Best sustainable maternity brands of 2023

Sadly, the rise of ‘fast fashion’ has increased the consumption of cheap and mass produced clothes creating tons of waste, pollution, and greenhouse gasses. Fast fashion brands have also come under fire for creating artificially cheap clothing prices by relocating their factories overseas to make use of cheaper labor. This problem is further compounded by the fact that we’re bombarded on social media with new fashion trends every week. You might feel you need to keep up!

The good news is that because the negative impact of fast fashion is becoming so well understood, we’re lucky enough to see the rise of some really beautiful ethical and sustainable brands out there that make a conscious effort to use eco-friendly fabrics, operate sustainably and do their part for the ‘slow fashion’ movement.

We believe in doing the very best you can with what you’ve got. 

Pregnancy and planning for baby is tough enough without the guilt or financial stress. So go easy on yourself, mama. The truth is, it’s really hard for people to consume ethically all the time – and even harder to take action when you’re planning for a baby and have to be mindful of what you spend. If you’re passionate about making choices that align more with slow fashion or sustainable practices, perhaps that means buying an investment piece that’s made ethically, and limiting fast or cheap fashion when you can.

Here are our top 9 sustainable and organic maternity brands

Boob Design

Boob Design is a Swedish brand that offers sustainable and traceable maternity and nursing wear designed to be washed and worn – a lot! They are priced a little higher than our other recommendations but for a very good reason: they are absolutely committed to all things sustainability in everything they design and manufacture. And with Boob Design, the investment upfront guarantees a longer lifetime for your clothing. Boob Design clothing is perfect for conscious style, minimalism, and comfort. We can’t get enough.

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable and ethical activewear brand that creates high-quality workout clothes from recycled plastic bottles and other materials. They prioritize ethical production practices and offer a range of sizes to ensure inclusivity. Their activewear is designed to be comfortable and functional, with stylish designs that are perfect for any workout. We also love their Bundle and Save options, perfect for the busy stylish mama. 

Reverie the Label

An Australian-owned and run lounge and sleepwear brand, Reverie the Label uses the finest natural materials like linen, organic cotton, and blends to create luxurious sleep and loungewear. Founded by an ex-interior designer with a passion for sustainability, Reverie the Label is perfect for the minimalist and sustainability conscious mama looking to invest in the best.  With versatile and minimalist designs manufactured at a high standard, these lounge and sleepwear staple are a thoughtful investment for any wardrobe. 

Kindred Bravely

A brand that is dedicated to creating comfortable, affordable and functional maternity wear all the way to postpartum, Kindred Bravely uses organic cotton blends as well as bamboo in many of their items. We have included Kindred Bravely although we aren’t 100% certain of their sustainability pledges, however what we love is that this brand gives back to the community in a big way – check out their Giving page for more information. Don’t miss the Bundle and Save option offered by Kindred Bravely and scoop up some feel-good pieces at a steal. We love their maternity nursing and pumping bras.

Modibodi

Modibodi is a conscious and thoughtful brand that creates leak-proof and absorbent underwear for periods, pregnancy, and postpartum. They use sustainable materials like bamboo and are committed to reducing waste and plastic pollution in the fashion industry. Modibodi also creates a really innovative leakproof breastfeeding cami, which holds up to 25ml of leakage in each cup.

DK Active

DK Active is another Australian-based uber ethical and sustainable brand that offers high quality activewear made from eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. Their stylish designs and functional features make them a great choice for stylish mamas staying fit throughout the seasons. We love their latest colorways and beautiful prints. They are committed to reducing their environmental impact and use ethical production practices to create their clothing. Check out their super cute maternity range, plus-size collection and latest colorways. 

Pact

Pact proudly partners with Fair Trade USA, Global Organic Textile Standard and SimpliZero to ensure their products support people and the planet. They’re organic, carbon neutral and fair trade. They also use responsible packaging and have a Give Back program. Better still, their clothing and maternity outfits are super high quality, stylish and come in beautiful, earthy colors.

Cosabella

There’s no better time to spoil yourself than during pregnancy. For beautiful Italian lingerie, nursing-friendly bras and pajamas, look no further than Cosabella. Everything from Cosabella is crafted from top-quality fabrics and natural dyes, while their bra sizes go up to 40DD (3X). And the best part? All their pieces are made by a family-run factory in Italy, ensuring both comfort and quality.

Boody

Boody is a certified B Corp clothing brand known for their sustainable bamboo items. Their minimalist designs and soft, breathable fabric make them the perfect choice for anyone looking for high quality, relaxed bamboo pieces. Their clothing ranges from basics like t-shirts and leggings to period undies and crop bras, which we personally LOVE. They are committed to reducing their environmental impact and use ethical production practices to create their clothing. So comfortable, they feel a lot like Skins but more affordable.

Our favorite sustainable maternity pieces

Sweatshirt from Girlfriend Collective

Everyday maternity tanks from Pact

Maternity Mommie Nursing Bralet from Cosabella

Nursing jumpsuit from Boob Design

Organic Cotton skin to skin top from Kindred Bravely

Leakproof absorbency singlet from Modibodi

Sleepwear from Boody

Activewear from DK Active

Loungewear pant from Reverie the Label

Beware the trap of social 

The fast fashion mindset has led consumers to believe that expecting mothers need a whole new wardrobe, which often results in a cycle of waste and environmental harm. We at Mama Style believe you can stay stylish with select investment pieces to carry you through your pregnancy journey. We also believe in buying the most comfortable material. This is often – not always, but often – higher quality material that lends itself to being more sustainable, such as organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp. These materials are not only better for the environment, but they are also more comfortable and safe for pregnant women and their bubs..

Ultimately, choosing ethical maternity wear can have an impact on the environment, labor practices and the fashion industry as a whole. By breaking away from the fast fashion mindset to a manageable level, we can create a more sustainable and responsible approach to maternity wear. Before we jump into these beautiful brands, let’s run through some tips for eco-conscious mums.

Wardrobe tips for eco-conscious mums

1. Firstly, check your wardrobe and see what you can continue wearing for as long as possible. Regular clothes like shirts, elasticated pants etc can be worn for a while until your bump becomes a little large.
2. See if you can borrow maternity clothes off friends or find some secondhand on FB marketplace
3. Rent clothing for special occasions from Rent the Runway or similar.
4. Pack away clothes that don’t fit. This plays a clever trick on you: you won’t be tempted to try these on, get frustrated and buy new clothes!
5. Find a style for maternity that adapts to you and your ethical outlook. Maybe it’s a few key pieces on rotation or maxing out the wearability of a black dress accessorized in different ways.
6. Invest in high quality basics that you will wear far beyond maternity. 

You don’t need to buy hundreds of new outfits for pregnancy. The key to style is finding clever pieces that work a number of different ways to keep you feeling comfortable and stylish.

What to look for when buying sustainable maternity wear

When looking for ethical and sustainable maternity wear, there are several factors to consider. 

Firstly, consider the materials used. Look for clothing made from natural materials such as organic cotton, wool, and bamboo, as these materials are renewable and biodegradable.  Avoid synthetic materials such as polyester and rayon, as they are made from non-renewable resources and contribute to pollution. We try our hardest to avoid recommending clothes made of these materials on Mama Style, even if they are more affordable. 

Secondly, consider the company’s corporate responsibility. Look for companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices in their operations. Check their certifications, such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Fair Trade. You’ll see a great example of this on Boody’s website.
 Thirdly, consider the brand’s ethics. Look for companies that prioritize fair labor practices, transparency, and environmental stewardship. Research the brand’s values and mission to ensure they align with your own.

Lastly, consider the lifecycle of the clothing or products the brands make. Look for clothing that is made to last, and can be recycled or composted at the end of its life or is made from amazing materials designed to last.  Above all else, buy for style and comfort – not fashion. 

FAQs

Are sustainable maternity brands worth the cost?

Sustainable maternity brands are often more expensive than traditional maternity brands because they prioritize ethical and sustainable production methods. Whether or not they are worth the cost depends on your personal values and budget. And there’s no judgment! You need to do what’s best for your growing family and your budget. If this means buying a couple of sustainable pieces of maternity wear where you can, that’s great. Otherwise you may need to prioritize affordability over sustainability. If this sounds like you, we still recommend choosing a great fabric where possible. 

Where can I buy the most affordable organic maternity clothes?

Some relatively affordable options for organic maternity clothes include brands like Isabella Oliver, Kindred Bravely and Boody. You can also do a search on Amazon or even check out local artisans on Etsy. 

What are the best organic materials for maternity clothing?

Organic clothing is defined online as being produced from organic natural materials (such as organic cotton and wool) without the use of pesticides, fertilizers and genetic modification. Organic materials that are commonly used for maternity clothing include cotton, bamboo, and hemp. As well as organic materials, you can also find some great recycled materials, or even man-made sustainable blends like Tencel and Modal. These materials can be low impact, or natural, sustainable, and breathable, or ethically made. 

Is organic cotton the best fabric choice for maternity wear?

Organic cotton is a popular choice for maternity wear because it is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. However, there are other organic materials that can also be a good choice, such as bamboo, bamboo blends, and even Tencel and Model. The best fabric choice for maternity wear depends on your personal preferences and needs, where you live, how hot you’re running generally and any skin sensitivities or allergies you may have.