The Ultimate Maternity Capsule Wardrobe, According to Moms Who've Tried Everything

One of my main fashion regrets during my first pregnancy? Not investing in maternity jeans sooner. Though everybody is different, I outgrew most of my beloved denim by week 14, and rather than buying a few nice pairs of maternity jeans that could grow with me, I tried to stick it out with just sweats, leggings and loose, flowy trousers…big mistake. As the workhorse of my wardrobe, no denim made getting dressed each morning feel next to impossible, especially during the winter months. And once I finally caved, I was only a few weeks shy of my due date—meaning I still ended up spending the money on new jeans (financial advisors call that one a sunk cost) with a much shorter window to enjoy them.

If I could do it over again, I’d invest in three to four pairs of jeans in varying washes and styles. Swing through a dressing room to try a few on IRL—I preferred a waistband that sat below the belly, but some people like the support of a full belly panel. I also suggest taking note of what you’re constantly reaching for in your current closet, whether it be your millennial skinnies or those trendy barrel jeans. Then, find the pregnancy-friendly equivalent and stock up (since you know they already work for your style and frame).

The beauty of a bump-friendly dress? It doesn’t have to be maternity-specific. To stretch my budget, I only invested in dresses I could comfortably wear while pregnant and postpartum (bonus points if it also had nursing features). My goal was to find pieces that could accommodate a growing bump without sacrificing future utility, and certain silhouettes like empire waists, maxis, wrap dresses and even bodycon styles (plus stretchy fabrics like jersey, spandex and cotton) made sticking to that shopping rule so much easier.

Dresses from brands like Hill House, Storq and Quince were favored among PureWow editors. I rocked the popular Ellie Nap Dress to my own baby shower with ease (in my pre-pregnancy size, might I add), and I can’t wait to break it out again on our first summer vacation as a family of three. Rachel Bowie, senior director of special projects and mom to two boys also agrees: “I lived in that dress for its easy and flattering comfort, but also love that I could wear it postpartum.”

There comes a time in every pregnancy when even your biggest sweatshirts start to feel snug. Enter the open-front option: a cardigan or button-down. The bulk of my time with a bump spanned both winter and spring, so I stocked up on these two transitional styles to help round out my maternity wardrobe. Thrown on top of a dress, jumpsuit or T-shirt, both options effortlessly added depth and dimension to an otherwise one-note outfit. Plus, like so much else on this list, I love that they can be worn through the fourth trimester and beyond.

Bowie and I both loved the ease and lightweight feel of Storq’s classic Easy Button-Up. Crafted with a woven modal blend fabric meant it was also machine-washable and required zero ironing right off the hanger (because, seriously, who has the time?).

Comfortable, versatile and easy to dress up or down, leggings have always been a staple in my wardrobe, and pregnancy turned out to be no different. (I’m a millennial, sue me.) Though certain occasions called for more formal attire, I practically lived in my maternity leggings, whether I was lounging at a friend’s, powering through a Pilates class or running errands around town. Stick to materials that feel supportive but stretchy, like spandex, polyester, nylon and cotton (or a blend of all four) and look for styles that feature a belly panel that can grow with you without being too restrictive. My go-to brands for my first pregnancy? Beyond Yoga for prenatal exercise, Kindred Bravely for everyday and good ‘ole Amazon for inexpensive finds.  

I’d never been a jumpsuit or overall girl…until I got pregnant. Now, I can’t imagine making it through the past nine months without a handful of these hanging in my closet. Though I eventually found a few pairs of pants I could tolerate, waistbands were not my friend. The comfort, flexibility and convenience of a throw-on-and-go jumpsuit made getting dressed so much easier. And thanks to their stretchy fabrics, I know I’ll be able to enjoy them long after the baby arrives. “I wore so. many. overalls,” executive editor Dara Katz tells me when thinking back on her two pregnancies. “I also loved a romper/jumpsuit situation,” executive editor and mom of three Alexia Dellner says. “It's easy to throw on, super comfy and makes me feel like I'm in a Nora Ephron movie.” Many maternity jumpsuits are also designed with breastfeeding in mind, giving you one less thing to worry about (or plan for) once your baby is earthside.

If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy, enjoy bending down to tie your shoes while you still can, because once you can’t see your toes past that bump, all bets are off. I finally bought a pair of slip-on sneakers from KURU after one too many freak-outs with some unsuspecting laces, and boy am I happy I did. The slip-on feature is seamless and hands-free, and the overall design of the shoe feels just as cool as my usual Nikes. I was nervous the rigid heel would cause unwanted blisters on my ankle or Achilles, but there was zero discomfort right out of the box. Plus, they feature patented heel-hugging technology for all-day support, as well as a wide footbed that helped accommodate any sizing fluctuations I experienced due to pregnancy swelling.

The one thing you can rely on in any pregnancy? Your body will change. So, if there was ever a time to refresh your undergarment drawer, it’s now. When it comes to maternity underwear, cut and style are entirely up to you, but finding the right fit is most important. Look for a waistband that can sit comfortably above or below your belly, and only go for soft, stretchy fabrics that are light and breathable, like cotton, bamboo or nylon. Embrace is one maternity brand I’m so happy I found early on. It offers a ton of great clothing options—including tanks and dresses—but I adored the buttery soft nursing bras and underwear for everyday wear. Plus, the pregnancy sizing charts were so easy to navigate, meaning I felt confident each purchase would actually fit upon arrival.