Nobody tells you that your wardrobe becomes genuinely stressful during pregnancy. One week something fits, the next it doesn't. You buy something and outgrow it. You wear the same three things on rotation and quietly resent all of them.
Here's what actually works, by trimester.
First trimester Most of your existing wardrobe still fits, but you might notice discomfort around the waist earlier than expected, especially anything with a tight waistband. This is a good time to invest in a few pieces with stretch waistbands that'll carry you through the whole pregnancy. Wide-leg pants with overbelly panels, relaxed tops with extra length — pieces that have room to grow without looking like you're already in maternity wear.
Second trimester This is when the bump becomes visible and regular clothes stop working. You need: bottoms with overbelly support (not underbelly, underbelly waistbands dig in as the bump grows), tops with extra length so they don't ride up, and at least one dress that works for both home and stepping out without a costume change. Prioritise cotton or linen for breathability, your body temperature runs higher during pregnancy and synthetic fabrics make it worse.
Third trimester Comfort is everything here, but that doesn't mean giving up on looking like yourself. Flowy tops, wide-leg pants, midi dresses with feeding access, these are the pieces that work hardest in the final stretch. Avoid anything with a waistband that sits at the belly. Fabrics with a small percentage of elastane are your best friend.
One thing women told us repeatedly: by the time they really needed maternity clothes, they didn't have the energy to shop well. The women who felt best during pregnancy made a few considered choices early rather than a string of panicked ones mid-trimester.
be imli is designed to work across all three trimesters and into postpartum — with feeding access built into every piece, so the garment's life doesn't end at birth.
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