What the heck do I wear when I'm pregnant?

Thoughts on how to get dressed and feel good (or, as good as possible) when you're pregnant, from a mom of 3, plus what I actually wore on repeat during my last pregnancy

May 15, 2024

I first wrote and published this post in April 2023. Since then, many more of you are reading these newsletters (thank you so much!), I’ve actually had my third baby, and I’ve continued to receive countless requests from women who are thinking about how to get dressed through a pregnancy - balancing comfort, personal style, feeling like yourself, quality & budget.

PS: If you want to read the original piece, you can find it here.

I’ve dressed myself through 3 pregnancies, with August, December & June babies. I have a lot of personal experience to draw from, as well as lots of scrolling, lots of frustration, and lots of “market research” that informs my advice, and lots of friends IRL who have listened to me wax poetic (or, perhaps annoyingly) about my advice when they have wondered what to wear when pregnant.

So- this is a refresher of my guide to the basic pieces that will serve as the building blocks to your “maternity wardrobe.” I’m pulling in pieces that are currently available, and adding more thoughts based on what I wore, and didn’t wear, am wishing I could have another baby in order to wear, (you know, normal things!) This is really focused on the type of things you wear everyday, when you’re leaving your home. I originally wrote this as a multi-part series, that covered comfy things (like, pjs, loungewear, leggings), special events & work. If you’re looking for those types of things, leave a comment or join the chat and I will share ideas!

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Let’s start off with 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:

Comfort is KING. Honestly, this is always true - wear clothes that feel good on your body. I cringe thinking about how many times I’ve worn things in the past that were too tight, too itchy, too shorts, or just plain uncomfortable just because I a) wanted to be wearing a specific size, or b) thought it was what I was “supposed’ to wear. NO MORE! It’s impossible 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.
Curate as if you were packing for a trip. You don’t need a certain number of pieces, and there is no formula to follow to get the “perfect” maternity wardrobe, but I would recommend thinking about curating things that you can mix and match in many different ways - kind of like selecting a color palette when you’re traveling - it will help make things feel cohesive, curated and also, simple, because you can wear everything together and get the most out of the pieces that you have! PS - you’ll see that not only do I have a palette, I’ve selected pieces that are similar to my style in the collage below. FYI - that the links have more options, you can find everything here in many color ways. If you need more color or more variety - focus on accessories, as well as tops/sweaters in those colors, plus pulling some things from your existing wardrobe that will work through, and then you can wear those pieces with the couple of pants and dresses that you have!

Focus on basic, wear everyday, kinds of pieces. 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 re-wearing things a lot, and that’s awesome (especially if you don’t want to spend a fortune). I wore the same things on repeat during my pregnancies. Honestly, I wear the same things on repeat now, and it’s great - No longer being pregnant, I have a larger wardrobe to select from, but truly - less is more, even for those of us who don’t want a “capsule” or to follow rules about how many pieces you should have in your closet.
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 loved my pair of maternity overalls, a pair of slim black maternity pants, some long-sleeved shirts, a pair of sweatpants or two, and *some* leggings/workout gear. I have purchased a few cute maternity dresses but tend to size up and look for silhouettes that accommodate a growing belly. I despise maternity jeans and once my normal jeans stop fitting, I’ll just avoid jeans for the duration of my pregnancy, 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.
A note about planning to “wear it after.” This is closely related to the decision about sizing up vs. maternity clothes. Many people will recommend sizing up so that you can wear something after. In theory, this is wonderful advice. In reality, I’ve not found it to be useful for three reasons. The first, is that 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. The second is that I think this encourages people to buy way more than you need. If you can wear something after, why wouldn’t you buy it now? This is a temporary period, you’re not going to be pregnant forever, and you might want to leave room see what you actually want when you’re postpartum. Which leads me to the third reason why I don’t think this is the best advice: 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! OR, you might be nursing and you have some some specific functional needs that your clothing will need to accommodate. There are some pieces in my closet that have turned out to work the whole time, or are truly pregnancy-friendly - these are the cases where wearing it after worked — if you loved it before, you probably will love it after! (For me, things like Nap Dresses, a lot of pieces from Mille and some oversized sweaters come to mind). If you are considering something very pricy, with the promise that you will wear it after — I would just be thoughtful!

the best before, during & after pieces are the ones you already have!

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. Don’t overlook reserving some budget for postpartum purchases. 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. Also, don’t sleep on shopping secondhand - you can find many things on Poshmark (and I’m sure other resale sites as well!)

With all those in mind, this is your starter for everyday pieces that will get you through 40+ weeks of pregnancy. I’ve included recommendations at a variety of price points - you can browse all the pieces pictured & featured in this piece here.

White Tee / Denim Shirt / Cardigan / Jeans / Flats / Striped Dress / Tank Dress / Smocked Dress / Button-Down Dress / Smocked Tank Dress / Overalls / Birkenstocks / Striped Pants / Leggings / Black Pants / Button-Down Shirt / Tank

Basic Shirts

Simple T-Shirt(s) & Long Sleeve Shirts: Roomy, crew-neck, slim but not tight is what we’re looking for. I think black, white & gray are the most versatile, but get whatever you want! If you have a favorite tee or long-sleeve, this is a time when sizing up would make sense, because you definitely will wear these after. I’ve had great luck with the ones from ASOS, I like that they are just like a bigger/slightly tented shirt, with no ruching or “belly-shaped” fabric, and they have lasted through multiple pregnancies! I personally like Gap for my long sleeves, because I like the more fitted/tailored look for these. $ (pictured, non-maternity) / $ / $ (ribbed) / $ (long sleeve)
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. If you’re nursing, you’ll wear it after! IMO, this is the best of the best (more colorways here) and can be worn throughout pregnancy. I also have a great one from Old Navy and I like the Gap Linen Boyfriend Shirt for warmer weather. $ (pictured) / $$ / $$$

Toppers/Jackets: These are the things that you are going to wear on repeat. The goal is that these make you feel normal. You layer on top of a tee shirt and jeans, or over a dress, or drape over your shoulders to have an extra layer.

Denim Shirt: I am obsessed with my oversized denim shirt, and I wore it SO MUCH during pregnancy, and continue to wear it regularly now (and not stopping anytime soon). I wear it with leggings, over a bodysuit, over dresses... It also doubles as a jacket when the weather is cooler! $ / $$ / $$ (pictured)
Oversized Cardigans: You probably already have this! Don’t buy something new if you don’t need to! But Cardigans are the name of the game if you’re buying a nice sweater when you’re pregnant. Wear it buttoned when you want the look of a sweater, and wear it unbuttoned as you get bigger and bigger. I lived in my La Ligne Marin Cardigan (which I purchased while pregnant but still wear 1-2 times a week usually!) and my Jenni Kayne Cocoon Cardigan (not a pregnancy purchase, just pregnancy-friendly). $ / $$$ (pictured) / $$$ (very expensive, but I do wear mine all the time)

Pants / Bottoms: 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. I think it’s nice to have a pair of leggings, a pant you can wear for a more formal occasion (including work), something soft but elevated (like a knit pant), and, if you must, jeans.

The overalls really carried me in this last pregnancy - helping me get dressed through 41 (!!!) weeks

Leggings (for everyday wear): 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! $ / $ / $$ / $$ / $$ (pictured)
Jeans: I just don’t like maternity jeans. I’ve never had a pair I loved, and the window where they actually fit (stay up but aren’t too tight) is so small. For my first pregnancy, I bought two expensive pairs, and I barely wore them. People say they love Paige denim. I’ve had the best luck with H&M, followed by Madewell. There is no way around having to try a bunch to see what you like/what works best for you (waist expander vs. over the belly is a divisive topic!) so make sure you order from places with good return policies (I think ShopBop offers a good selection & their returns are the best if you want to try several!) $ / $ (pictured) / $ / $$
Overalls: Not much cuter than a pregnant lady in overalls, and they are so comfortable! I lived in my Gap pair (evidence below) in my last pregnancy. One of my friends has this pair and they loo so amazing and she said they’re super comfortable! $ / $$ / $$ (pictured)
Non-jean Pants: A non-jean pant option! Wear with button-downs, t-shirts, long-sleeves, sweaters, over bathing suits, etc. Linen would be really nice if a bulk of your pregnancy will be during warm weather! $ / $ (pictured, I lived in these!) / $$ (these are so great because they would be great for work as well)
Slim-Cut Pants: Again, pants are the enemy, but it’s hard to not have at least a few pairs, especially if you go into an office. A simple, slim-cut, black, navy or green pair will go with just about everything and get you very far! $ / $ (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!). A great tip for finding dresses is seeing if brands have maternity-friendly edits, like this edit from Tuckernuck, and this from Doen.

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) / $ / $$ / $$ (nice if you like a sleeve!)
Tank Dress: If you will be pregnant in the summer, you will want some sleeveless dresses. I like a fitted one, and then also something really loose and easy (more like a shift) I usually search for something non-maternity here, that will still work with a bump. $ (this looks amazing for high temps!) / $$ (pictured) / $$ (pictured) / $$ (love the green)
Button-Down Dress: Just another great everyday dress style that you can wear with sneakers, or dress up with ballet flats or a low heel to wear to the office or an evening out. Also doubles as a great nursing-friendly piece. $$ / $$ (I wore this throughout my pregnancy and it also worked after!) $$$ (use code Christina15 for 15% off at Mille)
Something special: You need at least (probably more) one special/pretty/fancy-ish dress. My faves for this are from Hill House (don’t miss their Maternity section) or Mille. $$ (pictured) / $$ / $$$ (use code Christina15 for 15% off at Mille)

Shoes: My only notes on shoes is you need something ridiculously comfortable that you’ll be happy wearing all the time, and especially at the end, you’ll be very happy to have an option to slip on! A friend of mine swears by her Kizik’s and they look really great! I like to have a sneaker, ballet flat & slip-on sandal that fit and feel great. $$ (Birkenstocks) / $$ (ballet flats) / $$ (Sneakers)

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

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