If you want stylish & quality maternity clothes, but want to buy sustainably, it pays to think capsule wardrobe. While eco-friendly fabric choices and good garment recycling programs are important, the single most sustainable choice you can make is not to buy more than you really need.
Fortunately, in the case of your maternity work wardrobe, the list of things you really need is pretty short. If you purchase thoughtfully, going for quality materials, versatile styles, and coordinating colors, you'll be able to create a surprising number of outfits from just these 7 items:
1. Black Maternity Leggings
2. Black Maternity Dress
3. Sleeveless Maternity & Nursing Top
4. Black Maternity Work Pants
5. Solid Maternity & Nursing Blouse
6. Maternity Jeans
7. Nursing Bra
7 Maternity Wardrobe Must-Haves
1. Maternity Leggings
Comfortable, versatile, always flattering - maternity leggings are the holy grail of maternity wear. Wear them with a gorgeous blouse at work, and with a loose tank or pullover at home. Bonus if your favorite pants are made from recycled or sustainable materials!
2. Black Maternity & Nursing Dress
The magic of the LBD doesn't disappear in pregnancy. In fact, a flattering black maternity dress will likely be the style you feel the best in throughout your pregnancy and nursing. Choose a style that looks put together at work and can double beautifully as a date ensemble. Go for a timeless cut (in case of multiple pregnancies), and make sure your style doubles as a nursing dress so you can avoid purchasing additional breastfeeding clothing later. If black isn't your speed, opt for another solid neutral, like beige or blue.
3. Sleeveless Maternity & Nursing Top
A white maternity tank with nursing access is essential for layering under blazers at work or loose sweaters at home, and can be worn alone in warm weather. Go for comfortable fabrics that are thick enough to cover your bra and smooth pregnancy bloating.
4. Black Maternity Work Pants
Maternity work pants are the go-to work wardrobe item for most pregnant and postpartum moms. They are flattering and can go with anything - from a structured maternity suit to a flowy maternity top. We can't even count the number of times mamas have told us, "I lived in my black maternity pants when I was pregnant." Make sure they're high quality and offer you a great fit.
5. Solid Maternity & Nursing Blouse
A great maternity & nursing blouse lets you move effortlessly between work and home. Dress it up with a maternity pencil skirt or pair or dress pants, and down with a pair of comfy maternity leggings or easy maternity jeans. Buttondowns are also perfect breastfeeding tops, meaning you won't need to invest in a second nursing-specific shirt after baby is born. Best of all, a maternity buttondown blouse doesn't look like a breastfeeding top. Pro tip: don't buy a patterned blouse or a trendy color that you'd never put in your core wardrobe. Choose a solid color in whichever neutral is your perennial favorite, like pale blue, white, navy, or beige.
6. Nursing Bra
A maternity & nursing bra is a must-have for all breastfeeding mamas who are nursing at home and/or pumping at the office. Find a supportive maternity and nursing bra for work, and prioritize comfortable bras at home.
7. Maternity Jeans
You'll probably spend a lot of time in your maternity jeans, so make sure you find a great fit and quality, comfortable fabric with stretch. Under belly styles can be flattering with a cute tuck, but you should only expect to be able to wear them earlier in your pregnancy and during recovery, as many pregnant women find them uncomfortable later in pregnancy. If you only plan to buy one or two pairs, go for maternity jeans with a supportive over-belly band. A flattering pair with some stretch will take you seamlessly from early pregnancy through postpartum recovery.
Once you've found amazing versions of these 7 basics, the rest of your pregnancy wardrobe can be easily filled in with maternity-friendly pieces that are already in your closet (think open-front jackets, empire waist tops, and stretchy maxi dresses). Remember, it's about quality, not quantity. If you buy thoughtfully and plan your maternity capsule before you pull out your credit card, I think you'll be surprised at how much you like and use each piece in your maternity wardrobe.
We'd love to hear from you!
Tell us your maternity wardrobe planning tips below, and share any other pieces you find essential to a stylish maternity capsule below.
