Guest post by Kate Daley There’s no question that you have to work a little bit harder to look fashionable when you’re expecting. Your regular clothes might sort of fit for the first few months but towards your third trimester you’ll often need to invest in a few key pieces so that you don’t end up flashing your belly or resorting to an unflattering muumuu. Besides, your bump is beautiful so it’s also kind of fun to show it off to the fullest. Sadly, there’s not a lot of great selection out there unless you’re really savvy. Pregnancy-specific stores have great outfits for special occasions but financially most women don’t want to invest in an entirely new wardrobe for just a few months. That being said, you’ll definitely want a few key maternity items and we’ve got the best places across Canada (and online) to find them!   J. Crew While this brand doesn’t do a ton of maternity wear, the pieces they have are worth the investment. Their skinny jeans (pictured above), dress pants and leggings get excellent reviews and they’re chic enough to wear for work or a night out both before and after baby. These pants have a subtle elastic on either side of your waist and definitely don’t look maternity. Plus, though they aren’t exactly a steal, they’re a lot more affordable than other designer maternity denim if you want to invest in a fashionable pair you can wear through your whole pregnancy. They’re fitted so buy the size you would have worn beforehand. Ingrid & Isabel Your regular jeans plus a BellaBand from Ingrid & Isabel can extend the life of your denim or work pants for an extra few months before you need to try full-on maternity wear. Leave your pants undone and layer this band over top to help keep them on while also providing some coverage. Find more from this brand at Target or online at Amazon. Asos This U.K. based online retailer has loads of pretty maternity ensembles. From tanks to bathing suits to beautiful patterned dresses, order a few key pieces for both work and more formal events. Make sure to double-check your sizing online (it’s all in European sizes) and also give yourself time to get the items in before your big event—standard shipping to Canada can take two weeks. Hatch Collection This beautiful line of clothing works for both pre-and post baby. The items generally have a more relaxed cut though so if you’re worried about looking bigger all over, wear these looser tops and tanks with some fitted basics. And make sure to check out their sale section! Target Affordable and fairly fashionable, Target has great basics from brands like Liz Lange and Ingrid & Isabelle. Pick up wash and wear tanks, leggings and dresses at this retailer. While you’re there you can also pick up a nursing bra, diapers and baby basics for a good price. H&M While you can simply buy a large or extra-large version of your favourite ensemble at this store, H&M also offers a small selection of maternity tops, jeans and tights. There’s not a ton of options in-store so you may that the find non-maternity options at the retailer work just as well. Only certain stores house the collection so make sure to check before heading out shopping. Old Navy Like many other non-maternity stores, only a few locations house their maternity collection so make sure to check online before you go as they don’t retail on the Canadian Old Navy site. This retailer has a selection of pants, tops, sweaters and casual cotton dresses. It’s a good option for basics but try on the goods before you buy–they tend to fit on the bigger side! If you're looking for maternity clothing for the winter, skip the winter coat and try a  cape! A black blazer is a great essential for any season (just wear it open) or try a maxidress or sundress for summer. Plus, here's some great Kate Middleton fashion inspiration for post-baby!