Maternity dresses are a multi-seasonal pregnancy staple, so one GLAMOUR mum road-tested hundreds in the name of this comprehensive shopping guide.
During my first pregnancy I prioritised comfort over style, favouring maternity leggings, maternity jeans and maternity nightwear over my staple midi dresses because, #comfort. But I'm using my second pregnancy as the perfect excuse to treat myself to a few stylish maternity dresses - and so far I've found the best way to feel put together with minimal effort, is with a dress.
You don't need me to remind you but let's hear it again for the women at the back: women’s bodies are really damn amazing and they certainly prove that during pregnancy. Over the nine months you're carrying your offspring, your body can change in ways you may never have thought possible and it’s incredible, really.
This is exactly why pregnancy is the perfect time to experiment with styles you may have shied away from before, and thanks to high street and high-end brands who've jumped on the maternity clothes bandwagon, there are plenty of on-trend maternity dresses designed to make you look and feel amazing throughout each trimester. No, these aren't just parachute-esque dresses that are designed to be worn like a tent, they're *actually* cut to accommodate – and highlight – baby bumps.
Some of our favourite e-tailers (hey, ASOS, New Look and River Island) have caught on to the need for stylish maternity clothes and their selections are growing daily – you can now find anything from casual day dresses, to office appropriate pieces, and even a dress for a night out (tee-totalling and tearing up the dance floor until 2AM aren’t mutually exclusive, after all). Most of our favourite high-street brand's websites have specific 'maternity' sections, which makes shopping for new maternity dresses a lot easier when your mind is distracted by pelvic floor exercises and hospital bag packing.
What to look for in the best maternity dresses:
This period is all about embracing your new body whilst also staying true to your pre-pregnancy style. As Chelsey Oliver, Chief Creative Officer at Seraphine, explains: “The best maternity dress designs are all about empowering women, instilling confidence in new and expecting mothers as they embrace their changing bodies.”
She suggests opting for timeless styles that flatter and adapt to your curves, with a special focus on accentuating the empire line between bust and bump. “Dresses featuring removable belts and adjustable wrap-around ties, ensuring an adaptable and comfortable fit throughout your journey, are ideal,” she notes. You might not be thinking about breastfeeding just yet, but consider pieces with nursing options, such as concealed zips and lift-up access, allowing you to wear these dresses not just during pregnancy but also after, making them a worthwhile investment for your wardrobe.
How we tested:
The number of bump-friendly dresses out there is rather overwhelming. So, I’ve trawled through high street and specialist brands to find the most stylish maternity dresses at every price point and considered fit, style, value for money and longevity post-partum. From rib-knits jumper dresses like this one from New Look for casual days to satin midis for nights out (because, yes, you can hit the town with bump in tow) and broderie anglaise mini dresses to pack for your babymoon, we've scoured the high street to bring you the best selection of maternity dresses out there.
Here are the very best maternity dresses to add to your wardrobe immediately.
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