Congratulations on your little one!
This is such an exciting time, although I know that feelings about pregnancy can be complicated because it’s not everyone’s favorite experience. I highly recommend curating a capsule wardrobe for this temporary time in your life to help you feel your best even on days when you’re just… not.
I subscribe to the belief that you can continue wearing the majority of your existing wardrobe, just pairing them with some core pieces that will better accommodate your bump. As they say, “less is more”; you definitely don’t need a complete wardrobe overhaul for pregnancy — just a few items that will help you feel confident and comfortable. This period is sooo short in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn’t mean that you have to look frumpy the entire time!
Depending on your situation (climate, style preferences, etc.), these recommendations may or may not apply to you, but the information in this post will highlight what I would consider to be the best pregnancy pick-ups for your maternity wardrobe. This includes the items that I have personally purchased, loved and held onto for a future pregnancy, as well as the items I wish I had gotten / had bookmarked for purchase for my next pregnancy (this one! 🥹). I hope you find it helpful!
This post is a lengthy one, so grab your beverage of choice and let’s get down to it!
TOPS
A BUTTON DOWN
This piece can be worn multiple ways throughout pregnancy (on its own -tucked or untucked- , knotted above the bump, worn open over another top or paired with a unitard, etc.) and it works just as well postpartum — I still wear mine from my pregnancy with Sophie because I adore the oversized look. I personally think solid white is the most versatile option, but I encourage you to choose whatever color / print works best for your style and wardrobe.
A SOLID T-SHIRT
A crew neck or v-neck, short or long-sleeved… whatever style you typically wear most often and feel your best in. I prefer a tighter fitting top for layering, but I do appreciate looser tops because you have room to grow, and they can lend a more effortless look. I have both white and black crew neck fitted tees so that I have styling options!
A SHIRT OF INTEREST
A patterned tee (such as stripes), something with some texture, a graphic tee, etc. short or long-sleeved (also love this classic bateau option!), fun sleeves (such as a flutter sleeve), or even a collar for a little interest & to mix it up from the simple, traditional tee.
A TANK TOP
If you run warm like I do or live in a climate where it gets pretty warm this is great option for layering (under button downs, sweaters, shirt jackets, you name it!).
BOTTOMS
LEGGINGS
During my pregnancy with Sophie I wore my Lululemon Align leggings in the next size up from my pre-pregnancy size and they worked for my entire pregnancy — they’re not maternity specific and were great for postpartum! If Lulu’s not really your speed, I’ve heard excellent things about the OFFLINE by Aerie Real Me Leggings.
If you’re going to be your most pregnant during the height of summer I encourage you to get a pair of bike shorts that will fit your bump instead, just in the interest of staying cool.
POLISHED PANTS
If you work in a traditional office setting (or even if you don’t!), I would invest in a pair of chic, professional-friendly pants. I would personally choose a pair of black ponte pants for comfort as well as versatility’s sake because you can pair them with a million different tops and shoes. This is a maternity clothing item that I absolutely loved from my pregnancy with Sophie and kept for any future pregnancies.
If the slimmer leg style isn’t to your taste, a pair of classic trousers would definitely be a great option.
JEANS
Maternity jeans in a versatile color like a medium or dark wash are such an asset to your pregnancy wardrobe. Choose whichever cut and length you prefer — whatever is most similar to your pre-pregnancy wardrobe and best reflects your personal style. I personally chose this dark wash pair of skinny jeans.
I know that denim shopping can be tricky even when you’re not pregnant, but I still recommend trying to find a pair that you feel good in for this season of life — the ones linked in my widget were the most popular in an informal polling of my mom friends. (Plus, more recommendations at these resources: Maternity Jeans Review 1 // Maternity Jeans Review 2 // WhoWhatWear Roundup // Vogue Roundup)
*Tip: I suggest utilizing the “Hairtie Trick” on your pre-pregnancy jeans when you start to outgrow the waistband, but your belly hasn’t quite expanded enough to fill out maternity jeans (the in-between phase!). Just thread a hairtie through the buttonhole of your jeans, push the back loop through the front loop and pull it over to loop it over the button and zip up your fly as high as you can comfortably get it, pushing the zipper pull down flat to “lock it” in place.
**Be sure to wear a longer top to conceal this looped contraption. 😂
REGIONAL / SEASONALLY SPECIFIC PIECES
Depending on what time of year you will be spending your last trimester (when your belly is at its most prominent 😉) I recommend having seasonally appropriate attire that will accommodate your bump!
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WARM
For the summer season (or if you live in a generally warmer climate) I suggest investing in at least one loose, breezy dress. When it’s hot (& humid?) and you’re at the end of your pregnancy I promise you’re going to want the least amount of fabric touching your body as possible. 😂 I know that the loose dresses may feel a bit shapeless, so if that bothers you, you can always belt it above your bump for a little added definition!
I would argue that it is best to shop specifically for dresses with smocking (/shirring) because they’ll be super forgiving and grow with you (I especially love my Hill House Ellie Dress for this and also recommend pieces from EverythingFitsBut, depending on your style!).
I spent most of my first pregnancy at home quarantining so I didn’t really consider my maternity wardrobe much (aside from mostly leggings, loose tops and stretchy dresses), but I know I’ll be out-and-about more during the warmer months during this pregnancy so I ended up placing an order for a few pairs of shorts that I can wear throughout my pregnancy as well as after baby arrives!! They were perfect for our recent visit to Maui and I look forward to adding them into my wardrobe rotation once the temperatures start to rise.
If you have the opportunity to go swimming (which is so great for belly weight relief) whether that’s on a vacation or you have readily available pool / beach access, a maternity swimsuit or two wouldn’t be the worst additions to your pregnancy wardrobe. Obviously, any two-piece swimsuit would work (just size up as needed), but if you are interested in a one-piece I find HATCH and PinkBlush to carry some stylish and comfortable swim options. Additionally, YouSwim and Hunza G offer smocked “one size fits all” swimsuit styles that would work great to both accommodate a belly during pregnancy and then adjust to fit your body postpartum (read: worth the investment beyond just pregnancy).
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COLD
On the flip side of things, if you will be finishing out your pregnancy in a cooler environment, then I suggest investing in a coat that can accommodate your bump at it’s fullest (either by sizing up or buying a coat that unzips on the sides to grow with you). I would like to note that you may be able to find a maternity zip-in “extension panel” to fit your existing coat. There are generic ones, but depending on what brand makes your current outerwear, there may be a brand-specific option made just for your coat (such as Canada Goose, etc). Just do a quick Google search to see if yours does!
Additionally, a pair of fleece-lined maternity leggings would be a great item to add to your winter closet!
INTIMATES / UNDERGARMENTS
BRAS
You will definitely want to get refitted for a bra as your chest size will increase (both in regard to your breasts and your ribcage!) so you’ll want to invest in some comfortable bras to wear throughout pregnancy since they’re something that you’ll be wearing daily for ~9 months!
I think it’s advantageous to have at least one “real bra” with underwire for support (which is especially important if you work in a professional environment). This is the bra I wore most often pre-pregnancy — I just ordered a new one in my current ribcage / breast size for a better fit throughout pregnancy and pospartum.
For most casual situations I highly recommend a bralette. Since there’s no underwire they’re super comfortable, but still offer some light support. This style was a favorite of mine in my first pregnancy because we were mostly lounging around the house in quarantine.
I also love a bandeau bra for very mild support in tops where I don’t want straps showing.
And finally, a sports bra or two that will fit while you continue to work out throughout your pregnancy (obviously, with dr approval!).
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Since we are a formula family I have no specific recommendations for nursing bras, but I really appreciated the thoroughness of these suggestions from one of my favorite OG bloggers, @Carly.
I also adore following @CaralynMirand for all of her content, but I especially appreciate her expertise, meticulous details, and shared “tricks of the trade” in regard to women’s undergarments (pregnant or not!). She put together the most helpful Maternity & Nursing Bra Guide and I can’t recommend it more to help you shop for this chapter of life.
UNDERWEAR
Just like with pants, you will find maternity underwear that sit both under and over your bump. There’s no wrong answer, it’s just a matter of preference or what works best under the type of clothing you’re wearing. For Under-Bump I really like this pair (which is what I wear in most circumstances), and for a more supportive Over-Bump situation I really like these (which are the style that I prefer to wear under my dresses).
For occasions (wedding guest, baby shower, maternity photos, etc.) I thought these smoothing shapewear options specifically designed for pregnant bodies were a great idea! I wouldn’t necessarily use them in everyday life, but for any scenario where I know that I’ll be photographed I’d want to wear them to help my dresses lay a bit nicer on my body.
FOOTWEAR
Footwear during pregnancy is also incredibly important; comfortable shoes are an absolute must. Obviously, you can continue to wear all of the shoes in your closet while you’re pregnant, but toward the end of your pregnancy it will become increasingly challenging to bend down to reach your feet / get shoes on so I highly recommend being sure that you have a few pairs that are easy for you to get on and off by yourself.
Carrying around extra weight in your belly and rebalancing your body’s frame takes a major toll on your feet so make sure you have roomy and COMFY shoes to wear while you’re pregnant. I can’t even begin to express how frustrating it was to not be able to reach my feet to tie my shoes or even get them on my feet at the end of my pregnancy. The last couple of months were not my finest hour… haha. I highly recommend slip-on shoe styles such as:
MULES OR LOAFERS
These slide-in options are especially great for a more polished look (especially for those working at an office). They’re an “always” classic you’ll be glad to have your closet even beyond this pregnancy chapter. I’m also really drawn to the chunkier lug-sole loafer style right now!
CLASSIC FLATS
I love a ballet flat or Mary Jane shoe style to add a bit of feminine flair to an outfit while still maintaining comfort.
SNEAKERS
I adore my leather Freda Salvador Eda d’Orsay sneakers because I can easily slip them on and they’re super comfortable so they’ll be in heavy rotation this summer for pregnancy as well as postpartum baby & toddler juggling.
After my last pregnancy I heard of a brand called Kizik that designs shoes with mobility restrictions in mind — they’re hands-free shoes that you can just slip your feet into! Sooo ideal for that last trimester of pregnancy when you can’t reach your feet to get your shoes on. They have a variety of different styles, but I chose the “Vegas” style because I think they’re going to be the most versatile for my wardrobe (and a different style from my other sneakers with the slight platform sole!).
SLIDE SANDALS
So many of my mom friends swear by this style of sandal for pregnancy in the warmer months so I would be remiss not to include their recommendation, Birkenstock and Freedom Moses brands being at the top of their lists.
Rothy’s is currently offering a slide style sandal and I love that their strap fabric is washable — couldn’t resist adding a pair to my shoe collection (they’re coming with me to the hospital for labor and delivery)!
BOOTS
I know this style of shoe isn’t the easiest design for being able to slip on and off, BUT I still recommend finding a great weatherproof bootie (like these or these!) that will carry you through the winter season because in some climates there’s just no way around needing more foot coverage.
Anything you can put on without having to bend down will be preferable… maybe something with a stretchy “sock” style ankle (that can be pulled up over your heel if you lift your foot up behind you and you reach back to pull the sock portion up) or one that zips up to allow for easy foot insertion.
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ADDITIONAL FOOTWEAR TOOLS
I don’t know why I didnt think of this during my first pregnancy, but an extended length shoe horn would be so clutch for assisting in putting shoes on.
Secondly, I know this suggestion sounds insane, but once you’ve been in the Roly-Poly Stage of pregnancy you’ll understand why I’m including it — this Sock Slider tool to help put on / take off your socks would be such a game changer (especially if you will be experiencing your third trimester during the cooler months where socks are a necessity). I imagine this tool would also be helpful for postpartum, depending on your delivery experience.
INVEST IN AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF COMPRESSION SOCKS.
My feet and ankles swelled like crazy after I gave birth — see above photo for reference (and please overlook my lack of pedicure 🫣). Do you see the crazy difference / how much compression socks would have helped me?? These photos were taken just a day apart; the first pic is from the day we came home and the second was the next day after having worn my compression socks for an entire 24 hr period.
Not only will you want these socks for general support (and also to improve blood circulation) during your pregnancy, but you’ll definitely want to take these with you to the hospital for postpartum recovery. I absolutely regretted leaving my pairs at home when we went to the hospital for labor and delivery. Now I know for next time and I hope to prevent this from happening to you!
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If you are going to be on your feet for extended periods of time throughout your pregnancy I highly recommend getting shoes with built-in arch support. If the shoes that works best for you aren’t that supportive, there are always removable shoe inserts to help give your feet some cushion and support to get you through the day.
FUN “PERSONALITY” PIECES
You can absolutely expand beyond just the basics! Those items are just meant to be the “foundation” of your maternity wardrobe and should be your priority because those items will work with everything else in your closet. I don’t exactly have any specific recommendations in this section other than suggesting that you stay true to yourself and your personal style with your selections (bonus for finding something that you can also wear after baby arrives)!
For example, you know that I love my neutrals, but sometimes warmer weather has me in the mood for pastels so I have a few articles of clothing that I can wear both throughout my pregnancy, but also once my bump is gone (such as my beloved LoveShackFancy Caressa Tiered Maxi Dress in the above photo).
And even though it’s a pain in the neck to go to the bathroom while wearing one I absolutely LOVE a jumpsuit, overalls or unitard during pregnancy. Not only are they super cute with a bump, but they take pressure off of your belly and are basically the easiest one-and-done outfits that you don’t have to put much effort into. If you decide to grab a jumpsuit, I highly recommend getting one that can be both dressed up or down, depending on how you style it.
(*NOTE: I would not wear one of these to your OB/GYN check up appts unless you don’t mind getting fully undressed so that they have access to your torso… I’d recommend wearing separates or a dress for easy doctor access on those days 😅).
Speaking of unitards, the “Bumpsuit” found its way onto my radar at the tail end of my last pregnancy (which is basically an ultra comfy full body one-piece) and I was so disappointed that I didn’t have one to wear throughout my maternity period. However, they were the first thing that I ordered for myself when I learned of my second pregnancy and they’ve been incredible for me so far.
I wrote a detailed review here and they’ve easily become my favorite article of maternity-friendly clothing. They make getting dressed so easy! Just wear the unitard of your preference (Bumpsuit offers a variety of sleeve lengths and necklines), pair it with any combination of layers (tees, sweaters, jackets, button downs…) and add shoes — BOOM! Instant outfit.
I also encourage you to find two or three “fun” pieces that work for your style that make you feel incredible. Maybe that’s a pair of patterned or faux leather leggings, a playful blouse, an interesting sweater or even a “statement” kind of dress — bonus points for any pieces that you can wear during pregnancy and after your baby arrives. I’m not suggesting that you should go crazy with these types of purchases, but having a few items that are more fashion-forward, that make you feel like you, and that are postpartum-friendly are certainly encouraged!
*It’s worth noting that you will mostly be wearing comfies that are covered in bodily fluids (from both you and baby) for the first few weeks postpartum so don’t put pressure on yourself to look “put together” by any particular time, unless it will help you feel more like yourself and then I say go for it! Otherwise, plan on very loose, comfortable, dark-on-bottom / light-on-top clothing combos (just trust me).
STYLING YOUR BUMP
Because I’m pretty set in my personal style now and I know what I like to wear I already had a pretty good idea of what I wanted my maternity style to be during this pregnancy. However, during my first pregnancy (during COVID quarantine) I was feeling pretty lost in my personal style and I decided it would be helpful to get a bit more guidance on how to be the most effective with my purchases & styling when it came to my pregnancy clothes.
I turned to the Maternity Style Basics course created by Natalie Borton (@natalieborton) and Connie Jespersen (@artinthefind) to help me navigate this uncharted territory and I’m so glad that I did. I’ll admit that I was pleasantly surprised that I found this Maternity Wardrobe Course to be as helpful as it was because I went in with pretty low expectations. My personal style differs from both Natalie’s and Connie’s, but their advice is both generic and specific enough to be applied to anyone’s personal style! I can’t recommend it enough and you get “lifetime” access to the course so you can refer back to it any time you want / need!
The titles of the sections should give you some insight into the kind of valuable content that you’ll discover in their course:
(1) PLANNING STAGE: Identifying Style Goals & What Pieces You’ll Need
(2) BUYING STAGE: What to Budget to Buy
(3) Capsules & Outfit Formulas
(4) Postpartum & Nursing Style
(5) Storage Tips & What to Do With Your Pieces After Every Stage
+ access to their exclusive Maternity Style Inspiration Boards on Pinterest and private Facebook group
Natalie and Connie’s content is SO helpful, especially if you’re feeling lost on where to start!
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A few other content creators that I adore following (and that have great style + solid product recommendations) have recently had babies so thankfully they’ve shared some great outfit inspiration as well as their tried-and-true favorite clothing items so I would be remiss not to share these creators with you:
Ashley Brooke’s faves
Carly Riordan’s recommendations
The Girl Guide’s roundup
Sarah Rose Stuart’s styling
Caralyn Mirand’s suggestions
*plus size friendly
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I would have to say that my biggest piece of advice for styling yourself during pregnancy is to focus on utilizing your existing accessories to make an outfit feel “fresh” even though it’s probably the same top and pants you’ve been wearing for months. 😜 Headbands, hats, belts, scarves, jewelry, shoes, etc. are always helpful for adding flair to an outfit, but they’re especially useful during pregnancy! Shop your closet first because I bet you already have some awesome pieces, but you may decide that you want a couple more accessories (such as belts that fit above the bump) and I think those are worthwhile investments because accessories can continue to be used even after pregnancy!
Additionally, I’ve gathered a variety of looks that I like and rounded them up here if you’re like me and sometimes get “stuck” on what you want to wear. There are quite a few inspiration ideas to choose from!
BRANDS TO SHOP
You can find maternity clothing almost everywhere (thinking Old Navy / GAP, Target, even Amazon!) and I think there’s definitely something to be said for affordable maternity clothes and for some items I fully support that choice, but sometimes you just need one or two really high quality pieces. I definitely mix-and-match with high and low in my regular wardrobe and maternity items are no different! You just need to determine what you feel is worth investing in.
The investment pieces are the items that I know will get a lot of wear out of, and others are more affordable for the slightly trendier items or pieces that will only be worn for a short period of time. After I determined what items I wanted to add to my wardrobe (or replace to be bump-friendly!), these are the maternity-specific brands that I found to carry items that fit my personal style and I love the quality of their products:
BAE the Label, HATCH Collection, Légoe Heritage, and Nothing Fits But.
I have also gotten lucky and found select items that I liked at ASOS Maternity, Blanqi, H&M Maternity, Ingrid & Isabel, J.Crew / Madewell, Mango Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Pinkblush, Quince, Seraphine Maternity, and Storq Maternity.
Additionally, many denim brands offer maternity options (such as Paige, etc).
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I also want to note that you can find awesome maternity pieces on Poshmark, Mercari, or ThredUp being sold by mamas who no longer need them (sometimes in brand new condition!). I love adopting this mindset for clothes shopping in general — it’s essentially thrifting, but MUCH more organized / searchable and there are way more options!! I know how expensive maternity items (and pregnancy / childbirth / etc.) can be and this is an excellent way to be cost-conscious in this season.
I was able to snag a few pieces secondhand from the Hatch x J.Crew collaboration that they did a few years ago, but since I wasn’t pregnant then I wasn’t shopping for maternity pieces and totally missed out. I’m so glad that I was able to give them a second life and I absolutely adore the items that I got!
All of that to say: don’t be afraid to shop secondhand!
ADDITIONAL SHOPPING TIPS
Many brands offer curations of their offerings so check their website menu bar for a “maternity / bump friendly” category! For example: Nordstrom has a maternity department, Red Dress Boutique offers a “bump-friendly” search option on their site and Tuckernuck also has a “maternity friendly” section — oftentimes you can buy regular clothes and just size up one or two sizes.
Another amazing pregnancy clothing option: RENTING maternity clothes. I have used Nuuly and Rent the Runway in the past with very positive experiences and I found out recently that they are both now offering maternity options which made me SO happy! Not only can you rent casual and professional items, but they also have beautiful pieces that you can rent for events! (I mean, who wants to buy a maternity wedding guest dress that you will likely only wear once?!?).
If you are shopping for any formal events such as weddings, baby / bridal showers, holiday parties, charity galas, or photography sessions (family or maternity), you can find some great options at the following retailers: NothingFitsBut, PinkBlush, and Nordstrom.
I also want to note that Etsy is an excellent place to find photoshoot dresses, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more… dramatic. There are some really incredible independent dressmakers on that website and often times they will even be willing to make custom items for you!
*A word of caution: be sure to order in enough advance as these dresses are often made-to-order and can take time to create and then ship (especially if they’re international). If you need guidance on a timeline of when it would be ideal to take maternity photos, discuss with your photographer and book the date!
Lastly, I just want to say: during pregnancy, your body changes and sometimes it’s difficult to accept how our bodies are different than they once were. You are beautiful and you are GROWING A TINY HUMAN! Give yourself some grace and try to wear the items that make you feel like a million bucks so that the transition into the new version of your body is a little easier.
Congratulations again on your little bundle!
Happy shopping, friends.
Sending hugs —
xx, Natalie
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