If you’re looking for comfy yet stylish maternity outfits, this detailed guide is for you. Finding clothes that make you feel good during pregnancy is tough. Your body size and shape is constantly in flux during this time, and you’re dressing for two! I remember standing in front of my closet during my first trimester, wondering if I had enough sweatpants and hoodies to make it through the pregnancy.
Thankfully, I discovered that we do not have to look and feel like the little cutie pug above! With a little inspiration (perhaps from this post and from Pinterest!) and knowing where to shop, you’ll be able to find cute clothes that will make you look and feel good throughout this special time of your life.
First things first: budget! The best piece of advice I can give is that unless your job requires you to dress up a lot and be glamorous, there’s no need to spend much at all on maternity outfits.
I know that’s ironic for me to say since this is a post about maternity fashion. But I say this for two reasons. First, you can find really cute pieces from stores like Target, Old Navy, and Amazon for very affordable prices. They are also great quality. Second, you’ll likely be wearing these clothes for less than a year. The payoff is just too low for most people to justify splurging. If you have the means and desire to splurge though – more power to you!
When I was pregnant, I actually didn’t buy any maternity clothes until the end of second trimester. Of course, our bodies also all change and grow at different paces, but I do recommend holding off for as long as you can. In first and second trimester, I borrowed many blouses and sweaters from my mom who is a size larger than me. I also borrowed a couple of hoodies from my husband to wear around the house. So comfy.
Now that budget is out of the way, let’s chat about the more exciting topic: cute outfit ideas for each stage as an expecting mom!
First Trimester: Enjoy Your Current Wardrobe While You Still Can
In first trimester, you probably don’t need a full maternity wardrobe yet. The timeline for transitioning definitely depends from person to person though. For me, my normal leggings (the stretchy kind like those linked below), empire-waist dresses, flowy tops, and my usual avoidance of jeans all worked well throughout first trimester. I didn’t need to buy any new undergarments either.
What to Look For:
- Stretchy leggings: These Essential Leggings from Express are super stretchy. Perfect as your belly slowly starts to grow. These high-rise leggings from Old Navy’s are also a great option.
- Drawstring pants: At home I lived in the Vuori Performance Joggers. These are a cult favorite for good reason. Their DreamKnit fabric is silky soft, and drawstrings for maximum flexibility around the belly. The tapered cut and slightly cropped legs are also very flattering.
- Flowy tops: H&M has some chic and affordable options, like this floral oversized blouse and cute cotton striped blouse. The nice thing about these is since they’re not actually maternity clothes, you can wear them during both pregnancy and postpartum.
- Empire waist dresses: These are perfect for this phase because they will still flatter your shape without feeling restrictive. Because of that, these were one of my favorite styles to wear throughout pregnancy! There are also endless varieties of empire waist dresses, from this Old Navy puff sleeved mini dress to this glamorous velvet tiered midi dress (perfect for autumn and the holidays) from Target.
- Swing dresses: This type of dress isn’t cinched at the waist at all. The shape is like a trapezoid starting at the shoulders going down. Without any cinching, it’s the perfect way to hide that growing bump when you’re not ready to share the exciting news with anyone just yet! And of course, it’s super comfortable and roomy. There is no tightness around the waist and belly. Here’s a sweet and high-quality linen swing dress from Quince.
- Elastic high waisted skirts: If you’re looking for something a bit dressier, high-waisted circle skirts allow room for your tummy while giving you a comfortable fit. The high waist allows the skirt to sit above your belly, which avoids compressing it. Here’s a gorgeous pleated skirt from J Crew. Also recommend the Acclaim pleated skirt from Aritzia and cashmere midi skirt from Quince.
STYLE TIP: Starting in first trimester, I recommend generally avoiding corduroy, jacquard, silk and satin (unless they are very flowy or oversized), and anything very low cut. Knowing this is especially helpful when you’re online shopping as they will always list the fabric type.
Second Trimester: Transition to Cute Maternity Outfits
This is the perfect time to start exploring cute, comfy maternity clothes that keep you comfortable while showing off that growing belly. Halfway through second trimester, I was ready to transition my wardrobe. My bump was showing, and even my stretchy Express leggings weren’t cutting it anymore. The waistband would just roll down, especially while sitting…many of you probably know exactly what I’m talking about!
What to Look For:
- Maternity Jeans: I actually didn’t buy any maternity jeans during my pregnancy, but I’ve seen friends wear them recently and it’s the one item I wish I’d gotten! Look for jeans with an over-the-bump waistband, which supports your growing belly. Here’s a well-rated pair from Amazon and this tried-and-true option from Old Navy.
- Maternity Leggings: Maternity leggings have a high waistband that goes over the belly. They’re also typically made of extra stretchy, forgiving fabric. They’re ideal for casual days, running errands, or even low-impact exercise. I got this pair from Amazon and they were super comfy and high-quality.
- Fitted Dresses: Don’t be afraid to embrace your bump! Go for stretchy sweater dresses or jersey dresses, like this one from Old Navy Maternity and this more luxurious cashmere dress from Quince. They’re an easy way to look put together while showing off that beautiful baby bump. The one I’m wearing in the left picture above is from Amazon.
- Layering Pieces: Cardigans, shawls, and lightweight loose-fitting jackets are great for adding style and comfort. I lived in my Lululemon full-zip Scuba jacket for most of second semester (while it could still fit around my growing belly). I also love this oversized cardigan from Quince, made of 100% organic cotton!
- Ribbed Tank Tops: Ribbed tank tops in breathable fabric are a great choice. You can wear them on their own or under a cardigan, and they’ll accommodate your belly as it grows. I love the Airism tanks from Uniqlo.
- Extra Soft Bras: Your breasts may grow and feel sore, so finding a comfortable maternity bra is essential. Look for bras with no underwire and maximum flexibility. Throughout my pregnancy, I lived in the Neiwai Barely There bras. I still wear them often now – they’re too comfortable to resist!
OUTFIT INSPO: Try pairing a fitted sweater dress with a cropped shirt jacket or moto jacket that hits between your chest and belly button. This combo will really highlight your sweet baby bump!
Third Trimester: Function Meets Style
By the third trimester, it’s all about maximum comfort. Your body is working hard, and your clothes should make things easier—not harder. This is when I leaned heavily on dresses and stretchy materials that didn’t pinch or pull.
What to Look For:
- Smocked dresses: These can be quite flattering and stylish, and many come come in cute prints. Look for dresses that are smocked from the chest down to the belly or have an empire waist. This will give your belly (and your breasts) plenty of breathing room. I loved the one I’m wearing in the left picture above, which was from Amazon. It transitioned really well into my postpartum days too.
- Oversized button-down shirts: These are versatile pieces that fit well and look chic during pregnancy, and they transition well into postpartum. Here is a cute and affordable button-down from Old Navy, and a crisp oxford shirt from Quince – made of breathable organic cotton!
- A cozy, plush bathrobe: This might be an unexpected item on the list but let me explain. Many women find it hard to stay asleep and get high quality sleep during second and third trimesters (and of course, during postpartum with a crying newborn). There will be plenty of nights where you might wake up in the middle of the night. That’s when you’ll be reaching for that cozy bathrobe that you can easily get in and out of.
I splurged on this luxurious, cloud-like bathrobe from The Company Store during my second trimester when I kept waking up around 4 or 5 AM and could never fall back asleep. Can you tell from my adjective choices that I’m obsessed with it? It was one of my most-worn pieces during pregnancy and postpartum, and I still wear it regularly even now!
STYLE TIP: Focus on lightweight, breathable materials like cotton. They are more gentle and won’t irritate your skin. Skin can become sensitive and itchy starting in third trimester because it’s expanding while you grow.
Dressing for pregnancy doesn’t have to be stressful, and it definitely doesn’t have to break the bank. A few versatile pieces are all you need to dress for two during pregnancy and transition well into postpartum. Don’t be afraid to show off your bump (if you so wish)! And most importantly, acknowledge that the types of clothing you’ll be wearing during pregnancy won’t be the same as before but you can absolutely still look and feel amazing.
Whether you’re rocking a pleated skirt going into second trimester or showing off that bump in a sleek sweater dress in your third trimester, remember this: you deserve to feel good in your clothes during every stage of this journey.
Happy shopping, mama! 😊
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