Gender-reveal parties are so last season.
Fear not, moms-to-be: Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to give up on the trends. We caught up with Elena Mauer, deputy editor of Thebump.com, to learn what first-time moms should look out for in the coming year.
Going green … with baby names
Pantone named emerald as the color of the year for 2013, so expect to see baby names like Hunter, Jade, Kelly and Forest increasing in popularity in the coming months. Even celebrities have been swept up in the trend (Drew Barrymore named her new baby girl Olive). “It’s neat that green and these other natural shades are inspiring baby names,” says Mauer.
Ultrasound parties
Parents-to-be are going beyond the usual baby shower or gender reveal party, which is when “you would cut a cake and the icing in the middle was either pink or blue, and that told you the baby’s gender,” Mauer says. Now more extravagant measures are popping up, including ultrasound parties, where a medically trained technician is invited to perform the procedure in the living room for all of your loved ones to see. Beware: This kind of celebration isn’t for everyone, as ultrasound parties can get expensive, so plan accordingly. Simpler (yet still dramatic) measures include sending boxes stuffed with pink or blue balloons to family members.
Mommy-moons
Move over, baby-moons. Soon-to-be moms are taking what Thebump.com calls “mommy-moons,” mini getaways that pregnant women can take with their girlfriends (and not their husbands) before the arrival of the baby. Beach vacations, spa trips and pampering parties with manicures and pedicures are the most popular choices for women who want one final trip with their friends before their lives change forever. “Pregnant women are looking for ways to pamper themselves [and] spend time with their friends before the baby arrives and they become very busy,” says Mauer.
Royal baby gear
The whole world has been anticipating the arrival of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s baby. Designers have already begun incorporating Middleton’s style into some of their maternity wear collections, so pregnant women can emulate royal fashion. “We think the royal baby is going to be a trendsetter and he or she isn’t even alive yet,” says Mauer. It’s only a matter of time before we see the royal baby’s style replicated in department stores.
Neon nurseries
Gone are the days of the traditional pink and blue color scheme for baby rooms. “In 2012, there was a lot of neon in fashion,” Mauer says. “You saw it on the runway, and now people are bringing it into their nurseries.” Big and bold is the new motto. But don’t expect to paint the walls electric blue or buy a bright yellow crib, notes Mauer. You are more likely to see neon pink bedding, or a neon green table cover that adds mild pops of color and a bit of trendiness to the nursery — without going overboard.
