
<p>Expecting moms, here’s a little secret I wish I had known sooner: you don’t <em>need</em> maternity clothes to dress comfortably during pregnancy. In fact, many regular pieces work just as well — if not better — throughout all three trimesters and even beyond.</p>



<p>I first discovered this during my initial pregnancy. Since I was working from home and delivered my daughter in July 2022, my daily fashion decisions mostly involved picking which pair of black leggings had the least cat hair. On the rare occasions I had to look put-together, I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of my existing wardrobe staples — maxi dresses, skirts, and oversized button-down shirts — worked beautifully all the way through delivery.</p>



<p>Fast-forward to my second pregnancy, and things look a little different. I’m back in the office four days a week, so real outfits are a daily requirement, and I need variety. Yet my approach hasn’t changed much: with thoughtful shopping, about 90% of my pregnancy wardrobe is still made up of non-maternity pieces. That means most of what I buy now will continue to serve me well postpartum — and I have far more choices when it comes to where I shop.</p>



<p>Not convinced? Here’s how I’ve built a stylish, comfortable pregnancy wardrobe without a single pair of traditional maternity jeans in sight.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dresses That Do It All</h3>



<p>In a non-maternity pregnancy wardrobe, dresses are the undisputed MVPs. From flowy maxis to structured midis and easygoing minis, there are countless silhouettes that transition effortlessly from pre-pregnancy through postpartum.</p>



<p>I’ve been especially loving shirtdresses — a crisp, preppy one from Vineyard Vines and a breezy striped version from Tuckernuck are two favorites. These styles offer generous, forgiving fits that disguise a small bump in the early days but highlight it once it’s more pronounced. Add a couple of trendy maxi dresses to the mix, and you’re covered for all nine months.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jeans and Pants You’ll Actually Rewear</h3>



<p>We’re all familiar with traditional maternity jeans and their signature elastic panels. They serve their purpose, but they’re often only useful toward the very end of pregnancy — and not exactly something you’ll reach for afterward.</p>



<p>A smarter alternative? Pull-on jeans and pants with built-in stretch. These are growing in popularity for good reason: they adapt as you do and are wearable well beyond pregnancy. My Rag &; Bone Miramar jeans, for instance, feel as soft as sweatpants but look like real denim, and they’ve been a staple deep into my third trimester. And for work, my Everlane pull-on trousers strike the perfect balance — as comfy as loungewear, yet polished enough for the office.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tops That Grow With You</h3>



<p>Oversized sweaters are a cold-weather pregnancy dream — cozy, cute, and bump-friendly. But since both of my pregnancies have been in the summer, I’ve leaned heavily on loose, boxy T-shirts instead. Whether cropped or longline, these tops pair perfectly with jeans, skirts, and shorts.</p>



<p>The real star of my maternity-friendly wardrobe, though, is the oversized button-down. The one I’ve been living in is from Anthropologie, but you can find similar options in every color and fabric imaginable — or, like me, just borrow from your partner’s closet.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Skirts and Shorts With Room to Spare</h3>



<p>When it comes to skirts and shorts, the same rules apply: think elastic waistbands and flowy fabrics. I picked up a pair of Madewell pull-on denim shorts during a heatwave, and they quickly became a summer staple. The adjustable drawstring is a lifesaver as your bump grows.</p>



<p>For skirts, I love styling midi and maxi lengths with my go-to T-shirts. Early on, they’re great for concealing a bump if you’re not ready to share the news. Later, they show it off in the best possible way — a seamless day-to-night solution, pregnancy edition.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cozy Loungewear That Lasts</h3>



<p>Of course, no pregnancy wardrobe is complete without comfortable loungewear. While maternity-specific leggings and sweatpants exist, many mainstream brands work just as well if you size up. I’ve been living in my Aviator Nation and Splendid sweats, which manage to be cozy <em>and</em> stylish.</p>



<p>And no pregnancy style roundup is complete without a mention of Lululemon’s Align collection. Beloved by moms everywhere, these pieces stretch beautifully with your changing body and are just as wearable before, during, and long after pregnancy. I’m still wearing the same pair I bought during my first pregnancy — proof of their longevity and timeless design.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p>Pregnancy is a journey, but it doesn’t have to mean an entirely new wardrobe. With a little strategy, you can skip most of the maternity section, invest in pieces that work long-term, and still feel like yourself every step of the way.</p>

I’m Officially Ditching Maternity Clothes — Who’s With Me?
