Dress my bump: A guide to buying the perfect Maternity Evening Dress

Is my bump showing? Where? I don't see it.

At one point or the other during your 9 months of pregnancy, you will have at least one special outing you have to attend. Just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you should cut off your social life completely.

Lucky for you fashion has taken a revolutionary turn and the pregnant woman is now being considered in the trend. You no longer have to curl up in your pajamas with a hot cup of chocolate, staring at the TV all night while others are having an evening of fun.

No more 'I can't fit into any evening dress' excuse.

Some pregnant women are excited about showing off their bump, while others would prefer not to draw any attention to theirs. Of course, your choice of an evening gown is personal to you and should meet your needs. Which pregnant woman wants to be uncomfortable all evening?

Whatever you decide this guide to buying the perfect maternity evening dress applies to you.

There are four common types of body shape -

apple shape(top heavy) - broad shoulders with narrow hips

straight - have no defined curves

pear shape(bottom heavy) - wider hips compared to bust/shoulder and

hour glass - Very curvy, top and bottom.

When buying maternity evening dresses, take into consideration what type of shape you have. Dressing to suit your shape will create an illusion of balance and flatter your figure.

For instance, If you are short, an A-line dress will make you look slimmer and taller.

Are you conscious of your body and how you look?

When choosing a style, consider what you are comfortable with.

If like most pregnant women you have developed fuller bust, you may want to accentuate it with a low neckline or an halter neck to flaunt your deep cleavage.

A strapless dress can be good for a warm weather, considering you will be feeling the 'heat' more than the average person. If you have a thick or flabby upper arm a strapless dress may not be your first choice. If you do find a beautiful strapless dress, you can make the most of it by accessorising with a bolero.

An evening dress with sleeves can again be a perfect cover up for upper arms you don't want to reveal.

Wearing a clingy evening dress will help flaunt your gorgeous bump, while an empire dress fitted around the bust and flowing from waist down(A-line style) will hide your bump.

A wrap dress can be a very comfortable style, as a tied up wrap dress will show off your bump while a loosely tied wrap dress will conceal it.

Evening dresses come in a variety of fabrics these days. Would you prefer Silk, Georgette, Lace, Velvet, Chiffon or Satin.

A little note of the fabric

Silk dresses with its shine and lovely shimmer are elegant and can be used to give you a beautiful body fitting making you feel as luxurious as they look. Its touch is very comforting and keeps body warm in winter and cool in summer.

Georgette is a sheer lightweight plain weave fabric made of silk. It is characterized by its crispness, soft for touching and comfortable enough for wearing. This fabric creates a very dramatic appearance.

Lace is very classy and comfortable while also flattering your figure. Velvet wears well and drapes well with a tendency to add weight to the figure. This will be good for a slender person, to give you a little extra body. Its also perfect for keeping warm all evening.

Chiffon is another variation of silk. It is soft and supple and also gives a beautiful drape. It is not so popular for maternity evening dresses as it tends to give a floaty look making you look even bigger. Again this can work well for a slender person

Satin is an ideal fabric for any occasion. It has a lightweight feel and looks sensational. Very good for concealing your bump if you do not want to draw any attention to it.

There are various colors that can be used. Black evening dress is most easily the common one as it is a universal color. It fits most skin shade and can be used for every occasion.

It is a must have for every wardrobe, especially during pregnancy.

Last but not least, when buying maternity evening dresses make sure you consider your pocket. You don't want to be spending so much on a dress you might only wear once.

It is important for your maternity evening dress to make you feel good about yourself because a beautiful evening dress will increase your confidence and make you feel more beautiful.