This is probably one of the most common questions I’ve been asked recently — Can you wear regular clothes when pregnant? — and the answer is absolutely. In fact, I make it a point not to wear maternity clothes when pregnant.
Personally, I think there are very few brands making cute maternity clothes, and you wear them for such a short period — you usually don’t really need to start wearing them until 3-5 months into your pregnancy so it’s only a 4-5 month span (plus a month or two postpartum) that you’re going to wear them. If there were lots of cute options, I would invest in a few maternity pieces for that period and just wear them on repeat, but I find most pregnancy clothes are frumpy and unflattering or look like little girls church clothes. And most maternity clothes are pretty expensive to boot. It just doesn’t seem worth it to me.
I do invest in certain maternity staples: a couple good pairs of maternity jeans, maternity t-shirts and tank tops, and a couple good maternity swimsuits (I bought this one, this one, and this one). And I like to invest in a few maternity items from my favorite maternity brand, Hatch. (This pregnancy, I bought this jumpsuit (which is legit the comfiest thing ever), this striped shirt, and a sweater I found at a sample sale and am in love with, and I’m thinking about this tank and this dress and this jumpsuit. And last pregnancy, I bought this dress and this dress, both of which I’ve been wearing when pregs and not.) I love how their clothes can be worn before and after pregnancy, don’t scream maternity, and are so comfortable yet chic. No one wants to be uncomfortable when pregnant, and everything they make is so comfy without looking sloppy.
Other than that, I stick to dresses that can accommodate a bump, shirts a couple sizes up, and longer sweaters. I’ll also use the bellaband to expand jeans and shorts and pants. I’d rather spend money on things I will actually wear again and really like rather than maternity clothes that aren’t terrible but that I don’t love, which is basically all maternity clothes. Plus, a shirtdress or shift dress a size or two up, or a dress with an empire waist line or tent dress is basically the same as maternity dress, so why not invest in one you love and will wear again post-baby? At least that’s my philosophy when it comes to dressing the bump.
I’ve found that dresses are the easiest non-maternity clothes to wear when pregnant. Shirts tend to get cropped as your bump and boobs grow and if you size up too much, they just look ridiculous, and pants are a mixed bag. But dresses that don’t confine at the waist will fit you your entire pregnancy and make you feel pretty and put-together with minimal effort. Plus, they’re perfect for dressing up for work or a party and dressing down for weekends. This dress, for example, is non-maternity, and I would wear it pregnant or not. I love the color and print, and it’s so comfy. I wore it with sneakers for running around the city, with block heeled sandals for work, and with espadrilles for the weekend. I try to invest in a few really cute dresses like this that can be worn a million ways and find they will get me through my pregnancy in style.
On me: Dress (similar here and here); Shoes
Shop more of my pregnancy must-haves:
