Sad, but true: My mother-in-law told me when she was pregnant back in the 1950s, women would cut huge holes in their pants and let their bellies bulge through. Maternity wear progressed in subsequent years -- it may have not been fashionable, but it was functional, with expandable pant panels, strategically placed pleats and darts, voluminous tops and super-sized tent dresses. Still sad, still true.

Finally, the retail world has addressed the desires of expectant women, offering them beautiful and trendy maternity clothing. What's more, two savvy, entrepreneurial local moms opened Bump this past February in the Roosevelt District -- a hip shop that caters to fashion-conscious expectant mothers. Nyro Murphy (a former social worker) and Kelly Buck (a former lawyer) recognized the lack of maternity wear options in town, whipped up a business plan, gutted their space and opened in a matter of months. The result is a beautiful shop with juicy colored walls in lime, melon, and peach, hardwood floors, and exposed brick on one expansive wall of their spacious shop.

The selection of clothing and accessories is so appealing that even women who aren't expecting are lured in by the attractive windows, thinking it's a "regular" boutique. The shop stocks designs out of Los Angeles and New York including labels such as Chiara Kruza, Momzee, and Ripe. For spring and summer you'll find sexy halter dresses, pretty tops in flowy knits, jeans, denim skirts, swim suits, and maternity lingerie by Bella Materna. Accessorize your outfit with colorful David Aubrey jewelry. Don't want to spend a lot on clothes you won't wear past nine months? You don't have to. Most pieces are between $70 and $100, well below "boutique" prices.

They also carry mom and baby accessories like Hooter Hides (nursing covers), Bella Bands (these smooth out unbuttoned pants and hold up loose ones), super-soft Posh Baby blankets and stylish diaper bags, and Ergo baby carriers.

Buck and Murphy also bought the adjacent Pop Tots, a hip shop with cool clothes for stylish babies and kids. It's one-stop-shopping -- whether you're going to a baby shower or birthday party, or simply need something cute to wear in your eighth month.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company