As someone who struggled with infertility, only to be told once I finally became pregnant that I would be considered “high-risk” for the duration, my husband and I were very hesitant to share our happy news. 

Along with every other first-time preggo, the moment I peed on a stick and saw the words “pregnant,” I immediately became convinced that I was “showing.” Almost instantly I started waddling around the house, requesting special snacks from my hubby (bless him), and became terrified of seeing people in person who certainly would know I was pregnant.

Looking back on the first “bumpdate” polaroid photo I took, I can’t help but laugh. If anything, it looks like I had one too many servings of cheese fries that day. However, with my petite frame, over the course of several weeks my belly did start to poke out more and resemble the sort of beer belly you would find on a college freshman. 

This short phase of pregnancy can be the most self-conscious because you’re not at the point where you want to share the news with anyone except immediate family (depending on your situation), but you don’t want people to get the impression that you’ve just “let yourself go” either.

That’s where strategic outfit styling and photo posing tricks come into play. Whether you’re keeping your pregnancy private because you want to reserve that special time for you and your partner, you’re not ready to reveal the news to your boss yet, or you’re feeling anxious about what to expect moving forward, it’s ultimately your decision when you choose to announce. 

While ghosting your family, friends, and social media followers is definitely an option, if you don’t want to go that route, hiding your bump in the first trimester is totally doable. Take it from someone who shot new content nearly every week and showed up on Instagram stories all the while concealing the happiest secret of her life until the 14-week mark.

Today, I’m using my personal experience to share six fashion hacks that will help you feel more confident during your first trimester, along with five posing tips for photos to keep your secret safe until you’re ready to share.

Outfit Styling Tips To Hide Your Bump

1. Avoid Form-Fitting Clothes and Clingy Fabrics

Due to my inclination toward skinny jeans, my denim stopped fitting me almost immediately. While you certainly can use the rubber band hack to keep too-tight pants together under a flowy blouse, I opted to avoid form-fitting clothes all together while hiding my rounder belly. Especially if you’re having morning (or nonstop) nausea, dressing in loose, comfortable clothes is the way to go.

Mini Dress | Maxi Dress | Overalls | Crewneck Sweatshirt

2. Wear Prints and Textures To Trick the Eye

As someone who isn’t usually drawn to prints and patterns, pregnancy helped me step outside my comfort zone and embrace designs I wouldn’t typically choose. Now, you don’t have to go full-blown Carole Baskin on us and start buying cheetah print leggings, but grabbing something a little classier like a floral print jacket or a plaid blouse will do the trick.

Prints and textures are both extremely effective at tricking people at a glance and helping guide their eye toward something other than your growing bump. 

Mini Dress | Maxi Dress | Jacket | Blouse 

3. Try a Front Tuck

Take a tip from our most beloved fashion icons: the French girls. They made this style trick popular around the world in an effortlessly sophisticated way. With the help of some high-waisted pants or a flowy skirt, tucking your top haphazardly into the front will help create a baggy silhouette without looking too suspicious. 

Oversized Tee | Blouse | Button-Down Shirt

4. Choose Darker Colors

But beige is sooo in right now! I know, right? I promise, you can get back to your aesthetic Instagram feed once you’re ready to embrace your pregnancy curves and show that belly off to the world. In the meantime, though, darker colors like black and navy blue are universally known to give the illusion of a slimmer waistline.

Peplum Top |Maxi Dress | Button-Down Shirt | Cardigan

5. Use a Crossbody Bag To Distract

A cute accessory and a co-conspirator? Count me in. Using a crossbody bag can not only be helpful for taking the focus off your figure, but it can discreetly hold those Tums you need so dearly during this time too.

Option 1 | Option 2

6. Layer According to the Season

Now, you certainly don’t want to be bundled up with a jacket, sweater, and scarf in the dead of summer unless your goal is for your friends and family to look at you sideways. But, with careful consideration of the weather, there are items you can use to layer that will successfully conceal your first trimester belly. 

Longline Jacket | Jean Jacket | Puffer Jacket | Cardigan | Scarf 

Posing Tips To Hide Your Bump in Photos

1. Get Creative with Props

There are endless possibilities when it comes to this one. Whether you grab a handbag, coffee, scarf, bouquet of flowers, or simply tie a sweatshirt around your waist, having a prop to cover your belly can be an easy way to hide your growing bump. 

2. A Straight-On Mirror Selfie Always Does the Trick

Have you ever seen those videos of the 40-week pregnant girls sharing their front vs side view? A mirror selfie with the right angle is a quick and inconspicuous way to show up on your feed without tipping people off. 

3. Use Your Arm(s) To Cover Your Belly

It’s natural to use your arms in motion in photos; standing perfectly still with your arms by your sides would look awkward. So, why not use those suckers to your advantage by covering your bump with a cute pose or a candid shot while grabbing for something?

4. Turn Your Back to the Camera

This was my go-to when hiding my bump simply because it’s the easiest way to guarantee that no one gets a glimpse, no matter how far along you are. Just be careful not to do this pose too many times in a row, or else your friends and family may get suspicious. 

5. Sit and Lean Forward To Help with Angles

This is also a perfectly natural pose if you’re hanging out casually somewhere. Pull your knees up closer to your chest and rest your elbows on your legs for a cute, relaxed photo.

Closing Thoughts

That’s it, ladies! Hopefully, this article provided you with some practical ways to hide your pregnancy in the first trimester, no matter your reasoning. With these simple styling tips and sneaky posing hacks, you can feel confident that you’ll look chic and stunning while keeping your baby bump on the down-low. 

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