Pregnancy

A Stylist Explains Why These 15 Fall Dresses and Sweaters Belong in Your Pregnancy and Postpartum Wardrobe

by Katherine J. Igoe


A Stylist Explains Why These 15 Fall Dresses and Sweaters Belong in Your Pregnancy and Postpartum Wardrobe

Image Credits: A Pea in the Pod

Shop Story

Flatter your bump without breaking the bank this fall, with knit fashions that will make you look and feel great.

 

Choosing knitwear during pregnancy might sound counterintuitive. Doesn’t it make sense to be wearing something loose and comfortable while your body’s growing? But tighter maternity clothes, like a knitted fall maternity dress, that delineate your bump and accentuate your new shape actually look better than an item that hangs limply on you. Knits in particular highlight your changing shape throughout (and even after) your pregnancy in a flattering way. When it comes to choosing fall fashions during your pregnancy, the key is to choose the maternity clothing (and non-maternity clothing) that is worth the investment.

 

“Look for quality knits that will grow with you in different categories: cardigans, dresses, even matching sets that you can wear as separates later,” Gilda Miranda, a Boston-based personal stylist, tells Parenting. “Many maternity brands are selling the ‘wear now and later’ because they’ve realized no one is interested in disposable maternity wear that you stop wearing after just a few months.”

 

RELATED: These Hands-Free Pumping Bras Make My Life as a Labor and Delivery Nurse Easier

 

From fall maternity dresses that are perfect for baby showers and photoshoots, to casual lounging-around outfits, these are the knits that will carry you through a fall and winter pregnancy.

 

Best Fall Maternity Dresses and Knit Fashions

 

Best Maternity Dress With Color: Hello Miz Women’s Knit Ribbed Maternity Dress with Long Sleeve
Best Maternity Skirt: My Bump Women’s Comfort Stretch High Waisted Tummy Control Midi Maternity Pencil Skirt
Best Maternity and Nursing Sweatshirt: Ingrid & Isabel 3/4 Sleeve Snap Shoulder Maternity Sweatshirt
Best Print Maternity Dress: Angel Maternity Busy Mom Maternity/Nursing Dress
Best Maternity Dress for Baby Shower: Kimi and Kai Diana Floral Faux Wrap Maternity Dress
Best Maternity Sweater With Color: Hatch Collection Hadley Sweater
Best Maternity Cardigan: Ingrid and Isabel Long Maternity Cardigan
Best Maternity Jacket: A Pea in the Pod BB Dakota Maternity Jacket
Best Fall Maternity Dress for Work: A Pea in the Pod BB Dakota Long Sleeve Maternity Knit Dress
Best Knit Pullover: Everlane Cozy-Stretch Pullover
Best Knit Sweatpants: & Other Stories Oversized Wool Knit Drawstring Trousers
Best Maternity Sweater: ASOS Design Maternity Oversized Sweater with V-Neck
Best Cape: Cuyana Baby Alpaca Square Edge Cape
Best Knit Vest: & Other Stories Oversized Cable Knit Vest
Best Maternity Jumpsuit: Ingrid and Isabel Crop Jersey Maternity/Nursing Jumpsuit

 

 

1 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon

Best Maternity Dress With Color

Hello Miz Women's Knit Ribbed Maternity Dress with Long Sleeve

Price:$24.99

With a flattering length that hits just above the knee, this body-hugging maternity knitted dress accentuates your new shape without feeling skin-tight. One of the other joys of knitwear, according to Miranda, is “it’s hard to wrinkle, so you can lounge in it one minute and run some errands the next minute and you don’t have to worry about changing or looking frumpy.” The dress comes in black and gray, but try a fall-appropriate rust or burgundy instead. Pair it with high boots and a blazer to feel absolutely festive.

2 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon

Best Maternity Skirt

My Bump Comfort Stretch High-Waisted Midi Maternity Pencil Skirt

Price:$22.99

Stripes might feel overwhelming at first, since they seem to accentuate how wide you are. But the key is to avoid a cut in which the skirt hugs your bump and tapers down towards your legs. This skirt fits snugly over a belly, but also gives proportion and balance.

What Reviewers Are Saying: “This is a great skirt for pregnancy! I love how it comes up over the belly allowing a more fitted look, and you can dress [it] up or down. I work on my feet a bit and love the stretchy versatile material of the skirt.”

3 of 15 Image Credits: Target

Best Maternity and Nursing Sweatshirt

Ingrid and Isabel 3/4 Sleeve Snap Shoulder Maternity Sweatshirt

Price:$24.99

Not everything in your wardrobe has to be multipurpose, but a casual-yet-refined sweatshirt that doubles as a nursing top is a must for mamas-to-be. Made of a soft, stretchy fleece, it will move with you during pregnancy and postpartum. The silver snaps add contrast but don’t scream “nursing,” so you can either dress it up with pants and boots or dress it down with leggings and sneakers.

4 of 15 Image Credits: Nordstrom

Best Print Maternity Dress

Angel Maternity Busy Mom Maternity/Nursing Dress

Price:$59.95

If ever there’s a time to step outside your comfort zone, it’s during pregnancy. A bigger shape means you can pull off bigger prints, even if you’re petite. Start here: The small polka dot pattern combined with the A-line shape means it’s still classic—an easy way to dip a toe into patterns without feeling overly trendy.

What Reviewers Are Saying: “I really love this dress, the material is light, and I love that I can use it during and after my pregnancy. I also like that the nursing access allows me to wear a higher neckline instead of the usual V-cuts.”

5 of 15 Image Credits: Nordstrom

Best Maternity Dress for Baby Shower

Kimi and Kai Diana Floral Faux Wrap Maternity Dress

Price:$98.00

This soft floral dress, made of a comfortable jersey material, has a dark background that shows off your shape, and it has the perfect level of dressiness for a baby shower in the fall or winter. The romantic floral print is unobtrusive but still flattering, and the side tie means you can adjust it as your pregnancy progresses. You can also nurse in this dress, which means it extends into postpartum territory.

6 of 15 Image Credits: Hatch Collection

Best Maternity Sweater With Color

Hatch Collection Hadley Sweater

Price:$139.00

This mohair-acrylic knit combines coziness with airiness, thanks to an open knit at the top and an oversized—but not baggy—feel. The rich blue makes for a nice alternative to black, and it’s a match for both denim and leggings. (Or, if that’s too adventurous, opt for the soft ivory color.)

7 of 15 Image Credits: Target

Best Maternity Cardigan

Ingrid and Isabel Long Maternity Cardigan

Price:$29.99

A layering piece is essential for the fall, so you can stay warm during the cooler weather but be able to take it off when you’re feeling hot and sweaty. This V-neck style cardigan works well with a T-shirt or turtleneck under it. While the model is wearing it closed, you can wear it open and draped throughout your entire pregnancy.

8 of 15 Image Credits: A Pea in the Pod

Best Maternity Jacket

A Pea in the Pod BB Dakota Maternity Jacket

Price:$99.00

One of the lesser-known challenges of being pregnant in the fall and winter is outgrowing your pre-pregnancy outerwear. This ribbed, just-beyond-hip-length jacket in a classic khaki color is designed to remain open in the front, which means you don’t have to switch it out as your belly grows. Plus, the layering opportunities are basically endless.

9 of 15 Image Credits: A Pea in the Pod

Best Maternity Dress for Work

A Pea in the Pod BB Dakota Long Sleeve Maternity Knit Dress

Price:$98.00

Pregnancy doesn’t mean you always have to play it safe. This pretty burgundy tie-front dress (which comes in black too) has a side slit that adds a dose of style to an otherwise simple outfit. You can wear tights or leggings if you’d rather not show any skin, but it’s also perfect with low heels as a polished work-ready look.

10 of 15 Image Credits: Everlane

Best Knit Pullover

Everlane Cozy-Stretch Pullover

Price:$98.00

A good maternity sweater doesn’t actually have to be a “maternity” style. This Everlane tunic pullover, made of responsibly sourced and partially recycled materials, is long enough to cover your bump and loose enough to manage your growing shape. It’s also high-quality and works as a long-term, multi-use garment during and after pregnancy.

11 of 15 Image Credits: And Other Stories

Best Knit Sweatpants

& Other Stories Oversized Wool Knit Drawstring Trousers

Price:$89.99

Knit sweatpants are a must for fall/winter because they go from lounging to errands to naps (no judgment!) effortlessly. This is a non-maternity style, but oversize, so if you buy a size above you might be able to get it over your bump over the early months, then under the bump with the waistband rolled up once or twice.

12 of 15 Image Credits: ASOS

Best Maternity Sweater

ASOS Design Maternity Oversized Sweater with V-Neck

Price:$46.00

Nothing beats a classic white sweater—this just happens to be the maternity version. With slight bell sleeves that add a modern touch, this version hits low at your hip and is designed to fit all the way to nine months. It’s not skin-tight, but it will show off your shape while maximizing your comfort in later pregnancy.

What Reviewers Are Saying: “I bought this for my expanding bump, and it really is so comfy and stretchy. Washes well and is the perfect item to throw over my stretchy leggings!”

13 of 15 Image Credits: Cuyana

Best Cape

Cuyana Baby Alpaca Square Edge Cape

Price:$225.00

Why a cape, you ask? Why not! Outerwear can be a particularly smart investment right now, since it will last you beyond pregnancy (you can wear it open or pinned for a more contoured look). This cape is loose and flowy, which means it can go over a fitted item and take the place of a cardigan or jacket. This cape is made sustainably out of hypoallergenic alpaca, so it won’t irritate your potentially sensitive skin.

14 of 15 Image Credits: And Other Stories

Best Knit Vest

& Other Stories Oversized Cable Knit Vest

Price:$89.00

In transitional weather, a vest can keep your belly warm while leaving your arms cooler. It’s also an ideal layering piece for when the weather (or your hormonal body) fluctuates rapidly in temperature. This vest is viscose, cable-knit, and long. It’s not maternity but it’s oversize, so buy one size up from what you regularly wear.

15 of 15 Image Credits: Nordstrom

Best Maternity Jumpsuit

Ingrid and Isabel Crop Jersey Maternity/Nursing Jumpsuit

Price:$88.00

What’s even more comfortable than a knit maternity dress? A knit maternity jumpsuit that’s an easy, complete look! A multi-functional one-piece like this one is a perfect postpartum pick, too. Miranda says it’s “flexible enough for a range of activities—from hanging out with baby, running errands, and/or going back to the office.” This black version makes it feel less like a onesie and more like a cultivated look, depending on your accessories and outerwear.

What Reviewers Are Saying: “I love this jumpsuit! The material is substantial, it has pockets, [and it] fits true to size. I’m short (5’0”) and it’s still cropped on me. Can be dressed up or just worn lounging at home. It will be nice for nursing postpartum as well. Highly recommend!”