Your go-to maternity outfits and the best bras to match
Finding the perfect bras to match each outfit isn't typically the first thing that comes to mind for expecting mamas. However, as you embark on your incredible journey from the first trimester to postpartum, your body undergoes a multitude of changes, and this affects not only our style choices but our bras too. Our breasts in particular become heavier, larger, and more sensitive while pregnant and this lasts into postpartum, especially when breastfeeding. It's not uncommon to experience an increase in cup size and even a need for a larger bra during your pregnancy due to the expansion of your rib cage. While these changes are all perfectly normal, they do add complexity when it comes to choosing the right bras to stay comfortable, as well as outfits to suit your changing shape. And let's be honest, you already have enough on your plate growing a tiny human.
The importance of ‘feeling yourself’
Whether it’s your first or fourth pregnancy, body changes can be confronting. You might not think style is important when it comes to pregnancy but the truth is, this can have a direct impact on your self-confidence during a time when so much is in flux. The good news is that even the smallest changes to your maternity style can have a big impact on how you feel about yourself during pregnancy, especially on those not-so-great-days when you really just need to feel like yourself.
Here are a few quick and easy tips to help you look and feel great on your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
- Choose high quality fabrics that soothe your skin and keep you cool
- Don’t be afraid to size up in your regular clothes
- Treat yourself to something you’ll wear during pregnancy and beyond
- Make your life easier by having some go-to outfits and maternity bras, like the ones below, to help you feel fabulous and stay comfortable in every situation.
7 go-to looks and the perfect bras for them
From work to what to wear on a date night, our stylists have taken the guesswork out of your go-to outfits for your day and the right maternity and nursing bras to go with them for maximum comfort and minimum mental load.
Here are a few ideas to help you stay stylish and comfortable throughout your pregnancy and beyond. You can shop the looks on The Mama Style.
Maternity work outfit
The perfect work outfit when you’re pregnant doesn’t just look good, it’s comfortable enough to wear all day. Depending on the size of your bump you’re probably best off in Hotmilk maternity pants. If you’re not quite ready for these, consider rolling down the belly band until you are. Pair this with a stunning oversized silk shirt for an all day polished look. The best bra for a silk shirt is one that appears seamless. The last thing you want is your cups or your breasts’ outline showing through the silk. We love Hotmilk’s Forever Yours Frappe Contour Nursing bra for its nursing access and soft, smooth cups. Better still, this bra can be adjusted for a racerback look outside of work.
Elevate your everyday
Black on black is the best look to feel elegant throughout your pregnancy. It also comes in very handy postpartum when you might get a little milk stain or two on you! We love accentuating a great quality oversized tee and wide leg pants with some brown accessories and simple gold jewellery for understated easy style. Our favourite t-shirt bra is the Ambition T-Shirt Black Contour Nursing Bra. It’s so comfortable and seamless under a tee, plus the magnetic clips make feeding on the go super easy.
Going out
You might not be hitting the dance floor all night anymore but that’s no excuse not to dress up and feel incredible. Calming beiges and neutrals remain firmly in style for another season. For a bit of personality add a bright bag. The perfect bra for this dress is the Warrior Plunge Nursing Bra. This is without a doubt one of the best bras on the market and a bestseller at The Mama Style. Not only is it super sexy unlike most maternity bras, but it has the amazing magnetic clips and soft discreet padding to stem any milk leakage.
Date night
Ask any mama and they’ll agree: make the most of your couples’ time before your family expands. We recommend plenty of date nights where you dress up and feel incredible. Show off your curves with a black bodycon dress and the Temptation Black Nursing Bra and matching set. Made with sexy delicate looking lace, it’s remarkably supportive and comfortable whatever bra size you are. The straps convert to racerback meaning you can wear high neck dresses like this one from Skims too.
Workout
Your second trimester is usually known as the ‘honeymoon’ trimester. Why? Because you don’t have the nausea and fatigue of the first trimester, or the heaviness and exhaustion of your third. This is the best time to get the most out of your workouts before you taper off. Work out in style with your Hotmilk Focus Leggings and Balance Sports black sports bra. Not only is it moisture wicking and wirefree, it’s super supportive, which is perfect for tender or swollen breasts.
Walking
Walking is a fantastic workout when it comes to pregnancy and postpartum. It’s the perfect exercise when you’re feeling heavy and tired or when you have your little one in a pram. Your perfect maternity walking outfit is as stylish as it is simple in black and white tonality. For max comfort and for a great shape under your white tee, you can’t go past Hotmilk’s Elevate Cotton Black T-Shirt Nursing bra. A-frame nursing access, buttery soft cup material and a super soft base elastic you won’t even feel.
Postpartum
The newborn bubble is magical. Between feeding, nursing and sleep interruption, comfort and ease needs to be a priority. We love the Freedom Pump and Nursing Bra, designed to hold most major pumping brands. This bra also comes with magnetic nursing clips for easy feeds. Stay warm and cosy when you feed with a beautiful soft robe, warm slippers and a loungeset that can be worn all day as your body recovers from its hard work.
Remember, whatever stage of pregnancy or motherhood you’re in, your body may be in a state of change. And that’s totally normal and OK. Nourish yourself with good quality fabrics, styles that make you feel great and of course, a comfortable, well-fitting and beautifully designed Hotmilk bra to suit.
Find all these looks and many more on The Mama Style. The Mama Style curates the very best looks from around the world for pregnancy to postpartum and beyond. Shop the most stylish, on trend items from both regular brands as well as maternity brands in one place. Discover how to wear regular clothes during your pregnancy and what exactly you need to invest in when it comes to maternity clothes. Plus, find items that will see you through to postpartum and beyond.
