Maternity Clothes 101: Your Complete Buying Guide
As soon as you notice the first hint of a baby bump, you may start wondering when to buy maternity clothes. You’ve probably scrolled past and admired that Instagram fashion blogger with the perfectly shaped pregnancy belly who makes dressing her bump look effortless and fun. Now for the reality check: Figuring out which maternity clothes actually fit and flatter can be a daily challenge for many moms-to-be. But with the right maternity clothing, you’ll look—and feel—your best as you count down each trimester to your delivery day (promise!). Here’s a rundown of when to start wearing maternity clothes, which basics should be in every woman’s maternity wardrobe and where to find the best items out there.
No two bodies experience pregnancy the same way. So if you’re wondering when to start wearing maternity clothes, the answer is that it totally depends on your preferences. If you ask around, you’ll find that expectant mothers start wearing maternity clothing at all different times during their pregnancies. That said, here are some clues that you may be ready to purchase maternity clothes:
- Unbuttoning the top button of your pants is no longer reserved for after meals
- Spandex is your preferred clothing material
- You feel bloated all day, every day
- Your bump starts to peek out of your shirt to say hello
- Your button-down shirts don’t actually button all the way down
These telltale signs coincide with what’s happening with baby’s growth in utero. “At 20 weeks, the uterus is typically at the level of the navel,” says Trina Pagano, MD, an ob-gyn at the Cleveland Clinic. “So many women begin to show at this point, but there is variability depending on the mother’s height and body type, weight gain, number of babies in utero and if it’s a first pregnancy. For first pregnancies, the bump typically ‘pops’ a little later than in subsequent pregnancies.”
For first-time moms, it’s easy to get excited about being pregnant and showing off your bump, even during the early stages of pregnancy. But you may want to resist the urge to start putting together a maternity wardrobe in those first 12 weeks. “In the first trimester, you’re still sorting through the changes in your body,” says Jenny Greenstein, a New York City-based personal stylist for pregnancy and motherhood and founder of YourSoulStyle.com. “In the beginning of your second trimester, when your belly starts to take shape, you want to start collecting your items.” That said, if you see a maternity must-have on sale that you absolutely love, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t scoop it up.
So all signs point to the fact that you need maternity clothes. But where to start? Read on for tips on the basics you’ll want in your maternity wardrobe, what to look for in quality maternity clothes and how to figure out the right size.
What size maternity clothes to buy
If this is your first pregnancy, it’s nearly impossible to figure out how your body will change as your pregnancy progresses. This means it’s even trickier to estimate what size maternity clothes you’ll need to buy. “Typically, if you’re a size six pre-pregnancy, then you’ll probably be a maternity six. But everyone is different, so you might be a maternity eight or you might be a maternity four, depending on how you carry your pregnancy,” New York City-based stylist Samantha Brown says. “It’s important to buy what’s comfortable—same as when you’re not pregnant. It has a lot to do with the proportions of someone’s body.” And keep in mind, not every part of your body is growing at the same rate. “Some women go up many bra cup sizes before their belly even pops out, so I’d say just ignore the maternity clothing sizing and buy what fits and feels right.”
How much maternity clothing to invest in
A lot depends on the season you’re due and exactly how your body changes, but choosing a few maternity wardrobe staples is a good place to start. A pair or two of quality maternity jeans (in a wash that goes with everything) will take you far, as will at least one pair of basic black leggings—trust us, you’ll live in these postpartum too. If you don’t already own a few longer tops that could stretch over your bump (don’t forget to shop your own closet!), consider buying a minimum of three to five maternity T-shirts or tanks in colors that pair well with your existing wardrobe. They’re great to throw on under your favorite blazer, jacket or a stylish cardigan. It’s also a good idea to invest in two to three versatile dresses that can be dressed up or down, whether for work or play. Depending on what you’ve got planned for the later weeks of your pregnancy, you also might want a fancier dress suitable for a wedding, maternity photoshoot or your baby shower. Beyond that, what you need might be purely seasonal (think: a winter coat that can actually zip over your belly, or a maternity swimsuit.
Maternity capsule wardrobe essentials
Two buzzwords you’ll hear on repeat when it comes to maternity clothing are “basics” and “essentials.” While some items will sound like familiar favorites in your pre-pregnancy closet, others are maternity wardrobe staples unique to accommodate and flatter your bump.
• All the T-shirts. Buy a few stretchy maternity T-shirts in white, gray and black. Nothing tops off a pair of (maternity) jeans better than this most basic of basics.
• Mom jeans, please. With so many changes happening to your body, you’ll feel comforted that you can still throw on a pair of jeans. And once you try super-comfy maternity jeans, you may never want to go back to your old ones.
• Leggings for days. It’s a good idea to have a few pairs of leggings in rotation. They mold to your body and are hands-down the best option for comfort.
• Don’t underestimate your underwear. Invest in comfortable but pretty underwear and a few stylish, supportive bras. (Many maternity bras double as nursing bras, which gives you more bang for your buck.) Being intentional about this most intimate layer of clothing sets the tone for everything else you put on.
• Maxi to the rescue. A form-fitting version of this popular dress style may help to make you feel less frumpy as your body and silhouette change.
• LBDs are your MVPs. You’ll need a little black dress or two that you feel confident in and can wear to a wedding, a baby shower or an after-work event.
• Suit yourself in blazers. An oversized blazer is a great second layer. It’ll keep you looking chic and will fit even as you grow throughout your pregnancy.
Tips for what to look for in maternity clothes
As you shop around for maternity clothing, remember these basic tips to get the most out of your budget. A few wise purchases can even last you beyond the bump.
• Does it stretch? Pay attention to the fabric of the maternity clothes you’re buying, because you don’t know where exactly you’ll continue to grow as you move through each trimester, Greenstein says. “Anything with a flex fabric, a stretch fabric or a jersey fabric is definitely going to give you more flexibility,” she adds.
• Test for sheerness. Sometimes you just have to bend over, touch your toes and ask the fitting room attendant if they can see anything they shouldn’t be able to. “Maternity clothing tends to have a lot of stretch in it, so it’s important to look at it in motion,” Brown says. Garments that go sheer when stretched are something to look out for when shopping for maternity clothes.
• Embrace ruching. It’s a feature that allows your maternity clothes to grow with your bump. “It works with any single body type,” Greenstein says. “Even if you buy an item with ruching in your first trimester, you’re never going to run into any issues, because it totally flexes with your shape.”
• Think beyond pregnancy. It’s really helpful when a maternity brand has nursing features built in. “If you intend on breastfeeding, invest in maternity clothes that you feel beautiful and feel comfortable in for your nine months and beyond,” Greenstein says.
With all the physical and emotional changes you’re experiencing, pregnancy can feel like that awkward puberty phase all over again—unless, of course, you have several maternity clothing brands recommended by expert maternity stylists in your back pocket.
Here, a list of the best stylist-approved retail stores and e-commerce sites to help you stay true to your style during this huge transition.
For on-trend style
Most of us are pretty in tune with what’s hot each season, and that doesn’t have to change with pregnancy. These four fashion retailers carry trendy maternity clothes that will keep you looking and feeling chic.
For maternity work clothes
Dressing your bump for work can be challenging: You want to look polished, but comfort is key. Brown recommends sticking to tried-and-true maternity clothing to get you through the day. We recommend hitting up these retailers:
For inexpensive maternity clothes
Since you’re only wearing these looks for a limited time, you might want to outfit your maternity wardrobe without totally emptying your wallet. Here’s our go-to list for cheap maternity clothes (that still look like a million bucks) for those who want this season’s styles without spending a lot.
For plus-size maternity clothes
Plus-size and pregnant? Rest assured, there are stylish, comfortable options for curvy girls who want to show off that bump.
For petite maternity clothes
If you’re petite and pregnant, don’t hide your bump in oversize styles; you can find comfortable maternity classics tailored to your more pint-size proportions. Try these stylish, maternity clothing options with petite sizes.
For comfortable maternity clothes
Being comfortable in your clothing is important for anyone, but especially moms-to-be. Whether you’re at yoga, out and about or relaxing at home, you’ll want clothes that stretch and move with your changing body. To ensure that your maternity wardrobe is as comfy—and stylish—as possible, shop our favorites below.
If you’re willing to put these style tips into action but unwilling to commit to a whole new wardrobe, clothing rental services could be your go-to.
Rent the Runway has a great selection of maternity and postpartum-friendly clothing under its subscription services, giving you access to over 450 designers and brands. Both the standard subscription ($89/month) and the unlimited subscription ($159/month) give you four new pieces a month, but with unlimited, you can swap them out as you like and keep them for as long as you want.
Le Tote also offers a maternity subscription option where you can choose your favorite styles and wear them as many times as you like. Simply ship everything back in the pre-paid envelope once you’re ready to receive a new tote of fresh looks. Plus, if you absolutely love an item, you can choose to keep it at a special member price (up to 50 percent off retail). Maternity subscriptions start at $79 a month.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
