Do you want to master the art of maternity dressing? No problem. Here are our style commandments for dressing when you’re expecting. Grab a cuppa and the comfiest spot on the lounge as you trawl through our top maternity buys from shopbop.com.
So you’re pregnant — congratulations! It’s exciting, but it’s definitely not all fun and games. You might be feeling tired and, shall we say, large, but that’s no reason why you should have to wear daggy clothes.
After all, they say if you look good, you feel good. If you’re ready to invest in a comfortable yet stylish maternity wardrobe, follow this advice and you can’t go wrong.
The maternity chic commandments
For everyday casual, go for stretchy and comfortable fabrics like jersey, crepe and cotton. When you need to glam it up in the evening, choose a high-quality silk (just make sure it’s more flowing, less fitted). We love this Current/Elliot V-Neck Tee.
Stock up on shift and smock dresses. They are universally flattering and add an air of sophistication and polish to any ensemble. Country Road has some great ones that won’t break the bank.
Invest in designer maternity jeans. Cheap jeans — or worse, “jeggings” — look exactly that: cheap. Plus they are less likely to be comfortable. If you can’t justify the cost of spending $200 or more on jeans, consider this: You’re going to be wearing these pants for the next few months. You want jeans that are not only comfortable and versatile, but that also last the distance. J Brand’s Mama J Maternity Jeans can’t be beaten on quality.
Buy one or two slips to wear under dresses. They will cinch everything in, give you a chic silouhette and generally make you feel better about yourself on those days when you need a reminder. The Slimming Slip and the Perfectly Smoothing Cotton Slip (seen on left) from Nearly Nude will go nicely under just about any shape and style of dress.
Need more lingerie? Check out how to determine your maternity bra size >>
Rather than splashing out on on-trend pieces, stick to the basics: oversized tees and blouses, leggings, cardigans, neutral jeans (blue, black and khaki) and block-coloured dresses. The bonus? You can wear these pieces after you have the baby and they will still look chic if you have another baby in a few years’ time. We love these pieces: Hatch Long Sleeve Tee, So Long Jersey Fold-over Leggings, Splendid Maternity Fit Assymetrical Tee and James Persie Open Drape Mesh Cardigan.
When you’re feeling a bit sluggish, throw on an outfit that’s made up of bright colours. Vibrant pieces will not only boost your mood, but they will also help to bring out that famous pregnancy “glow” that everyone talks about.
If you’re working in a corporate environment, limit yourself to a few go-to looks. The first one: a shift dress paired with ballet flats or wedge heels. The second: a crisp white or navy cotton shirt coupled with black trousers. Minkpink’s Once Upon a Time Shirt is great. Too easy.
If you want to hide or reduce the size of your bump for any reason, wear a printed or black shirt or dress. Sure, they are complete opposites on the colour scale, but they both do massive favours for your silhouette in their own way.
Buy maxi dresses. Lots of them. They will get you through afternoon barbecues, shopping trips and doctors’ appointments. Plus, they’re super flattering. The Velvet Morainn Whisper Maxi (seen on the right) is as versatile as they come.
Make shirts your new best friend. Stock up on sleeveless and long sleeve button-downs in different colours and prints. In terms of material, cotton and silk are great choices. Equipment has a fantastic range of high-quality, durable shirts that scream comfort and chic at the same time.
Be kind to your feet and wear ballet flats and sandals. If you feel that you have to wear heels for work, take them off as soon as you can. In the last 2-3 months of pregnancy, ditch the heels altogether. The Stuart Weitzman Alfresco Macrame Sandals can be dressed up and down and these Belle by Sigerson Morrison Braided Sandals add a pop of colour to your outfit.
Stockist note: Online store, shopbop.com is a powerhouse when it comes to maternity wear. All of the items mentioned above can be yours with a wave of your mouse, so happy shopping!
Make a note
When you’re stuck for ideas, keep this foolproof outfit in mind: jeans, an oversized long-sleeved blouse and ballet flats. It doesn’t get more “maternity chic’” than that.
More maternity fashion tips
Kate-inspired maternity fashion
Kim Kardashian’s ultra kool maternity style
Naughty but nice nursing bras
Leave a Comment