In case you haven’t noticed, maternity style has turned a corner. The conventional cornerstones of bump-friendly dressing, from sky-high paneled waistbands to flowing nap dresses, are falling a bit by the wayside. Many are catching on to the fact that you can in fact dress your bump and express yourself creatively, without sacrificing your personal style. But this can be easier said than done—especially the first time around. Even AR (after Rihanna), bold, bump-baring pregnancy style can be difficult to execute as rookie parents-to-be adjust to their changing bodies.
Whether your lifestyle remains more or less the same during pregnancy or is completely upended, there will undoubtedly need to be some adjustments in the style department. Sometimes this means bigger sizing and in other instances, it’s a complete overhaul. But does it get easier with each pregnancy? We asked three moms how their approach evolved the second time around. Keep reading for their takes and style tips.
Ryan Norville
Florist, Founder of Oat Cinnamon
March 2020, pregnant with her first child.
Photo: Instagram/Ryan Norville
August 2021, pregnant with her second child.
Photo: Instagram/Ryan Norville
Did you find it challenging to dress in a way that honored your style during your first pregnancy?
"No. I got pregnant in November 2019, so I spent the majority of my time pregnant during the pandemic. I announced my pregnancy right before fashion week and I was having a lot of fun with it. I was very determined to not wear any maternity clothes. I found it to be more of a creative challenge. This was pre-Rihanna, so I did have a hard time finding my maternity style. It was kind of like what Maddie Perez said on Euphoria—I just want to be me, but pregnant."
What was your experience getting dressed during your second pregnancy?
"By the time I was pregnant with my daughter, we were coming out of the emergency period of the pandemic. This was also on the opposite ends of the spectrum in regards to the time of the year. It was mostly winter during my 'bigger' months so that definitely involved sizing up in sweaters and figuring out pants. That was a little bit more difficult for me.
I was also trying to figure out how to express myself a little bit more intentionally than I did before since I was already a mom at that point. I was more focused on keeping a sense of expression through style than I was during my first pregnancy. I wanted to feel a bit cuter when I was pregnant the second time. Since it was winter, I didn't have the luxury of just wearing big, flowy dresses. I had a couple of large sweaters, but they weren't big enough for my pregnant body."
What did a typical outfit look like for both pregnancies?
"During my first pregnancy, I went from having pretty much A-cups and never wearing a bra to having these huge mom boobs; I'm still learning about purchasing clothes that [properly fit]. But during my first pregnancy, I’d typically wear a shirt that was fitted on the top half—so you could see my huge mom boobs—and a bit looser around the stomach. That way, you could see the bump but it was breathable. I’d wear that with some comfortable sneakers and just have fun with accessories. With my daughter, since I was pregnant in between seasons, I’d go for a short dress, long boots, and a head scarf."
So both times there wasn't a single maternity purchase made?
"With my son, absolutely not. I bought nothing maternity and I didn't size up. Even for my baby shower outfit, I just bought a dress that I can fit in today. For my second pregnancy, during the winter, I sized up a little bit because I do love oversized, baggy pants. I figured that even after I gave birth, I could still wear these in the same size. But I didn't buy anything from the maternity section."
Was it easier to approach getting dressed the second time around?
"Yes, for sure. I think the first time around everything's new. There are so many different variables of things that can happen to your body. Like, how much weight am I going to gain? What clothes will I need to buy? Will I need support socks? The second time, I just rolled with it instead of just being so reactionary to every little change. Plus, my kids are very close in age—they're about 15 months apart—so it felt like just jumping right back into it."
Grace Victory
Content Creator, Author
October 2020, pregnant with her first child.
Photo: Instagram/Grace Victory
August 2022, pregnant with her second child.
Photo: Instagram/Grace Victory
Describe your approach to style during your first pregnancy.
"I think I just wore leggings and oversized jumpers, as it was winter during my first [pregnancy]. Maternity wear in plus sizes is limiting so I sort of just got on with it and wore what I could. I definitely did not dress like a stylish pregnant person though. I think I'm dressing better this time around."
Did you find it challenging to dress according to your style while pregnant?
"Yes. Massively. Everything is so frumpy and mumsy which I hate. And I loathe floral, which so much maternity wear is covered in."
During your second pregnancy, was styling outfits for yourself easier?
"It's so much easier, but that might be because I’m smaller now so I don’t necessarily need to just shop in the plus-size section. I also know who I am a bit more, so I’m more secure in my own personal style. This time around I’ve just adapted. I've gone up a size in my favorite wide-leg trousers and I’m dressing in simple and cool neutrals. It’s been so hot lately, so comfort has been my jam. I put on gold earrings and just hope for the best."
How does your approach to pregnancy style differ during your second pregnancy?
"I'm generally just more comfortable and confident in my body so that’s coming through in my style. I'll wear bodycon dresses with an oversized shirt or crop tops and bralettes with leggings to show off my bump. I’m not necessarily dressing in maternity wear, I’m just dressing to be comfortable and embrace what I look like on this pregnancy journey."
Jordanna Sharp
Stylist
Jordanna during her second pregnancy.
Photo: Courtesy of Jordanna Sharp
Jordanna during her second pregnancy.
Photo: Courtesy of Jordanna Sharp
How did your relationship with getting dressed evolve over the course of both pregnancies?
"I think you're just very conscious of the changes in your body—and not necessarily in a good way. Looking back at my first pregnancy, my bump didn't really look huge, but I felt huge so I didn’t want to wear things that I was used to wearing. It was uncomfortable. I just wasn't very confident in being like, oh I look so great pregnant. I still paid attention to what I was wearing, but I just felt fine wearing leggings and dressing them up. Whereas when I got pregnant again, I was like, yeah, I'm not doing that again. I felt more confident knowing that I can still look good regardless of a growing bump.
"For both pregnancies, I never bought maternity clothes. The first time around I definitely focused on buying things that were comfortable, like big sweaters and cardigans and that type of that stuff. The second time around, I just didn’t want to dress like that. I figured that if I'm going to be pregnant again, I want to feel good. I felt a lot more confident. I was just like, okay, I'm pregnant. I'll buy things in one size up. I just dressed how I would dress now with maybe a few more tight-fitting dresses, slip skirts, and slip dresses. They're flattering regardless and timeless so I knew that I wasn’t going to look back and be like, oh my God, why was I in that oversized sweater every day?"
At any point during your pregnancies, did you feel like your style had to change?
"The second time around I was much more confident. I actually started my styling business during my second pregnancy so I thought, I need to step this up as if I wasn't pregnant. I still wanted my followers to think they they could wear what I was wearing, pregnant or not.
"Some things I had to buy in a size up, but they still fit me now. I like to invest in my clothes so if I'm gonna be spending X amount of money, I don’t want it to be on something I’ll hate by the time I'm not pregnant anymore. I was much more conscious of that second time around, mainly because of the business."
Where do you shop and how did that evolve when you were pregnant? Did your core shops change?
"They didn't. I have some designers and brands that I really stick to and I'm very consistent. Those brands that I love like Agolde, Toteme, and The Row—that all stayed the same. I just made sure that the pieces I picked were a little more bump-friendly. I stuck to what I really liked because I knew they would make me feel better. I just sized up or I picked things that were comfortable or had a bit more elasticity."
What did a go-to outfit look like during your first pregnancy and your second?
"During my first pregnancy I would go for a long sleeve fitted tee with leggings and a flat ballet pump or a loafer. And then for the second pregnancy, it was a different season and that did change things—I’d wear a slip dress with a flat sandal. And I actually wore heels a lot for my second pregnancy, which I know is crazy. Or I would wear a a tank top, a slip skirt and if I was going out for dinner, a mule or Hermes Oran sandals."
