Body image in pregnancy is complicated, to say the least. On one hand, as your bump grows, so does your excitement, and there’s usually plenty of complements to go around on that round tummy. One of my best friends called my bump ‘the cutest ever’ and comments like these make a world of difference as you grow into your new, changing body. And as beautiful as it is, it can also be hard. There’s a universal truth my therapist and I continue to work on during my sessions that applies to so many things in life ‘Two things can be different and true at the same time.’ This certainly applies to the duality of body image in pregnancy. It’s true, you can love your growing bump and that baby inside of it more than anything AND… At the same time it can be true to have days when you struggle to look in the mirror and feel comfortable in your skin. I now weigh more than I ever have in my life, to which many people could comment here and say, ‘Of course you do, you’re growing a human.’ Yes, of course I do. But it doesn’t make seeing that number on the scale or no longer fitting in certain clothes - no matter how temporary it is - easy. In the months leading up to my pregnancy, I was training to model. I was working with an agent, had a big photoshoot booked, a spot secured at a model showcase in New York City, the whole nine yards. I was limiting my calories and upping my exercise routine. All that changed as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I believe God’s timing is perfect and I have no hard feelings about missing out, it wasn’t meant to be. But regardless, it was a drastic switch in my routine and the image I was building for myself… quite literally overnight.

The main reason I wanted to get into modeling - I love fashion. When done right, fashion is empowering. It builds confidence and is one of the most outright forms of self-expression. Coco Chanel once said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”

So naturally, I believed looking up maternity clothes was of the utmost importance after getting the great news of our baby. But at first, second, third, and even fourth glance, I hated everything I saw. It didn’t match my style, it was overpriced, and purchasing these clothes to wear just a couple times is not sustainable. So, over the last few months I’ve taken to my very full closet that I love, to see what can be repurposed into maternity fashion. It’s been rewarding in many different ways.

Confidence: For those reading this who are going through or will go through pregnancy, I think you’ll be surprised to see how much of your current wardrobe will still fit you for months into the process. Don’t be afraid to try on and see what still works. It won’t all fit, but a lot of it will, and when it does you’ll feel a surge of confidence in your body image knowing it’s still you and you’re still beautiful even with all of the changes happening.

Sustainability: Sustainable fashion is something I’ve been passionate about for years. I love hand-me-downs, buying used clothing, and outfit-repeating. I don’t think any of us can say for certain we know how many children we’ll be blessed with, so it’s possible you may only be pregnant once. If you create a completely new wardrobe… That’s a lot of single-use clothing. Yes, you can hand-it-down or donate it, but odds are, one way or another, a lot of it will end up in a landfill. I think taking a couple glances back in your closet and a few minutes to try on old clothing before hitting that check-out button could do a lot to help keep some clothes out of the garbage.

Expenses: We know babies are expensive, that’s a give-in. Worth it, but expensive. That saying ‘Every penny counts,’ couldn’t be more fitting. So saving $50, $100, $500, however much you save by repurposing even one former ‘fit into maternity wear can make a difference in paying for doctor’s appointments, treating yourself and your baby to an extra fun nursery decoration, putting money toward the big ticket items like cribs and carseats, and feeling financially stable for the expenses to come… Like diapers.

Confidence-Inspiring Tip:

Currently in my third trimester, it’s safe to say I’m getting more uncomfortable by the day, as all pregnant woman do. Prioritizing comfort over cute is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you’re lounging at home or just out for a quick errand. But if you’re on a date night or out with friends, for a lot of reasons, when it comes to maternity, tighter might just be better. There’s a saying - ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it.’ One thing that’s helped me through my pregnancy body image insecurity is continuing to show off my stomach and appreciate it for all of its changes. Why? Because as your body grows, so can your insecurities on body image. And covering it up only makes that worse, in my opinion.

Now, here’s a look at some of my sustainable pregnancy fashion: