I’m a little over the 22 week mark now, and it’s safe to say that a fair chunk of my wardrobe no longer fits me… As we head into the final couple months of the year, I’m really trying to make good on my “fewer, better” style goal. Essentially, where I need to buy anything new for the pregnancy, I want it to be something that continues to add value even after baby arrives next year. For anyone also on their pregnancy journey (or just starting out), I thought I’d share how I’ve decided to approach my maternity wardrobe.
Dresses L to R: Farrow white midi dress, Lune Resort maxi dress (also here), Tirelli polka dot dress, Karen Walker gingham dress (old but I love this & also this off shoulder style), Marks & Spencer stripe dress (old but similar here), Glassons polka dot dress (old but similar), Matteau black tiered dress
Bags L to R: JW Anderson logo bag, Parisa Wang mock croc leather bag (here in red), Polene black number one bag
Shoes L to R: Dior slingback flats, Charlotte Olympia pumps (old but similar here), By Far tanya mules in nude patent (10% off with ‘SPRING10’)
1 | utilise what you have
Easier said than done, right? Essentially, I combed through my existing wardrobe and set aside anything that might work for a maternity wardrobe. Our baby is due at the start of March, so everything I picked out had a summer bent to it. Oversized t-shirts, loose singlets, airy blouses, anything with a stretch waistband, and loose, breezy sundresses. Surprisingly, I had more to work with than I’d anticipated. This really helped to set the tone for what I might need to add to my maternity wardrobe (if anything!).
2 | put what you *can’t* wear in storage
I actually shared this entire process in a recent YT video, but as soon as I hit the halfway mark, I pulled everything out of my closet that no longer fit. I’m such a visual person, so being able to open my wardrobe each day and know at a glance that everything fits was a game changer. I chose to use this opportunity to also give my closet a declutter. I took into consideration that while I may revert back to my pre-pregnancy size, my body may also change slightly, and I wanted to remove the pressure to try and fit into anything that was particularly small. What I love about this is that it’ll be like discovering a whole new wardrobe when I tuck into those suitcases after the baby arrives.
3 | map out your maternity style
This was probably the trickiest part. My style is typically characterised by high-waisted skirts or shorts during the summer; two things which no longer fit me. It’s meant that I’ve had to re-evaluate the way that I dress day-to-day, and think about how I can incorporate styles and silhouettes I love into my maternity wardrobe. Rather than fight it, I’ve opted to go for more feminine, floaty silhouettes. Sydney gets up to 40 deg C (and then some) during the summer, so I want to be comfortable. Ultimately, I’d like to keep as cool as possible! I’ve opted for fitted tanks and loose t-shirts up top, with midi or knee length skirts that had a stretch waistband. Or, I’ll wear a floaty midi or maxi dress. I’ve also kept out a few of my buttons ups to wear tied at the waist, or loose as a cover up.
4 | opt for new items that’ll add value to your wardrobe overall
As I mentioned earlier, the key thing for me when shopping for my maternity wardrobe was to think about longevity. It’s easy to get a little carried away (especially as there are some cute maternity styles out there), and by placing a few small caveats around how I shop, I’ve managed to buy less but buy smarter. Questions I asked myself were things like; Would I still wear this after the baby arrives? Is this appropriate for nursing? Is the fabric breathable? Does it have stretch or room to grow?
5 | how my maternity wardrobe is shaping up
I’d like to think I’m pretty much set for the pregnancy at this stage. Over the past few months I’ve kept my eyes peeled for any pieces that might do double duty (pre and post-pregnancy, that is), and tried to shop accordingly. I’ve also tried to make the most of any available discounts, to get a bit more bang for my buck too. Essentially, I’ve tried not to rush things. Perhaps the most-reached for section of my closet so far has been dresses. I find these so easy to throw on, and I like that for the most part, they don’t obviously scream that I’m pregnant.
Perhaps the thing that I’ve noticed most, is how much love I’m getting out of the smaller selection of items now in my closet. Since doing an edit, I’ve found myself reaching for the same items on repeat. I’ll admit, my closet got a little bloated through the middle of the year, and it’s nice to have a more curated selection. It’s made getting dressed simpler as there’s less to choose from, and I feel great in everything that’s available to me.
I’d love to hear any maternity wardrobe styling tips from the mama’s out there; what was your favourite style of outfit to wear throughout your pregnancy? xx
