I know, I know . . . it seems like the words "maternity" and "style" don't belong in the same sentence. Not long ago, that may have been true: as little as eight years ago, most of my maternity options involved tent-like dresses and shirts with (ugh) bows! Fortunately, today's selection of maternity wear is as unique and stylish as the women who wear it. And best of all, most of it is made in comfortable, stretchy fabrics that flatter the pregnant body and are nearly cozy enough to sleep in (I did it, I admit it). The key to maternity wardrobe bliss is finding maternity clothes that are affordable in the real world. Pregnant celebrities always look great - after all, if you can afford to pay hundreds of dollars for a piece of clothing, you can find just about anything. Here are some great ideas for affordable maternity fashion you can get today.

The perfect maternity pants are the foundation for any maternity wardrobe. It's a good idea to buy 2 or 3 pairs of maternity bottoms in basic colors, then mix or match them with tops as your outfit requires. The most popular type are black yoga-style maternity pants or capris. A pair of brown or tan linen maternity pants also makes a great addition to your pregnancy wardrobe. And finally, a great black maternity top is a must! You can dress it up for church or social functions, or dress it down with flip-flops and a comfortable tee. You can even wear it during that in-between post-baby phase before you can squeeze back into your jeans!

When it comes to maternity tops, the sky is the limit! Kimono-style maternity tops come in every shade and pattern imaginable. Button-down maternity work tops are no longer tent-like and blasé. Instead, they tend to be embellished with center twists, beading or other interesting accents. Regardless of what type of top suits your style, you can likely find it in today's maternity fashions.

It's good to know that pregnant women can throw away their oversized t-shirts and sweatpants, and find something that fits their pre-pregnancy styles. After all, pregnancy doesn't sap you of your pre-pregnancy personality. It gives you an opportunity to discover a whole new you.