My high heels were neatly stowed into shoe boxes and my fitted coats were hung in garment bags in the basement.

My wardrobe is shrinking as my pregnant belly grows.

I am about two-thirds of the way through my second pregnancy and I’ve found my closet has been whittled down to a few pregnancy basics. I’ve even banished a few items left over from my first pregnancy. Gone are the maternity shirts, which really only fit in the last couple of months, as well as the pants with the waistband that rolls up over the belly – far too itchy for stressed out, stretched out skin. In are stretch pants and t-shirts.

Here is my list of maternity essentials:

Joe Fresh t-shirts – While you’re at the grocery store picking up a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs, why not toss a few t-shirts into the cart. The Canadian label, which sells cheap, yet stylish clothes at Loblaws and Superstores, has some of the best t-shirts for growing bellies. Unlike some maternity shirts, Joe t-shirts can be worn early in the pregnancy without looking too baggy – or maternity-like. They’re also long enough so they won’t ride up over expanding baby bumps. The colours are great, the price is right and unlike maternity shirts, you will actually want to wear them once your pregnancy is over. And did I mention they’re cheap?

Lululemon stretch pants – No wonder the Canadian-based yoga retailer recently boasted record earnings. It’s likely due to the number of women who live in and swear by the label’s stretch pants to get them through their pregnancies. You’ll never find a maternity section in any Lululemon store, but the brand’s stretch pants – as well as capris and shorts—seem to grow with you during your pregnancy without becoming horribly misshapen. (This is a bonus because they come in handy when you deliver the baby, but still don’t fit into your regular clothes). They also seem to perform the small miracle of flattering a rounded tummy while concealing jiggly bums and thighs. And most of all, they’re comfortable. I used to joke about wearing them to work, then I actually started wearing them at the office during my first pregnancy. They’re a bit pricey, but they’re worth every penny.

Maternity “jeggings” – They’re like the love child of jeans and leggings. Called demin leggings or “jeggings,” these super skinny pants sound like they’d be torture for a pregnant woman. I was sceptical myself until I tried on a pair, designed by model Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity. (She knows a thing or two about pregnancy, having welcomed her fourth child last October). The skinny denims are flattering, yet so comfortable. They’re the next best thing to stretch pants (see above). And you can actually dress these denims up for that rare night on the town without looking like you’ve spent the day helping a friend move – a look that often comes with most schlumpy maternity jeans. While these jeans won’t make you look like Heidi Klum, you will actually feel quite fabulous in them.

Nummies – The name is a bit cringe-worthy, but nothing about this bra will make a growing pregnant woman wince. Technically it’s a nursing bra, but I bought one a few months early because I was literally busting out of my pre-pregnancy bras. Why not buy something that will do double duty? And it was bright pink. And pretty. Anyone who has ever worn a nursing bra knows there is nothing pretty about them. They are bulky, drab and utilitarian. Not only is my new Nummies bra (cringe!) quite fashionable, but it’s also functional with easy snaps (once I need to start nursing) and a seamless design so it won’t show under t-shirts. And did I mention it comes in bright pink?

UGGs – Fashion editors and podiatrists alike hate them, but these Australian sheepskin boots, as well as their ubiquitous knockoffs, are a pregnant woman’s best friend. They come in especially handy once your feet start to swell, or worse grow a half-size or two. They’re cozy, comfortable and seem to go hand-in-hand with stretch pants (see above). Of course, now that the warm weather is approaching, I may have to trade in my UGGs for flip-flops – that is, if I can ever squeeze in a pedicure appointment.

-- Sarah Green

   sarahg@babyontheway.ca