5 Best Petite Maternity Clothes Brands, Recommended by Expectant Moms
In a nutshell:
Based on our survey of over 300 members of The Bump community, extensive market research and advice from a stylist, we chose PinkBlush Maternity as the overall best petite maternity clothing brand for moms-to-be. This brand stood out because of its wide selection of petite-friendly choices, and its commitment to style, comfort and affordability.
Do you measure under 5 foot 3 inches? Welcome to the petite club, Mama! As most clothing is designed using statuesque mannequins, regular shirts and pants tend to swamp smaller frames. Fortunately, petite clothing is specifically designed to fit people who are shorter in stature. But if you’re pregnant, finding petite maternity clothes can be tricky.
“It’s definitely a challenge for women who are petite to find bottoms and even jackets,” says Liz Teich, a New York-based stylist and mom. While choices might be limited, it is possible to find bump-friendly petite clothing—if you know where to look. “When it comes to maternity, we’re not really dressing for a body shape as much as wanting to show off our bump,” says Teich. “Do what’s best for you, your style and what you think is the most flattering thing for you.” Of course, you still might need a point in the right direction—in which case don’t sweat it, we’ve rounded up the best petite maternity clothing brands for all your needs.
To find the best petite maternity clothes brands on the market:
- We surveyed almost 350 members of The Bump community, and asked about their favorite maternity clothes brands.
- We identified common challenges for petite expectant moms, such as pants with overly long inseams.
- We interviewed a NYC stylist to understand how petites can shop the best outfits for their frame and style.
- We conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums, message boards and user reviews to see how these brands worked for moms-to-be across the country.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Best overall petite maternity clothes brand
- Wide range of options
- Some styles can be worn postpartum
- Frequent sales/promotions
- Some say quality is thin
PinkBlush Maternity is known for its stylish selection of maternity clothing, from everyday basics to dressier work and special occasion wear. With its dedicated petite-friendly section, moms-to-be with smaller frames can find both fitted styles that hug their bump or roomier styles for a more oversized and relaxed look. PinkBlush was the fan favorite among our survey respondents, and when they told us what they liked, the variety of choice PinkBlush offers petite moms stood out over and over again. As Danette, an expectant mom, told us, “I love Pink Blush for their endless inventory for any occasion or need.” She added praise for the quick shipping and trendy styles, adding, “There hasn’t been an item I didn’t like.”
Danette wasn’t the only one taken with the style—mom-to-be Danielle was among several other mamas who recommended PinkBlush, and she said, “Pink Blush has the most adorable maternity clothes. I receive so many compliments on my dresses… They fit well and are flattering, making this mama feel beautiful.” PinkBlush offers dresses in shorter lengths and tops from essential tees to flattering blouses that fit well for petite moms-to-be. For petite moms seeking comfort, style, and a perfect fit, PinkBlush is the go-to brand that makes maternity dressing easier, stylish, and more affordable.
Size range: S to XL | Price range: $27 to $89 | Return policy: Within 30 days, less shipping
Our community says:
I haven’t found a negative with the brand. – Danielle, expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Current trends, and comfortable! – Rebecca*, expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best stylish petite maternity clothes brand
- High quality
- Many petite pant options
- Style not compromised
- Expensive
Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. Seraphine ensures you look your best with maternity wear that maintains a fashionable look throughout every stage. Seraphine carries everything from petite maternity jeans to maxi dresses, work pants, and more. This brand is a favorite of Ashlee N., mom of two and content director for The Bump, who says, “I'm a petite mom and Seraphine was one of my go-to brands for maternity clothes. Not only did I love the style and fabrics, but everything always fit like a dream! A lot of the designs also have wraps and waist ties, so I could cinch tops and dresses in for a more fitted look on my petite frame.”
The London-based line combines timeless elegance with modern trends. Whether you’re looking for a classic wrap dress or a tailored jacket, their pieces remain stylish and sophisticated, making them perfect for everyday wear and special occasions. Our research shows that while moms-to-be consider Seraphine to be on the pricier side, they also consider the clothing to be an investment in quality.
Size range: US 2 to 12 | Price range: $59 to $125 | Return policy: Within 30 days if unworn
Our community says:
Style [is] not compromised. – Paige, expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best petite maternity clothes brand for comfort
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Wide range from activewear to business casual
- Petite sizing available online only
Comfort is at the core of Old Navy’s maternity wear. In our research, we found that first-time moms-to-be and veteran moms alike raved about the flexibility and breathability of Old Navy’s petite maternity line—whether the item in question was cotton, spandex or a modal blend, we found women saying the fabrics are exceptionally soft and cozy. Beatriz, an expectant mom, told us, “I love that it’s comfortable; they aren’t falling off like many brands.” Ashlee agrees, adding, “My Old Navy items were super comfortable! The fabrics were soft and felt nice against the skin, and the clothes were well-designed to match my changing shape.”
Old Navy offers variety alongside comfort—in addition to casual wear and business casual, Old Navy’s maternity yoga pants, active shorts, pajamas and loungewear are all designed with your bump in mind. The website is very easy to navigate and refine by size (there’s even a dedicated petite maternity page), and moms can easily shop by trimester for versatile pieces, including nursing tops and postpartum-friendly dresses, or the super popular essentials kit—it includes a tank top, t-shirt and bodycon dress, but the cropped leggings are especially well-suited for petite moms.
Size range: XXS to XXL | Price range: $19.99 to $79.99 | Return policy: Within 30 days for free returns or exchanges
Our community says:
The clothes for maternity are usually comfortable and stretchy. – Beatriz, expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best petite maternity clothes brand for pants
- Trendy denim options
- Maternity carried in store
- Generous return policy
- Stores carry limited sizes
Target’s Isabel Maternity line is an exclusive, affordable, trendy maternity line that contains everything from stylish dresses, jumpsuits, work pants, and more. What impressed moms most though, were the jeans. Expecting on-trend styles at affordable price points is nothing new when it comes to Target’s assortment, but we especially love how Target’s Isabel by Ingrid & Isabel Maternity line offers a variety of denims for the petite prego.
Finding appropriate fitting maternity pants is a challenge for petite moms. Since inseams of 27” or less are best, finding bottoms that don’t require hemming can be tough! We love Target’s extensive search filters, where petite pregnant women can search for inseams from 25" to 27" (as opposed to the all-purpose “short” measurement used by some other brands). Ankle bootcut jeans, over-the-belly skinnies and straight-leg options are available at an average price of $35. The style was a big hit with our survey respondents as well—over 15% favored Target over other brands, and thought the offerings were cute and affordable.
Size range: XS to XXL | Price range: $10 to $45 | Return policy: 90 days for most items
Our community says:
Target brands have good prices and size options. They have styles that look good and fit comfortably. – Alex*, expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best petite maternity clothes brand for pregnancy and postpartum
- Stylish and high-quality
- Cropped jean lengths
- An investment with a high up-front cost
- No free returns
We get it—investing in maternity clothes can feel like a lot, especially when you know you’ll only wear them for a few months. But premium maternity brands like HATCH Collection offer high-quality, versatile pieces that make the investment much more worthwhile, with inclusive sizing that goes as low as XS, and inseams as short as 25.5". And while the initial cost may be higher, the quality of these clothes extend the life of your wardrobe beyond pregnancy. “If you are investing in maternity pieces,” says Teich, “get pieces that will take you from the bump to beyond… I loved shopping at places like HATCH where I could actually wear the pieces postpartum. I wore them for years, and it was great because it didn’t feel like maternity to me.”
“[In my first pregnancy] I got cheap pieces," Teich continues, "and a lot of times within those nine months I couldn’t fit into it the whole time. It felt like such a waste not only for my wallet but a waste for the environment.” But the high quality of garments came up over and over again in both our survey and our research. Ashlee agrees, telling us, "HATCH offers excellent quality. The fabrics felt luxurious and durable." These are the kinds of clothes you can not only keep wearing after delivery, but use again for future pregnancies down the road.
Size range: XS to XL | Price range: $78 to $298 | Return policy: 30 days less shipping fee
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
While all body types are beautifully diverse, petite people tend to have a shorter torso and legs, and some folks may have narrow shoulders too. So-called “regular” clothing features sleeves and pant legs that are too long and need to be rolled up or hemmed. “Petites overlook the fact that you can adjust your hems.” says Teich “It might be worthwhile if there’s a pair of pants that you can wear for most of your pregnancy to just spend that extra money to get it hemmed by a tailor and it would make a huge difference.” And if a tailor isn’t in your budget, Teich suggests the power of a pair of scissors. “Unfinished and raw hems are back in style,” she explains, “so you can actually cut your jeans to your desired length. That’s a great way to save money.”
Of course DIY can be a major inconvenience if you can no longer touch your toes! Petite moms-to-be shopping for ready-made fits should pay careful attention to the design of their maternity clothing. There are four key design elements to consider in petite maternity clothing:
- Inseam. When it comes to petite maternity pants, always check the inseam measurement (aka the length of your inner leg). Pants with a shorter inseam will sit better and give you a tailored look, without the tailoring. As a good rule of thumb people under 5 foot 3 inches should go for a pant inseam of 27 inches or less.
- Hemline. Skirts and dresses with an above-the-knee hemline showcase your legs while cropped or shorter petite maternity tops flatter short torsos.
- Armholes. Some petite maternity tops may feature higher armholes to prevent gaping and your bra peeking out.
- Shorter sleeves. Items with long sleeves should hit your wrist for a flattering fit. Alternatively, try a roll-up button sleeve shirt that can be fastened in place to avoid dirty cuffs.
Aside from fit there are many design elements that look great on petite people (think: small-scale prints, vertical stripes, cap sleeves and slim-fit pants). With that said, style is a matter of personal preference, so our advice is to choose clothing that makes you feel like your best self.
About the writer:
Christine Carpenter, a New York storyteller and devoted mother of two little boys, uses her craft to connect with and support other women in motherhood. Christine has over a decade of experience in fashion accessories, with expertise spanning from concept to delivery. Carpenter has contributed articles and personal essays to The Bump, Motherscope, The Kindred Voice and Mantra Wellness.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Liz Teich is a New York-based fashion stylist, style creator, on-air style expert and mom of two. She has been a professional commercial stylist for over a decade, styling fashion and home goods for print and digital advertising campaigns for major brands and retailers.
The Bump March 2024 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of almost 350 parents from The Bump community, and asked what maternity clothing brands and styles they used during their pregnancies.
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