Your bump is growing, and it’s time to start thinking about maternity clothes. If you work outside the house, then you’ll need to include a few pieces of maternity work clothes in your wardrobe. This can feel daunting, especially if you have to stick to a dress code. But you don’t need as many pieces as you think. We got you, Mama.
Thankfully, maternity clothes have come a long way! Whether your work requires business casual or something more formal, maternity work clothes come in a variety of styles while still keeping your comfort in mind. We’ve got the lowdown on how to build a maternity wardrobe for work and where to get the best items.
- Before You Buy
- Practical and Versatile
- PinkBlush Square Neck Maternity Midi Dress
- Soon Maternity 3/4 Sleeve Feeding Dress
- Pea in the Pod Textured Bodycon Maternity Dress
- Pea in the Pod Pleated Maternity Shirt
- PinkBlush Long Puff Sleeve Maternity Blouse
- Soon Maternity Classic Straight Leg Pants
- Soon Maternity Regular Straight Maternity Pants
- PinkBlush Black Side Ruched Maternity Leggings
Before You Buy
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to buy an entire new wardrobe when you become pregnant. Depending on which number pregnancy this is for you, some women find they don’t need maternity clothes until the late second or early third trimester.
Before you buy anything, look through your current wardrobe to see what pregnancy-friendly pieces you already own. What can you repurpose for work? Think oversized tunics you can pair with leggings or open blazers and cardigans. Even certain dress styles can accommodate a growing bump.
Practical and Versatile
The key to a maternity work wardrobe is to be practical and smart with your purchases. Start with basics, like comfortable work shirts, a few pairs of neutral-colored slacks, and one or two dresses you can accessorize. We’d also recommend a few pairs of maternity leggings to wear under dresses.
Check out our practical and versatile selections below from a few of our favorite brands!
Blue Basic Square Neck Maternity Midi Dress
This long-sleeve midi dress is a beautiful option for work or more formal events. The square neckline is unique and flattering, while the front tie adjusts to fit your growing bump. It's also post-pregnancy friendly.
Midi dresses are a perfect choice for the office, and a midi maternity dress is no different. This long-sleeved option by PinkBlush is perfect for the cooler weather. Made to stretch over your growing belly, the adjustable front sash adds some design interest.
This dress is available in four solid colors, giving you the freedom to accessorize according to your style.
Specs
- Fit: True to size
- S-XL
- 95% Rayon 5% Spandex
- Machine Wash Cold, With Like Colors, Gentle Cycle, No Bleach, Tumble Dry Low
- Made in the USA
One 5-star reviewer said she was “pleasantly surprised how perfect” it fit her. “I loved the look, the feel, and quality! It is extremely flattering and [I] loved it!!! Would highly recommend!” Many reviewers chose to wear this dress for their baby showers, illustrating how versatile it truly is!
Francis 3/4 Sleeve Feeding Dress
The Francis 3/4 Sleeve Feeding Dress from Soon Maternity can have a long life in your wardrobe. It features an elastic empire waistline that expands during pregnancy but also fits beautifully postpartum. The knit top joins to a viscose skirt with an access panel for easy nursing.
This beautiful black dress from Soon Maternity is a blank canvas waiting for your style. Pair it was a bright cardigan and flats for a casual look. Or if you want something more formal, try delicate jewelry and a blazer. The choices are endless!
The midi length and 3/4 sleeves make this dress perfect for the working professional. But perhaps the best part of this dress is that it can stay in your wardrobe forever! As a maternity dress, it has a hidden elastic waistline that expands during pregnancy. The empire style is flattering on any body type, too.
You can also wear this dress while nursing. The knit top lifts to reveal an access panel for easy feeding. When your nursing journey is complete (or if you choose not to nurse), the Francis dress can still be your go-to little black dress. From the outside, no one can tell it was once a maternity or feeding dress!
Textured Bodycon Maternity Dress
This pre-to-post maternity dress is a must-have in your office wardrobe. Made from polyester and spandex, it's designed to grow with your belly while retaining its shape. Its above-the-knee tweed-inspired design fits in with any corporate dress code.
I speak from experience when I say bodycon maternity dresses are the most comfortable thing to wear. Period. This one from Pea in the Pod is soft and stretchy, hugging you in all the right places. It’s designed to stretch with your growing belly but will retain its shape so you can keep wearing it postpartum.
The textured design is similar to tweed, giving it a professional, polished look. And it’s short-sleeved, so you can wear it any time of year! One 5-star reviewer said it was comfortable and stylish—what more could you ask for?
Specs
- Sizes XS-L
- 95% Polyester 5% Spandex
- Machine wash or dry clean
Pleated Maternity Shirt
This sleeveless maternity blouse is feminine and flowing with pleats to give room for your growing bump. Made from lightweight polyester, it ties in the back to accentuate your silhouette. This versatile blouse works well in a professional environment or as an everyday look. Pair it was a jacket or cardigan in the cooler months or wear it alone when it's warm.
With a simple and elegant pattern, this V-neck sleeveless blouse from Pea in the Pod is a lovely addition to your maternity wardrobe. The lightweight material is perfect for warm weather but can also be combined with a cardigan or blazer for the cold months. Dress it up for work with a sleek pair of maternity pants. Or keep it casual with maternity jeans.
The pleated style allows for plenty of room for baby bump growth. For a more structured look, tie the sash either in the front or back. As a postpartum top, remove the sash for a tunic-style look.
Specs
- 100% Polyester
- Machine wash or dry clean
- XS-L
Long Puff Sleeve Maternity Blouse
This solid-colored top is beautifully flowing and feminine. It's simple and understated with a V-neckline and puff sleeves to give it some flair. Available in several colors, this PinkBlush blouse is a versatile wardrobe piece for maternity and beyond.
I’m a flowy blouse kind of gal, so this long puff sleeve shirt from PinkBlush speaks to my soul. Made from 100% polyester, it offers freedom of movement in an otherwise restricting season of life. The long puff sleeves and tunic-style bodice are feminine and flowing, while the V-neck brings interest to the design.
And oh, is it versatile!
Pair it with jeans for a casual look or straight-leg suit pants for the office. This blouse is also postpartum-friendly; you can wear it during and after pregnancy without anyone noticing! Available in four solid colors, it’s a simple, understated canvas for you to accessorize as you wish!
Specs
- Sizes S, M, & L
- 100% Polyester
- Hand Wash Cold, No Bleach, Hang Dry
- Made in the USA
Classic Straight Leg Pants
Made from a lightweight, crease-resistant polyester, these classic straight leg pants are a work wardrobe must! They feature a stretchy over-belly waistband designed to grow as your baby does. The suiting fabric gives a classic, professional look, but you still retain the support and comfort needed in maternity pants.
If you’re looking for comfortable maternity suit pants, stop right here. Soon Maternity has you covered! Made from lightweight, crease-resistant polyester, these suit pants provide a snappy, professional silhouette.
The over-belly waistband, which can also be folded down, is made from 4-way stretch fabric. You can wear these at any stage of pregnancy and feel supported and secure.
Specs
- Sizes 6-18
- 100% Polyester
- Inseam length: 80cm, Leg opening: 25cm
From the Soon Maternity Website
“PLEASE NOTE: Soon Maternity sizing is generous to ensure it lasts the duration of your pregnancy and beyond. We recommend purchasing your pre-pregnancy size.”
Flora Regular Straight Maternity Pant
These classic, straight leg work pants give some serious professional vibes. The stretchy waistband can be worn over the belly or folded below it. The Flora Maternity Pants give a simple yet sleek silhouette for working mamas to be!
For a different—but still professional—silhouette, check out these Flora Regular Straight Maternity Pants. These offer a bit more structure than the Classic pants above, but that only makes them more versatile!
Made from a combination of rayon, nylon, and lycra, these pants are soft and stretchy without the swish of suit pants. They can go from office to outing with the switch of a shirt!
Like the Soon Maternity Classic pants, these also have a stretchy waistband. However, it’s not as high and will not completely cover your belly toward the end of your pregnancy.
Specs
- Sizes 6-18
- 72% Rayon 22% Nylon 6% Lycra
PinkBlush Black Side Ruched Maternity Leggings
If you want a legging that will pull double duty and take you from pregnancy to postpartum, these PinkBlush ruched leggings are exactly what you're looking for. Although most pregnancy leggings can be used in the postpartum period, we especially like these because the ruching allows for a more structured fit even when the bump is gone. They're made of primarily polyester, so you get a lot of stretch that can move in or out, depending on which stage of pregnancy or postpartum you're at. Just be warned that, thanks to all that stretching, these leggings are recommended for hand-wash only, so you may want to pick up some back-up leggings because #newbornlife.
Leggings are always a comfortable, versatile choice. Adding maternity leggings to your wardrobe ensures a variety of outfit choices with just one item! In the workplace, pair these ultra-soft black side-ruched leggings with a dress or tunic-style top and, of course, comfy shoes!
The top band expands over your belly to keep you feeling supported and secure. You can wear them at any point during your pregnancy—and even postpartum. Simply fold the top to create a yoga pants-style waistband.
Specs
- Fit: True to Size
- S-XL
- 92% Polyester 8% Spandex
- Hand Wash Cold, No Bleach, Hang Dry
One 5-star reviewer had this to say: “Super soft material and I like that I can also fold them down if needed when my belly gets hot or itchy. I think they will also be great for postpartum and beyond. They are a little warmer so maybe not great for the summer but my office is typically cold so they have been super comfortable for me. “
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