Shopping for plus-sized clothes is hard enough, but shopping for plus-size maternity clothes adds another level — especially if you want to look fashionable while showing off your adorable baby bump.
So, how does a plus-sized mama navigate maternity shopping when fashion is so nuanced and designers pretend all bodies are the same size?
We’ve spent days scouring maternity clothing stores and fashion brands to find the best clothes to fit our curvy figures. We looked specifically for shops that offer good quality, affordable plus-size maternity clothes in a variety of modern styles — because we all deserve to feel comfy and chic throughout our pregnancies.
We were excited to find some really great options we loved, and we think you’ll love them too! Read on for tips on shopping for maternity clothes to fit your plus-size figure and our reviews of the best shops.
Key Takeaways
- Know your measurements before shopping for plus-size maternity clothes to ensure a good fit.
- Empire waist tops and dresses create a flattering shape for your growing bump.
- Look for double-duty items that can be worn during pregnancy and postpartum, like flowy tops or belly bands.
- Shop at stores like Old Navy, ASOS, Motherhood Maternity, Yours Clothing, H&M Mama, and PinkBlush for stylish plus-size maternity options.
Finding Maternity Clothes You’ll Love
When it comes to shopping for cute maternity clothes, the struggle can be real. Don’t despair — you’re not out of luck yet! There are many tips and tricks to embracing maternity fashion and making it work for you.
1. Know Your Measurements
Many maternity stores, such as Motherhood Maternity, claim their sizing should pair up with your pre-pregnancy sizing. Here’s the problem: every brand’s sizing is different.
One store’s size 12 is another’s size 14.
Finding your maternity size can be a process of trial and error. To cut down on this frustration, we recommend that you take your measurements before shopping, especially if you’re shopping for plus-size maternity clothes online. That way, you can ensure you’re purchasing items that will fit.
Measuring Tape Tip
2. Try an Empire Waist
Too many plus-size maternity clothes seem to be designed to make us look like a blob. The cut and fit would look more flattering on SpongeBob SquarePants than our growing bellies.
Empire waist tops and dresses cinch just below your bust and make a great maternity wardrobe staple. They create a shapely silhouette and are often long enough to expand as your bump grows.
They not only create a flattering shape, but they’re also versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Hot Mama Tip
3. Look for Double-Duty Items
One reason buying maternity clothing can be discouraging for any mama is that you will only wear these items for less than nine months unless you plan to have multiple children.
Because of this, I recommend looking for items that can be worn both during pregnancy and postpartum. (Think flowy tops or dresses you can later wear with a belt.)
You can also purchase products to stretch your pre-pregnancy wardrobe further.
Our go-to item is the belly band — also known as a tummy sleeve. We love how this little gadget saved our wallets during our pregnancies. The highly elastic wrap goes around your torso and sits on top of your pre-pregnancy jeans, hiding the fact that they’re unbuttoned.
You can put them on top of too-loose maternity jeans to help you get more life out of them. And you can even wear them after your baby is born to help as you transition from maternity jeans back to your pre-pregnancy ones.
4. Swap and Save
Clothing swaps aren’t just for high schoolers anymore. In fact, this is a great way to stretch your budget and increase your maternity wardrobe.
If you have similar-sized friends who already have children, ask them if they would loan you some of their maternity items. You can then add what you bought to the pile and swap back to them if they get pregnant again!
Or, if you have pregnant friends at the same time as you, consider joining your maternity budgets and sharing clothes to get double the amount of wardrobe options.
In either case, make sure to take good care of the clothing you’re using so future friends can reap the benefits too.
Best Plus-Size Maternity Clothes of 2024
The limited selection of plus-size maternity clothes at brick-and-mortar stores bummed us out, so we turned to online shopping and found it to be a great alternative!
Here are a few stores we found that provide great style choices for plus-sized mamas:
1. Old Navy
Old Navy is at the top of many mama’s maternity clothes lists. Not only are the clothing items comfortable and stylish, but they’re also super affordable. Although they don’t have a specific plus-size maternity section, their non-maternity clothing goes up to size 20.
Our favorite part? They have an entire line of cute and cozy “hospital to home” items to help you get more bang for your buck.
2. ASOS
The maternity clothing at ASOS is so cute; We sometimes can’t believe we’re actually buying maternity clothes. Most of their maternity line goes up to a U.K. size 20, the equivalent of a U.S. size 18.
You can also venture away from the maternity section on the ASOS website and check out the plus-size department. Most items go up to a U.K. 28, and they have fashionable items in everything from ripped jeans to maternity lingerie.
Many of their items will work both before, during, and after pregnancy as well.
3. Motherhood Maternity
While they don’t have the most extensive selection, Motherhood Maternity offers a plus-size section with over a hundred items going up to size 3X. Even better than maternity clothing is their selection of plus-sized maternity bras and underwear.
4. Yours Clothing
Yours Clothing is a clothing store dedicated to plus-sized women. They offer sizes ranging from U.S. 16 to U.S. 36 and have you covered for everything from morning to night! Their collections include trendy tees, floral blouses, and even leggings and yoga pants.
5. H&M Mama
When we first discovered H&M, we fell in love with their fashionable, comfortable, and sometimes edgy items. Their clothes are fashionable enough to wear at the office, yet comfortable enough for lounging at home.
The H&M Mama brand offers a wide range of items at affordable prices. Their jeans go up to size 22 and tops to size 20. Plus, they offer some tops in sets of two, stretching your budget even further.
6. PinkBlush
When we found the PinkBlush maternity line, we squealed in excitement. Their clothes are so adorable; they look like something you would find at your local boutique store. And here’s the kicker: their prices are totally affordable!
Their plus-size maternity line comes in sizes 1X to 3X, and they also offer a section of plus-size nursing tops.
FAQs
What Weight Is Considered Plus-Size During Pregnancy?
The term “plus-size” refers more to clothing size than a specific weight. Generally, plus-size maternity wear starts at size 16 and goes up.
How Many Months Pregnant Do You Start Wearing Plus-Size Maternity Clothes?
The time to switch to maternity clothes varies for every woman. Some might need them as early as the first trimester, while others may not switch until the second trimester. It depends on comfort and how the body changes.
How Much Does the Average Pregnant Woman Spend on Maternity Clothes?
The amount varies based on personal preferences, needs, and budget. Some women spend as little as $50 by borrowing clothes or buying second-hand, while others might spend several hundred on new outfits.
What’s the Difference Between Maternity Clothes and Regular Clothes?
Maternity clothes are designed to accommodate a growing belly and body changes during pregnancy. They usually have elastic waistbands, rouching, or added fabric in the belly area and are made of stretchy materials.
Can I Buy Plus-Size Instead of Maternity?
Yes, some women buy regular plus-size clothes in larger sizes as an alternative to maternity wear. However, maternity clothes might offer more comfort and fit better as the pregnancy progresses.
