You do not need a maternity label to dress a bump. You need a dress that gives you room in the right places and still looks like a dress you would have picked anyway. Here is what to look for, and the styles that work, all in a full size run at the same price in every size.
What makes a dress bump-friendly
- An empire waist. The seam sits just under the bust, so the skirt falls over the bump instead of cutting across it.
- Smocking or a stretch bodice. Elastic stitching or stretch fabric gives as you grow, and gives back after.
- A flowy skirt. A-line and tiered skirts leave room without adding bulk.
- What to skip later on: fitted waistlines, boned bodices, and fixed zipper backs with no stretch. They fit as measured, and your measurements are changing.
Our picks
- Kelly Dress ($208, sizes 00 to 34). A stretchy bodice and flowy skirt in a floral print with butterfly accents. Hidden pockets. Size up.
- Lily Petal Dress ($288, sizes 00 to 34). The same stretchy bodice and flowy skirt, in sky blue lace with floral appliqués. A strong maternity photo dress. Size up. Also in green.
- Jeanne Dress ($138, sizes XXS to 6X). Ivory dotted tulle in tiers, with a smocked empire waist and shoulder bows. True to size.
- Margaret Dress ($168, sizes XXS to 6X). An embroidered midi with an empire waist and a tiered skirt, in blue, emerald, and black. True to size.
- Cerise Dress ($188, sizes XXS to 6X). Fuchsia floral cotton with a smocked, stretchable bodice and a flared A-line skirt.
- Garden Rose Dress ($74.99, sizes XXS to 6X). A long-sleeve maxi with a smocked waist, a button front, and pockets. True to size.
Which size to order
Order for the size you expect to be on the day you will wear it, not the size you are when you order. If the event is weeks out, choose a stretch or smocked style so the fit has room to move. Check your bust and waist against the chart on the product page, and see our size guide for how to measure.
Common questions
What should I wear to my own baby shower?
Something you can sit in for two hours and stand up from easily. An empire waist or smocked bodice in a soft color photographs well. The Jeanne and Lily Petal dresses are good starting points.
Are these dresses maternity sized?
No. They are regular sizes cut with stretch or room through the middle, which means you can keep wearing them afterward.
Can I wear these after the baby comes?
Yes. Button-front styles like the Garden Rose Dress also work for nursing. See our guide to nursing-friendly dresses.