5 Must-Have Maternity Clothes Your Closet Needs Right Now

Pregnancy is such a special and precious time in a woman’s life, and I can’t think of a better reason to show off that growing baby bump. Your style doesn’t have to take a backseat while you’re pregnant—in fact, quite the opposite is true! Pregnancy is the perfect time to play around with your fashion choices and even take a few risks. Get started with these five wardrobe essentials to get you through those three trimesters (and way beyond).

Maxi dress
Not only are maxis comfortably chic, they come in a variety of lengths, cuts, fabrics and prints that cater to every mom’s style personality, making them the perfect staple for your pregnancy wardrobe. Even better: The one you pick doesn’t have to be a maternity dress. Just keep in mind, fabric is key. If you find a maxi you love in the nonmaternity section, make sure it’s something with stretch so it can accommodate that gorgeous belly as it grows. While all colors and prints are great, personally I’m a big fan of florals, and this pretty maxi from A Pea in the Pod has been one of my favorites. I love to dress it up with a cute platform wedge or keep it casual with a pair of flat sandals or booties.

Little black dress
The iconic little black dress (thanks, Audrey Hepburn!) is a must-have for every mom-to-be. With the right shoes and accessories, the LBD can take you from a casual afternoon to a glamorous evening. It’s classic, but black also goes with just about everything and flatters almost every figure. I particularly love how this Isabella Oliver dress hugs me in all the right places. It highlights my growing baby bump and also accentuates the silhouette of my new pregnant body. Be confident and proud of your changing body, and don’t be afraid to go with a dress that really shows off all your new curves.

Bathing suit
Just because you’re pregnant, that doesn’t mean the pool or beach is off-limits. In fact, swimming is a great pregnancy exercise, which makes a bathing suit an essential and not just a seasonal item for expecting mommies. And since our bodies are constantly changing and growing, a nonmaternity suit may not fit properly (or, let’s face the truth, accommodate our larger-than-usual chest or belly) from one trimester to the next, so you’ll want to invest in a well-fitting maternity style. I love this nautical-inspired one-piece from Seraphine Maternity for its classic and effortless design.

Fitted blazer
Pregnant or not, every woman’s wardrobe should include a fitted blazer. It adds instant sophistication to any look—throw it over dresses, graphic tees, skinny jeans, skirts or even shorts. It’s a fantastic investment piece, since you’ll wear it through your entire pregnancy and just as much after you give birth. If you score one in a vibrant color like this sunshine-yellow one from Isabella Oliver, it will instantly perk up an otherwise muted wardrobe. I made some monochromatic magic happen, styling it here with the yellow tunic for a double dose of eye-catching awesomeness!

Jean shorts
When it’s just too darn hot out to be wearing pants or jeans, especially as a pregnant person, I love throwing on a breezy pair of maternity jean shorts like these from Old Navy. You can wear these shorts throughout your whole pregnancy and even after, when you’re in that in-between “fourth trimester”—they’re easy, comfortable and go with just about anything. You can keep it casual and laid-back with a floaty top and a pair of flats, booties or sandals, or you can even spice things up with a pair of platform wedges and a nice clutch for a night out. They are so versatile (and did I mention comfortable?)!

Kathy Buccio is a contributing mommy blogger and the founder of the fashion blog FreshlySqueezedFashionista. Follow her on Instagram @freshlysqueezedfashionista and check out some of her posts on our new Spanish app, The Bump en Español.