Stylish Maternity Clothes | Shopping
We Found Maternity Clothes That Are Actually More Stylish Than Your Regular Clothes
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It certainly seems that once you are sporting a baby bump, you have no choice but to head on over to the one maternity store that will charge you $250 for a pair of elastic-waist jeans you'll never wear again. But aren't pregnant women suffering enough?
Armed with some seriously useful styling tricks that everyone — pregnant or not — should use, we went in search of maternity clothes that are actually stylish and unexpected pieces from the regular racks that can actually work throughout pregnancy and beyond.
What we found were amazingly affordable maternity body-con dresses at ASOS, adjustable overalls at Topshop, and supersoft chambray at Old Navy. Below, we're sharing six smart pregnancy looks and how to wear them . . . whether you are shopping in the maternity section or the regular racks.
1. Maternity Drawstring Pants
Why they look great: There's nothing better than elastic waist bands when you're pregnant! The addition of a drawstring and material that's not synonymous with sweats help to add polish.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to wear them when you're pregnant: The key to drawstring pants or any paper-bag-waisted trouser is to wear them low slung, so you can fit the adjustable waistband under your belly comfortably.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to make them work after you're pregnant: Now likely oversize, they'll take on a more low-key, cozy vibe, so style accordingly. Tapered legs cuffed a few times add some tailoring to the slouchiness.
2. Maternity Body-Con Dresses
Why they look great: You might think you have to pack away your party clothes when your bump really starts bumpin,' but it's quite the opposite! Because most are made with superstretchy fabrics like elastane or nylon, they grow right with you. And if you want to make a statement with your bump, there's nothing more eye-catching than a graphic print and flattering side panels.
ASOS Maternity Paneled Body-Con Dress with Butterfly Print ($61)
The Nonmaternity Option
How to wear them when you're pregnant: As long as they weren't too tight to begin with (we've all made that mistake), and the material is stretchy, most of your already-owned formfitting dresses will work the first several months of pregnancy. Just watch the hemline: what was once just long enough might creep too short with the growing midsection. If you are buying new, opt for ones that just pull over in lieu of those that have a back zipper. They'll be more comfortable and get more wear.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to make them work after you're pregnant: If you wore any later in your pregnancy, you might have stretched them out a bit . . . which isn't a terrible thing considering it might take awhile to get back to your prebaby body. And let's be real: it's a good thing you got use out of them before your bundle of joy arrived because there's now a lot less reason to put one on!
Nicole Miller Rusty Rose Print Stretch Body-Con Dress ($540)
3. Maternity Chambray Button-Downs
Why they look great: It's a classic layering piece, no matter what your style or size. Worn buttoned up under a sweater or undone over a fitted tank and leggings, it's one of the easiest staples you'll have for the next nine months.
Isabella Oliver Maternity Ansley Winter Chambray Shirt ($155)
The Nonmaternity Option
How to wear them when you're pregnant: Consider buying your soft chambray a size up. The extra give will go a long way.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to make them work after you're pregnant: If you feel your shirt is a bit boxy, that's OK! Paired with skinny jeans, the play on different sizes will be ultraflattering.
4. Maternity Jumpsuits
Why they look great: Already a hard-to-pull-off trend, the jumpsuit might not be the first look you'd think to try pregnant, but they might even look better on those with a baby bump than without! And they sure take the effort out of putting together an entire look of separates.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to wear them when you're pregnant: Opt for a solid-black color – you'll wear it more – and pick one that gathers at the waist so it will grow with you. Even better if it ties in the back.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to make them work after you're pregnant: Utility-style jumpsuits are meant to be loose-fitting, so yours will work just fine, even if you bought it in a larger size during pregnancy.
5. Maternity Ponchos
Why they look great: For those who don't want to invest in a maternity coat, a solid maternity poncho just makes sense. It's one of the biggest Fall outerwear trends, and it can be worn indoors or out. It's even a perfect cover-up to disguise a new bump!
The Nonmaternity Option
How to make them work after you're pregnant: If you plan to breastfeed, your much-used pregnancy poncho might become your official go-to top for nursing.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to wear them when you're pregnant: This might be the easiest item to buy because you don't really have to worry about sizing whatsoever. It's made to go over even bulkier clothes and have a relaxed fit. We suggest buying several inexpensive versions as you'll likely wish you lived in them.
H&M Knit Camel Poncho ($30)
6. Maternity Overalls
Why they look great: Maybe it's because we've got kids on the brain, but this childhood staple is one of the cutest things you can put over your baby bump.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to wear them when you're pregnant: This is a trickier piece to buy, but just be sure you look for ones that feature button-fastening at the waistband, as those are adjustable and more designed to grow through several stages of pregnancy.
The Nonmaternity Option
How to make them work after you're pregnant: Let's hope they are still as hot a trend as they are now, and then you should have no problem sporting your pregnancy pair. Bonus: because of the make, they won't have stretched at all.
