Finding pregnancy clothes can be tough enough, but throw in the challenge of being plus-size and pregnant, and it can feel downright overwhelming. Many brands don’t carry maternity clothing in stores, and if they do, the sizing options are often limited. That’s why I’m sharing some of my favorite, budget-friendly maternity finds that helped me feel comfortable and stylish throughout my pregnancy.
My goal was to create a pregnancy capsule wardrobe full of neutral, versatile pieces I could wear for as much of my pregnancy as possible—and some items that would work for nursing as well. Here’s how I kept things affordable without compromising on comfort or style:
Assess Your Existing Wardrobe
Before you start shopping, take a look at your existing wardrobe. Pull out anything that isn’t fitted, like cardigans, jean jackets, leather jackets, shawls, and accessories. These items are perfect for pairing with the pregnancy staples you’ll be adding to your closet.
Also, take inventory of any stretchy items you already own, such as leggings, joggers, or pajama pants. For example, my Lululemon leggings comfortably fit through the end of my second trimester, though they became less comfortable by the third trimester. Some dresses and tops I already had worked for most of my pregnancy too.
Consider if you’re going to Nurse or Pump
If you’re planning to nurse or pump, it’s smart to include nursing-friendly clothing in your wardrobe. These pieces not only work during pregnancy but will also serve you well postpartum while you’re adjusting to your new body and feeding routine.
Consider the Season
What season will you be in during your second and third trimesters? If you’re pregnant during the summer, you’ll likely want to focus on shorts and dresses. For a winter pregnancy, think about investing in maternity jeans and leggings for warmth and comfort.
Stick to Neutral Colors or a Simple Color Scheme
A big part of creating a versatile capsule wardrobe is choosing neutral pieces or colors that mix and match easily. Dresses and rompers are especially great for this, as they require no matching, which can help with both convenience and cost savings!
Find Brands With Plus Size Friendly Sizing
I found a lot of success with Seraphine’s “Curve” line that has more inclusive plus size options. Old Navy Maternity was surprisingly a success.
Do you Work From Home? Are you a Stay at Home Mom?
Do you work from home and spend your day in loungewear? Are you going into the office a couple days a week? Do you need gym clothes? It’s easy to feel like you need a lot of nice dressy options but chances are you need more casual everyday options and a dress or two for events. You can save a lot of money by avoiding one wear items and instead focus on the less exciting but more versatile staples.
I personally LOVE dresses because there is no matching required and if you find a good price it can be less expensive because it’s just one item.
Think About Your Laundry Cycle
How often do you want to do laundry? I aimed for enough clothes to last about a week and a half. This helped me avoid over-purchasing while ensuring I had enough. I focused mostly on loungewear that I could wear at home but also feel comfortable in for walks or quick errands. I also made sure to include a few cute outfits for weekend events like family barbecues or meeting friends.
By focusing on neutral colors, comfortable basics, and items that can transition from pregnancy to postpartum, I was able to build a capsule wardrobe that not only saved me money but also made dressing for each stage of pregnancy (and beyond) much easier. I hope this helps you find your perfect maternity wardrobe without the stress!
Here’s Items I Loved During My Pregnancy
Maternity Shorts (Old Navy, $30)
These shorts were a total game changer! They’re versatile and comfy enough to wear around the house while working from home, and athletic enough for a midday walk. The fold-down stomach panel was perfect during the first trimester, and as my bump grew, I appreciated how the full-panel fit later in pregnancy. I had three pairs (two black, one blue) and wore them every single week.
Maternity Jeans (Old Navy, $40)
A good pair of classic maternity jeans is a must-have. They can be dressed up or down, and they grow with your bump. If you’re going to buy just one pair to last you throughout pregnancy, I’d recommend choosing a pair with an entire over-the-bump elastic panel (rather than the fold-down option). It’s more comfortable once you pass the midway point.
Black Leggings (Amazon, $25)
You can’t go wrong with classic black leggings! They’re perfect for workouts, casual outings, or even dressing them up. These ones weren’t see-through, and they were stretchy enough to accommodate my growing bump. I only needed one pair of these since my Lululemon Align leggings fit comfortably for most of my pregnancy.
Black Biker Shorts (Walmart, $14)
As a plus-size mom, I didn’t expect to love biker shorts, but later in pregnancy, I needed something breathable for long walks in the peak heat. These Walmart biker shorts were a great choice! They’re stretchy and bump-friendly, though they are a tiny bit see-through depending on size, so I recommend pairing them with an oversized t-shirt.
Sweatpants (Seraphine – Curve, 2 for $40)
Seraphine’s “Curve” line (sizes 14-22) makes some of the best maternity loungewear. These sweatpants have a fold-over waistband, so you can wear them over or under your belly. They were my number one go-to item postpartum!
Black & White Henley (Old Navy, $12)
A nursing-friendly tank is a must-have! This one goes with everything in your wardrobe. I wore it with floral shawls, jeans, and athletic shorts. The big bonus: It’s nursing-friendly! The buttons make it easy to nurse, and it’s not too ruched on the sides, so I’m still wearing it postpartum. It doesn’t look like a typical maternity item, which I love.
Navy & Grey Tank (Old Navy, $7)
These tanks are great for mixing and matching throughout pregnancy. They do have more side ruching and aren’t nursing-friendly, so if you’re only buying a few items, I’d recommend going with the Henley for versatility. But these are a solid secondary option for variety.
Printed Wrap Dress (Seraphine – Curve, $40)
Wrap dresses are great because they’re adjustable as your belly grows. They’re also great postpartum, fitting comfortably around your body as it changes. This nursing-friendly dress is perfect for pregnancy and beyond.
Patterned Nursing Dress (Seraphine – Curve, $40)
This nursing dress has a top panel that easily pulls up for nursing. It was perfect during pregnancy, and I know I’ll get a lot of use out of it afterward too.
Black Athletic Dress with Built-In Shorts (Amazon, $30)
Perfect for running errands or casual walks, this dress comes with built-in shorts, so you don’t have to worry about flashing anyone. It’s comfortable and practical, especially for hot days.
Assorted Colors Casual Dress (Amazon, $25) A simple, solid-colored or pattern dress is a staple in any pregnancy wardrobe. It grows with your bump, and you can easily dress it up with a light jacket, jean jacket, button up, or leather jacket to change up the look.
Light Button Up Top (Old Navy, $20) Another example of a light weight button up top that is easy to mix and match. I got mine at Costco, but Old Navy carries one similar.
Date Night Dress (Amazon, plus-size, $20) For dressier occasions, I love having a neutral dress that can be styled with accessories. This one was great for date nights or special events during pregnancy. I wore this with the cardigan above for date night.
Lightweight Cardigan (Amazon, $17) This super lightweight “Cardigan” or swimsuit cover up is the perfect summer accessory for going over the neutral tank tops and body con dress above. It dresses up the outfit without causing you to overheat. Plus it is not a maternity specific item so you can get use out of it after pregnancy.
Date Night Dress (Walmart, Isabel Maternity, $20)
This is another one of my favorites for date nights or dressier occasions. I also wore this with a little striped button up and some jewelry to dress it up.
Pajamas (Gap, Soma)
I can’t stress enough how important comfy pregnancy PJs are, especially toward the end. You’ll be uncomfortable, and nothing will fit quite right. These Gap pajamas were worth every penny. They’re already nursing-friendly — you can pull the top flap aside for easy nursing. The fabric is super soft, and the shorts waistband adjusted as my belly grew.
My second-favorite pair were these Soma pajamas with a smocked waist and button-down top. They’re not maternity, but I sized up to XXL. The button-down design allowed for adjustments as my belly expanded, and they were easy to unbutton for nursing postpartum.
Swimsuit (Seraphine, $60)
If you’re pregnant in the summer, a good swimsuit is a must! I felt huge by the end of my pregnancy, but being able to swim was such a relief in the heat. I found a great swimsuit from Seraphine that stretched and accommodated my growing belly, and it’s also stretchy enough for postpartum wear.
Under-the-Bump Underwear (Kindred Bravely, $35)
I highly recommend investing in good underwear during pregnancy. Kindred Bravely’s under-the-bump underwear was my favorite — the fabric is soft, stretchy, and seamless. These are double-lined and comfortable throughout pregnancy. The Amazon option ($25 for a 6-pack) is a slightly cheaper alternative, but I didn’t find the fabric as soft, and the seam in the middle was uncomfortable for me.
Nursing Bra (Kindred Bravely, $50)
Wait until your third trimester (or later) to buy nursing bras because your size will likely change. I only bought one to start with — I bought several but didn’t need them when breastfeeding didn’t work out as expected. Kindred Bravely is a great brand for larger busts and plus-size women with a wide range of sizes.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the items that made my pregnancy a lot more comfortable and manageable. While everyone’s pregnancy experience is different, I hope these recommendations help make your wardrobe a little easier to navigate! Do you have any favorite maternity or postpartum finds? Let me know in the comments!
