Don't buy maternity clothes yet – these genius hacks will stretch your wardrobe while pregnant
Before you splurge on maternity wear, try these smart, budget- and environment-friendly tricks that make your pre-pregnancy wardrobe work harder.
I set myself a New Year’s resolution back in 2021 to start shopping more sustainably – only buying new clothes when I really needed them and from brands that I knew had a good eco-friendly ethos.
But when I found out I was pregnant in the summer, I knew I’d have to switch up my approach. Did I really have to fill my cupboards with tons of maternity clothes that I’d only be wearing for a short time? And would I even be able to afford to? The caveat with buying sustainable clothing is that it’s often more expensive, and having a baby is costly enough without giving my wardrobe an entire makeover.
Having a baby is costly enough without giving my wardrobe an entire makeover.
At the same time, I wanted to feel comfortable and confident with my growing bump and was also aware I could only rely on the hair-band hack to do up my jeans for so long (for those not in the know: loop a hair band through the buttonhole, then over the button. Result: roomier jeans!).
I settled on a compromise: see what I can make stretch, but rely on a few staples that I felt assured would go the distance – taking me to the end of my pregnancy and perhaps beyond.
As for the clothes I won’t be wearing for a while, I’ve stored them away so I can rotate my new capsule wardrobe with ease, leaving space for the key items I know I’ll be reaching for every day.
Natalie's maternity wardrobe must-haves
Nursing bras
My pre-pregnancy bras were one of the first things to go and I realised by around week 13 that I was starting to get uncomfortable, so I invested in some FlexiFit non-wired nursing bras from M&S.
I initially only bought two as I assumed my cup size would adjust during the pregnancy, which it has, so I’ve since purchased a couple more in a larger cup size. As they’re nursing bras, they also have an inner cotton sling that clips and unclips for feeding, so I can continue to wear them after my baby arrives.
Over-bump maternity leggings or jeggings
The pair of over-bump maternity leggings I purchased from Isabella Oliver at around 16 weeks have become one of my everyday staples. Made from stretchy Viscose jersey, they have a large elasticated panel that supports my bump and pair perfectly with jumpers, shirts and t-shirts.
Dungarees
I’m not sure any pregnant woman’s wardrobe is complete without a pair of denim dungarees, and the pair I chose by Ripe (via Tiffany Rose) has adjustable straps, an elasticated waist and buttons on the side, so I can continue wearing them throughout and beyond my pregnancy.
Being able to layer them over different t-shirts and jumpers also offers lots of versatility, plus they’re comfortable, too.
An all-purpose maternity coat
Whether or not you’ll need a new coat will depend on the season, but as someone going through pregnancy in the winter, I knew I’d need a roomier jacket to see me through the chillier months.
I wanted something smart, practical, waterproof and warm enough to wear in cold weather, so I wouldn’t need to buy multiple coats for different occasions.
There are some fashion brands that sell dedicated maternity coats and jackets, but I chose this Thermowarmth™ Hooded Puffer Jacket from M&S in one size larger than I’d normally buy and it does exactly what I need it to, offering plenty of space for my bump to grow.
Natalie's top tips for dressing in pregnancy
Build a capsule wardrobe
Select timeless, neutral maternity wear that you can easily mix and match with your existing wardrobe, then layer with accessories or knitwear. The pivot towards oversized fashion in recent years (thank you, Gen Z) has done me a favour here, as I’ve been able to hold onto a handful of baggier tops and jumpers, which pair perfectly with my maternity jeans and dungarees.
Look for adaptable clothing
It’s worth investing in a piece of maternity wear that can be adjusted as your bump grows, so you get plenty of wear from it throughout your pregnancy and even once the baby has arrived.
Fashion brands like Beyond Nine and Isabella Oliver are great for this, offering everything from elasticated jeans to dungarees with adjustable straps. For nightwear, I also love Chelsea Peers, which has a range of ultra-soft pyjamas for maternity and post-partum.
Shop second-hand
If you want to keep costs down, charity shops and second-hand platforms like Vinted, Thrift+ and eBay are a haven for maternity clothes – you can give a new home to preloved items, helping to reduce textile waste in the process, and find good-quality items for a fraction of the original price.
Don’t buy everything at once
None of us can be sure of how much (or even how little) our bodies will change during pregnancy, so I’ve found it helpful to bookmark any items I like and only buy when I really need them. Some of the clothes you bought at the start may start to feel tighter as your bump grows anyway, so consider the longevity of any pieces you do invest in.
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