‘Where can I find sustainable and stylish maternity wear?’
It’s been the year style has been put on ice in favour of track suit pants and slippers. But now it’s time to rediscover your fashion confidence and dip your toe back into something braver.
In our Wardrobe Whisperer column, our team will find a solution for every style crisis.
Dear Wardrobe Whisperer,
I am about to hit seven months pregnant and have really struggled to find clothes that fit comfortably, look good and are ethically sourced. Most brands no longer do maternity lines and, when they do, everything seems to be striped for some reason. I usually dress quite smartly with a vintage-inspired style. Knee-length A-line dresses worked up to now, but I can’t get away with these any more as the bump pulls the hemline up at the front. Please help!
— Ruth
Dear Ruth,
Congratulations, Ruth! And I can sympathise – I’m expecting myself and hadn’t quite realised how much effort it takes to retain your personal style while still feeling good in the clothes you wear during this time. Yes, it’s only a few months of your life, but I think it is worth investing in a few special pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable – you can always rent out or sell on once you’re finished with them.
My favourite maternity discovery is Clary & Peg and, from your description of your style, I think you’ll love it, too. Its pretty, vintage-inspired dresses are made in London in small batches, so tick your sustainability requirements. I like that they’re not too fussy, so you could easily carry on wearing them afterwards. The brand has lovely dungarees, too – just add an oversized mannish shirt (one of my personal maternity go-tos).
Another label I love is Beyond Nine, which uses sustainable materials in its designs – its ‘coverall’ is incredibly comfortable and I can imagine wearing it for breastfeeding/general mum life long after giving birth, but the range also includes breezy jumpsuits and wrap dresses (see beyondnine.co.uk).
Tencel dress, £79, Isabella Oliver; Floral dress, £119, Bump & Milk; Oversized-collar blouse, £29.99, H&M; Lace dress, £169, Seraphine; Corduroy dungarees, £165, Clary & Peg
Maternity label Isabella Oliver is an industry leader and has a dedicated ‘sustainable’ section on its website, as well as options to buy pre-loved or rent its pieces instead of buying. Its shirt dresses are versatile options, which you could dress up or down. Seraphine is another classic go-to for expectant mothers. I’ve been loving its jeans and dungarees, but it has some truly special dresses, too, such as the lace midi below, which the Duchess of Cambridge wore when she was pregnant with Prince Louis.
I think you might also like Bump & Milk – a small pregnancy and breastfeeding label that specialises in very floral and feminine dresses. They’re the kind of designs that will make you feel elegant and ladylike in an instant, even when you’re about to pop or have been up all night with a grizzly baby.
On the high street, I agree it’s slim pickings, but credit to H&M for an extensive collection of maternity basics, along with the odd ‘on-trend’ choice, such as this floral blouse – you could style it with leggings and boots for a chic end-of-pregnancy/ post-birth look. Good luck!
