Cool, adaptable and comfortable, dresses are a real pregnancy staple. Even if you're not usually someone who wears dresses, once that bump band starts to get a little tight they will suddenly seem a truly desirable option. The great thing about maternity dresses is their ability to be dressed up or down, so they'll be suitable for casual days as well as formal occasions like a wedding, baby shower, or photoshoot.
With beautiful maternity wear from the likes of Seraphine, Mamalicious and Isabella Oliver, you'll be looking for reasons to put a gown on. Available online in the UK from Amazon, eBay, Asos and John Lewis - who knows, pregnancy might even make a dress lover out of you!
Quick List - Top Maternity Dresses
Smallshow
Casual but Cute, With a Wrap-Over Front Layer for Breastfeeding
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Shopping for maternity dresses online may feel a little bit daunting, but once you know what to look for it's actually pretty simple. Read on for our top tips to help you navigate it and hopefully find the perfect dress!
Polyester is a very popular synthetic fabric that can withstand a lot of wear and tear and dries quickly with less fading than some other materials. However it isn't breathable unless you choose a moisture-wicking polyester. There are now lots of garments made from recycled polyester - a more environmentally friendly option.
Although not often used as the primary material in maternity dresses, elastane is often used with other fabrics to create a stretchier texture and fit. Stronger than rubber, it is made from natural and synthetic fibres providing flexibility.
Maternity dresses can sometimes be a bit of an investment, with a continually growing bump! However there are lots of well-designed maternity dresses available these days that are suitable for both before the birth and for a considerable time after.
Most dual dresses have panels or a wrap design making them suitable for breastfeeding. Our next sections goes into more detail about the various features to look for in a maternity dress.
Buying a maternity dress, and possibly one you would also like to use after birth for nursing, there are some useful features to look out for to make your life as comfortable, yet stylish as possible. A tie belt can be a simple and effective way to create a sleeker silhouette - no matter how far along you are.
There are many different ways nursing can be made easier- some dresses button down the front, some have a simple wrap over design, whereas others have invisible zips. A wrap over provides the easiest accessibility but isn't always the most discreet whereas buttons and zips can be fiddlier in the moment but provide more security.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Seraphine Stripe Maternity and Nursery Midi Dress | ![]() | A Must Have for Before and After Birth | |
2 | Mamalicious Aimy Maternity and Nursing Midi Dress | ![]() | An Eco-Friendly Garment | |
3 | Seraphine Button Through Maternity Dress | ![]() | Flattering and Feminine | |
4 | Smallshow Women's Short Sleeve Maternity Nursing Dress | ![]() | Casual but Cute, With a Wrap-Over Front Layer for Breastfeeding | |
5 | Fashion Union Maternity Backless Maxi Dress | ![]() | A Gorgeous Floral Party Dress | |
6 | Mamalicious Kadia Maternity Dress | ![]() | Perfect for a Special Occasion | |
7 | ASOS DESIGN Maternity Textured Midi Wrap Dress | ![]() | A Demure Yet Comfortable Wrap Dress | |
8 | ASOS DESIGN Maternity Lemon Broderie Midi Sundress | ![]() | A Bright and Sunny Choice |
For our number one spot, we have chosen an absolutely delightful dress from Seraphine, doubling up as both a maternity and nursing dress. With an elegant collar panel featuring hidden vertical zips, it makes breastfeeding super easy whilst still looking fabulous!
The tie belt at the waist creates a cinched-in silhouette and the below the knee length is cool, breezy and feminine looking. The combination of horizontal and vertical stripes in blue and white is very flattering on the figure, too. A fabulous choice!
Here we have a beautiful piece of design in the Aimy Maternity and Nursing Midi Dress by the ever-brilliant Mamalicious. Made from 95% recycled polyester, it has all of the great qualities of this super material whilst also being angelically planet-friendly!
Not only that, it's exquisite looking, and can be worn interchangeably day to day or for a more formal occasion. The shade of orange is not only extremely flattering but perfect autumnal dressing. The cross over detail on the chest is convenient for nursing and the dress is cut to a very comfortable shape overall.
The second dress from Seraphine on our list, this one will really set your heart a flutter! A beautiful cut and shape in white with red love hearts, it's perfect for warmer months, weddings or parties.
The longer capped sleeves, tie belt waist and just above knee length are oh-so-pretty. This dress may look a little more revealing so you may prefer it in the earlier stages of pregnancy. However, the flow of the material makes it so comfy and breezy at any time! The dress also buttons down the middle, making it nursing friendly, too.
Looking for something casual that isn't too basic and still looks cute? Then look no further than this dress by Smallshow. With nine lovely choices of different block-colour dresses or plain and print combinations - it was difficult to choose which we liked the best! we eventually settled on this dress with a slightly nautical feel.
Made from super soft material, it has two side pockets and a wrap over panel without buttons or zips for very easy nursing. A great combo of practicality and pretty design, it's ideal for both during pregnancy and the time after, too.
Looking for a statement maternity dress for a wedding or special event? You'll bloom in this stunning floral dress from Fashion Union! Lightweight with an open back and balloon sleeves - it looks totally glam.
We particularly love that the dress length and sleeves make you feel covered and secure, whilst still being a very party-ready look. The blue ditsy floral print is great for those mamas who aren't keen on pink but still want to look very feminine. A real flower of a dress!
This Kadia Maternity Dress from Mamalicious is simply gorgeous. Featuring a flattering v-neck, slightly puffed sleeves, a tie belt and an elegant frilled panel adorning the skirt- you're sure to feel great in this one.
Super stylish and perfect for special occasions, it also happens to be really comfortable. The material is soft and stretchy and the subtle stripe is a very complementary look, too. Mamalicious indeed!
We are featuring lots of bright coloured dresses or dresses with prints in this list, but never fear, the perfect little black dress is here! A little more sophisticated than the basic black dress in at number 10, this midi wrap dress is oh-so-flattering!
Featuring beautiful flutter sleeves, a v-neck and a length that skims the knee, this dress emphasises all the right parts creating a complimentary silhouette. The wrap front and tie make it super adaptable and comfortable, and it's ideal to be worn whilst nursing. Elegant yet practical!
Next up with have this floaty sundress, which creates a feminine shape whilst still being loose and comfortable. The easy-to-use buttons also make this dress suitable for nursing after the baby is born, too.
Summer may be all but over but with this dress, which is the brightest on our list, you can take the sunshine wherever you go. Not only extremely pretty but made from 100% cotton, too, this dress will last a long time - making it suitable for another pregnancy or to be worn postpartum.
On a bit of a roll with your pregnancy and baby prep? As you can see in our related articles below, we have lots more tips and suggestions to have you feeling totally equipped and ready.
Hopefully by now you have found the perfect maternity dress to get you through pregnancy, and maybe even beyond. We're sure you'll be looking absolutely blooming gorgeous!
Author: Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Seraphine|Stripe Maternity and Nursery Midi Dress
No. 2: Mamalicious |Aimy Maternity and Nursing Midi Dress
No. 3: Seraphine|Button Through Maternity Dress
No. 4: Smallshow|Women's Short Sleeve Maternity Nursing Dress
No. 5: Fashion Union|Maternity Backless Maxi Dress
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