The best maternity clothes wrap you in breathable, soft and forgiving fabrics and designs. After all, the last thing you need while growing a human is to feel the waistline of your maternity jeans digging into your bump or buttons bulging with every deep breath. Of course, many of us want to remain stylish while pregnant as well—myself included—so we’ve rounded up our favorite pieces and the cutest maternity clothes to ensure you feel your best, including the best maternity leggings, jeans, bathing suits, maternity underwear and bras, work clothes and trendy dresses. Suffice it to say, we’ve got you and your bump covered.
Dress yourself in the best maternity clothes for a confidence (and comfort) boost. Ladies Dresses Wholesale
We’ve both personally worn and scoured reviews of the following brands and stores to find the best maternity clothes to help you to the nine-month finish line and even into those hazy postpartum months. After perusing this list, you may also want to check out some of our nursery essentials, such as the best cribs, gliders and diaper bags, or read up on our favorite nursing clothing, bras and breast pumps.
Lululemon is beloved for its velvety soft, ultra stretchy and thin yet fully opaque leggings and other activewear selections. What I love about these is that you can wear them before, during and after pregnancy (which make the robust price less daunting). They’re soft, don’t dig in at the waist and adapt to your changing body. While there’s no shortage of pregnant women praising Lululemon leggings on the Internet and in real life, my one qualm with them is they do roll under my bump while working out on occasion, but it’s certainly not a deal-breaker.
While we’ve included this brand for its ultra-soft leggings, which are optimal for lounging, all-day wear and even workouts, anything Storq is a must in our book. The brand’s Oeko-Tex certified leggings deserve a special shoutout because they’re available in sizes 0 to 30 (with a petite option as well) and several fun prints and colors. I’ve personally been wearing these on the regular during my own pregnancy and love them.
Beyond Yoga maternity leggings consistently outperform other maternity leggings and are recommended over and over again, mom to mom. People love them, because they’re stretchy enough to work from your first trimester to your third, are breathable and moisture-wicking and they come in colors both basic and fun, letting your personal style come through in your maternity wardrobe. The brand also offers pocketed versions, comfortable jumpsuits and all sorts of leggings styles.
For those who subscribe to the, “I’m not a regular mom; I’m a cool mom” mantra, Joe’s Jeans are a favorite. Not only do they have options that range outside of skinny jeans, but the rise hits at the perfect place on your bump where it’s not too low and not too high. They won’t stretch out after all day wear either. Joe’s also offers the same styles in standard sizes, so if you fall in love with a maternity version, you can return to it postpartum or vice versa. As someone who tests maternity clothes for a living, Joe’s are my most worn maternity jeans.
If you like jeans that feel like leggings then these Madewell skinny jeans are for you. (In fact, Madewell in general might be just right for you.) The over-the-belly fabric can be folded under for comfort, and, unlike many maternity options, these jeans are flattering on your bum, too.
Abercrombie & Fitch jeans, believe it or not, are amazingly ideal to pregnancy for a few reasons. Not only are they available in sizes 23 to 37 with options for short, regular or tall, but they’re quite on-trend and comfortable. The panel on these maternity jeans offers the ideal amount of compression, but can also be folded down if you’re early on in your pregnancy. I personally love that the front pockets are functional, which isn’t the case for so many other maternity bottoms.
I wore these wireless nursing bralettes from week four of my first pregnancy until the bitter end. Not only are Lively’s maternity underwear and bras cute, but they’re surprisingly supportive and breathable. Plus, the brand offers bundle options to help you save a bit of money. These bralettes double as nursing bras with drop-down clips.
If you’re looking for maternity underpinnings that up the confidence ante, Cosabella should be toward the top of your list. The brand’s underwear and bras are functional and beautiful all at once, plus they’re actually comfortable, adapt to your body and still look fresh after multiple washes (which isn’t always the case with lace).
As with other clothing from Kindred Bravely, these maternity briefs stand out because of the cross-over construction. They sit comfortably under your bump even once your baby drops. Kindred Bravely is a standout maternity clothing brand because of its extended sizing and intuitive construction across categories.
We love Pink Blush, because the retailer offers a wide array of brands and prices, both exclusive to the site and otherwise. Many of the maternity dress options are super stylish and fun.
Whether you’re headed to meet friends, a dinner date or work, Ingrid + Isabel has a dress for the occasion. We also love that the quality of the pieces is superb and yet, the price won’t give you Braxton Hicks. The fabrics are also incredibly soft, and many of the dresses specifically work postpartum too.
Hatch is one of the most beloved luxury maternity fashion lines—and for good reason. Not only is the quality bar none, but the styles offered are both timeless and fresh. In short, we’d wouldn’t mind wearing Hatch whether pregnant or not.
Emilia George dresses are simply fabulous. If you’re in the market for a wrap dress, something with cutouts or even a blazer dress, this is the place to look. I love that the pieces don’t look maternity specific and feel sultry and fresh without being revealing. The quality is also exquisite.
As with its standard line, H&M does a fabulous job of creating elevated basics at a manageable price point. We love that H&M maternity clothes look like stuff you’d want to wear, pregnant or not. Plus, the cost is palatable for something that you’ll generally wear for a shorter time frame. It’s worth noting that the brand has made an effort to include more sustainable materials in its maternity collection and the quality is, in my opinion, often better for maternity than the standard offerings.
ASOS has a ton of lovely everyday options, but its trend pieces, event dresses, work clothes and basics are particularly attractive. Many maternity dresses that are suitable for a party or special event are expensive but not at ASOS. Find fashion-forward picks at reasonable prices in the maternity section of this retailer.
If you’re in need of basics, including T-shirts and tops, as well as bottoms, Old Navy offers a full maternity clothing line. There are a ton of options across categories, but we especially love stocking up on tees, tanks and lounge items here. For spring, however, the affordable brand released a fun collection of maternity dresses and workwear featuring sunny hues and cute styles. Enjoy accommodating silhouettes with stylish tweaks, so you can get as much use out of your new favorite pieces as possible.
Quince only recently entered the maternity space, but is bringing its same attractive pricing combined with quality and sustainable fabrics to it new extension. Whether you’re looking for a wrap dress for work, leggings for prenatal yoga or great elevated basics to build your maternity wardrobe, I highly suggest Quince.
Not only does Storq offer sizes 0 through 4x, but the brand stands out because its pieces look different than other maternity brands. They’re infused with an element of playfulness and youth that feels out of the norm, which is exactly why I love it. These maternity clothes are practical and yet, feel a bit special. The fabric is also exceptionally soft. I’ll also mention that the placements of the buttons on this specific top are ideal, meaning you can unbutton the top two buttons and show some collar bone instead of cleavage.
Universal Standard was founded with the mentality that a woman’s style shouldn’t have to change just because her size does. And while the brand isn’t maternity specific, its pieces are made to work for anytime in a woman’s life and are equipped with extra stretch. I have three casual dresses from Universal Standard that I utilized in my first pregnancy and continued to wear postpartum for years. The female-founded brand also offers the Fit Liberty collection, which allows shoppers to exchange sizes for free if their size changes.
This sustainable, ethically-made, female co-founded, UK-based brand is possibly my new favorite maternity line. In both casual and workwear, Isabella Oliver makes beautifully tailored and crafted pieces that you’ll wear again and again. I’ve worn this shirtdress a number of times, as well as tops and trousers from the collection, all of which look polished but feel like I’m wearing pajamas.
These pants are refined and polished for work but also comfy enough for weekend brunch. The smooth elastic waistline give them a clean front, and the cropped length looks chic with your favorite loafers or sneakers. Add a button-down or any tailored top and you’ve got an outfit. These pants demonstrate Hatch’s knack for dressing bumps. Many reviewers do recommend sizing up for third trimester wear.
If you’re pregnant (and if you’re reading this you probably are), don’t sleep on Gap’s collection of work-appropriate outfits. From slacks to button downs to dresses, the retailer has done a wonderful job putting a maternity spin on career classics. Plus, they’re often on sale.
Some work-appropriate maternity options can feel less than modern (read: shift dresses that feel like they belong in the 1960s). But Angel Maternity has created pieces that feel office-ready and classic, while still feeling au courant. The silhouettes are often standard but Angel Maternity frequently incorporates tie waists into its dresses so they come off as less tent-like and more flattering.
Sure, there are plenty of white button downs on the market and this one isn’t maternity specific, but I’m making a case for it to join your maternity wardrobe because it’s—wait for it—mess and spill resistant. Thanks to this top, even if you spill your coffee right before an important meeting, you can simply wipe it off. And because of the stretch cotton and oversized construction, it easily accommodates a growing body. It’s essentially meant for all stages of motherhood and will also come in super handy once your baby arrives and you’re suddenly a spit-up magnet.
A Pea In the Pod
A Pea In The Pod offers a variety of brands at various price points, including its own signature brand. The brand has plenty of tees and tanks to choose from, many of which can be used during pregnancy and postpartum. I utilized this exact T-shirt during pregnancy and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it made nursing on the go postpartum. It’s also one of our baby and kids gear editor’s favorite nursing tops for its loose fit.
There’s no shortage of cute tops (or shorts, jumpsuit, dresses or pants for that matter) from Nom. The majority of items are meant to suit you during pregnancy and long after so that you can get more use out of items that you fall in love with. This top was a specific standout, because the amount of normal looking tank tops on the maternity market is surprisingly small. Plus, the cut of the shoulders is especially flattering.
A Pea In the Pod
Pretty much everything Ripe makes is cart worthy, from its spring and summer dresses to pregnancy and nursing-friendly tops. I specifically love this brand, because it makes an effort to make pregnancy and nursing accommodations look like fashion-forward flourishes. Take this tank top for instance—the caped back allows for extra space during pregnancy and movement while nursing, but it looks more like a stylistic choice than a maternity specific one.
Moms and moms-to-be rave about Summersalt bathing suits because of the way they hug and flatter, while also remaining extremely practical suits. We appreciate that the swimsuits grow with you from day one through postpartum, so you can focus on relaxation instead of having to search for a handful of bathing suits to join you on your motherhood journey. This maternity bathing suit is particularly soft.
When we say Kindred Bravely sets itself apart thanks to extended sizing, we mean they go as far as to add sizes that accommodate larger busts, too. As most moms will tell you, apart from your bump, this is one of the areas of your body that will undergo the most changes so specific sizing is a breath of fresh air. This wrap swimsuit is both practical and flattering—and it’s available in a handful of spring and summer friendly colors and prints.
While Motherhood boasts a wide range of all sorts of maternity wear, we especially love their bathing suits because they look high-end without the price tag to match. Motherhood offers a number of options for all styles and many offer 50+ UPF protection.
If you’re on the hunt for jean shorts to get you through your spring or summer pregnancy, I love Hudson Jeans. The cut of its jean shorts isn’t too low or too high on the thigh, so you can feel like your normal stylish self without worrying about your shorts riding low. I also appreciate that the panel on this white pair isn’t easily visible.
Ingrid+Isabel has lots of shorts to choose from, including this comfortable pair that will likely keep you cool all summer. Looking for some maternity friendly bike shorts? They’ve got you. Breathable Tencel shorts with a drawstring? Yep, they’ve got those, too. Simply said, they’re not short on options.
Seraphine is beloved for making classic and chic pieces that look far more elevated than standard maternity fare. Whether you’re headed to work, a special event or a night out, the brand’s options of skirts (and really everything else) dazzle with variety and style.
Motherhood offers everything and anything you might need while pregnant. And thanks to its in-person stores, as well as its availability at Nordstrom and other retailers, you can try things on in person to gauge your style and size as you begin building a maternity wardrobe.
From maternity underwear to designer jeans and special occasion dresses, Nordstrom has all things maternity in-store. That way you can try things on and actually enjoy the process of shopping instead of having to blindly order a ton of stuff only to have to ultimately return it. It also has an easy return process, making it easy to get the right size and fit if you do shop online. Lastly, you’ll find some of the higher-end baby gear here, too, including Nuna, Stokke and Uppababy.
We’ve already established that H&M is a great spot for stylish maternity clothes on a budget, but it’s worth noting that its in-store selection doesn’t disappoint. Every store has maternity options on the floor, which makes it easy to pop in and grab something. I specifically love their maternity and nursing bras, tees, jeans, dresses and matching sets.
It’s hard to pick favorites when it comes to Seraphine’s offerings (workwear, day dresses and formal wear), but the brand’s gowns and cocktail dresses are particularly eye-catching. The quality is unmatched and the dresses flattering to a pregnant figure without looking matronly like some other options on the market.
Whether you’re looking for a cocktail dress, gown or something in between, Kimi and Kai have an array of more affordable options for anything on your calendar. This off-the-shoulder gown has plenty of room for a second or third trimester bump and yet remains figure conscious.
A Pea In the Pod
Pietro Brunelli’s maternity slip dresses are the stuff of spring and summer wedding dreams. Available in a smattering of prints and colors, the brand’s slip dresses let the mom-to-be dress up or down, pairing with sandals for more casual affairs. Pietro Brunelli also offers gorgeous cocktail and wrap dresses.
Made with four-way stretch, Norma Kamali’s dresses and jumpsuits may not be maternity specific, but they’re an ideal option for pregnant women looking to show off their curves. The amount of colors and styles available from the brand is truly mind-boggling and each option is as stretchy (or more) than your favorite maternity leggings.
We are a growing team of shopping editors and product reviewers and testers—as well as bunch of parents, especially moms. We understand the value of selecting maternity clothing that makes an expectant parent feel confident and comfortable to move about their busy life, from the playground to the office. Forbes Vetted has strong roots in testing and reviewing fashion and baby and kids gear, and we drew on that expertise to pull this story together to include new and old favorites.
This piece was written by two moms with three pregnancies between them and edited by another mom who carried three children, so we tried to pick out our favorite maternity brands based on wearing these in real-life and even dish on specific pieces of clothing. We also gathered feedback from more moms, given all our bodies and bumps come in different sizes and with different style needs. We also paid close attention to comfort and pored over additional customer reviews, and we considered sustainability and sizing inclusivity to make our final choices. We ensured a range of occasions and budgets were included too.
The short answer is everyone’s body is different and that depends on you and your baby’s growth. Some women may need to work in maternity clothes in the first trimester (around week 10), while others might feel fine in their standard clothes until the end of their second trimester (around week 27). This might also depend which pregnancy you’re on.
“It also depends on what pregnancy you are in,” adds Grace Thomas, founder and lead stylist of Builtgracefully, a personal wardrobe styling company based in Portland, Oregon. “Most clients start showing a bit earlier in a second pregnancy versus the first. A good indicator, however, would be when you need a bit more support in your garments. You might want to size up in a bra or top when your bust starts to grow. If you're uncomfortable around your stomach and are looking for something for extra support, that is also a great time to swap some maternity garments.”
Anything that fits better in a maternity size is likely worth buying, but there are some key items that you might stock up on more than others. As Thomas points out, you’ll almost certainly need to swap in new undergarments as your body changes. “Undergarments are really going to be key to comfort throughout pregnancy...Bralettes are also a great option, as they will stretch as your bust grows,” she says. She also notes that leggings will come in handy, and I personally found maternity jeans, sweaters and T-shirts to also be helpful.
Ultimately, Thomas says it makes a good amount of sense to “buy versatile items you can wear more than once. Investing in a small capsule wardrobe of maternity pieces is your best option, which will allow you to create many looks out of a select number of pieces.” As someone who bought way too many maternity clothes, I tend to agree.
“While there are some items that just work better when designed for pregnancy, like the items I mentioned above, other pieces are just as well-fitting in a larger size. Dresses, sweaters and sweatshirts are all going to be easy to wear in a size or two up,” Thomas explains.
Dress Distributors The benefit of this approach is that you can have pieces altered post-pregnancy to fit your body and get more use out of them. This is especially true for dresses and jackets.