Maternity Wear Essentials

Pants: avoid those that your granny wore! You can now buy comfortable and stylish maternity pants. You can get them at Agent Provocateur! If this isn’t quite your usual thing, do go for the all encompassing, over the bump job as these will be comfortable and supportive. Save the AP pants for special days! Stick with 100% cotton and buy quite a few pairs!

Bras: you must, must get this right. If possible, be specially measured throughout your pregnancy. Your boobs will be bigger than you could ever have imagined and you need to look after them. You will enjoy your new assets more if they are comfortable!

You can buy pretty, lacy maternity bras but always remember that they have to give you sufficient support. Please reduce bounce! Go for underwired, thicker straps and comfort. During the last couple of months of your pregnancy, think also of buying nursing bras if you are intending to breastfeed as they can be worn before and after the baby arrives.

You may also want to buy a sleep top to provide gentle support during the night.

Maternity Jeans: do splash out on one great pair of maternity jeans that you feel fantastic in. You will get loads of wear out of them both during and after your pregnancy. Jeans with fabric panels are the most popular and often the most comfortable. However, you can buy them with button adjusters or ones that sit under the bump. Why not try some skinny ones! Order a few to try on and go for the style that you feel best in. Dark denim is more flattering and tends to look more expensive. Check out our Size Guide for more information.

Leggings: the current fashion for leggings is great for expectant mums. They are ultra comfortable and grow with you. We would suggest that you buy a few pairs of these. At least a couple in black and then some in other colours to brighten up your outfits.

Skirts & Dresses: these are great as they are cool and comfortable and make you feel elegant. Many maternity dresses can be wrapped in a variety of ways to give different looks and can be worn when nursing. A smart dress is great in an office environment. Think classic designs and clingy to show off your bump. A smart black skirt is pretty much an essential.

Tops: invest in plenty of good quality tops. These will give you lots of different looks when mixed with your favourite maternity jeans or a skirt. There will be days when you want a big, baggy shirt but try to opt for proper maternity tops and shirts as these are designed to flatter you. Tops should have an element of elastane or something similar in them so that they grow with you and do not go out of shape. Tops that tie at the back or wrap are great as they can be loosened if necessary.

Comfies: we all need to relax and you are going to want to put those ankles up! Do invest in an outfit that you can slouch about in at home but still feel great in. Maternity pyjamas are good for this. Also, they will be so useful once your baby arrives and you have to greet the family! Look for elasticated waists and soft fabrics. A satin look can make you feel quite luxurious!

Fitness: if you exercise prior to becoming pregnant, don’t stop (unless medically advised to do so). Specially designed maternity sportswear is available. This provides extra room and support in the bust and bump areas. They are also great to wear when the baby has arrived and things are still a little big saggy. A sports top can be a great alternative to a vest.

Office: sometimes we need to remind our boss that we are only pregnant and have not lost control of our brains! Dressing smartly helps to remind them of this. Go for a great pair of smart black maternity trousers, a solid print skirt and a killer wrap dress that you feel really great in.

Occasion: there is now such a fabulous selection of maternity occasion wear that you really don’t need to despair when that wedding invitation arrives! Strapless dresses, wrap dresses, sequin dresses; they are all there. Go for something that is similar to the styles you wore pre-pregnancy. You will feel more like yourself and more sexy that way.

Accessories: remember that accessories are as good during as they were before you were pregnant. You can really alter your maternity clothes by accessorizing them and have some great items to wear post-pregnancy.

List of Essentials

Good supportive and properly fitted maternity bra

Plenty of maternity pants

A pair of killer maternity jeans you feel great in

Black trousers

Wrap dress

Black skirt

An assortment of long and short-sleeved tops

Maternity comfies/pyjamas

Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us if you can’t find what you are looking for on our website. We are able to order many of our styles in different sizes.

We have spent many hours searching for the best maternity wear so that you don’t have to. We really believe that we provide a high quality, fashionable and appealing maternity and nursing wear range. We wanted to do the hard work for you!