When to Start Wearing Maternity Clothes and What to Look for
As soon as you notice the first hint of a baby bump, you may start wondering when you can go shopping for pregnancy clothes. I mean, what could be more exciting?! Of course, in reality, figuring out which maternity clothes actually fit and flatter can be far from fun. The good news: With the right maternity clothing, you’ll look and feel your best as you count down each week to your due date. In the meantime, here’s a rundown of when to start wearing maternity clothes, how to start your search and which basics should be in every pregnant woman’s maternity wardrobe.
When do you start wearing maternity clothes? Well, no two bodies experience pregnancy the same way, so the answer totally depends on your experience, comfort and personal preference.
Trina Pagano, MD, an ob-gyn at the Cleveland Clinic, offers some clues that you may be ready to swap out your regular wardrobe and start wearing maternity clothes:
- You feel bloated all day, every day
- Your bump starts to peek out of your shirt to say hello
- Your button-down shirts don’t actually button all the way down
- Spandex is your preferred clothing material
- Unbuttoning the top button of your pants is no longer reserved for after meals
These telltale signs coincide with what’s happening with baby’s growth in utero. “At 20 weeks, the uterus is typically at the level of the navel,” Pagano explains. “So many women begin to show at this point, but there’s variability depending on the mother’s height and body type, weight gain, number of babies in utero and if it’s a first pregnancy.” (The bump typically ‘pops’ a little later in first pregnancies compared to subsequent ones.)
For first-time moms, it’s easy to get excited about being pregnant and showing off your bump, even during the early stages of pregnancy. Still, you may want to resist the urge to start shopping for pregnancy clothes in those first 12 weeks. “In the first trimester, you’re still sorting through the changes in your body,” says Jenny Greenstein, a New York City-based personal stylist for pregnancy and motherhood and founder of YourSoulStyle.com. “In the beginning of your second trimester, when your belly starts to take shape, you want to begin collecting your items.” That said, if you see a maternity must-have on sale that you absolutely love, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t scoop it up.
I'm only 14 weeks, but nothing fits. My pants don't fit, my shirts won't button…it's embarrassing and I'm running out of wardrobe options.
If this is your first pregnancy, it’s nearly impossible to figure out how your body will change as your pregnancy progresses. This means it’s even trickier to estimate what size maternity clothes you’ll need to get. “Typically, if you’re a size 6 pre-pregnancy, then you’ll probably be a maternity 6. But everyone is different, so you might be a maternity 8 or you might be a maternity 4, depending on how you carry your pregnancy,” explains New York City-based stylist Samantha Brown. “It’s important to buy what’s comfortable—same as when you’re not pregnant. It has a lot to do with the proportions of someone’s body.” And keep in mind, not every part of your body is growing at the same rate. “Some women go up many bra cup sizes before their belly even pops out, so I’d say just ignore the maternity clothing sizing and buy what fits and feels right.”
Molly Bellar, head of brand at Ingrid + Isabel, agrees, adding that you might opt for a looser fit to maximize comfort as your body changes. Keep in mind, while there are maternity clothes designed for pregnancy, if you have a favorite non-maternity clothing brand, you may be able to get away with buying some pieces in a larger size for pregnancy.
Do what makes you feel comfortable. We already have to adjust to being bloated, not sleeping, nausea, headaches, etc. with pregnancy—shouldn't we at least feel comfortable in our clothes? Once I felt uncomfortable, I bought maternity clothes.
Two buzzwords you’ll hear over and over when it comes to maternity clothing are “basics” and “essentials.” While some items will sound like familiar favorites in your pre-pregnancy closet, others are maternity wardrobe staples unique to accommodate and flatter your bump. Below, Bellar lists some maternity clothing essentials to have on hand:
- T-shirts. Buy a few stretchy maternity T-shirts in colors that work with your existing clothing, such as white, gray and black. Nothing tops off a pair of (maternity) jeans better than this most basic of basics.
- Maternity jeans: With so many changes happening to your body, you’ll feel comforted that you can still throw on a pair of jeans. And once you try super-comfy maternity jeans you may never want to go back to your old ones.
- Leggings: It’s a good idea to have a few pairs of pregnancy-friendly leggings in rotation that will mold to your body. Maternity leggings are one of the best options for comfort.
- Maternity underwear and bras: Invest in seamless and comfortable but pretty underwear and a few stylish, supportive bras. Being intentional about this most intimate layer of clothing sets the tone for everything else you put on. Bonus: Many maternity bras double as nursing bras, which gives you more bang for your buck.
- One-piece outfits: As Bellar notes, having “versatile one-piece outfits, like a dress or jumpsuit that can work for multiple occasions” can take some of the stress out of dressing up while pregnant.
- Maternity work clothes: Bellar cites work pants as a must-have, especially if you’re going into an office. An oversized blazer is also a great second layer. It’ll keep you looking chic and will fit even as you grow throughout your pregnancy. To help you get the most out of your pants, Bellar also suggests considering a maternity band.
My favorite are my black yoga pants from Motherhood Maternity—I can lounge in them at night, or wear them to bed, or just wear them on the weekends.
How much maternity clothing do you need?
A lot depends on the season you’re due and exactly how your body changes, but choosing a few maternity wardrobe staples is a good place to start. A pair of quality maternity jeans (in a wash that goes with everything) will take you far, as will at least one pair of basic black leggings—you’ll probably live in these postpartum too. It’s also a good idea to invest in a couple of versatile dresses that can be dressed up or down. Depending on what you’ve got planned for the later weeks of your pregnancy, you also might want a fancier dress suitable for a wedding, maternity photoshoot or your baby shower. Along with these, a few bump-friendly T-shirts and tanks are key. Beyond that, what you need might be purely seasonal, like a winter coat that can actually zip over your belly, or a maternity swimsuit.
As you’re looking for these pieces, don’t forget to shop your own closet first. “Buy what you need and what can compliment what you already have in your closet,” Bellar says. “You don’t need a new wardrobe, just what will make you comfortable throughout your pregnancy.”
As you’re shopping for pregnancy clothes, remember these basic tips to get the most out of your budget. A few wise purchases can even last you beyond the bump. “Look for quality and versatility,” Bellar says. “You’ll be wearing these clothes on repeat and they need to be able to be styled for work, brunch and occasions.” Below, some expert tips on what to look for:
- Opt for Stretchability: Pay attention to the fabric when shopping for pregnancy clothes, because you don’t know where exactly you’ll continue to grow as you move through each trimester, Greenstein says. “Anything with a flex fabric, a stretch fabric or a jersey fabric is definitely going to give you more flexibility,” she adds.
- Test for sheerness: Sometimes you just have to bend over, touch your toes and ask the fitting room attendant if they can see anything they shouldn’t be able to. “Maternity clothing tends to have a lot of stretch in it, so it’s important to look at it in motion,” Brown says. Garments that go sheer when stretched are something to look out for when shopping for pregnancy clothes.
- Embrace ruching: It’s a feature that allows your maternity clothes to grow with your bump. “It works with any single body type,” Greenstein says. “Even if you buy an item with ruching in your first trimester, you’re never going to run into any issues, because it totally flexes with your shape.”
- Think beyond pregnancy: It’s really helpful when a maternity brand has nursing features built in. “If you intend on breastfeeding, invest in maternity clothes that you feel beautiful and comfortable in for your nine months and beyond,” Greenstein says.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sizes will I go up in pregnancy?
Unfortunately, there’s no clear cut answer to this, as each person’s body will change depending on their pregnancy (for example, if they’re carrying multiples), weight gain and personal preference in terms of fit, Bellar says. While maternity clothing is designed for changing bodies, she recommends starting with your pre-pregnancy size.
How many bra sizes will I go up in pregnancy?
On average, most women go up one to two cup sizes, Bellar says, adding, “some may experience more significant changes.” In fact, a bigger breast size may be one of the first body changes you see in pregnancy.
What month should you start wearing maternity clothes?
Bellar notes most women start wearing maternity clothes between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy, but again this may vary depending on your personal circumstances.
Do I need to wash maternity clothes before wearing them?
This is true for baby clothes and it’s true for maternity clothes. “This is recommended to remove potential skin irritants as pregnant women may have more sensitive skin,” Bellar notes.
How long into pregnancy can you wear a maternity band for pants?
“You can wear it throughout your pregnancy and after your pregnancy as your body transitions back into your pre-pregnancy pants,” Bellar says.
When do you start wearing maternity jeans?
Similar to maternity clothing overall, most women will start wearing maternity jeans between 12 and 20 weeks, but, again, this may vary depending on personal circumstances.
Do you need to buy maternity clothes?
While you don’t need to buy maternity clothing, Bellar notes that it can help provide comfort and support, not to mention you can wear them during the fourth trimester and beyond. “Most women after birth wish they had bought their maternity pants sooner so they would have been more comfortable earlier,” she says. But ultimately, “the decision to buy maternity clothes depends on your personal comfort, style preferences and budget,” she adds. “Many women find a mix of maternity and non-maternity clothes works best for them throughout their pregnancy.”
Plus, more from The Bump:
Molly Bellar is the head of brand at maternity brand Ingrid + Isabel. She has over a decade of experience working with parenting and pregnancy brands. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara.
Samantha Brown is a New York City-based stylist and has worked for major fashion magazines, as well as over a thousand fashion shows. She also serves as video director for B Live and shoots New York Fashion Week shows for brands such as Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Khaite, Michael Kors and more.
Trina Pagano, MD, is an ob-gyn at the Cleveland Clinic. She earned her medical degree from and completed her residency at The Ohio State University.
Jenny Greenstein is a New York City-based personal stylist for pregnancy and motherhood with over a decade of experience. She’s also the founder of YourSoulStyle.com. She earned her degree in fashion merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
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