When it comes to maternity fashion, deciding what to add to your wardrobe can be overwhelming. Of course you need new pieces to accommodate your growing belly, but you may not want to spend a lot of money on items you’ll only wear temporarily. The good news is that there are so many maternity options available that you don’t need to sacrifice style or blow your budget to buy some new pieces.
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What to wear during all three trimesters?
If you’re wondering how to dress for all three trimesters and trying to figure out how to wear your favorite clothing while pregnant and still look stylish, keep reading! We’ve recapped some essential maternity items that deliver on style, comfort and ease while also being affordable. Add any of these pieces to your closet and you’ll have a maternity wardrobe that’s stylish and effortless without breaking the bank.
What maternity clothing do I need and why?
Building any wardrobe is daunting, especially when you have a growing belly! Deciding how to dress throughout the trimesters, how to size up as you grow and how to look stylish might seem overwhelming, but if you pick the right items, getting dressed will be easier.
Here are the essential items, all under $100!
Leggings
Perhaps the cornerstone of any maternity wardrobe, leggings aren’t just essential, they’re comfortable, making them a go-to piece of clothing for most pregnant ladies. If you’ve sworn off tight clothing or are looking for clothes you can wear at home, running errands and to a prenatal yoga class, leggings are the answer.
Choosing a versatile color and high quality will help you style leggings with more than just a sweatshirt or t-shirt. Try wearing them with a button down shirt and flats or with a long sleeve t-shirt and blazer with boots for a more polished spin on leggings.
Our picks
Hatch’s legging is a best seller for a reason; the high quality makes it easy to dress up or down and the fabric is C-section friendly with a soft wear. You’ll wear them before, during and after your pregnancy, just as the name suggests.
Jeans
Denim is an essential part of most wardrobes, but it might seem like an intimidating choice while pregnant. Luckily, you don’t have to give up your jeans for 9 months thanks to the maternity jeans from some of our favorite retailers. When deciding which maternity jeans to buy, look for denim that offers stretch and will grow with your belly. Plus, look for a wash you normally prefer so you can pair your maternity jeans with some of your non-maternity clothing.
Our picks
H&M offers an affordable ($54.99) maternity jean that comes in not one, not two, but three washes (black, cream and blue). The slim ankle jean is a flattering cut with stretch and a wide jersey panel at the waist to account for your growing belly. If you’re a true jeans girl, pick up two washes or just stick to classic blue and pair your denim with a tee and sweater tied over your shoulders for a comfy, chic look.
Mama slim ankle jeans Light denim blue
Versatile dress
It’s easy to gravitate towards comfy clothes when pregnant (and there’s nothing wrong with that!), but getting dressed in something other than sweats or leggings can be a self-esteem booster. A simple dress that’s equal parts comfort and stylish can be a go-to item throughout all trimesters of your pregnancy since it can be paired with many other items in your wardrobe. Plus, with the right neckline, a dress can easily be a nursing-friendly part of your postpartum rotation.
Our picks
When you’re ready to flaunt your bump, look for a body skimming silhouette like a tank or slip dress to accentuate rather than hide your curves. Plus, you can easily find a dress under $50 from Asos and H&M. Black is always a safe choice but if you’re looking to inject some color into your maternity wardrobe, try a bright color like blue or green. Dress it up with a blazer or leather jacket and heeled mules, or keep it casual with a denim jacket and flats or sneakers.
Asos Design Maternity Racer Front Ribbed Midi Tank Dress In Black
Mama Ribbed Sleeveless Dress Green
Button front shirt
A button front shirt is crucial during maternity because it can be easily layered or worn with other products. But it’s also a helpful piece of clothing after you’ve given birth, since it provides easy access for nursing. A good shirt looks polished and put together, while still providing ease and practicality. Instead of white, look for shirts with a small print, such as stripes, or some color to help your maternity wardrobe feel a bit more elevated.
Our picks
One of Storq’s most loved pieces is the easy button-up shirt, and it’s clear why. It has an oversized shape that suits all stages of maternity (and postpartum) but it looks refined. The modal/poly blend means it’s soft but is also machine washable and it comes in three colors, including stripes and a green hue. Wear it with jeans, leggings, bike shorts or styled over a tank dress.
Easy Button-Up Blue Stripe
Long sleeve tee
A striped tee is an essential part of any wardrobe, not just a maternity one. A good tee can be worn on its own, or styled with many other pieces likely already in your closet, such as jeans, leggings, high waisted shorts or a leather jacket. Finding a good tee now means you’ll have something versatile for your post-pregnancy wardrobe.
Our picks
Not everything you buy needs to be a true maternity piece. Everlane makes great t-shirts in high quality fabrics and classic silhouettes and colors. This striped tee is a modern take on a classic sailor shirt; the dropped shoulder feels fresh and the colors are timeless. It’s made from a durable knit cotton, which means it’ll get softer with wear and will be easy to wash. Wear it with some jeans or leggings and loafers for a polished pregnancy look.
Oversized sweatshirt
Sometimes you just want to wear something comfy, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. An oversized sweatshirt, paired with the right items, can still look effortlessly polished while keeping you comfy. Plus, you can always wear it with leggings or sweatpants for the ultimate comfy pairing. Look for a sweatshirt in a neutral color so you can easily pair it with other items in your closet.
Our picks
The super brushed sweatshirt from Madewell is soft and cozy thanks to the fabric (a blend of modal/poly/spandex). The neckline – a crewneck – and slouchy sleeves are both flattering and comfy and the charcoal color manages to make a relaxed style still look polished when worn with certain items. Since it’s oversized, try wearing it with slimming shapes, such as leggings or over a tank dress or knit skirt.
Jacket/Blazer
A good blazer is a core part of a wardrobe; you can wear it to work, dinner, running errands, on its own, and the list goes on. A good blazer can be costly, but if you’re looking to add a jacket into your maternity rotation and don’t want to blow your whole budget, there are some affordable options that still give a high quality aesthetic.
Our picks
H&M’s double-breasted jacket is lined, features pockets and shoulder pads and same colored buttons for a timeless, minimal look. It can be styled over a dress, under a hoodie or with a white tee, jeans and a pair of heels for a simple polished look. Plus, it comes in seven colors, so you can even grab a few pairs to maximize outfit potential.
Slides and Sneakers
Let’s face it, feet feel the pain during pregnancy! If you manage to stay in your heels, more power to you, but everyone can benefit from a good pair of comfortable shoes for the days when your feet are too swollen and you need some TLC. But comfort doesn’t have to be sloppy. A sleek pair of slides or sneakers is an essential part of any maternity wardrobe and, luckily, there are many options under $100.
Find the best summer shoes that are comfy to wear while pregnant.
Our picks
Birkenstock is hard to beat when it comes to comfort. Though the slides can be pricey, the Eva Madrid Essentials sandal in black or white is polished and affordable, with a simple single strap (plus, they’re waterproof). Another pick is the flash buckle cross vamp sandal from Asos. The double straps and big buckle give a polished accent to any outfit, even maternity leggings and a tee. And for sneakers, Made well has a large assortment but you can’t go wrong with the New Balance 327s. Choose from a variety of color options, but if you want something that’s timeless and versatile, opt for the white/gray combo and wear it with everything from a slip dress & jacket to leggings and a button front shirt.
Underwear
You might be at the point of your pregnancy where even your most trusted items, your underwear, no longer fit. During and after pregnancy, you’ll need underwear that can grow with you, provide access for nursing and comfort post-labor. Choose a cut and fabric that feels good to you and works with items in your closet.
Our picks
Storq offers a few different styles of underwear, all in comfortable fabrics and under $60. For a nursing-friendly option, consider the everyday bra which offers light support, is underwire free (yay!) and comes in multiple cup sizes. If you prefer a wider cut, try the body bra, which is a pull on scoop front style, similar to a crop top, and offers tons of stretch. For bottoms, you can’t go wrong with the recovery briefs, which offer full coverage and a flexible waistband (they’re good for C-sections). Plus, they come in a variety of colors!
Happy shopping!
