Formal Maternity Dress

Remember when "formal maternity dress" was an oxymoron? If you're under 30, maybe you don't recall the days when maternity clothes were meant to hide a pregnancy, not to show off a woman's belly. Those dresses were frilly and tent-like, and they weren't anything you'd want to wear to a party. Now, it's much easier to find pretty maternity clothes for formal occasions.

Maternity Dress Styles

Formal maternity dress styles aren't much different from the dresses you'd wear if you weren't pregnant. You can find little black cocktail dresses. You can choose long, sexy sheaths. You can wear flirty, flowing skirts that look great on the dance floor.

The various styles will show off your pregnancy to different degrees. Before you go shopping, think about what you want people to notice. Are you happy showing off your pregnant belly? If you choose a sheath, that's the first thing people will see. Are you loving your D-cup pregnancy cleavage? Consider a dress with a skirt that gathers demurely over your belly, but a neckline that shows off your fabulous new assets. Tired of people commenting on the pregnancy and wish they would notice you? Try a style with an empire waist, a full skirt, and detailing to draw the eye upward.

Shopping for a Formal Maternity Dress

Remember that your belly will continue to grow, and you'll probably go up a bra size or two. Think ahead so you won't buy a dress that's too small. If it's your first pregnancy, ask friends with children for advice. You can ask your obstetrician, too. Count how many months along you'll be, and he or she can give you an idea of how much your belly will show. If you're really uncertain, buy the dress close to the date. Or, choose a dress that's a little large and plan to visit a tailor a couple of weeks before the event. (This works best for simple styles. Re-sizing a complex outfit is expensive and may not work well.)

If you're shopping online, a good place to start is the Nordstroms maternity section. The selections are divided by trimester. Comparing your belly to the models' will help you select the right style for your pregnancy stage.

A Pea in the Pod has both online and brick-and-mortar stores offering stylish and sexy maternity wear. Visit their Special Occasion section for inspiration. Mimi Maternity also offers special occasion dresses, in a lower price range.

Crave Maternity also has plenty of designer formal maternity wear to choose from.

For something new to the US market, consider the 6 Way Dress by Fertile Mind. Just as the name suggests, you can wear this glamorous maternity dress at least 6 different ways including halter neck, baby doll, one shoulder, cap sleeve, cowl neck, and more.

Dresses on a Budget

Need something more affordable? Check out the following stores:

• Old Navy's online store sells basic-black cocktail dresses that could be dressed up for a formal party.
• Motherhood Maternity has several formal maternity dresses priced below $50.
• Target has hip maternity clothes both online and in stores. The Target dresses aren't truly formal, but they'd be fine for a daytime wedding or a dinner gathering.

Bridesmaids

Finding a flattering bridesmaid dress is tough enough when you're not pregnant! Maternity bridesmaid dresses aren't widely available, but they are out there. Try the following:

• Check the [http:.//www.davidsbridal.com David's Bridal] web site; they usually have one or two choices.
• Aria Bridesmaids has a small maternity section.
• Brides n Bumps, based in England, specializes in dresses for pregnant brides and bridesmaids.

What Goes Underneath

Maternity underwear involves big panties, belly panels, and padded bras for breasts that might leak milk. So what do you wear under that plunging-neckline cocktail dress, or the body-hugging sheath?

Isabel Oliver's web site, for "pregnant women who love clothes," has a formal maternity dress collection plus thongs, hipsters, and plunging-neckline bras to go under the sexiest styles. You can also check your local department store or search the web for other sites specializing in maternity lingerie.

More Places to Try

Try going beyond chain stores and seek out smaller maternity shops in your own city or town. Owners of these stores hand-pick their merchandise and might have pretty formal dresses in stock. Some cities have maternity consignment shops where moms-to-be can sell gently worn dresses, including formal gowns.

Here are two more web sites with large selections of formal maternity dresses:

• Her Special Time Maternity. This company has a store in Florida and an extensive online site. There is a wide range of prices and styles.
• Due Maternity. Due offers dresses ranging from casual to formal, with prices up to about $150.
• Nicole Michelle. This new online shop has a large selection of dresses in varied styles.