This is my second fall/winter pregnancy. Teddy was born in early February and I’m set to have baby number two in late December. Since I’m wearing a lot of the same things this time around, I thought I’d compile a list of fall and winter-specific maternity clothing that I love and actually wear.
Summer pregnancies are all about beating the heat and staying cool but winter means layers and worse, pants! But you don’t have to buy a lot of new things just because you’re pregnant in the winter versus summer however there are some things that I found were more comfortable. The main staples? Leggings with oversized sweaters and stretchy sweater dresses.
Let’s dive in!
Fall and Winter Maternity Favorites
Leggings
These leggings are the absolute best for day-to-day wear. I pair them with tunics, oversized button-downs, or sweaters for every day. They are thick enough to wear as “pants” but you could also work out in them if you wanted. If you want something a little dressier, the Spanx faux leather maternity leggings are also pretty good. I’ll wear them when I want to look a little more elevated than my standard leggings. If you don’t want the maternity leggings with a full panel, make sure to size up in the regular Spanx leggings.
I also love the Aerie offline leggings for lounging and working out. They are super stretchy and I was able to wear my pre-pregnancy size up until the very tail end of my pregnancy. They are an alternative to the Lululemon align leggings which are also fantastic for pregnancy workouts or lounging. The main difference for me is in the price. The Aerie leggings are around $35 while the Lululemon ones are $100.
Maternity Jeans
If you are planning on having several pregnancies, I’d spring for a good pair of maternity jeans. All the cheaper options are terrible. I tried Old Navy, Macy’s, Pea & the Pod, and H&M and hated them all. Spend the extra money and get a pair that are comfortable and you really like. You can always sell them or give them to a friend afterward. Lots of people online say that the Paige denim ones are fantastic because the material is so soft but I can’t comment personally.
Sweater Dresses
After leggings and sweaters, sweater dresses are my next fall and winter pregnancy wardrobe staple, especially while I was working. A fitted sweater dress paired with the J.Crew sweater blazer was my go-to outfit for workdays. Even now that I’m home it’s still a comfortable outfit but instead of heels or boots, I’ll pair it with sneakers and a denim jacket.
Chunky knit sweater dresses are also super comfortable and another go-to of mine. The only thing is that many of these tend to be on the shorter side and get more so as your belly grows but you can always pair them with leggings.
Sweaters and Tops
Oversized tops are great throughout pregnancy and then they can double as nursing tops afterward. I have a handful of oversized or ‘boyfriend’ style button-downs that are perfect for pregnancy and nursing.
Oversized sweaters are also my lifeline right now. This one from Able has been on constant rotation since I got it. I have a few older ones from J.Crew that are also in my regular rotation because they are just long enough to wear with leggings.
Loungewear
Word to the wise, get yourself a couple of cute lounge sets while you’re pregnant. Either that or some nice pajamas that make you feel good. You’ll probably be wearing them a lot, both during and after your pregnancy. I only have one pair of sweatpants that I lived in during both of my pregnancies and I’m ready to burn them once this baby comes. I should probably take my own advice.
Other Things for a Winter Pregnancy
You’ll probably end up with about five outfits that just get repeated a ton by the end. Spice them up with different shoes, cardigans, jackets, headbands, etc. That way you won’t be totally sick of them by the end of your pregnancy.
There may come a point when your winter coats may not fit. This sucks if you live in a really cold climate but there are some things you can do. I purchased a cheaper winter coat in a size up from my normal that worked for most of the winter. I also had a family friend who lent me her maternity-specific coat which was made with extra material. You can always look on secondhand sites like Poshmark to find something cheaper since it isn’t for forever. Finally, you can always steal from the men in your life. I went to the hospital in Andrew’s grandfather’s old coat because it was the only one that zipped shut at the bitter end.
Stick to winter boots that are easy to get on and off. I would regularly commute into work in winter boots then put on my work-appropriate shoes or heels at my desk. However, there came a point when I needed help getting tall boots off and that wasn’t something I was going to ask of my co-workers. I stuck with my short boots after that point.
I hope this is helpful to any of you going through a fall/winter pregnancy. You will want to pick up a few new items so you can remain comfortable through the whole nine months but you can easily mix and match with other things you already own. There are plenty of non-maternity clothes that you can continue to wear throughout pregnancy.
xo – Ana Luiza
