This guide to the best maternity clothing brands contains affiliate links.
As a high-waisted jeans and t-shirt sort of girl, finding myself having to dress for pregnancy was trickier than I’d expected.
Desperately searching the internet for ‘the best maternity clothing brands’ late one night (as my skirt zipper pinged open for the second time that day), I found myself directed to outdated and vaguely depressing maternity wear sites.
They were the sort of stores that presumed that now that I was pregnant, I’d only be interested in flowery print wrap dresses and Breton stripes.
Worried that my days of dressing like ‘me’ were numbered, I sent out a frantic SOS message to my friends, asking for their recommendations.
Thankfully, with their help and a little more searching, I discovered that there are actually plenty of maternity (and non-maternity) clothing brands out there that cater for women who still want to dress like themselves during pregnancy.
(Although, begrudgingly I did have to give up on the high-waisted jeans).
Now that I’ve hit my maternity wardrobe stride, I thought it might be useful to put together a guide to the best maternity clothing brands (and more general high street brands) that have kept me clothed and fashionable this last seven months.
And, ladies and gentleman, all without a flower print wrap-dress in sight.
Our Guide to the Best Maternity Clothing Brands
JoJo Maman Bébé
Jojo Maman BéBé is a brand that we’d heard a lot about, even before pregnancy.
Launched in 1993, the brand has become something of a cult favourite amongst those launching themselves into the dizzying world of motherhood (especially for the first time).
Although I’d previously used JoJo Maman Bébé to buy baby clothes for friends and family, I’d never had a reason to look at their maternity wear. However, and when my own positive pregnancy test made its appearance earlier this Spring, I pretty much threw myself at their extensive online maternity catalogue.
Looking to shop JoJo Maman Bébé? Use the code ‘TP15’ at checkout for 15% off! Offer valid until 24/12/2020.
Covering everything from maternity bras to maternity coats, JoJo Maman Bébé offer a refreshingly diverse array of maternity wear – all of which feels high quality and (thankfully) current.
Buy the Pink Teddy Bear Maternity Coat here.
We were kindly gifted a number of the JoJo Maman Bébé’s maternity coats to wear during our own pregnancies, all of which I adore.
As a fan of Teddy Bear coats anyway (so soft, so fluffy), I was ecstatic to discover a Pink Teddy Bear maternity coat amongst their new arrivals. Looking and feeling like a ‘normal’, non-maternity coat, the only tell-tale sign that this comes designed for a bump is the more generous material around your front (also therefore perfect for use over Christmas day and after any all-you-can-eat buffets).
In fact, I think this is a coat that can easily be worn after pregnancy, without anyone clocking the difference. Laura opted for the equally versatile Leopard Faux Fur maternity coat, which is ridiculously snug, soft and fun.
Shop the Leopard Faux Fur maternity coat here.
The second style of coat we’ve been trialling from JoJo Maman Bébé is the ‘2-in-1 Padded Maternity Parka. This clever little coat comes with an additional ‘panel’, which you can remove or add dependent on your bump size. This is a genius feature and means we can carry on wearing this resilient coat long after pregnancy.
Buy the 2-in-1 Padded Maternity Parka here.
Finally, we were gifted the (essentially famous) JoJo Maman Bébé dungarees. A staple of any maternity wardrobe, the dungarees have not only recently made a comeback more generally, but are perhaps one of the most forgiving items of any pregnant woman’s wardrobe.
Looking to shop JoJo Maman Bébé? Use the code ‘TP15’ at checkout for 15% off! Offer valid until 24/12/2020.
The dungarees come with buttons on the side, so that you can access more room as your bump grows, and are nice and baggy around the ‘pelvic’ area – to prevent any painful digging in when you sit down.
Shop the JoJo Maman Bébe dungarees here.
Looking to shop JoJo Maman Bébé? Use the code ‘TP15’ at checkout for 15% off! Offer valid until 24/12/2020.
Love Leggings (Maternity)
Love Leggings is a brand that we already used to plunder pretty frequently.
A key staple of our wardrobe for both travel and flying, I was a convert to their high quality leggings, which thankfully provide more than just a few centimetres of coverage in the thickness stakes. Naturally, we were therefore relieved and excited to discover that Love Leggings also have an equally diverse and comfy maternity range.
I cannot stress enough how much of a key staple maternity leggings are during pregnancy. Soft, flexible and featuring a supportive band that covers your bump, I already find it almost painful to imagine life without them, once my nine months are up.
Offering full-length and cropped versions, alongside maternity tights, Love Leggings is already by far the best maternity clothing brand for dressing my ‘bottom half’. Having already tried other maternity leggings from brands including ASOS and Topshop, I’ve found that Love Leggings keep their shape much better and provide a thicker, more forgiving, finish.
Most importantly, of course, is the ‘bending over test’ (the technical term) – and I can confirm that this can be done in these leggings, without fear of recrimination.
ASOS (Maternity)
If there’s one website that I’ve used the most during pregnancy, it’s ASOS Maternity. For ease, diversity and clothes that feel current thanks to plenty of new release’, ASOS is easily one of the best maternity clothing brands (or outlets).
Buy the ASOS (non-maternity) oversized ‘shacket’ here.
I’ve tended to use ASOS Maternity for jumpers, t-shirts and shirts throughout my pregnancy. Had we not been in the middle of a pandemic, I’d also be definitely using them for work wear and ‘fancier’ evening outfits.
Alas, however, I’ve had very little reason to buy maternity clothes beyond casual or loungewear this year; something that, at least, my bank balance is pleased about.
ASOS Maternity also offer some well-priced maternity bras and swimwear. I recently bought the ASOS Design Maternity Seamfree Nursing Bra and find it really comfortable and supportive. In a last minute panic, I also had to buy a maternity swimsuit before my babymoon and was hugely impressed by their range.
Topshop Maternity (Best for Jeans)
Another maternity clothing brand go to is Topshop Maternity. As a devotee of their jeans anyway, Topshop Maternity is the first place I visited when ordering my initial haul of maternity jeans.
Friends had warned me that finding a good fit of maternity jeans was notoriously difficult – with saggy crotches and baggy bums seeming to haunt most purchases. I therefore decided to order the same brand of Topshop jeans that I’ve always worn – the Joni – but just in maternity form. Sticking to my size, I threw them in my basket and hoped for the best.
Buy your Topshop Maternity jeans here.
Much to my relief, the jeans fitted like a glove and look exactly like my normal non-maternity jeans (when worn with a jumper). These particular Joni jeans come with an ‘over the bump’ section of stretchy black material, which I personally prefer to the ‘under the bump’ option. Every woman is different however, and I know that Laura prefers the low rise, ‘under the bump’ option instead.
My tip would therefore be to buy both types (and quickly trial them) to see which you prefer.
I’ve also picked up plenty of maternity loungewear style jumpers from Topshop that I now wear religiously. As someone who isn’t keen on ‘showcasing’ their bump, I’m really enjoying wearing these baggy jumpers that are not only comfortable, but help keep nosy eyes at bay.
Shop Topshop maternity jumpers here.
H & M Maternity (best for maternity bras)
Although I haven’t bought a huge amount from H & M maternity, I do swear by their maternity bras. During pregnancy, particularly the first trimester when my boobs were really painful, I was recommended their non-wired bra tops, which I’ve lived in ever since.
I also decided, given their brilliant price, to invest in the MAMA 2 Pack Nursing Bras. These are, again, non-wired and have kept me comfy and secure throughout pregnancy. If I’m able to fit into them after pregnancy, even better – but they’ve served me well enough throughout pregnancy to justify the purchase.
Marks and Spencer (best for maternity underwear)
Similar to H & M Maternity, I’ve also only been using Marks and Spencer for my maternity underwear. Offering a broad range of maternity and nursing bras, I’ve stocked up on quite a few of their non-wired bras over the last few months.
Shop Marks and Spencer Maternity Bras here.
I’ve also become a convert to their brilliant underwear: the high rise knickers in particular, which fit nicely over my bump. After eventually having to ditch my existing underwear that kept rolling down from the weight of the bump (no one tells you how irritating that is), I felt like a new woman putting on my first pair of high rise knickers.
In fact, I think these pants will have to be wrestled off me once the pregnancy is over.
Mamalicious (Active wear)
Determined to keep exercising throughout my pregnancy, maternity activewear was top of my list when my bump started to outgrow my existing Lululemons. Although I was keen to buy some quality maternity activewear, I was also aware that I’d only be using them for a limited time, so didn’t want to go too overboard.
My hunt for well-priced, but quality, workout leggings and tops therefore began and I (thankfully) quickly stumbled across the Mamalicious brand. Handily stocked by ASOS, I discovered a wide range of activewear from Mamalicious, all for fairly decent prices (£25 for a pair of workout leggings).
I bought the Mamalicious Maternity sports leggings a few months ago now and have found them comfy and good quality, whilst still able to make room for my growing bump.
The only thing the leggings don’t work particularly well for is a small-ish bump. As they are of the ‘over the bump’ style, I found that they were slipping down quite a lot during the earlier months, especially when I went running. Now my bump is a lot bigger, they seem to fare much better during my attempted runs (read: fast walks) and seem more secure.
Shop the Mamalicious Maternity Sports Leggings here.
Best Non-Maternity Brands for Pregnancy
Despite wanting to invest in some staple maternity pieces during my pregnancy, I was also keen to keep buying as many non-maternity clothes as possible.
Worried that I’d end the nine months with a wardrobe full of redundant maternity wear and a limited budget, I decided to shop ‘normally’ where I could.
Surprisingly, this has been much more straightforward than I thought and I’ve found plenty of my favourite non-maternity brands still work for me throughout pregnancy.
Monki
A forever favourite clothing brand of mine is Monki. Long before I became pregnant, I discovered Monki’s cloth dungarees and have worn them religiously ever since.
Much to my relief, these baggy dungarees have also been ideal during pregnancy. With plenty of space, I’ve worn these throughout both trimesters so far and think I might be able to squeeze into them for a little while longer yet (fingers crossed).
For those not wanting to ‘reveal’ their bump immediately, these dungarees are also very good at hiding your expanding tummy: ideal for your first trimester.
Monki’s clothes, more generally, also tend to be loose fitting and so work well throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Buy the Monki cotton dungarees here.
Olive
One of my favourite non-maternity (yet perfect for pregnancy) clothing brands is Olive.
Similar to Monki, their ‘one size’ approach means that most of the dresses and jumpers are loose fitting anyway – therefore ideal for pregnancy. I’ve found their smock dresses and cardigans are fantastic essentials in my maternity wardrobe and it’s satisfying to know that I can continue wearing them long after pregnancy (especially as Olive tends to be on the pricier side).
Joules
My final favourite non-maternity clothing brand, that has stoically seen me through pregnancy, is Joules.
Having been fortunate enough to enjoy a press trip to the Lake District with this iconic British brand last year, my wardrobe was already full of their clothing long before I became pregnant.
I’ve been really pleased to find that most of my existing Joules clothing has still fitted throughout my first and second trimester – especially their turtlenecks and baggier knitwear. Even better, lots of Joules’ skirts have elasticated waists, so can stretch nicely over the top of any bump.
Shop Joules’ full range here.
The Best Maternity Clothing Brands: Final Thoughts
Far from feeling like an oblong frump during my pregnancy, I’ve found myself thoroughly enjoying dressing my bump over the last seven months. During a time when your body is changing – and changing fast – it’s both challenging yet exciting to be trying new styles.
With just a few of (in our opinion) the best maternity clothing brands listed above, I’ve found dressing like ‘me’ to be far easier than I initially thought throughout pregnancy. In fact, in many ways, I’ve been able to be even more creative with my clothing and explore new styles.
My only fear? How I’ll ever give up on those maternity leggings.