Maternity fashion for the modern UAE mum to be

Posted on

6 October 2013

| Last updated on 19 April 2017

Maternity Fashion for the Modern UAE Mother-To-Be

A lot of recent media focus and attention on suitable yet fashionable clothing for expectant mothers has been both positive and negative - Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton are just two high profile mums-to-be who regularly have their fashion style and choice of wardrobe commented upon. Although women in the public eye might feel obliged to continue wearing the most fashionable clothes they have despite being pregnant, how can women in the UAE combine maternity fashion with a need to keep cool during hot weather?

Maintaining a comfortable body temperature during pregnancy is a necessity for all pregnant women, regardless of the climate and weather at that time. The notoriously ill-timed and uncomfortable ‘hot flashes’ most women will experience can cause them to feel like their body temperature is soaring, and force them to seek unorthodox ways to cool down again. Expat women that experience these hot flashes during warm weather know they must not only dress appropriately, they must also reduce outdoor activities and exposure to high temperatures to ensure they remain comfortable and avoid over-heating. That is easier said than done, however, when one is busy preparing for a new arrival.

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Although they might be one of the least noticeable items of clothing on many people, a pregnant woman’s choice of footwear can go a long way to helping her maintain good health. Kim Kardashian recently came in for a wave of criticism for wearing high heels far into her pregnancy. Her swollen ankles looked uncomfortable to say the least, as they were squeezed into strappy heels, and many observers wondered why she would put herself in that position just to try and stay fashionable. In addition to making feet uncomfortable, walking around in high heels is tricky at the best of times and it increases the likelihood of a fall which could be potentially damaging to both mother and unborn child.

Part of the problem with inappropriate maternity footwear is the effect it has on the calf muscle and ankle joints. As a pregnant woman's body causes joints, ligaments and tendons to naturally stretch to support the extra weight gained, wearing tight shoes or high heels affects body posture, placing additional strain on numerous parts of the body; such as the feet, legs and back. Wearing flat soled and comfy shoes that also retain some style is therefore essential, and luckily for expat women living in the UAE there are plenty of choices available. Stores like Destination Maternity, Debenhams, Marks & Spencers, plus a wide choice of online retailers all boast a range of maternity clothing that is seasonal, stylish and more importantly comfortable and safe.

Maternity fashion trends continue to improve and change for the better each year. Although maternity clothing was for decades traditionally centered around a limited choice of baggy shirts and dresses, pregnant women can now choose from a much wider range of clothing. While shirts and dresses are still suitable attire; skirts, trousers and loose fitting tops are now all acceptable clothing, provided the material and waist bands are stretchy enough to accommodate the growing bump. The stores mentioned previously stock location specific types of clothing ideal for women living in the UAE and greater Middle East region. Some of the most popular types of maternity clothing this summer are tank and maxi dresses, with Kate Middleton receiving widespread compliments for her colourful choice of dresses recently.

One of the most important developments in maternity clothing has come not in the wider choice of clothing available but in how specific clothes are sized. Previously, maternity sizing was quite general and many women struggled to find suitable clothes, with most being either too big, too wide or too small. Now, many brands will help by providing a full range of maternity clothing sizes linked to standard sizes. For example, a woman who was a size 12 prior to becoming pregnant can now look for maternity clothing suitable for a size 12. Jeans and pants are the same - those with a size 30’’ waist can now choose from maternity clothing designed for women of that waist size. While the size of the tummy ultimately dictates what clothes will be suitable or not, this new sizing code will give most women a great starting point when shopping for new maternity clothing.

Another important clothing consideration is underwear. Some women will notice their bust increase by a number of cup sizes quite quickly during the pregnancy, so to maintain comfort and style an appropriate bra must be chosen. Many women suggest ditching wired bras for a fitted bra. Such bras are padded and made from stretchable and natural materials like cotton. As the body temperature can heat up rapidly, a comfy bra will ensure skin remains smooth and avoids irritation. Wired bras are not advised because they can cause issues with milk ducts, potentially causing some to be blocked or damaged, although this will only become noticeable once breastfeeding begins.

As the furore over Kim Kardashian’s maternity outfits showed, it is crucial for women to adopt a more mature and responsible dress sense when pregnant. That is not to say a return of frilly maternity dresses is welcome, but more a desire to see less tight skirts or other uncomfortable looking clothing (Kim’s pregnancy may be most remembered for seemingly endless travel by airplane, and of course those strappy heels). Women in the UAE are known for their style and class, and due to living in a harsh desert climate are now able to combine comfortable maternity clothing with modern fashion styles.