Bumpin’ in Style: Fashion Tips for Every Expecting Mama

March 12, 2025|Elizabeth Bean Smith|Leave A Comment

Over the last couple of seasons, we have seen an uptick in dressing for a baby bump! We always say, “When you look good, you feel good,” and this stage of life is no exception! Whitney has had the opportunity to work with numerous clients during their pregnancies and is sharing some tips for staying stylish while managing a baby bump!

Whitney created a baby bump on her mannequin to outfit for one of her clients during their pregnancy

Whitney’s tips for dressing:

Sizing & Fit: Most women begin needing maternity clothing between 12 and 18 weeks. Generally, you can stick with your usual size in maternity wear unless a brand advises otherwise. Keep in mind that what fits in the second trimester may not accommodate your growing bump in the third, so avoid purchasing anything that feels snug from the start.

Fabrics: Comfort and quality are key for expecting moms! Invest in a few high-quality pieces made from stretchy, breathable fabrics that can withstand frequent wear. Look for materials like cotton, spandex, and jersey knits, which adapt to a growing belly while providing support. Breathable fabrics also help regulate body temperature—essential during pregnancy and postpartum.

In most cases, purchase a size and fabric that will grow with you— not fight against you!

Brands:

Legoe Heritage
– reasonably priced ($150 or less)
– chic basics, particularly love their knit sets/dresses

Seraphine
– reasonably priced $200 or less
– one stop shop, maternity and postpartum clothing, sleepwear, swim, lingerie
– carry extended sizes, which is very unusual (petite, tall, and curvy)
– great denim selection for over and under bump

Hatch
– slightly higher prices
– many pieces can easily be worn postpartum because of their structure and style
– Buyback program: resell pieces after baby

Quince
– great price point
– maternity cashmere for under $100!
– easy basics, loungewear

Ingrid & Isabel
– Another one stop shop for pregnancy and postpartum
– Bellaband: stretchy band that extends the life of your pre-baby jeans while pregnant

H&M
– affordable!
– knit sets and dresses

Best Denim:

– Abercrombie & Fitch

– Gap

– DL1961

– Ingrid & Isabel

Undergarments:

– Kindred Bravely for Nursing/Pumping Friendly Bras and Tops

Embrace the Bump: It can be easy to want to wear oversized clothing during your pregnancy, but finding a few key pieces that fit well can make a huge difference. Invest in your growing body. You deserve to feel and look amazing during this beautiful time of your life!

Hear from some of her clients on why working with Whitney made pregnancy easier:

Jamie during her pregnancy in a dress sourced by Whitney

Jamie

I value Whitney and her talent so much! The most beneficial part for me has been her help in translating how I want to feel in my clothes into a real-life wardrobe in my closet. Especially during pregnancy, I was so grateful for the way Whitney lessened my anxiety and mental load—it’s remarkable how much feeling confident in my clothes transforms my mindset each day, and I needed this in double amounts during pregnancy!

I shared with Whitney that I wanted to shop for maternity clothes on a tight budget, and that proved to be no obstacle!

She helped me feel great in my clothes as pregnancy progressed and I was able to continue wearing those clothes until months after my daughter was born. I may or may not still be wearing a few things even eight months postpartum 🙂

Prior to pregnancy, Whitney had helped me so much to understand my own style and how to dress my body so I felt confident in my own skin. All of that felt undone when I got pregnant because my body changed so much. Building a wardrobe of maternity clothes made me feel cared for, confident, celebrated and beautiful in a challenging (but exciting!) season. I had a closet full of clothes that fit and that I didn’t have to think about, which was invaluable when I had so many other things taking up space in my mind!

It wasn’t even just about the clothes though. She was excited for me and celebrated with me. She’s been in my corner since we started working together and this season was so fun to share with her.

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Dana

Working with Whitney provided ease and comfort during a challenging pregnancy. I transitioned to a new company while pregnant, and Whitney was instrumental in developing a portfolio of comfortable, professional outfits so I could present my best, most confident self. It was also hard to leave the house to shop, so Whitney’s efforts solved a big challenge for me during an incredibly important time.

Whitney made this major life transition so much easier. Because Whitney is also a mom, she could offer me much-needed reassurance about my shape and wardrobe. Whitney was really helpful in preparing me for postpartum. She helped me source outfits for the first few weeks postpartum and later worked with me on sizing and outfitting for my new shape. Working with Whitney made my new shape feel like a fashion opportunity instead of a challenge. I wish all moms could be so lucky!