What I Wore For Pregnancy & Postpartum Outfits (Non-Maternity Favorites Included)
After my last pregnancy, I was excited to try all the new maternity styles on Nuuly — but when the time actually came, I found myself gravitating toward regular, non-maternity pieces that worked with my bump instead.
Personally, dressing during pregnancy felt so much easier than dressing after. Once you start to show and no longer feel big and bloated, it becomes simpler to find silhouettes that work. I leaned on low-rise jeans, elastic-waist bottoms, fitted tops, and bodysuits.
Postpartum dressing comes with a whole different set of considerations. In the first few weeks, you’ll most likely be wearing pads, diapers or full coverage underwear, a belly binder, and nursing pads. You need outfits that fit comfortably over all of that and still allow for easy breastfeeding. Some of my go-tos were oversized tees, button-downs, overalls with a nursing tank underneath, elastic-waist bottoms, and low-rise jeans. (Side note: tube tops make surprisingly great breastfeeding-friendly tops too.)
I also tried to minimize how much maternity-specific clothing I bought, so I rented pieces from Nuuly throughout my pregnancy (and even now, postpartum). Since this was my last pregnancy, renting gave me the flexibility to size up as needed—without ending up with a stack of maternity jeans in multiple sizes.
Because I relied mostly on non-maternity styles, I spent a lot of time reading reviews and researching how different pieces would fit as my bump grew. After all that digging, here’s the breakdown of what I actually rented or bought during my pregnancy—when each piece worked, and what size I took.
Jumpsuits, Bodysuits & Dresses
Nuuly x Year Of Ours Maternity Stretch Scoop Neck Romper
Wore: 2nd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Free People Picnic Sweater Romper
Wore: 2nd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
LACAUSA Maternity Luna Unitard
Wore: 2nd & 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy & 1 size up (depending on trimester)
Bumpsuit Alexa Bike Short Unitard
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Ingrid + Isabel Maternity Ribbed Onesie
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Hatch The Printed Waffle 24/7 Jumpsuit
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
The reviews said this looked like pajamas, but it was so comfortable and I got a lot of compliments on it
The Frolic Maternity Melodia Plisse Jumpsuit
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Free People Olivia Henley Knit Dress
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Hatch Maternity Racertank Mini Dress
Wore: 2nd trimester
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Note: This style runs short
Wore: 2nd & 3rd trimester
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
The Frolic Maternity Gingham Smocked Dress
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Wore this for my baby shower with Margot
Hatch Elma Rib Knit Striped Dress
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Little Lies Lara Knitted Dress
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Elastic Waist Bottoms
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Free People Get Free Poplin Shorts
Wore: 2nd trimester + postpartum
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Wore: 2nd & 3rd trimester + postpartum
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Vuori Villa Straight Leg Pants
Wore: 2nd & 3rd trimester + postpartum
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
Gap Factory Mid Rise SuperSoft Pull-On Barrel Jeans
Wore: 1st through 3rd trimester + postpartum
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size & 1 size up (depending on trimester)
Keep an eye on sales, I got these for $34 each!
Find Me Now Leiseu Track Pants
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Jeans
I found maternity jeans with the elastic inset to be uncomfortable and I never tried the over-the-belly jeans (it seemed like more logistics with tops). Instead, I found and liked the H&M Mama Before & After Jeans that have an adjustable elasticized waistband.
H&M Mama Before & After Wide Jeans
Wore: Throughout pregnancy
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
H&M Mama Before & After Straight Low Ankle Jeans
Wore: Throughout pregnancy + postpartum
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
AGOLDE Low Slung Baggy Leg Jeans
Wore: 1st trimester
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Abercrombie Women’s Low Rise Baggy Jeans
Wore: 1st & 2nd trimester + postpartum
Ordered: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Habitual Drawstring Wide Leg Jeans
Wore: 3rd trimester
Rented: 3 sizes up from pre-pregnancy
Wore: 3rd trimester + Postpartum
Rented: 2-3 sizes up from pre-pregnancy
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: 2 sizes up from pre-pregnancy
Citizens Of Humanity Lindz Easy Straight-Leg Jeans
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Oversized Tees
I found these all postpartum, but I would’ve worn these in my 3rd trimester (and even earlier) too.
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Gap Heavyweight Oversized T-Shirt
Wore: Postpartum
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
Old Navy Heavyweight Oversized Striped Tunic T-Shirt
Wore: Postpartum
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
Fitted Tops
Wore: 3rd trimester
Ordered: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Thicker straps cover any bra straps
Wore: 3rd trimester
Ordered: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Tip: Leave the last few buttons undone for more room and for the belly to show
Target A New Day Ribbed Tank Top
Wore: 3rd trimester
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
The longer length offers more coverage
Wore: 1st through 3rd trimester
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
Stretchy enough to fit over the bump as it grows, with more bump showing in later trimesters
Button Down Tops
Old Navy Oversized Button-Down Boyfriend Shirt
Wore: Postpartum
Ordered: Pre-pregnancy size
Nothing Fits But Muslin Nursing Top
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Overalls
Levi’s Printed Utility Shortalls
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
Wore: Postpartum
Rented: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
We The Free Good Luck Barrel Overalls
Wore: Pospartum
Rented: Pre-pregnancy size
Swimwear
Wore: Throughout pregnancy + postpartum
Ordered: One-size-fits all
Triangle Bikini Top & String Bikini Bottom
Wore: 3rd trimester
Ordered: 1 size up from pre-pregnancy
This type of style is adjustable and can sit below your bump