position. Maternity fashion is not limited to clear colors. The prints are also used. Flowery prints are especially good for summer dresses. Striped and plated fabrics are common for shirts and blouses.
Speaking of the maternity leggings, they have become popular recently. They can be plain and with a creative design when the fabric they are made of repeats jeans or trousers print. On the whole, the maternity clothes of 2017 tend to be of considerate colors like black, dark blue, beige, flesh, khaki, brown or gray (“Maternity Wear”).
Even if light pastel colors prevail, the accessories or shoes may be bright. For example, scarfs, hats and bags will make the outfit perfect. Moreover, the appropriate use of jewelry will finish the image of a young and successful stylish woman.
Textile Direction
The primary task of maternity fashion designers is to make the clothes comfortable. As a result, the fabrics should be natural. Thus, the most popular fiber of maternity wear is cotton. For example, about 89% of tops bought by the pregnant were made of 60-100% cotton. The situation with bottoms is similar. The fiber used for them was in 75% of cases composed of 60-100% cotton. More than a half of clothes were made of pure cotton (“Maternity Wear: Great Expectations”).
In the cold seasons of autumn and winter season, the clothes for expectant mothers should be not only beautiful and comfortable but also heat-protective (“Maternity Fashion”). During the first months of pregnancy maternity jeans or trousers can be worn. They are usually made of cotton or jersey. During the last months, jeans can be changed for maternity leggings. They are soft and elastic, and the material may be selected with the consideration of weather. For the season of autumn-winter 2017, the experts advise selecting the leggings or tights for future mothers with the fleece lining. These materials will make the women feel warm and comfortable. Another solution for foggy fall mornings or chilly summer evenings may be the knitted clothes. These items are usually oversized sweaters or nice cardigans. They are warm and comfortable. Moreover, they will be stylish if correctly combined.
In warm weather, pregnant women prefer light cotton or linen dresses or tunics. They can be long, short or medium length. The natural fabrics let the skin breathe. Jersey tops and dresses are the favorites of the future mothers. As this fabric is stretchy, it gives the comfort to the body and does not limit the movement.
Design Direction: Styling and Details
As a lot of women need to continue their active life during the pregnancy, their clothes should be suitable. For this reason, the fashion designers introduced the maternity pants for pregnant women. They look like the usual pants but have a special elastic belt to support the tummy (“Maternity Fashion”). The jeans of the same style were already popular in 2016. Pregnancy is not a barrier for the active life. Moreover, it displays more femininity and gives the reasons to stay a stylish and effective lady. It is certain that the choice of outfit changes during pregnancy. The beauty and elegance are still important, but comfort should be considered first. Unfortunately, these concepts are often mutually exclusive. Thus, both designers and the pregnant women observe the need for new designs.
Maternity bottoms like leggings and tights are also popular. They seem to be the most practical and comfortable clothes for pregnant women. They give multiple choices for fashionable combinations. For example, men’s type shirts worn outside together with maternity pants are stylish. If a woman wants to hide tummy, it is a good idea to wear loose tunics or long sweaters. Oversize T-shirts can camouflage tummy excellently as well. Another idea to distract attention from tummy is the use of various prints on maternity clothes. What is more, jackets and coats may be worn over the basic layer. It helps to create a completed image of a stylish future mother.
Themes and Inspiration
The period of pregnancy is a special time for every woman. It is the period of changes both of herself and the surroundings. Pregnancy is an amazing condition. The feelings of joy, excitement and being a part of magic fill the woman, and she wants to express wants miracle desirable to express them externally. The stylish maternity clothes will help a future mother to feel happy and keep smiling.
The pregnant woman herself may be a source of inspiration for designers. Her spirituality and mysteriousness are the themes to disclose in maternity clothing. The task of designers is to make lady’s clothes as beautiful as the last month before she became pregnant (“Maternity Wear: Market Potential”).
I consider nature in its pure beauty to be the best inspiration for maternity fashion creators. Tender green grass, deep blue sky, the morning sun beams give ideas for colors. The spring flowers hint on the bright prints. The light wind remembers of the soft fabrics. On the whole, the person who gives birth of a new life is worth of the best possible things. Thus the women may dress the way they like and still be beautiful.
Works Cited
“Lifestyle Monitor Reports, Maternity Wear: Great Expectations.” WGSN. Web.
“Lifestyle Monitor Reports, Maternity Wear: Market Potential.” WGSN. Web.
“Maternity Clothes; Maternity Fashion Trends and Tendencies 2017.” DressTrends, 2016. Web.
Cohn-Barr, Jaime. “Maternity Fashion: The Brands Putting Comfort and Style Together.” WGSN, 2016. Web.
Marriott, Hannah. “Is ‘Maternity Wear’ Becoming a Thing of the Past in Fashion?” TheGuardian, 2016. Web.
“Pregnancy Statistics.” Statisticbrain. Web.