You’re pregnant! Firstly, a huge congratulations and, secondly, it’s time to invest in the best maternity clothes from the best maternity brands out there. Any excuse to treat yourself when you’re carrying new life, right?
Shopping for maternity fashion can be a bit of a minefield, but it also provides the perfect opportunity to jazz up your wardrobe with some new pieces (as well choosing investment staples you’ll wear way beyond the birth of your baby). More on that later.
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I was convinced that my favourite dresses would have enough stretch to rock over the next nine months but I was so, so wrong. In fact, maternity clothes shopping was one of the highlights of pregnancy and really helped distract from that constant nausea.
Anyone who has carried a baby knows very well that it often isn’t just your tummy that grows; your whole body can change when you’re carrying a child – in the most amazing ways, of course. Skinny jeans and fitted slip dresses fast become a thing of the past and pregnant women will likely choose a comfortable pair of maternity leggings and oversized sweatshirts or cardigans over pretty much any other outfit. But thanks to a growing roster of brilliant maternity brands, you can still look amazing whilst embracing your new pregnancy body. Rather than splurge on 20 new items that you’ll never wear again after birth, we implore you to invest in carefully selected clothing and incorporate them into your maternity wardrobe.
SKIP TO: What to consider when buying maternity clothes | How we tested maternity clothes | What month should you start wearing maternity clothes? | What size maternity clothes should you buy | Shop the best maternity clothes.
What to consider when shopping for maternity clothing
Buy maternity clothes that make you feel ‘like you’: Just because you’re becoming a mum doesn’t mean you need to totally reinvent your personal style. As founder and creative director of Beyond Nine, Naomi Raybould, explains: “At a time when your body is rapidly changing and it may not quite feel like your own, keeping your identity via the way you dress is a worthy investment. The bonus of shopping this way, is that you’ll want to continue wearing the clothes long after your baby is born too. The ultimate compliment for me is when a customer pulls on an item of our clothing and tells me they feel like themselves in it.”
Shop for investment pieces that will last you long beyond pregnancy: Here at GLAMOUR, we’re all about making sustainable sartorial choices and we implore you to keep that up in your pregnancy. While maternity-specific pyjamas and nursing tops (or maternity tops) might be a necessity, as a general rule of thumb, you should choose an oversized blazer and floaty midi dress or wrap dress that you’d consider wearing post-pregnancy. You can still take feeding options into account with this approach (you can’t go wrong with a classic baggy white T-shirt). I invested in some great Seraphine dresses that had secret zips for breastfeeding access that were subtle enough that people didn’t know they were actually pregnancy clothes.
WATCHAnne Hathaway & Jessica Chastain | Mother’s Instinct
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Switch up your basics: Thankfully basics won’t break the bank so I’d recommend stocking up on some trusty basics like stretchy vests, comfy black leggings and forgiving hoodies for layering. They’ll be your go-to wardrobe staples in the later stages of pregnancy and even carry you through the early days when you can’t be bothered to leave the house in anything other than loungewear.
Choose fabrics carefully: According to the Seraphine Design Team, when purchasing the best maternity clothing it is important to consider the fabric the piece is made of as the feeling of skin sensitivity can be heightened during pregnancy. “We always source soft fabrics that are gentle and comfortable on the skin to ensure that comfort doesn’t have to be sacrificed for great style for our customers throughout their pregnancy journey,” they say.
What is the best place to buy maternity clothes? How we tested the best maternity clothes
With countless retailers on the market, it can be difficult to know where to begin with maternity fashion shopping. Fret not. We’ve tested the best maternity clothing brands for sartorial credentials, comfort and longevity and it’s totally your call which brands you shop from. There’s high street, high-end and lots of sustainable fashion brands with clothes that will serve you long after you give birth. For mums-to-be, GLAMOUR’s edit of the best maternity clothing brands of 2024 is essential reading…
1. Seraphine Maternity Clothes
One of the biggest maternity brands around for good reason, think of Seraphine as your one-stop shop for all the maternity clothes you could ever dream of owning. Loved by Kate Middleton when she was pregnant with Prince George, they have been dressing mums-to-be for over two decades, so they know a thing or two about pregnancy staples that make you feel your very best.
Of course, Seraphine maternity clothes are a tad more expensive than styles from Topshop, River Island and the like – but durability and functionality is at the brand’s heart, and every piece is made to last. If you have a little more money to spend, these maternity clothes will see you through the weeks post-pregnancy (invisible zips in selected styles allow you to breastfed your little one when they arrive), potential pregnancies of the future – and you’ll be able to pass them over to friends.
Classic Tailored Blazer
Cotton Curved Hem Maternity Shirt
2. Nobody’s Child Maternity Clothes
Available to shop on ASOS and their own-brand website, Nobody’s Child floaty maternity dresses have pretty all sewn up. While their edit of bump-friendly frocks is fairly limited, each style is adorned with the brand’s signature floral prints and cut in a relaxed and comfortable silhouette that moves with your body. They make great maternity wedding guest dresses and occasion dresses if you’re after something to wear to your friend’s nuptials or your own baby shower. 95% of the collection was made from organic, recycled or lower impact materials – here for it!
Maternity Floral Balloon Sleeve Lou Midi Dress
Maternity Cream Wildflower Printed Dalia Midi Dress
3. H&M Pregnancy Clothes
Among GLAMOUR readers, H&M is one of the most popular places to shop so it makes sense that buying maternity fashion from this high street stalwart will allow you to maintain your usual personal style for the next nine months. Whether you stick to wardrobe staples like black midi dresses, classic vests or a white t-shirt or you want to inject print and colour into your maternity wardrobe, there’s guaranteed to be a piece (or three) that you adore. Added bonus: a shopping spree here won’t break the bank. Save when you shop with these H&M discount codes.
MAMA Straight Ankle Jeans
MAMA 2-Piece Textured Jersey Set
Save when you shop for the best maternity clothes with these H&M discount codes at checkout.
4. M&S Maternity
No edit of the best maternity clothes would be complete without one of the retailers that hold up every British high street, M&S. We can safely assume most women in the UK own at least one M&S non-maternity bra / bikini / pair of knickers or tights – so add maternity dresses and some bestseller maternity swimwear to that list. The maternity range is second-to-none: high in quality, comfortable (read: stretchy) considerately-crafted and timeless. Think: a capsule wardrobe to last you the nine months you’re pregnant and beyond.
Maternity Ivy Over Bump Skinny Jeans
Maternity Over Bump Jeggings
Save when you shop for the best maternity clothes with these Marks & Spencer discount codes at checkout.
5. Topshop Maternity Clothes
All hail Topshop, the brand we’ve absolutely not fallen out of love with since it’s (very) sad demise on the British high street and resurrection on ASOS. One of our pre-pregnancy go-tos, we’re thrilled Topshop have elevated their bump-friendly ‘fits tenfold, with many of the styles from their main line available with extra room for your little one. Your maternity line-up never looked so good.
Topshop Maternity Leopard Print Scoop Back Swimsuit In Multi
Topshop Maternity Overbump Comfort Stretch Mom Jeans In Bleach
6. New Look Maternity
New Look maternitywear has got you covered when it comes to pregnancy clothes, with items that are just as fashionable as the pieces in your main collection – plus they’re super purse-friendly, too. For summer pregnancies we’d suggest adding maternity swimwear, a maxi dress and a pack of maternity tops (which you can also wear for breastfeeding) to your basket, and for winter pregnancies we recommend stretchy leather look leggings, V-neck jumpers and floaty skirts to layer with tights and see you through ’til baby arrives.
Maternity Black Satin Pleated Midi Skirt
Maternity Navy Spot Frill Bardot Swimsuit
Save when you shop with these New Look discount codes.
7. ASOS Maternity
ASOS’ maternity range is incredibly expansive; they have one of the widest selections of trend-led yet affordable maternity pieces on the market. In fact, a quick search for maternity clothes on the ASOS site throws up over 1,700 results – so you’re sure to find pieces that will fill the gaps in your existing wardrobe. ASOS super-fan pre-pregnancy? You’ll love it even more now.
Not only does ASOS stock maternity clothes from brands like River Island, Nobody’s Child, Wednesday’s Girl and New Look, but they also stock their own-brand maternity range: ASOS DESIGN Maternity. Just like the mainline label, there is a mix of excellent staples and tempting trend-led items. From activewear to maternity swimsuits and swimwear, lingerie, nightwear, knitwear and wide leg trousers there’s no shortage of styles for every taste and budget (whether you’re going bodycon or cottagecore…)
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FYI, they also have incredible loungewear kits to pack in your hospital bag.
ASOS DESIGN Maternity Scoop Neck Midi Dress
ASOS DESIGN Maternity Oversized Brushed Formal Trench Wool Mix Coat
8. Adidas Maternity
In a similar vein to Nike, the Adidas Maternity range is high-quality and designed to flex with your changing body through every stage of pregnancy. While Nike is our go-to for performance cuts, sweat-wicking fabrics and styles for the ever-active mama, Adidas nails sports-luxe loungewear that can also be worn for low-impact exercise. From supportive yoga pants to tracksuit bottoms and hoodies which use drawstrings to highlight your beautiful bump, the Adidas maternity collection champions your team of two.
Dress (Maternity)
AEROREADY Train Essentials Slim-Fit Tank Top (Maternity)
Save when you shop with these Adidas discount codes.
9. Sezane Maternity
Sezane’s commitment to sustainability is clear, making it one of the best brands on our radar. Though not strictly maternity, a lot of their pieces are perfect for growing bumps, plus, all leather goods are vegetable-tanned – a more responsible process than traditional methods that use heavy metals – and they are FSC certified. On top of that, their designs have a vintage vibe that makes them timeless and suitable for every pregnancy you might be lucky enough to have in the future.
Irena Mommy Top
Noan Mariniere
10. River Island Maternity Clothes
Available on both ASOS and River Island’s own-brand site, River Island maternity clothes are trend-led and stylish. Think cool, influencer-adored pieces they’re already known (and loved) for, just with extra room for your growing bump.
Proving you don’t need to lounge around in a tracksuit all day to be comfortable, their maternity mom jeans and maternity shorts have soft waistbands which stretch over your bump, while their maternity dresses feature shirred detailing to adapt to your changing body in all three trimesters (and beyond). The jumpsuits are particularly great right now.
White Maternity Long Sleeve T-Shirt Multipack
Maternity Brown Animal Print Shirred Jumpsuit
Save when you shop with these River Island discount codes.
11. Amazon Maternity
When it comes to finding the basics throughout your pregnancy, Amazon is the place to look – especially if you need anything fast. A lot of it is available on next day delivery (if you’re a Prime member), and you’ll find everything from gym leggings to T-shirts and vests for layering.
Amazon Essentials Women’s Nursing T-Shirt
Amazon Essentials Women’s Active Sculpt Crop Maternity Leggings
Amazon Essentials Women’s Maternity Tank Tops (Pack of 2)
12. Wednesday’s Girl Maternity
We cannot with how pretty Wednesday’s Girl maternity collection is. The dresses are an obvious go-to but we love the fun patterned jumpsuits and striped shirting. They look endlessly more expensive than they actually are and are super easy to throw-on-and-go when the weather is as warm as it has been lately. Plus, you could easily get away with wearing them postpartum. Result.
Wednesday’s Girl Maternity Spliced Floral Midi Tea Dress
Wednesday’s Girl Maternity Long Sleeve Wrap Maxi Dress
Save when you shop with these ASOS discount codes.
13. Nike Maternity
Nike first launched their maternity range back in 2020, after speaking to 30 female athletes who were both pregnant and not pregnant – and scanning over 150,000 scans of expectant mother’s bodies. They dropped a four-piece collection designed for women throughout all stages of pregnancy, including sports bras, the best maternity leggings, hoodies and a tank top. Since then, they’ve expanded their maternity offering tenfold, and you’ll find a range of performance-led styles to work out (and lounge) in during from the first trimester until after your baby arrives. So. Good.
Nike One Women’s Dri-FIT Short-Sleeve Top (Maternity)
Nike One Women’s High-Waisted Leggings (Maternity)
Save when you shop with these Nike discount codes.
14. Chelsea Peers
Searching for the best maternity nightwear? Chelsea Peers has got you with everything from short pyjama sets to satin/silk pyjamas, nighties/shirt dresses and more. They also have you covered when it comes to dressing gowns and slippers too.
Maternity Modal Button Up Short Pyjama Set
Maternity Cotton Cheesecloth Flamingo Sketch Print Short Pyjama Set
15. Mango Maternity
Though Mango’s maternity range is limited (they mainly focus on maternity jeans) every style is trendy and acts as a timeless extensions to your existing wardrobe. Fashion-focused mums-to-be will love the striped cargo jeans and Mango’s edit proves that you don’t have to abandon great style, just because you’re pregnant.
Vent Cotton Dress
Cotton Trousers with Adjustable Drawstring
Save when you shop with these Mango discount codes.
16. Isabella Oliver
If shopping sustainably was your priority pre-bump, you’re likely to be even keener on your wardrobe choices making as small an impact as possible now you’re pregnant. Isabella Oliver is a B-Corp, a winner at the UN Global Climate Action Awards, sources 100% of fabrics responsibly (including organic cotton) and manufactures in Europe. Their classic pieces – think everything from blouses to ribbed nursing dresses – will become pregnancy staples and they also offer rental (for special occasions that fall during your pregnancy) and a selection of pre-loved pieces on their website. Excellent work.
Isabella Oliver Sara Maternity Trousers
Isabella Oliver Grayson Maternity Dress
17. Bump & Milk
Bump & Milk was founded by Alex, a mum to two boys who has experienced every high and low of new motherhood. She wanted to create a maternity brand which was the opposite of the frumpy smock and breastfeeding cliché – stocking chic, long maternity dresses to breastfeeding hoodies and everything in between. They’re all about confident style that feels like “you” and will work postpartum too.
Chloe Wrap Breastfeeding Dress
Sienna Linen Midi Nursing Dress
18. GAP Maternity Clothes
Mamas-to-be the country over rave about GAP maternity clothes, with reviewers obsessed with their high-quality and accessible price point. Though some reviewers reported that you should size-up in some styles to accommodate your changing body shape and growing bump, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Make sure you filter by category like activewear, nursing bras, sweaters or tees and more. The star of the show? Their epic denim maternity dungarees. All the best-laid plans of only rocking non-maternity clothes tend to go out of the window by six months, but the joy of a jumpsuit or maternity overalls is that it’s one piece and you’re done.
Maternity Denim Dungarees
Maternity Long Sleeve Breathable T-Shirt
19. Beyond Nine
The premise of this maternity brand is to create clothes you can wear beyond pregnancy and their quirky style suits cool mamas-to-be. We love the selection of printed jumpsuits that will become your go-to-pieces all pregnancy long – and beyond.
Hallie Cotton Coverall
Huxley Cotton Jersey Top
How we tested the best maternity clothes
Our Website Director, Bianca London, used her own pregnancy as the perfect excuse to trial run the best maternity styles out there and compile this edit. She has shopped for sartorial staples from both independent and high street maternity brands during the second and third trimesters. She also asked her well-dressed pregnant pals and new mums for their top tips to find high-quality maternity wear and scoured Instagram for the ultimate inspiration. Read more about how we test things here.
What month should you start wearing maternity clothes?
This is entirely your call: you could start wearing the above stylish maternity clothes when you no longer feel comfortable in your normal outfits, even if that’s in your first trimester. Generally, most pregnant women will begin wearing maternity clothes when their regular ‘fits feel tight, which might be a few weeks into their second trimester – perhaps around 13-16 weeks onwards. But don’t forget, your maternity style is totally down to you.
Should I size up in maternity clothes? Or do you buy the same size in maternity clothes?
Your maternity size is likely to be around the same size as you were pre-pregnancy – most brands recommend choosing the same size in maternity pieces. So, if you wore a size 10 in jeans pre-baby, you’ll probably be fine to wear a size 10 in maternity jeans when you’re expecting. Of course, it’s a bit of trial and error – but maternity sizes are generally the same as non-maternity sizes, just with extra panels or adjustment to fit around your bump and growing baby.
After more motherhood content? We’ve got baby changing bags, nipple cream, gifts for new mums, baby shower gifts, maternity overalls, travel cots, best maternity leggings, maternity nightwear, breastfeeding tops, nursing pillows and maternity swimwear. There’s also maternity knickers and maternity underwear and maternity gym leggings to check out.