For most of my life, I was firm on one thing: I do not want to have kids. Yet here I am, writing to you full-term in my first pregnancy.
The truth is, I have always been afraid of “losing” myself. That moment of waking up one day and wondering, “What the hell happened? Where am I—who am I—and how did I get here?”
I realize now the fear was less about becoming a mother and more about losing my agency—my sense of identity, my ambitions, my curiosity, and the parts of myself that have always made me feel most alive.
Having a kid is no joke. But through watching friends and peers raise beautiful families over recent years, I’ve learned it doesn’t have to mean totally sacrificing all that you are and all that you love in order to do it. Priorities change and everything always ebbs and flows, but motherhood doesn't have to mean disappearing. In fact, I’m looking forward to it expanding me in ways I don’t yet understand.
Along with motherhood, pregnancy comes with no shortage of advice—including how to “appropriately” dress for it. Thankfully we live in an era where embracing the bump is not only acceptable, but chic. This shift feels right in my soul.
Being a fashion girl, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see how pregnancy might influence my style. Of course there are amazing references—Rhianna, Sienna Miller, Chloë Sevigny—but, given the inherently creative nature of pregnancy itself, I’ve been curious to see where my own instincts would lead me as my body (and whole world, really) began to change.
Report from 9 months in: Silhouettes have evolved. Seasons have changed. And my needs have definitely shifted. But underneath it all, I am still getting dressed like me, just in a more grounded way.
Keep reading for a look at how my wardrobe evolved through each stage of pregnancy, and the hero pieces I clung to.
And in our next issue, I'll share more of the pieces I loved, recommendations for next time, and styling philosophies that carried me through it all. Be sure to subscribe.
Instinct: To just get through
The “positive” lines on the pregnancy tests thrilled me. The fatigue, bloating, and puffiness did not. I was pregnant, but no one knew yet. I was changing, but my clothes weren’t catching up. Early pregnancy…a humbling adjustment no doubt!
I wasn’t exactly ~feeling myself~ at this time. My pants still kinda fit, but slightly less so. My boobs grew overnight and needed more support. Everything felt just a little off…and being uncomfortable in my own clothes hit harder than I’d expected.
At first, I wore lots of loose button downs, along with my silk slip dresses—couldn’t be bothered with anything constricting my abdomen, even in the slightest. My Araks cadel slip and Simone Rocha slip dresses with lace trim (all are good finds on TheRealReal!) were in heavy rotation.
But still, my motivation for getting dressed these days was at the lowest it’s been in a very long time. I missed the excitement and creativity I used to feel upon opening my closet each day.
That’s when I knew it was time: maternity clothes.
I'm not sure why I initially resisted maternity clothes. Maybe I was trying to “optimize” my wardrobe or convince myself I didn't need pieces I'd only wear for a few months.
But honestly, investing in a couple maternity pieces REALLY made a difference in how I felt about myself. Putting on clothes that actually fit made this time much more tolerable. Enjoyable, even.
Légoe Heritage, an Australian brand, makes clothes for pregnancy and beyond. They’re genuinely cute, luxe, and modern in design. Simple enough to fit into your rotation without feeling like you’ve dove into the overtly frilly deep end of maternity wear (unless that’s your thing, of course! You do you <3)
I got this elegant and easy button-down romper—for dinners, events, and moments I wanted to feel more dressed up—and a more casual white cotton romper for the everyday things (here it is in black). LOVE them both, got them in my pre-pregnancy size and will def reach for them postpartum, too.
In the podcast below, stylist Allison Bornstein talks about embracing maternity clothes that genuinely speak to your style, instead of treating pregnancy dressing like a temporary inconvenience.
She also made the case for buying the piece you can’t stop thinking about—even if it’s a bit of a splurge—because feeling good in your clothes has real value, especially during a season of so much change. Amen, Allison!
I miraculously found my splurge item—a gorgeous, striped Jamie Haller button-down—half off (and also found it discounted here for you, if you’re curious).
Instinct: Embrace it
For most of my life, my belly has been the area I’ve been most insecure about on my whole body. But my pregnant belly has unlocked a newfound sense of confidence, pride, and love for my physical form. I am a woman growing a girl and that’s simply wonderful! My innate power literally protrudes from my abdomen for all the world to see. Something has quietly healed.
Once I finally started to pop, getting dressed became a fun creative challenge again. There was finally something to show for my new state of being—something to show off.
I immediately went to fitted tanks and tees in my drawers to wear cropped or fully over my bump, based on the look. Every walk, hike, or gym visit felt novel with this new, growing accessory of mine.
As the weather heated up, I reached for breezy dresses almost every day. This striped Deiji Studios Yoke mini dress has been a MAJOR pregnancy closet staple of mine—easy, breezy, beautiful, cotton girl. I ended up getting it on sale in black, too.
They’re light, airy, and the kind of effortless pieces that drape beautifully over a growing bump, without feeling precious. I’d throw one on with a cardigan or button down in the cooler mornings, and sandals or black leather mules.
More than anything, I was reaching for clothes that made me feel cute and comfortable at the same time. The pieces I loved most required almost no thought—they were the kind of outfits you could throw on in 30 seconds without sacrificing intentionality. This type of ease became a luxury.
Another easy-but-considered fave were my low-rise B Sides Lasso jeans; wearing them under the bump with a fitted tank and cardigan or a cropped button down felt even cooler than before.
Moving into summer, I happily returned to shorts, simple tanks, vintage tees, and sandals. More often than not, the bump was fully out, which thankfully felt completely natural.
Instinct: Simplify
If there was one silhouette that carried me through every stage of pregnancy, it was the elastic waistband.
They’re an obvious pregnancy win, but not all are created equal. Some bunch awkwardly under the bump, others stretch exactly where you need them to. Finding a pair that fits jussssst right (esp as you grow) is important.
I needed comfort, ease, and versatility—with at least one or two pairs that could be dressed up or down and take me anywhere.
I’ve come to appreciate my old faithfuls more than ever—especially my Cordera cotton pointelle track pants. They’ve lived in my closet for years. (They’re sadly sold out now, but these and these give a similar feel).
My first new pants purchase was Donni’s baby rib scallop pant in grey. These have been long recommended to me and ohhhhh my—if you’re in need of some buttery, ultra comfy and breezy pants to sling on (whether pregnant or not), these are the ones!
I sized up once, and they've become the pair I reach for when I don't want to think. The waistband never digs in, the fabric drapes beautifully, and they make me feel put together.
And they come in so many colors…major pregnancy wardrobe unlock. I think I’ll snag a navy pair in my true size small for postpartum.
Then, there are the Tibi Light Weight Sweatshirting Winslow pants (another splurge I do not regret!). Just gorgeous, and so effortlessly chic. I first got them in the most perfect poppy-red that reads more unique than your typical reds. I later got the black ones, too, and am wearing them so much.
I’ll get more into the sizing on these and what truly makes them unique in the next issue, so stay tuned!
I’m thankfully able to wear 2 pairs already in my closet—the Deiji Studios white cotton boxers and my butter yellow Baserange cuties (remember my ode to them?).
I had already chosen to size up once in both of these styles, which no doubt increased their longevity for this moment.
The Deiji shorts worked beautifully rolled up once, a great walking short (they have pockets!) or pair for a casual outing or even dinner with the right top.
To be real, I was very surprised the Baserange shorts still fit.
Yes, there was a bit of bunching under the belly, but as I’ve worn them late into my 3rd trimester I…just don’t care? Their butter yellow brought so much joy to getting dressed that the tiny imperfections no longer matter. I’m wearing them everywhere (even. right. now.)
Looking back, I think one of the most poignant lessons pregnancy has taught me about getting dressed is that creativity tends to flourish under constraints.
This time has asked me to work with an ever-changing body (one I'd never known before). It encouraged experimentation amid routine, which helped me clarify what mattered most every day. Is it comfort? Creativity? Function? For me, the last 9 months have required all of that and more.
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