Pregnancy Dressing: Why I Avoided Maternity Clothes
Hello Darlings,
While I love fashion, the recent wave of trends and rampant consumerism? Not so much. To me, how we present ourselves—whether to the world or just to ourselves—is a form of self-care. The items in my wardrobe that were purchased with intent and a little bit of anticipation, still bring me great joy. Whether it’s a pair of jeans that fit like a glove, a purse you’ve been eyeing and finally decided to splurge on, or a bra that feels like it was made just for you—it’s about those pieces that give you that feeling.
It’s not about spending hours obsessing over “curated” outfits or chasing the overly stylized, hyper-polished aesthetic that’s idealized on social media. That’s just not real life—it’s more like playacting. And in a world that glamorizes overconsumption and frowns on re-wearing outfits, I firmly believe we have a responsibility to be more mindful in how we consume
32 weeks pregnant
But I’ll admit, this hasn’t always been my approach—not to fashion or to life in general. For far too long, I played the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses game. Luckily, time (and my 30s) taught me better. Now, I feel like I’ve found my groove. My Northern star, so to speak. And while it may sound small, this perspective even reflects in the way I make purchases.
Now, well into my third trimester, I’ve dipped my toes into maternity fashion, and to put it plainly? I’m just not a fan. The few items I did buy? Not comfortable. Not flattering. Not me. I haven’t even managed to find a maternity bra I can tolerate. For the past 250-plus days, I’ve been improvising—making my existing wardrobe work for me and adding a handful of versatile pieces that accommodate my bump and will earn their keep post-pregnancy.
I struggled a lot with my changing body and often felt foreign in my own skin. I had this idea of what maternity should look like, and none of it aligned with what I was experiencing. My body was changing rapidly, and I fell into the trap of trying to keep up. But with a whole lot of grace (and some patience), I found my groove late in the second trimester.
When I first found out I was pregnant, my ingrained mindset kicked in immediately. The first thing I did? Research maternity brands. In my head, I needed a maternity “look”—an entirely new wardrobe for this season of life. Isn’t that what we’re conditioned to want? It’s why designer diaper bags exist and retail for thousands—because wiping your baby’s bum has apparently become a fashion statement. It’s a soiled diaper, but make it designer
.After buying (and quickly returning) a pile of things I would never have ordered pre-pregnancy, I had the reality check I desperately needed: Do I actually need all this stuff? The answer was, of course, no. That’s when I took a step back from fixating on the “pregnancy look” and gave myself permission to just be. No maternity undies required. Turns out, a bunch of items I already owned worked just as well.
Below is the list of most-worn items.
