HISTORY OF CLOTHING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Now a wide selection of clothes is opened for pregnant women, taking into account all the needs of expectant mothers. Wide elastic bands supporting the stomach, loose dresses, and even comfortable styles - you can feel comfortable and stylish during pregnancy without any problems. However, this was not always the case. So, let's see how pregnant women dressed several centuries ago.

Let's start from the 15th century. Firstly, at that time, a pregnant woman enjoyed great respect and honor, because she was bearing an heir of a noble family. Also, they did not need to resort to tricks to hide their tummy. Also at this time dresses with a high waist were stylish, so expectant mothers at that time were convenient and comfortable.

Already in the XVI century, corset comes to replace free dresses. And, it would seem, there is nothing in common between a tight corset and a round belly. However, in fact, it’s not so scary anymore: in daily dresses, it was enough for women to slightly weaken it and fit it in shape. And in holiday images quite often, in addition to dresses, a cape also appeared, which was locked on the neck and expanded downward. This upper part of the dress was predominantly of dark colors and beautifully covered the rounded forms, besides it was not necessary to wear a corset under such a wrap.

An interesting fact is that it was customary to embroider women's clothes during pregnancy with pearls, because they were considered a symbol of childbirth and maternity.

In the XVII century, fashion changes dramatically and lush and wide dresses replace the fitted dresses. In such a dress, it’s not difficult to hide the tummy, and at that time the pregnancy was not at all fashionable and they tried to disguise it in every possible way. Satin and silk fabrics, layered skirts and floral jackets embroidered with a floral pattern - all this was convenient and comfortable during pregnancy. In addition, at that time only representatives of the aristocracy could afford free dresses, ordinary tradesmen continued to wear fitted dresses, so quite often in the late stages of pregnancy they did not even leave the house so that no one would know about their condition.

The 17th century is approaching - the century of the rococo, deep neckline, thin waists and magnificent skirts. But the pregnant women of that time should be very grateful to Madame de Montespan, who began the fashion for straight, loose dresses like a home gown. Such a style was called Kontush or Adrien; these were styles with a neckline and folds freely falling down, which were collected only on the back.

Subsequently, at the peak of popularity, the Empire style was not the most favorable period in the history of clothes for pregnant women, because such dresses from light fabrics of A-shaped silhouette were very comfortable for pregnant women. Also interesting is the fact that at the end of the XVIII century in England, special simulating pregnancy metal bellies were especially popular. Not everyone liked this trend, including the royal family, but this at least means that pregnancy is again “in trend”.

At the peak of the 19th century, corsets and puffy skirts reappeared. During this period, women until the last tightly laced it to reach a perfectly thin waist, often sacrificing the health of the unborn child. A little later, corsets are modernized and, in addition to the back, will give additional lacing on the stomach and sides. This option was very popular among pregnant women, because it perfectly supported the stomach and allowed it to dissolve as it increased. In some places, such corsets were not removed even during childbirth.

Tight belts will appear in the twentieth century, wide dresses go out of fashion, however, it is still not considered expedient to openly show their rounded shapes, therefore women hide them under ruffles and frills.

Over time, pants, simple dresses to the knee and loose blouses without extra details appear in the women's wardrobe. In the mid-twentieth century, separate clothing lines for pregnant women began to be created, however, all models resembled wide shapeless shirts. The first designer, who in 60’s of the twentieth century has created a collection of tight-fitting images for women in anticipation, became the queen of knitwear Sonia Riker.

As you can see, pregnancy was not always in fashion, and often enough women had to resort to various tricks to hide, or vice versa, emphasize their condition. In the modern world, everything is much simpler - just go to any Dianora pregnant and nursing clothes brand store and choose comfortable clothes according to your style and preferences!