What to wear at a conference/interview when 12 weeks preggo...

[slsurface]

...and you don't really want to advertise the fact you are preggo?

I'll be 12 weeks when I go to a professional conference in early December. It is possible I will have an interview at this conference and I really want the job! But I'm in an academic and male-dominated field where having a family is not considered a good thing . So I don't really want them to know I'm preggo, and loose the chance at a great job that I really want.

The other hitch is that I've been on bedrest or modified bedrest for a month now and I have gained 5 pounds already. I had a pretty good belly going at this point. I cannot wear my regular pants anymore. So how can I dress professional, without looking like I'm wearing maternity clothes?

[LynnS6]

I found this, and it looks pretty good:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4441460_hi...y-clothes.html

Draw the eye up toward the neckline and don't emphasize the belly.

Wear a dress (but not one with an empire or dropped waist). Don't rest your hand on your belly when you're talking to people. Your belly may be more noticeable to you, but other people will be too shy to ask. (And they can't legally ask. If they do, smile and say "Oh dear. Am I putting on weight?")

[bluebunny]

There are lots of loose, flowy blouses out in stores that could help camoflage a belly. I would go with black pants and jacket with a loose blouse. GL!

[JessieBird]

I had to go to a conference in the same situation - A-shape jackets saved the day for me. I wore long regular shirts and turtle necks with a swingy A-lie jacket on top and whatever pants you can fit into. Heels if you can still manage them to elongate your shape and give you confidence. I think boot-cut or wide leg pants would be best to balance out your fuller mid-section. Black pants with a black shirt and a contrasting jacket would be best for hiding any bulges in the shadows. A chunky necklace above the collar of the jacket will draw eyes up.

Those who know you are pregnant will think you look adorable and those who don't will just think you look super stylish!

If a jacket would be too formal, you can also find lots of sweaters in this shape. Here's a good example: http://knottygeneration.blogspot.com...ne-jacket.html

[Ellien C]

a nice scarf or snappy jewelry to draw the eye up, away from the belly.

Good luck to you. I enjoyed letting my professional colleagues whom I only saw once a year know when I went to a conference. They actually knew before I told my company. But the company didn't have a lot of people in my field at the time. Actually one guy had brought his wife and 9-month old and I told him my secret. It was fun and kind of cute. He's always asked about her and we stayed in touch through a few job changes. Anyway, enjoy the conference.

[slsurface]

Thanks for all the ideas ladies. I really like the link you gave me LynnS6! I watched all her videos .

I went shopping this afternoon and picked up a few items. I really needed a good fitting pair of black pants. I also bought a lovely blouse with an empire waist. I have a short torso and very long legs, so the empire waistline looks good on me, plus it makes my belly less conspicuous. I think I will wear the black pants, blouse, and a black blazer I already own to the interview. I also picked up a nice lavender tank that will work with a purple blazer I already own. I might wear this combo with a mid-length black skirt. The day I fly in I plan on wearing jeans and ecru baby-doll shirt with a sweater. The fourth day, I think I'll wear a dress..just not sure which one yet. I have a black maternity dress and a navy floral post-partum dress. If I wear a nice scarf with either of these, it might work. I don't need to wear heals because I'll 6 foot tall...I already intimidate short men, so I don't typically wear heals .

Thanks again!

[mamatoablessing]

Find some nice, flowing black pants that have an elastic waistband. These were lifesavers for me when I was preggo and logging 5-10 flights per month for work. They're versatile, professional and comfortable.

Something like this

[sanguine_speed]

Also remember that while you notice that you're thicker around the middle, others who have never met you before are far less likely to notice. They don't have a reference point like you do .

[Carita]

ITA -

I just went to give some interviewish type talks (they may turn into a formal interview) and I am 18-19 weeks. I went to a large Gap Maternity - it was worth the drive - and found really nice wool pants and a sweater shirt. I folded up the sweater shirt so it wasn't so long. The dark pants and solid color sweater hid the belly so well that NO ONE knew I was pregnant. You couldn't even see pudge from the front. To mask the side, I wore a light button down, not buttoned and a jacket. And around campus I wore a scarf too which hid it even more. I saw friends and told them I was pregnant and they were shocked - especially when I told them I was nearly 20 weeks. Now at the end of the night after dinner bloating and a side view without the jacket is a different story

A litle money well spent on maternity clothes goes a long way in an interview. I was lucky, my wool pants and sweater were on sale for $40 for both together!