OH, BABY! A YOUNG ST. CROIX MOM’S CUTE & COMFORTABLE PREGNANCY STYLE

Wyndi Ambrose documents her second pregnancy in a stunning photoshoot on St. Croix, shot by her photographer husband, Salvador. Styled by Sweet Magnolia, her flowy maxi features a chic, one-shoulder design she’ll reach for long after baby arrives. Photo courtesy of Wyndi Ambrose.

Wyndi Ambrose, like most modern expectant mothers, wants to look good as her body changes, making room for the new life growing inside her womb.

Thankfully, maternity style has made some major upgrades over the last few decades. Gone are the days when expectant mothers could only find dresses, tops or bottoms that fit comfortably, but not necessarily stylishly over their growing baby bumps.

I remember back in the “olden days” when my own mother was expecting our youngest brother (he is in his late 30s now; they grow up so fast!), and a lot that was available to pregnant women back then, it seems, was a certain type of maternity dress. You know the one: shift, front snap buttons, short sleeves, knee length, floral print or solid pastel color.

But maternity style has evolved so much since baby brother was born that many expectant mothers today skip the maternity sections at their favorite retailers altogether, opting to dress their growing bumps by going just a few sizes up in clothes they would normally wear when not pregnant. No more rules about buying maternity clothes from the maternity section.

The pregnancy glow is real! Photo courtesy of Wyndi Ambrose.

And if you follow pop culture and fashion, you know the biggest rule breaker of them all is pregnant Rihanna. Our fellow Caribbean girl, who is expecting her third child with her partner A$AP Rocky, has popularized the bare-bump trend. Admittedly, this trend isn’t for everyone, but RihRih has been rocking her bare belly as an accessory from the rustic beaches of her native Barbados to the ritzy boulevards of Beverly Hills.

But, here at DBOW, we like bringing things home. We wanted to find out how local mothers-to-be are faring—both in their style choices when it comes to dressing their changing bodies and where they are shopping to look and feel their best during pregnancy.

We caught up with Wyndi, 33, a marketer and media consultant on St. Croix who is expecting baby No. 2 with her husband, Salvador, any day now. She and Salvador are also parents to a toddler son.

Dress Better on the Weekend (DBOW): What types of clothes make you feel most beautiful when pregnant?

Wyndi Ambrose: Linen. And cute summer dresses – midi or maxi – with flattering patterns, cool textures, and of course, enough stretch. Oh, and two-piece bathing suits that let me show off the bump.

DBOW: How do you define your pregnancy style? 

WA: Comfort first! I’d say I have a pretty active lifestyle. I’m a mom to a toddler. I work. I have a fitness routine. And now, I’m growing another human, which is a blessing but can take its toll on the body. So, I’d say my style prioritizes comfort and functionality. I love linen pants and tunic tops. I’ve never been very extravagant in dress but typically aim for simple sophistication. And that combo makes me feel sophisticated enough but with all the stretch and comfort I need. 

DBOW: This is baby No. 2 for you. Has your pregnancy style changed from your first to now?

WA: Uhhh, yeah! Slight tweaks to prioritize comfort. With my first baby, there were times when I did attempt to move like nothing had changed except the bump. Like, I wore heels that I’ve worn to modeling shows and on special occasions. 

But not anymore! 

Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t change my first experience for anything, and I won’t judge anyone that wants the celebrity maternity look. But my life has changed with the daily reality of mothering a small child, plus the physical demands of pregnancy. So yeah…flats and platform heels for me!

Wyndi documented her first pregnancy in 2024 in a photoshoot where she wore a cropped crochet top and flowy linen pants, a staple in her wardrobe that keeps the busy mom chic and comfortable during pregnancy. Photo courtesy of Wyndi Ambrose.

Wyndi wears a white, two-piece bathing suit in another look documenting her first pregnancy in 2024, showing off both her beauty and her baby bump. Photo courtesy Wyndi Ambrose.

DBOW: What are your clothing and styling needs while pregnant? Are local shops and boutiques meeting the needs of expectant mothers like you? Do you shop locally or online? 

WA: Hmm…I’m usually ‘all-belly’ during pregnancy. So, I need things that will accommodate the rest of my thin frame but stretch enough in the right places. I’m a bit frugal, so I still stick to a lot of what I already had in my closet that fits that criteria. But I have found some really nice pieces for special occasions in downtown Christiansted at shops like Sweet Magnolia and Trends Boutique. I shop online occasionally, if I’m looking for something really specific, like for a themed maternity shoot. 

DBOW: Are there any celebrities whose pregnancy style, past or present, inspires you? What draws you to their style?

WA: Ciara comes to mind. It’s strange because her style is probably far from how I present myself. She can be a bit gaudy, and her choices are very bold. But I think what inspires me most is that she transmits health, confidence, and joy in motherhood. Like, everything about her says, ‘I’m excited to be a mom’ and I love that. 

DBOW: What’s the most exciting part about you and your husband growing your family?

WA: I think the opportunity to guide and nurture another generation is a high calling, so that in and of itself is very exciting. Watching your baby grow into a little person with their own personality and navigate the world with fresh eyes and innocence – it’s really a thing of wonder. 

Wyndi’s pregnancy style prioritizes comfort and functionality. Both come together in this bold, printed maxi dress that falls effortlessly and beautifully over her bump. Photo courtesy of Wyndi Ambrose.

Parenting can be extremely challenging, but at the same time, it is deeply fulfilling and can open your heart to love, joy, and play in ways you’d never experienced before.

On top of all that, I really admire my husband. He’s a very gifted person in general, but seems to be especially talented at making our son belly laugh. So, watching him be a father and getting to parent beside him has been a privilege. I know he'll be a great dad to our little one that’s on the way.

Article updated 12:04 p.m., Sept. 4