This ultimate guide to what clothing you can wear before, during, and after pregnancy will help you craft affordable, fashionable, comfortable, and sustainable outfits for a growing belly.
When pregnant, look for essential clothing items such as:
- motherhood-friendly dresses,
- oversized tops like tunics,
- elasticized pants and denim jeans,
- maternity leggings,
- nursing-friendly bras,
- loungewear and nightwear,
- office clothes for pregnancy,
- comfortable flat shoes.
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When to buy new clothes for pregnancy
You can wear conventional clothes in early pregnancy. Most women continue to wear their regular wardrobe and favorite outfits for most of the first three months or first trimester when pregnant.
Keep in mind that clothing is our second skin. So the clothes you wear should always make you feel beautiful and comfortable. Prioritize comfort over style, especially during pregnancy.
You can choose looser-fitting clothes if you need to or go for elasticized garments that aren't too tight. Consider wearing bigger-sized clothes and using elastics to tie unbuttoned shirts or pants that don't fit anymore.
After the first trimester of pregnancy or at the beginning of the fourth month, start looking for affordable and sustainable maternity wear. Most women switch to maternity-friendly clothing before the sixth month.
The best maternity clothes are eco-friendly, versatile, and durable to enhance your style, your confidence and protect the environment. Invest in clothing that makes you feel beautiful for your nine months and beyond.
Many maternity brands offer inexpensive, high-quality clothes that make dressing well and sustainably while pregnant very easy for you. They are oversized or super-stretchy to give you more flexibility.
Check out our selection for the best affordable and sustainable maternity brands that every woman needs to know to look fashionable and feel comfortable during pregnancy on a budget.
Best dresses to wear when pregnant.
Your body changes drastically during pregnancy. Make sure to wear bump-friendly dresses that look great and feel appropriate for your changing body.
Look for lightweight, flowy, breathable dresses in the summer to keep your body cool and shielded from high temperatures. In the winter, heavier fabrics and layers will help you stay warm.
Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon that irritate your skin and pollute the environment. Choose more sustainable dresses made from organic and eco-friendly materials like cotton and linen.
Maxi dresses, long gowns, and wraparounds are super comfortable and easy to wear when pregnant. Loose garments are ideal and extremely useful to make dressing well and sustainably easy during pregnancy.
Check out our selection below for the best affordable and sustainable bump-friendly non-maternity dresses you can wear before, during, and after pregnancy.
Reformation Hyland Linen Dress
Kotn Poet Dress
Synergy Organic Clothing Ruby Dress
Maternity tops for growing bump
The best top you can wear when pregnant are stylish, maternity-friendly, and often oversized to give room to your growing bump.
Choose fashionable and comfortable blouses, tunics, shirts, tees, crop tops, crews, and other wardrobe essentials made with sustainable and natural materials.
Check out our selection for the best in cute, stylish, affordable, and sustainable maternity tops. These fashionable tops are easy to wear before, during, and after pregnancy.
Made Trade Freya Flounce Top
Outerknown Poet Blouse
Maternity-friendly jeans for pregnancy
It's generally harmless to wear jeans during pregnancy. Many women commonly want to wear jeans when pregnant. You can easily dress in style and look your best with cute jeans outfits during pregnancy.
High-waisted jeans usually are the preferred option. They provide maximum comfort and support, especially late in pregnancy when your curves are developing.
Stretchy denim jeans with a legging-like waistband are great for a growing belly. The bottom part looks and feels like conventional jeans, and the upper part at the waistline is super elastic and comfy.
Jeans can be a little restricting in the later stages of pregnancy when the bump is growing. So don't hesitate to replace them with other options that could feel more comfortable and invest in maternity clothing.
Read our round-up for the best affordable and sustainable maternity jeans that every mom and mom-to-be needs to know to look fashionable and feel comfortable.
Warp + Weft Maternity Skinny Jeans
Etsy Embellished Maternity Jeans
Maternity leggings to wear when pregnant.
The best maternity leggings are comfortable, affordable, sustainable, and made from natural and organic materials such as cotton and bamboo for relaxing or working out with a clean conscience.
Organic clothing is one of the best things you can buy as a parent or mom-to-be. If you are interested in environmentally friendly activewear, buy garments made from high-quality and sustainable fabrics that are better for your skin, your baby, and the planet.
Check out our selection for the best affordable and sustainable organic cotton and bamboo maternity leggings made under high social and environmental standards.
PACT Maternity Go-To Leggings
dk active Lotus Maternity Long Tights
Best maternity-friendly bras you can wear
The best maternity-friendly bras you can wear when pregnant support your breasts and make you feel comfortable. Women with larger breasts prefer maternity bras as they offer more support and allow nursing effortlessly.
It's a good idea to invest in maternity and nursing-friendly bras as soon as your breasts prepare for lactation. It usually happens quite early in pregnancy. And most women experience changes before the end of the first trimester.
Make sure you wear high-quality bras that fit well and don't put any pressure on your breasts. As they change in shape and size, a correctly fitted bra will offer adequate support and comfort.
It's important to buy what feels comfortable to you. It depends on your body proportions and is different for all women. Some breasts go up many bra cup sizes before their bump start to grow. Make sure to buy what fits and feels right.
Read our round-up of the best ethically-made, maternity nursing bras you can wear before, during, and after pregnancy.
Maternity loungewear for pregnant women
The best maternity nightwear and loungewear are sustainable, comfortable, and durable to help you breastfeed your baby at home or the hospital.
Many nursing-friendly brands offer super soft and high-quality nightgowns that make dressing well and sustainably while breastfeeding very easy for you.
They use natural and organic materials that protect the environment, your health, and your family. Choose eco-friendly, cute, luxurious, and comfy breastfeeding-friendly options.
Here are some of the best luxury organic pajamas that every nursing mom needs to feel comfortable while breastfeeding and have a good night's sleep.
Tentree Jumpsuit
Leena & Lu Luxury Long Dress
Office clothes to wear when pregnant
Every woman deserves stylish workwear that highlights her best features and helps her look great effortlessly, especially during pregnancy. The most inspired clothes for the office are casual, chic, affordable, and sustainable.
Many fashion designers create beautiful, stylish, luxurious maternity garments to wear at the office. They help you look and feel your best at work before, during, and after your pregnancy.
Check out our selection for the best maternity workwear that every woman needs to look fashionable and even stand out.
Karen Kane Sleeveless Artisan Dress
Flat shoes pregnant women wear.
The best shoes for pregnant women are cheap, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, comfy, and ethically made from natural, organic, or recycled materials that scream modernity and sustainability.
Choose minimalist sandals that have a thin sole to give a good ground feel and provide enough cushion. Thin soles are naturally lightweight without a raised heel bed or added padding around the arch.
Flat shoes will help you feel the ground and keep your feet safe when pregnant while providing enough cushion. Here is our selection of the best affordable, vegan, sustainable, minimalist sandals.
Maternity-friendly swimwear for pregnancy
Many women spend their pregnancies in bikinis. They are comfortable and allow your body to grow, giving it enough space with stretchy fabrics.
The best maternity swimsuits are cheap, eco-friendly, and comfy to help you look stylish and protect the planet. They contain recycled or organic materials that protect your health and the environment.
Choose inexpensive, high-quality, and eco-conscious bathing suits, bikinis, one-pieces, bodysuits, or tankinis that will make it easy for you to dress well and sustainably when pregnant.
Check out our selection for the best affordable and sustainable maternity swimwear brands that every woman needs to know to look fashionable and feel comfortable during pregnancy on a budget.
Best bump-friendly non-maternity clothing
You can wear regular throughout pregnancy if you find the right set of items that keep you comfortable and lead to a healthier, calmer, happier you.
Ensure you buy clothes that perfectly fit your current body shape. And make comfort a priority over style or price. Go for loose clothing in light fabrics that give your body and baby room to grow.
Many clothing designers and fashion brands make affordable and sustainable non-maternity clothes that pregnant women can wear throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Check out our selection for the best bump-friendly non-maternity brands that create stylish apparel to wear before, during, and after pregnancy.
Christy Dawn Lina Dress
Toad&Co Swing Dress
Money-saving tips for pregnant women
Get thrifty, buy vintage or second-hand clothing, use clothing rentals, or buy fewer items to avoid exceeding your budget and save money on clothes when pregnant.
Look for high-quality, sustainable garments designed to last beyond the season. Shop during seasonal sales and visit local stores or markets to find fashion at affordable prices.
Read our ultimate guide on how to find fashionable, affordable, sustainable, and ethical clothes on a budget.
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About the Author: Alex Assoune
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