Sarah Jossel: What I’ve learnt about styling maternity clothes, second time around

There’s a novelty to maternitywear in your first pregnancy: “Oooh, I’m dressing the bump”, “Wahey! Elasticated waist jeans”, “Whoop! Bloated and proud”. But now I am six months pregnant for the second time in two years — yes, we have a two-under-two situation incoming — and I’m committed to not repeating the same sartorial mistakes. (That extortionate, oversized black-tie dress that now lives in a heap in my cupboard? I should have rented it — more on that shortly.)
• This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue
Maternity dressing in 2024 is a very different exercise from five years ago. A-listers like Rihanna, Hailey Bieber and Sienna Miller have rewritten the rule book with one simple mantra: flaunt and celebrate rather than “make do” or, worse, hide the bump. Indeed, we’ve seen it all lately: crop tops, cut-outs, body-con, sequins and sparkles. But statement dressing aside, if like me you don’t want to stare into the abyss of your wardrobe for 30 minutes every morning wondering what on earth will fit your rapidly evolving body shape for the day ahead, then this is what I’ve learnt about maternity dressing — the second time round.
If you’re feeling self-conscious about what you see in the mirror, that’s OK. Our bodies are transforming by the week to make room for a human. Not everything has to be a look-at-me moment. On my not-so-confident days, when I feel like my backside is growing faster than my bump, I’ve learnt to opt for simple and neutral — and then I go big on accessories. That could be an eye-catching earring moment, a bold shoe colour, or my age-old trick of whacking on a showstopping red lip — no one will even notice the bump.
On the subject of shoes, the fashion world has upped its footwear game lately so I’ve been far more adventurous this pregnancy —and I don’t mean skyscraper heels. I love mary-jane styles from brands such as Rothy’s, Flabelus and River Island for everyday. And if you want to splash out, Miu Miu satin ballerinas and Alaïa fishnet pumps make for the perfect evening-glam flat.
When my first bump started to appear I rushed to maternity clothing sites. Floral dress, wrap dress, occasional frumpy dress, repeat. This time round I’ve had much more success upsizing at brands like M&S and Me+Em, or working with what I have in my wardrobe before buying anything new.
Have a Marie Kondo-style clear out before you start your mum-to-be shopping spree. You will be surprised how many loose shirts, stretchy materials and dresses without restrictive zips or hems you have hanging at the back of the cupboard that will suddenly fit the bill for your new body shape.
• Knit maxi, £89, marksandspencer.com• Blazer, £189, arket.com• Oversized earrings, £29, Mint Velvet, next.co.uk• Green maxi, £95, meandem.com• Red shoes, £180, rothys.com
The poster image for pregnancy fashion is the above-bump, stretchy empire fit. First time round, I ordered a cupboard load only to feel quite dated and not me. It turns out that straight silhouettes in ribbed fabrics and plissé textures, like a Pleats Please Issey Miyake dress (£400, below) are your friends for elongating your shape. Whip off that waist tie and let the fabric drape over the bump for a fresher, more modern silhouette.
This one took me a while to get my head round but bigger is not necessarily better when dressing for two. I had puffy, froufrou frocks at the ready for my rounder silhouette, but it made me feel even broader. Instead try an outfit that highlights your shape for a more balanced and in-proportion look, like this H&M dress (£16, main image at the top of the article). I often wear my Skims maternity shapewear shorts (£38) underneath anything figure hugging to feel more pulled-in and supported. They have something called a “non-compressive core” to accommodate the growing bump, while smoothing out and sculpting my new curves.
I used to get so confused with what to wear that I would occasionally look as if I had stepped out of a jumble sale. I’ve now invested in a few co-ords, which take out the guesswork and speed up my mornings. This double denim look instantly made me feel like my old self: together and organised, as if time was on my side — even if I hadn’t slept in days from the on and off, but mainly on, heartburn. Brands that do great co-ords: With Nothing Underneath, Ganni, Faithfull, Deiji Studios and Zara.
• Shirt, £165, and shorts, £155, arkitaip.com• Top, £23, and wrap trousers, £50, zara.com
The rental market used to be slim pickings but now you’re spoilt for choice. During my first pregnancy, I had a wedding to go to in my third trimester and I decided to treat myself. I made the mistake of choosing a trend-led look that had a sell-by date so it was only ever worn once. Now I’m being more savvy and using platforms such as Hurr, which has a dedicated “Bump Edit” that features designers such as Taller Marmo (right) and Cult Gaia, available to borrow. Also look at For the Creators — a website dedicated to “all stages of motherhood” . Its event rental offering has occasion dresses from some of my favourite brands, including Sézane and Reformation (from £25 for four days).
• Eight lessons on dressing your baby bump
I am living in unbuttoned, rolled-up-sleeved, oversized shirts this summer — in particular my Chessie style (from £110) by With Nothing Underneath. It’s longer than most shirts, so it covers my bum and hips, an area I feel more self-conscious about. Shirts are timeless, you can wear them post-pregnancy and they skim straight over the bump to feel effortless with any outfit.
• Green stripy shirt, £100, withnothingunderneath.com• Blue stripy shirt, £42, arket.com
Hello, husband. Are you reading this? Each morning when you huff and puff that you have no shirts it’s because I’ve been wearing them — all of them. Your blazers too. The blue linen, the khaki stripes, the grey boxy jacket. All me. Rummage through any of the men in your life’s cupboards for oversized pieces: blazers, shirts and sweaters. No need to buy what you (sort of) already own.
DO buy bigger brasFirst for comfort but also because your clothes will look much better when your breasts aren’t overflowing out of their usual support. I rate Skims, M&S and Calvin Klein.
DO buy everything slightly too big I bought a whole load of gorgeous dresses for my holiday and they’re already too tight. If you’re under 20 weeks, your bump still has a long way to go so keep things on the larger side to make them last.
DO check in with friends and colleagues …… who have recently been pregnant as they may be looking to declutter their wardrobes. I have worn my sister’s maternity leggings and jeans through both pregnancies.
The maternitywear category needs a glow-up. Websites and imagery still feel quite dated when you scroll though, but there are a handful of brands getting it right.
Beyond Nine I wore one of its tracksuits to go to my first birth and I still wear it now. It is so comfortable and the top has no waist band so it drapes over the bump rather than tugs. Also check out the chic yet practical overalls and co-ords. beyondnine.co.uk
Nine the Label Its timeless, ribbed bodycon dresses saw me through work events during my first pregnancy and I’m happily wearing them again. ninethelabel.com
SeraphineThis brand now does almost everything for everyone: great athleisurewear that doesn’t roll off the bump, good quality feeding-friendly onesies and fitted but not suffocating shapewear. seraphine.com
H&M Mama The best maternitywear on the high street. Jeans were a minefield until I discovered Mama’s denim pull-on trousers and slim ankle jeans. It also has great basic vests, ribbed dresses and linen styles at an affordable price. hm.com
Styling: Helen Atkin. Hair: Jessie Jan using Hershesons. Make-up: Marie-Allen using Charlotte Tilbury. Tan: James Harknett using Three Warriors