If in the not-so-distant past, it was difficult to find maternity clothing in Israel, now there is an abundance of styles to choose from. From Israeli chains to local and foreign designers, maternity wear is now readily available in a vast array of designs and trends. The goal now is finding the right garment at the right price; and pregnant women would do well to take advantage of the current low end-of-season prices at most stores.

Before setting forth to assemble a new wardrobe for the body currently "under construction," there are a few points worth remembering: Establish a budget and plan ahead, to prevent purchasing similar items and to minimize the possibility of surrendering to fleeting impulses. Maternity clothes are worn time and again, and it would be a shame to find that you have two pairs of black pants and no dress, for example, or a blouse that does not exactly suit your taste. Moreover, many women continue wearing maternity clothes in the first months after giving birth - particularly clothes which facilitate nursing.

Maternity clothes are designed to accommodate a changing body and to grow with the figure. Idit Vaizer, director of design at "Rami Lee," recommends buying an appropriate wardrobe as early as the third month of pregnancy. It is important to buy the right size (yes, maternity clothes also come in sizes). There is no point in buying oversized, regular pieces, only to find that they do not accommodate figure changes later on in the pregnancy. Natural fabrics that breathe are always best - especially during pregnancy.

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As far as style is concerned, maternity-wear importer Nina Barkan recommends buying the styles you have always loved. Whether you are a jeans-and-T-shirt type or prefer a suit or dress, you can now find clothing that will suit your style at a variety of prices.

Even skinny jeans

Women who seek a more formal style will find it at the Rami Lee chain. There are some fine pieces here, but you will not find them if you are lazy: You must rummage through embroidered fabrics and peasant tops to find black, woolen pants, tailored, herringbone knits, a series of lovely, woolen plaid skirts, clean, white cotton shirts, empire-waisted blouses, ribbed shirts with white, cotton collars, cardigans and even fashionable skinny jeans. Many articles of clothing also suit religious women. Prices: Blouses from NIS 140; pants and dresses from NIS 220; jeans from NIS 250.

Recently, the British Topshop chain started exporting its charming maternity clothes to Israel. Those who like a simple-but-cheeky look will not find it hard to find pieces to suit their taste. Topshop offers wool pants, stone-washed jeans, pretty, empire-waisted tunics, a black, jersey wrap-dress and more.

The Matim Li chain markets current fashion trends. Maternity clothes in their "For2" collection suit those who are fond of midriff tops and glitter. This year, they are, "inspired by Napoleon, the romantic and military look," and, according to designer Yael Ne'eman, are intended for "the young, trendy client, interested in remaining feminine, attractive and sexy during the months of pregnancy." Not for those with classic tastes. Prices are reasonable: pants NIS 70-200; jeans NIS 75-180; blouses NIS 70-150; knit tops NIS 100-200.

Osnat Gilboa's designs for the Sexy Nine label (available at the boutique at 38 Negba Street in Ramat Gan) are form-fitting and fun. Take cotton-lycra dresses in a variety of interesting prints with cut-off edges at the sleeve and hem: On one of the sleeves, Gilboa attached a tiny pocket and she recommends adorning a pin on the pocket.

Other pieces include satin-lycra tops in dusty rose, black, silver and wine colors with elastic waistbands and drawstring sleeves; lycra turtlenecks gathered at the waist with elastic waistbands; low-rise pants with adjustable, Velcro snaps; three different kinds of jeans; flowing, satin-lycra pants for everyday wear, and a more tailored pant for the evening.

Gilboa adds a new style every two weeks to keep the collection up-to-date. New styles can be viewed on the Internet at www.sexynine.co.il. Prices: dresses NIS 240-350; pants NIS 100-350; tops NIS 100-250; skirts NIS 120-250.

Women who like to wear flowing, bohemian styles, and are not afraid of gimmicks, will find pieces to their liking in the relatively new maternity-wear section of Tel Aviv's Diada Center (75 Ben Gurion Boulevard). Diada once devoted a small area to maternity wear but, in response to demand, recently expanded its maternity clothing lines. A variety of Israeli designers are now on offer, designers who, in recent years, decided to fill a missing niche in Israeli fashion. Here, one can find labels like Tehushat Beten, Derech and Quincy; nursing and pregnancy tops in an array of comfortable fabrics and prints by Hilia; cotton-lycra dresses by Luca, and multi-pocketed, patched pants by designer Liat Harnof. Prices: pants NIS 150-250; tops NIS 100-22; dresses NIS 225-300.

Diada also offers casual clothing and evening wear by designer Avishag Arbel. Arbel's collection, including dresses of varied length and decolletage, tunics and pants, are also available at her studio at 38 Basel Street, in Tel Aviv. Prices: NIS 60-450.

Imports at a pretty penny

Stores that specialize in imported maternity wear operate alongside Israeli designers. In general, imported clothes are more expensive. Nina Barkan opened her store, Bella Mama, at 111 Sokolov Street in Ramat Hasharon. "In my first pregnancy, I noticed there was a lack of stores that sell maternity clothes," she says. "Eight months ago, when I gave birth to my second son, I decided to take a risk and open a store."

Barkan imports clothes from the U.K., the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy. They include attractive jeans, blouses and comfortable, narrow T-shirts that suit the local climate and can be worn in layers. "I believe that they suit pregnancy because body temperature is constantly changing," she says. The store has shiny, satin tailored pants for evening events, velveteen pants in aubergine, dresses and skirts. Prices: jeans start from NIS 520; slacks from NIS 352; dresses from NIS 350; tops from NIS 200.

Motherland, at 38 Basel Street, in Tel Aviv, is an older store. Since 2001, owner Tali Barzilai has been importing a selection of popular, European labels in fabrics which fit local climate, most notably Queen Mom, a firm which successfully translates fashion trends into maternity-wear, the Dutch Noppies company, that features tailored suits and jeans with embroidered pockets, that look just like non-pregnant jeans but have a hidden elastic panel, cropped, skinny jeans and dresses for day and evening. Motherland even carries gorgeous, silk-chiffon bridal dresses by the Dutch Vida Vita line. Prices: Jeans NIS 290-670; tops NIS 200-390; dresses NIS 330-1920.