After pregnancy, many expectant mothers will fall into dressing anxiety: they can’t wear their previous clothes, they are afraid of wasting only a few months of wearing the new ones, and they are even more worried about strangling their stomachs and affecting their babies. In fact, a suitable maternity dress can solve these problems – it can not only accommodate the changes in the pregnant belly, but also take into account fashion and practicality, and it is no problem to wear it from the first trimester to the postpartum period. Today, we will help you choose the most suitable one for you from 8 core dimensions such as style, function, and fabric.
1. Style design: Tibetan meat can be worn until postpartum
When choosing a dress for pregnant women, style is the key at first sight, which should not only fit the changes in body shape during pregnancy, but also retain beauty. I have a friend who is 5 months pregnant, and at first she always felt embarrassed to wear a tight skirt, but after changing to an A-line dress, it not only covered the slightly raised belly, but also the curvature of the skirt made her legs look particularly thin.
From the perspective of practicality, the design of breastfeeding openings must be focused on, such as side opening buckles and invisible zippers, so that there is no need to take off clothes after breastfeeding to avoid embarrassment in public. The adjustable waist is also just needed, the drawstring or elastic band design can adapt to the waist circumference changes from the first trimester to the third trimester, my girlfriend’s fake two-shirt dress, tightened the waist at 3 months pregnant, and still fits after 8 months of pregnancy.
Different styles can also be easily controlled: lace panels and ruffles are suitable for wedding guests or photo shoots; denim maternity skirts are casual and casual, and daily outings are super worry-free; knitted elastic skirts are soft and close-fitting, comfortable at home or for prenatal check-ups; If you need a business office, a neat shirt dress with a small suit is very appropriate.
2. Functional scenes: One skirt holds all occasions
There are many life scenes during pregnancy, and the function of the dress must keep up. I have compiled a dressing plan for high-frequency scenes to help you accurately match your needs:
Core scenarios | Recommended style | Purchase focus |
|---|---|---|
Daily commuting/business office | Shirt dresses, high-waisted cut dresses | Good drape, knee-length length, the first choice for office hidden pregnant belly |
Home leisure/hospital prenatal check-up | Knitted stretch skirt, sundress + shawl | Soft, breathable, easy to put on and take off, and you don’t have to change clothes for ultrasound during prenatal check-ups |
Wedding Guests/Party Parties | Dress skirts, lace patchwork dresses | The fit is crisp and the colors are elegant to avoid stealing the bride’s limelight |
Sports yoga/travel vacation | Sports maternity dresses, quick-drying dresses | Quick-drying, breathable, sufficient elasticity, and does not affect limb movement |
Seasonal factors cannot be ignored: choose a cool sundress or cotton and linen material in summer, prepare a fleece knitted skirt in winter, and a shirt dress in spring and autumn is a transitional artifact, and you can cope with the temperature difference with a coat. If you are a working mother-to-be, you can also consider a style with radiation protection, killing two birds with one stone.
3. Fabric technology: “safety armor” worn closely
Pregnant women have sensitive skin, and the fetus also needs protection, and the choice of fabric is directly related to the health of mother and baby. When I make purchases, I will give priority to recommending fabrics that have passed Oeko-Tex certification, which do not contain formaldehyde, heavy metals and other harmful substances, and their safety is guaranteed.
Different fabrics have their own advantages, and it is correct to choose according to your needs:
- Organic cotton: the most classic maternity fabric, moisture-absorbing, breathable and skin-friendly, suitable for expectant mothers with sensitive skin, the disadvantage is that it is easy to wrinkle and needs to be ironed frequently.
- Modal: Softer and smoother than cotton, drape well, not easy to deform after washing, suitable for close-fitting base skirts or pajama dresses.
- Bamboo fiber: It has its own antibacterial effect, and the breathability is 3 times that of cotton, which is particularly cool to wear in summer, and it is more secure without fluorescent agents.
- Spandex stretch: Usually blended with cotton or modal, it can provide sufficient elasticity, allowing the skirt to stretch as the pregnant belly grows without strangling the belly.
- Coolmax: A commonly used fabric for sports, with super quick-drying performance, wear it when practicing yoga or traveling, and stay dry even after sweating.
Remind everyone to avoid fabrics with high chemical fiber content, such as low-quality chiffon, which are not only not breathable, but may also cause itching on the skin. For example, I came into contact with a mother-to-be before, who had a red rash on her belly after wearing a chemical fiber dress, and it was completely better after changing to knitted cotton material.
4. Size fit: Say goodbye to the trouble of “not fitting”
Pregnancy size is not as simple as “buying one size larger”, you need to consider the comprehensive changes in bust, waist, and hip circumference. Many brands have launched staged sizes that are particularly considerate, such as the first trimester (January-March), the second trimester (April-June), and the third trimester (July-October), which are more accurate.
When purchasing, you can focus on these details:
Adjustable design: Adjustable buttons and drawstrings can flexibly respond to changes in waist circumference, and can be continued to be worn after childbirth.
Targeted volume: The side seam volume, bust relaxation and hip circumference are sufficiently reserved styles, which will not tighten the chest and buttocks, and the movement is more comfortable.
Special body shape adaptation: choose an A-line skirt for a pear-shaped body, choose a fake two pieces of high-waisted + loose top for an apple-shaped body, give priority to short styles for small people, and choose an elongated version for tall people.
If you are a mother of twins, remember to choose the “plus model”, this type of skirt has more space for the pregnant belly. I recommend measuring your net size before purchasing, and then compare it with the brand’s pre-pregnancy size comparison chart, which is much more reliable than buying based on feelings.
5. Color pattern: Light up the pregnancy mood with outfits
Wearing the right color during pregnancy can not only show your complexion but also modify your figure. Classic black is a versatile color, slimming and versatile, and there is no stage fright when attending formal occasions; Morandi colors such as haze blue and milk tea are gentle and temperamental, and they are particularly comfortable to wear every day.
There are skills in the selection of patterns: small or pregnant mothers-to-be with large bellies are suitable for small areas of polka dots and small daisy prints, which will not look bloated; The striped pattern chooses vertical stripes, which has the effect of elongating the body; The houndstooth has its own retro feel, and it is super stylish with a coat.
If you want to take pregnancy photos, you might as well try macaron colors or ethnic patterns, the effect is particularly good. However, be careful to avoid too bright or complex patterns, which can easily cause visual fatigue.
6. Brand price: Good goods can be bought for different budgets
From affordable to high-end, there are high-quality options for different budgets. I have sorted out the word-of-mouth brands and purchase channels at various price points to help you step on the pitfall:
- Affordable fast fashion (100-300 yuan): Uniqlo, H&M’s maternity series, the fabric is safe, the style is basically versatile, and the Tmall flagship store often has full discount activities, which is very cost-effective.
- Mid-range designer (300-800 yuan): Yanxi, October Mommy, specially designed for Asian pregnant women, the fit is more fitting, the pregnant mother’s membership day discount is strong, and there is exclusive customer service to answer size questions.
- High-end maternity fashion (more than 800 yuan): Seraphine, A Pea in the Pod, there are many celebrities in the same style, the fabric and craftsmanship are very exquisite, suitable for important occasions to wear, Amazon popular models can be bought overseas.
When purchasing, you can pay more attention to live broadcast flash sales, overseas shopping discounts, or use full discount coupons to superimpose discounts, which can save a lot of money. If the budget is limited, 90% of the new maternity skirts on the second-hand transfer platform are also a good choice, many of which are only worn for a month or two, and the cost performance is super high.
7. Matching accessories: small details enhance the overall texture
A dress with the right accessories is instantly upgraded. The core of pregnancy matching is “comfort and safety”, and these accessories can be considered as a key consideration:
Wear bottoms with leggings or safety pants for pregnant women to avoid being exposed; After the second trimester, the belly enlarges, and with a belly strap, it can not only reduce the burden on the waist, but also make the dress more compliant. Wear a shawl or cropped jacket over the top to cope with the temperature difference in spring and autumn, and also cover the flesh on the arms.
Shoes should be given priority to white shoes and loafers, which are light and non-slip; It is safest to wear low-heeled boots in winter and control the heel height within 3 cm. In terms of accessories, simple necklaces and earrings can enhance the temperament, and hats and sunglasses are photo artifacts, and they are super photogenic with dresses.
8. Solve search pain points: These problems are clarified at once
Many expectant mothers will have various concerns when purchasing, combined with high-frequency problems, I will share some practical tips:
If you want to look slimmer and not show your belly, choose a high-waisted + loose hem style, tighten the upper body and relax the lower body, and visually elongate the proportions; If you are worried about covering your arms, you can choose a design with ruffled sleeves or puff sleeves to easily hide the meat.
The fabric should not be balled or faded, you can look at the SERPLE score on the product detail page before purchasing, and the reputation of more than 4.5 points is good; When cleaning, machine wash gently with cold water, which can ensure that machine washing does not deform.
How to choose the due date? If the due date is in spring and summer, focus on short-sleeved dresses and thin jackets; For the autumn and winter due date, choose fleece and long models, and wear them warmer with leggings. The key to being able to wear it after childbirth is to choose an adjustable waist circumference and a loose fit, and the nursing opening design can also continue to be useful.
Professional advice from purchasing consultant Yigu
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in the field of maternal and infant procurement for 5 years, I recommend that expectant mothers give priority to “functional composite” dresses, such as radiation-proof dresses with breastfeeding openings, which can solve multiple needs during pregnancy and postpartum. When purchasing, be sure to check the fabric test report, especially antibacterial fabrics and radiation-proof models, to ensure that the test data meets the standards. When buying offline, it is best to do a few simple actions after trying on, such as bending over, sitting, checking whether you are strangling your stomach and whether the movement is convenient. Give priority to online purchases that support 7-day no-reason returns and exchanges, and wash them before wearing them after receiving the goods to avoid fabric residues that irritate the skin.
FAQ FAQ
- Q: If the belly is not obvious in the first trimester, should I buy a maternity dress or an ordinary skirt? A: It is recommended to choose a loose-fitting ordinary dress or a special model for the first trimester, avoid buying too tight, and reserve room for subsequent pregnancy belly growth.
- Q: How long is the right length for a maternity dress? A: 5-10 cm above the knee is the best, which can not only cover the thigh fat, but also not affect walking, and it is safe to go up and down stairs.
- Q: Do radiation-proof dresses really work? A: Radiation protection skirts that have passed authoritative testing are effective, especially suitable for working mothers who have been exposed to computers for a long time, and daily commuting wear is enough to deal with electromagnetic radiation.
- Q: How long after giving birth can I wear my pre-pregnancy dress? A: If the pre-pregnancy dress is a loose style, it can be worn 1-2 months after giving birth; Tight models need to be recovered according to the body’s recovery, usually about 3-6 months.