Professional Maternity Wear: How to Dress a Bump

Dressing professionally while pregnant is a hassle. Dressing professionally while pregnant and on a budget is a bigger hassle. Dressing professionally while pregnant, on a budget, and living in a rural area is darned near impossible.

I had a steep learning curve in my nine+ months of pregnancy, so I wanted to share what I learned the hard way. I hope it saves at least one of you some of the trial-and-error troubles I faced.

If you are newly expecting, expecting again, or shopping for someone who's sporting a bump, here are some tips and tricks for looking good, saving money, and making it through with a smile.

First, buy these seven pieces:

1. A comfortable black dress

I wore this dress every Sunday. It was a breathable but dressy-looking cotton knit. It covered my bump, my bustline, and my knees. It got me through even 95+ degree days in our unairconditioned sanctuary.

This dress came from Old Navy and was a steal. They don't sell it anymore, but this one is similar, and they offer new styles all the time.

In my normal life, I'm not much of a dress girl. I like the freedom of pants, and since my church is pretty informal, they are formal enough for most occasions. Once pregnant, however, I quickly learned that I was most comfortable without pants or a skirt hugging my middle. That bump needs to breathe!

Plus, a wedding deserves a dress!

I wore lots of different scarves and statement jewelry with this dress so that it looked different from day to day.

2. Dark jeans

My church is more casual than most, so it's rare I need to be dressed up more than just a pair of dark jeans. On Youth Sundays I even preach in dark jeans, so getting a sturdy pair was a must.

Many maternity stores sell jeans in the following sizes: S, M, L, and XL. Are you KIDDING me?! Does any woman in the world fit into those sizes in pants? Much less a pregnant woman?

After searching high and low, I finally found workable jeans at Gap Maternity. They weren't cheap, but I wore them four days a week for my entire pregnancy. I liked the bootcut style, as it made me look less disproportional. Skinny jeans on a pregnant woman look like... well... like this. 'Nuff said.

Maternity jeans come with different band styles around the middle, from riding under your belly (ultimate panel) to covering your whole belly (full panel). I always went for the full panel in case my shirt rode up. Full panels are also the most versatile, as you can fold the panel down under your belly when it gets too tight later on in the pregnancy.

These jeans were my very favorite. Pricey, but worth it for the wear I got out of them!

3. A knee-length black skirt

I lived in this knit skirt. I eventually even wore it to the hospital when I was in labor! It was light, breathable, comfortable, and it went with everything. Neutrals are a must, and since it was summer and very, very warm, I got a lot of use out of this skirt.

They're still selling that skirt (at a crazy $15!) over at Old Navy.

4. A handful of modest tank tops

These work to layer under everything, or to wear alone in the hot summer. I got black, grey, white, and purple and nearly wore them out. If you watch for sales you can get lucky, too. Mine were just $6 apiece here. They're $12.95 now, which still is a bargain, but if you watch and wait you can get really lucky.

5. A maternity blazer

I read some really nutty tips on maternity style when I was pregnant. One was, "Just wear your old blazers open! They will still fit fine in the later months of your pregnancy!"

WRONG. So, so wrong. I agree with PeaceBang over at Beauty Tips for Ministers that if the blazer does not close, it does not fit. It just looks plain old ridiculous.

So buy a maternity blazer. It will work with your pants. It will work with your skirt. It will work with your dress. It will work with your tank tops. And it will help you to look like a polished professional when you feel like a manatee.

Bonus: it isn't hard to find these at thrift stores. Mine was a Liz Lange maternity blazer from Target, but I found it at a Minnesota thrift store for eight bucks. Boo yah.

6. Black pants

Get a pair. You'll wear them all the time. Not yoga pants, either. These are not professional attire unless you're Jillian Michaels. Black dress pants. These are also easy to find at a thrift store! 

Target isn't selling my black pants anymore, but these grey ones give you an idea. Again, the full panel can be your best friend.

7. A loose cardigan

These are in style and perfect for both maternity and postpartum. I lived in mine. 

As a bonus, a cardigan doesn't need to be from the maternity section. One you own might work just fine, as long as it's already a bit oversized. 

Banana Republic has great cardigans on its sale racks from time to time. I have one in cream and another in black that are similar to this one, and I wear them each a couple of times a week. (And I got each of mine for $20!)

A few other tips...

Borrow, borrow, borrow

Most women want to burn their maternity clothes once they are finished with them. If you ask around, or even mention that you are pregnant, many women will offer to loan you their old maternity clothes. Say YES to this! Don't even hesitate. If some of their things aren't your style, you can return them with an easy "Thank you!" If even one thing out of the mix fits and works with your figure, it's worth it.

My sister gave me a great pile of goodies. Our church's communications coordinator gave me another batch. Not everything fit, and not everything was my style, but between the two of them and their generosity, I had more than enough to supplement my wardrobe.

Peruse thrift stores early and often!

Maternity clothes really don't wear out. It's hard to wear out clothes that you only fit into for a few months. So shop the maternity racks and shop them early. I got a great deal on a handful of dresses in February that were perfect for summer.

Shop online stores with good return policies

I became a HUGE fan of both Old Navy and Gap's maternity offerings. Both offer free shipping for over $50, both have ongoing sales, and both understand that many mommas-to-be actually have to go to work in these clothes, so they tend toward soft, comfortable, and modest.

Gap's stuff works great postpartum, too. I just bought a couple of sweaters ($8 each, on major sale!) because wearing maternity stuff right now, as I work to shed the last 10 or so pounds of baby weight, actually makes me look slimmer than regular clothes.

Since I live rurally, ordering through the mail meant that I could try on a couple of sizes and return the ones that didn't fit.

How do you dress your bump?