Locally Owned Maternity Boutique offers Pregnant Women More Choices

High style no longer has to go out the door when a woman becomes pregnant, thanks to

Belly Couture Boutique. Belly Couture Boutique  opened in La Grange IL, 2 years ago & also opened a second store earlier this year at The Shops

on Butterfield at Yorktown Center in Lombard . The Boutique offers stylish clothing for pregnant

women. The high fashion locally owned maternity retailer offers stylish jeans, great

cocktail dresses, trendy t-shirts and hip ‘mommy’ accessories.

As a young, fashion forward mommy-to-be and founder of Belly Couture Boutique

Kristen Mrase became frustrated at the selection of maternity clothing available in the

Western Suburbs when she became pregnant with her first child.

“Hollywood is full of radiant, stylishly dressed pregnant women proudly showing off

their baby bump, “ Mrase said. “Dressed to impress, Hollywood mommies have a

plethora of choices when it comes to shopping for a maternity wardrobe. I could not find

anywhere in the area to shop for clothing that was hot and fashion forward, and I wanted

to look good and show off my pregnant figure, not cover it up.”

The first Belly Couture Boutique opened in 2006 in LaGrange. A little over a year later,

Mrase, and her new business partner April Filipelli, wanted to expand their concept and

opened a second location at The Shops on Butterfield at Yorktown Center. Together, the

duo continues to spread the word that pregnancy is beautiful, and your maternity

wardrobe and accessories should match.

“We are in the business of making moms look and feel gorgeous,” Mrase exclaimed.

“We love what we do, and we want to continue helping young moms feel fantastic!” Says Filippelli.

Belly Couture Boutique at The Shops on Butterfield at Yorktown Center is located on

Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road in Lombard, Illinois. For more information on

stores and center amenities, call (630) 629-7330 or visit yorktowncenter.com.

Maternity Must-Haves

Mrase and Filipelli agree that is good wardrobe is key during pregnancy. Their ‘musthave’

list includes:

Great Jeans-

“A great pair of jeans that you look hot in and feel comfortable at the same time is

an absolute necessity,” Mrase said. “You can throw them on with a cute top and

you’re good to go- day or night.”

Favorite Picks: Paige Premium Denim

Maternal America

Olian &

Juliet Dream

Bella Band-

“There are a million uses for the Bella Band,” Filippelli explained. “You can use it

over non-maternity pants when you are in between regular clothes and maternity wear,

during and after pregnancy to tighten your tummy, to cover the belly a bit if a shirt you

love is too short and many more.”

A Fabulous T-Shirt-

“Every mommy-to-be needs a tee shirt that you can throw on with anything that

shows your curves and shouts- I look great,” Mrase said. “This Fall, fun prints are hip.

And for those blustery Fall days, layer your t-shirt with a super soft sweater.”

Belly Couture Boutique offers a variety of hip and trendy t-shirts.

A Cocktail Dress-

Mrase suggestions owning a great cocktail dress “For all of those really great

restaurants your man will take you to pre-baby to show off your amazing body.”

A Great Mommy Bag-

“Today- it’s not about carrying a pink or blue diaper bag with a cartoon character

plastered on the side,” Filipelli explained. “All of the Hollywood stars have hip, trendy

bags that could not be further from the traditional diaper bag.” Mrase agrees, “Moms

need the kind of bag that says- I’m not a diaper bag- I’m a really cute multifunctional,

sexy mommy purse,” she says.

Favorite Picks- OiOi

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