Nurtured 9’s resident fashion expert helps us decide what to wear on Valentine’s Day

We can’t think of a better day of the year to pamper yourself and slip into something that makes you feel super confident than Valentine’s Day. But for those of us who are dealing with the bloated boobs, ankles, and bellies of pregnancy, the thought of squeezing into a sweet little number can be far less appealing. Hey, flannel pajamas and a pint of ice cream can also be sexy…and we won’t judge! BUT, if you’re like us and feeling like a night out (followed by the flannels and ice cream combo of course), our resident Fashion Stylist Liz Teich (TheNewYorkStylist) has some advice on how to look and feel Valentine’s Day ready, even with our extra lovely lady humps.

Nurtured 9: Did you have a go-to date night outfit when you were pregnant that we could aspire to?

Liz: I mention them a lot, but really and truly I used Rent The Runway for so many special occasions, but also for feeling glamorous on an average night out. I think a common misconception is that they are geared toward gowns and super fancy events, when in actuality they cater to everyday wear also. So, for date night, you can really capitalize on their inventory for something that isn’t over the top, but still feels luxurious. Plus, they now do maternity!

Nurtured 9: If you don’t want to commit to a rental service, do you have any other recommendations? Maybe a splurge vs. steal?

Liz: Hatch and Poshmark are fantastic for higher end maternity that is just so chic. May be worth a splurge for a special night that you can still wear throughout the pregnancy. For budget finds, I love PinkBlush for cute dresses. Their price points are unbeatable compared to some of the pricier maternity lines.

Nurtured 9’s resident fashion expert Liz Teich is wearing a non-maternity Opening Ceremony look from Rent The Runway. Photo Credit: Rima Brindamour

Nurtured 9: For many of us, it’s COLD on Valentine’s Day. Did you have a fabulous jacket to wear out on the town?

Liz: Yes, being in NYC, I get it! I found an awesome [non-maternity] one along with this whole special occasion outfit on Rent The Runway from Opening Ceremony. If you’re looking for a piece that will stand the test of time, try Modern Eternity. It is a coat that goes from prenatal to baby wearing to post natal, all in one. Well worth every penny!

Nurtured 9: Lauryn is going through that awkward bump phase where she just kind of looks like she ate a big meal. Any tips for how to dress her bump for the big night?

Lauryn is wearing a red tight-fitting (non-maternity) jersey dress with a ruffle detail from Zara, available here on Poshmark.

Lauryn is wearing a (non-maternity) wrap dress from H&M that was available on clearance at Poshmark

Liz: My advice for pregnant women at any stage is to embrace the shape instead of trying to hide it. It seems counterintuitive, but while I was pregnant, I noticed that baggier, flowy items that I would naturally gravitate toward just made me look bigger and bulkier. When you wear slimmer, tighter fits, you can see the silhouette and it is much more flattering. In this first look, we put her in a non-maternity red tight-fitting jersey dress with a ruffle detail from Zara, available here on Poshmark. The red is a great pop for Valentine’s Day. So good that we also found this non-maternity wrap dress from H&M that was available on clearance at Poshmark in Lauryn’s second look (similar dress available at Nordstrom Rack). Don’t be afraid to wear non-maternity clothes during pregnancy, especially during the first half - just go up a size or two and opt for stretchy fabrics.

Nurtured 9: Ok, let’s shop!

Liz: We scoped out some some great maternity options on PinkBlush that would be flirty and fun for Valentine’s Day. Here they are!