Getting Dressed When You're Growing a Human - #1

Part 1: The Basics that you will wear everyday, on heavy rotation, for 40 weeks

The idea to write about getting dressed when pregnant has been swirling around in my head for a long time, and I’ve had approximately eight months, two previous pregnancies, endless scrolling, and a whole lot of frustration, to do a lot of what I will call  “market research.”

This is going to be a multi-part series. I think it will come in 6 parts, but don’t hold me to that because I reserve the right to need fewer or more! I have a lot of thoughts and a lot of wins and woes. No matter how you feel (or felt) when you are pregnant, there is no way (that I know of!) to avoid the fact that you must put clothes on your ever-changing body for 9+ months. 

Let me start by sharing my take on personal style and getting dressed. I am a strong believer in the power of getting dressed. My clothes, outfits, and personal style are directly connected to how I feel. When I feel blah, exhausted, or just “not great,” putting on a great outfit is a tool in my toolkit to feel better. Obviously, I’m not going to say that all you need is a great outfit and suddenly you snap out of it, but it helps me A LOT. 

I think you should wear clothes you love and make you feel great. This might mean leaning into trends and trying lots of different things, or it could mean wearing a simple uniform every day. It could also mean that what you’re wearing doesn’t matter to you at all - that’s totally cool! That said, most people I know feel their best when they are wearing something that they love, that fits, feels great, and feels authentic to who they are. This is also easier said than done - so many of us have closets full of clothes, but often struggle with the feeling of, “I have nothing to wear.”

Curating a closet of pieces that make you feel great takes focus, restraint, a sense of style, knowledge of what you have and what you’re missing, and an understanding of what you like/don’t like. It’s hard! That’s why so many people (myself included!) look to the internet, style magazines, and social media for inspiration, and why personal stylists or shoppers have successful businesses!

It’s even harder to maintain your style and curate the right pieces when you are pregnant. Your body is changing and you have no control over what, when, or how. Your body is on a program, doing its thing to grow a healthy baby. And when your body changes, the way your clothes fit, whether they even fit at all, and how they feel on your body is going to change too! Maybe slowly, maybe rapidly – but it’s going to change!

Through all the change, you deserve to feel great, feel like yourself (or as much like yourself as possible!) and have clothes that fit your personal style. So basically, that was an extremely long-winded way of saying: having a plan for clothes that you will wear when you are pregnant is VERY IMPORTANT. So, let’s get into it. 

My principles for approaching maternity clothes:

1. Comfort is KING. Honestly, this is always true - everyone should wear clothes that feel good on their body. It’s hard to feel your best when something is too small, too big, too tight, too itchy, too stiff, too whatever. And when you are growing a human, you want to be comfortable. Way too many other uncomfortable things happening in your body for your outfit to be the thing that is driving you crazy.

2. Start with the basics. This is our focus today. There are basic things that are worth adding to your wardrobe specifically for pregnancy that you are going to wear ALL. THE. TIME. They will become your “capsule” or “anchor” items. Get comfortable with the fact that you will re-wear things a lot, and that’s awesome (especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune). Take a look at my Instagram and you will see I’m in that boat right now and shamelessly repeating outfits on a regular basis! Also, don’t worry - while I love a good capsule, I can’t constrain myself to just a capsule, and that sticks in pregnancy, hence the reason for a multi-part series.

3. Maternity vs. Sizing Up: There are times when maternity items make sense, and there are times when sizing up will work just fine. I think you should consider both, and there is a time/place for both in your wardrobe. I have been happy with maternity overalls, pants, long sleeve shirts, a pair of sweatpants or two, and *some* leggings/workout gear. I have a few cute maternity dresses but tend to size up and look for silhouettes that will work with my growing belly. I despise maternity jeans, but if you want to wear jeans throughout your pregnancy, there will be a point at which all the sizing up in the world is not going to make a difference. Personally, I mostly steer clear of the maternity items that have a ton of ruching on the sides (if you’ve browsed brands who make maternity lines, you’ll know what I mean) because you are not going to want to wear those pieces before you are showing, or at any point postpartum. 

4. A note about planning to “wear it after.” I am so done with my maternity clothes by the time I have a baby, wearing them after is not a good option for me. With a few exceptions, I just don’t want to wear the pieces I have relied on day after day, I basically want to burn them. Plus, the fit you love when you are pregnant might be different than the fit you want postpartum. I have worn some more fitted pieces during pregnancy, and I just don’t want the cling right after I had a baby! There are some pieces in my closet that have turned out to work the whole time, or are truly pregnancy-friendly (Nap Dresses, a lot of pieces from Mille and some oversized sweaters come to mind) and I will wear them after. There are a few things that I have worn postpartum and been happy to have. But, something to keep in mind, especially when you consider something very pricy, with the promise that you will wear it after — if it is specifically a maternity piece, or something for “before, during, and after,” I would just tread be thoughtful!

5. Budget. Obviously, budget figures in how you decide to approach your maternity wardrobe. Your overall clothes budget, lifestyle, calendar, and number of pregnancies you plan to have might play a part. When you are planning your budget, don’t overlook reserving some budget for postpartum purchases (I’ll write more about postpartum too!) Personally, my goal is to spend as little as I can to get through my pregnancy, while also wanting to feel good and comfortable and like myself as much as possible. I’d rather spend on accessories or beauty products. So, I don’t have many high-end maternity brands in my closet. I have had great luck with Asos Maternity, Gap, and H&M. Storq is a mid-range maternity brand that I have several pieces from (especially when I’ve needed a lot of pieces I could wear to work every day), and the same goes for Hatch.

With all those in mind, this is your starter for basic, capsule pieces that will get you through your whole pregnancy. I’ve included recommendations at a variety of price points.

A note on when you’ll want to start to think about these pieces: In my experience, I have been able to comfortably wear normal clothes through my first trimester, but somewhere between 12-14 weeks, I need to mostly set aside a growing number of non-maternity items. There is no reason not to buy these clothes earlier than you “need” them because you will get as much wear out of them as possible. There are some things, you’ll actually need to have a belly to wear (eg jeans, etc), but I am always looking for maternity pieces that don’t look overtly maternity, and you’ll find many of those here!

1: T-Shirts / 2: Striped Shirt / 3: Long Sleeve Shirt / 4: Tank top / 5: Tan Button-Up / 6: Striped Button up / 7: Utility Jacket / 8: Leggings / 9: Overalls / 10: Blazer / 11: T-Shirt Dress / 12: Cable-Knit Sweater Dress / 13: Black Sweater Dress / 14: Blue Tank Dress / 15: Black Tank Dress / 16: Striped T-Shirt Dress / 17: Striped Dress / 18: Mille Dress / 19: Hill House Ellie Dress / 20: Smocked Dress / 21: Turtleneck sweater / 22: Cardigan / 23: Pullover / 24: Dark Jeans / 25: Light Jeans / 26: Black Pants / 27: Green Pants / 28: Gingham Suit / 29: Green Suit

Basic Shirts

• Simple T-Shirt(s): Roomy, crew-neck, slim but not tight is what we’re looking for. I think you will wear black, white & gray constantly, but get whatever you want! Mine are almost all from ASOS, and have lasted through multiple pregnancies! If you want a v-neck, I like this (if you’re able to spend more, check this out). And if you want a striped option - this is great. $ (pictured) / $$ / $$$

• Long-Sleeve Shirts: You are going to want a few long-sleeve shirts. I wear them constantly! I think you want white, black & striped. If you love color, then add whatever you want! I have an insanely old Club Monaco striped shirt that is extremely oversized and I have worn it throughout all of my pregnancies. By old I mean, it’s in the neighborhood of 7 years old, so no chance it’s still floating out there, although this looks similar. I personally like Gap for my long sleeves, because I like the more fitted/tailored look for these. If you like a waffle, this looks nice! $ / $$ (pictured) / $$$ (pictured)

• Tanks: Depending on the season, you may want more or fewer of these. I often wear normal tanks as a layer under sweaters and other heavier layers. You can also go for nursing tanks, especially if they are just a layering piece, and then you have those ready for afterward! I really like this ASOS pack, especially if you will be wearing them out and about. $ / $$ (pictured) / $$$

• Button-Up Shirt: A button-up shirt is slightly elevated, makes you look extra put together, and is long enough to cover your butt! You can wear it on its own or layered over a tank or t-shirt. It can go over a dress, or tucked into a skirt! I don’t think you need to go maternity-specific for this piece, because there are a lot of oversized options. IMO, this is the best of the best (more colorways here). In terms of colors - I like a classic blue or plain white, and I also added a black to my repertoire (I live in this one which has an oversized fit - I have it in my normal size which fits until about 30 weeks, and now I happily wear open, and in an L which I can still button!) $ / $$ (pictured), $$ / $$$ (pictured)

• Utility Shirt/Jacket: On the trendier side, but not talk about how much wear I have gotten out of my denim utility jacket. I wear it with leggings, my bodysuit, over dresses... It also doubles as a jacket when the weather is cooler! $$ / $$ / $$ (pictured) / $$$

Leggings (for everyday wear): I will go to extreme lengths to avoid pants when I’m pregnant, especially in the third trimester, but there are some times when you are going to want (or need) pants. And, a nice pair of leggings is my first choice. We’re talking more of an everyday legging, and less of an athletic legging here. I have had pretty good luck with Spanx. I know people really like Blanqi (not my fave, but they do have a cult following!) I think black or dark grey is the way to go! $$ / $$ (pictured) / $$

Overalls: Not much cuter than a pregnant lady in overalls, and they are so comfortable! You could choose denim or softer fabric, or even corduroy if you will be wearing them mostly in winter months. I have been living in these (multiple times a week, and they made the cut of one of my few purchases for this time around!). Shorts are a cute option too! $ / $$ (pictured) / $$$

Blazer: I will go into more detail on dressing for an office/corporate environment in a different part of this series, but a blazer is a great piece to have — it will top & finish so many outfits! I have worn my oversized Anine Bing Blazer a ton. There are some good maternity options here, but I think you are also really well off with just an oversized style. $$ / $$ / $$$ / $$$ (pictured)

Everyday dresses: When I am pregnant, dresses are my best friend. So, I would suggest thinking about having several different types of dresses that you can wear - especially if you are planning on wearing them daily, for casual and dressier occasions, and when just running errands on the weekend. I bet you have at least a couple in your closet that will work throughout your pregnancy (especially true if you are a Hill House girly, or into the smocking that is everywhere these days!)

• Simple T-Shirt Dress: This is a daily wear type of dress - throw a jacket or sweater over it, or wear it on its own. With sandals, with ballet flats, or with sneakers. $ (pictured) / $$$

• Sweater Dress: I have lived in this, this, and this on constant repeat this winter. All three run oversized, so I took my normal size, but would typically size up. When I look for these dresses, I am looking for a relaxed fit - I want it to be fitted but not tight. $ / $$ (pictured) / $$ / $$$ (pictured) / $$$

• Striped dress: Stripes get constant wear in my closet. I have this one and I love it. If I thought I was going to be pregnant again, I would get this! $ (pictured) / $$$ (pictured) / $$$ / $$$

• Tank dress: If You’ll be pregnant in the summer, you will want some sleeveless dresses. Probably more than one! $ (pictured) / $$ / $$ / $$$ / $$$ (pictured)

• Something special: You need at least (probably more) one special/pretty/fancy-ish dress. My faves for this are from Hill House or Mille. $ / $ (pictured) / $$ (pictured) / $$ / $$$ (pictured) / $$$ /

• Tights: A necessity if you are going to go the dress route through the fall/winter season. $ (have and love these) / $$ / $$$ (extra warm if you need them!)

Sweaters: Honestly I think sweaters are one of the easiest pieces to leverage - oversized sweaters are the best, so ideally, you already have a few that you would wear just as you normally would! If you’re unsure, size up, and you will still wear the sweater in the future, even if you need a little break after you are not pregnant anymore! Cardigans are also awesome; I’ve been living in my La Ligne Marin Cardigan ever since I got it. I’ve also loved this cardigan from Reformation. $ / $ / $ (pictured) / $$ (pictured) / $$$ (pictured)

Jeans: I just don’t like maternity jeans. I’ve never had a pair I loved, and the window where they actually fit (stay up but aren’t too tight) is so small. I didn’t want to spend in this area this time, and my jeans from previous pregnancies are all skinny, so I haven’t really worn them. I got this pair on major sale at the beginning of the winter. I’ve heard great things about Paige denim, and I’ve had luck with Madewell & DL1961, and I like what I see at Gap. There is no way around having to try a bunch to see what you like/what works best for you. $ / $$ (pictured) / $$ / $$$ (pictured) .

Slim-Cut Pants: Again, pants are the enemy, but it’s hard to not have at least a pair. A simple, slim-cut, black, navy or green pair will go with just about everything and get you very far! $ (pictured) / $ (pictured) / $$$ / $$$

Bathing Suit: Whether you need a swimsuit depends on the season of your pregnancy, but if you are going to be majorly pregnant in the summertime, you are probably going to need to get something (unless you just want to wear a bikini that you already have - and if that feels good to you, then amazing, go for it!) I am having a late May baby, and I got this for our trip this March when we were at the beach, and plan to wear it this summer. For my August and December babies, I really liked this one from J.Crew, and this one from Summersalt. $ / $$ (pictured) / $$ (pictured) / $$$

I hope this gets you started and is helpful! I’d love to hear what your thoughts, experiences, and pregnancy staples are!