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What to Wear to Work During Pregnancy
Tried and tested maternity-friendly pieces you can keep wearing postpartum and beyond.
As you’ve probably already guessed from the title, I’m pregnant! I’m currently 24 weeks along, inching toward that third trimester. Here’s the bump progress so far:
While my first trimester was a miserable mess of exhaustion, nausea, and days where I consumed clementines and only clementines, I’m very lucky to report that this stage of pregnancy has been relatively smooth. In fact, my biggest second-trimester challenge has been my wardrobe.
Part of this stems from my own naivete. I assumed that I’d be able to keep wearing my regular clothes until I got near the end, but even before I had a bump, my first-trimester nausea meant that anything touching my waist was a no.
As a result, I’ve spent much of my pregnancy so far in sweatpants, leggings, and sweaters—and most days, this formula works great for me. But what about days when I want to dress up and show off my bump? And, more to the point, what about the many women who work from an office and need a maternity wardrobe that can keep up?
Next month, I’ll be taking my last trip to M.M.’s NYC headquarters before the baby arrives, so I decided to experiment with maternity-friendly, office-ready outfits. The looks you’ll find below cover a range of formalities, from casual to buttoned-up. Even if you’re not pregnant, they’re ideal for anyone who’s experienced a recent size change, or just wants to be extra comfortable during the work day.
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Look #1: All Oversized
Personally, I’ve found that the easiest way to dress for my changing body is to lean into oversized looks. Just make sure to include a few sharp styling details (a cuffed sleeve, a patent leather loafer, a pearl necklace) to make it feel purposeful. This relaxed-fit button-down (I ordered my true size) has just the right amount of slouch, and the fabric is super stretchy despite having the look of crisp poplin. I’ve paired it with my wide-leg Jordan trousers, which are made from stretchy ponte and have an elastic waistband in the back. These are in my usual size, with the waistband rolled to sit at my low hip, but they’re getting tight! If you’re buying these for pregnancy specifically, I recommend going up a couple sizes.
Bonus: If you’re going straight from work to happy-hour mocktails, you can make this outfit a little sexy and evening-y by undoing the last few buttons of your shirt.
Look #2: Leggings + Stretchy Top
I don’t typically advocate for leggings in the office, but pregnancy is a special time, and it’s okay to break a few rules—especially if your comfort is at stake. This outfit—featuring the softest turtleneck ever (I’m wearing my usual size, but sizing up would also work) that same stretchy button-down from above, and my favorite maternity leggings—is ideal for casual workplaces and work-from-home days. (If you want to try a similar look minus the leggings, swap in these trendy kick-flare pants.) Wear the shirt unbuttoned or buttoned halfway, depending on how much coverage you want.
Sooooo stretchy!
Look #3: Stretchy Dress
The Aisling dress is one of my favorite things M.M. has ever made, so I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to keep wearing it throughout my pregnancy. The super-smooth fabric feels so soothing against my skin, and you only need to look at the photo to see how easily it stretches. I’ve paired it with a lightweight boyfriend blazer and white shoes to emphasize the blazer’s contrasting topstitch. I’ve found that my usual size still works in both the dress and the blazer. If you’re dressing for a cooler climate, add tights and swap in tall black boots.
Look #4: Fitted Top + Big Scarf
Whether you’re wearing maternity-specific pants or trying to keep your pre-pregnancy pants in rotation (as I did here, with my Jordan trousers), the waistband situation can get a little weird. So, if you’re pairing with a tight-fitting top, adding an extra layer can help hide things like rolled waistbands and scrunched-up pockets. For this look, I chose a classic black-and-navy combo by draping on this gorgeous indigo-dyed scarf, hand-woven by a woman-run cooperative of artisans in Laos.
Look #5: Matching(ish) Set
Being pregnant is exhausting, and you don’t always have the energy to style an outfit. Having a few go-to monochrome sets in your rotation can make mornings easier. The Colby pants in berry jam and the Larissa sweater in Syrah look gorgeous together, but they’re not so matchy that you’ll look like you’re wearing a sweatsuit. I went up one size in this outfit for a comfier fit and am considering exchanging the sweater for a size or two larger to get a more slouchy look.
Look #6: Tailored But Flexible
The secret to wearing a traditionally tailored outfit during pregnancy is to find stretchy fabrics that still look super polished. Jardigan knit—a portmanteau of “jacket” and “cardigan”—was designed for this exact purpose. Here, I’m wearing the stretchy Cody jardigan and Harlem skirt with my beloved Axam turtleneck. All three pieces are in my usual size, but I now wear the skirt at my low hip rather than my natural waist. Brown knee-high boots make this outfit less overtly corporate, but you could sub in black pumps if you work in a more traditional environment.
