a North Dakotan girl through and through, wife, mother and die hard Catholic.

1. Invest in a few timeless, high-quality basics

You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe. A few well-made pieces—think a soft midi dress, a pair of stretchy jeans, a neutral knit top, and a bump-friendly maxi or midi—can be mixed and matched with layers you already own. Prioritize comfort and stretch, but look for classic silhouettes and natural fabrics like cotton or linen for breathability. Keep in mind that some styles you may need to size up one or two to accommodate your growing body if the nature of the piece isn’t flowly/oversized or has good stretch!

2. Don’t underestimate the power of layering

A cropped cardigan, a cozy denim jacket—layers add warmth, shape, and style without constricting your bump. They also help you rewear the same pieces in different ways, which is a blessing during pregnancy (and postpartum, too!).

3. Say yes to stretchy waistbands and empire waists

Empire waist dresses (those that gather just under the bust) are a pregnant woman’s best friend. They flatter your growing belly without making you feel frumpy. For elastic waistbands think skirts, quality linen pants and shorts (I prefer high waist style linen bottoms since I like wearing them over the bump/higher verses under my belly), denim (thrift stores are a great place to look for these), that way these pieces can be styled many different ways while growing with you instead of your growing out of! I am personally not a fan of maternity specific jeans and I’ve tried from crazy expensive to cheap and nothing seems to fit my requirements of being too wide on the hips (even if I size down), the right wash (most of them looks borderline acid wash), quality of not looking like jeggings so what I’ve found is find a pair of mid rise regular jeans I love the quality, fit and color of and sizing up to fit where my bump is currently at. I’ve found that this tactic works much better for my body type and preferences!

4. Prioritize shoes that combine comfort and polish

Swollen feet can be real for some mothers. But you can still look cute in supportive ballet flats, loafers, low-heeled boots, or slide sandals. Choose neutral tones or textures but also don’t be afraid to play with color to add some elements in if you wish to elevate a simple outfit but also looks great with multiple different outfits while carrying a bit of extra weight than you’re use too!

5. Shop your closet before buying maternity clothes

You’d be surprised how many non-maternity pieces can work with a bump. Flowy dresses, oversized button-downs or longer blouses, and high-waisted skirts worn over the belly can transition beautifully through each trimester.

6. Accessorize with intention

When your outfit is simple, accessories can elevate everything. A delicate necklace, a structured bag, a scarf in your favorite color—these small touches make you feel put-together even on the days you’re just surviving on crackers and ginger tea.

7. Choose a color palette that feels like you

Pregnancy can make you feel like a stranger in your own skin. Wearing colors you love—whether soft pastels, warm neutrals, or rich jewel tones—helps bring a sense of familiarity and joy. Stick with 3–5 tones that mix well together for effortless dressing. Getting my TCI color analysis done when I was postpartum with out third helped give me clarity and ease when choose pieces to serve me in all seasons plus reduced the time it actually takes me to choose an outfit!

8. Embrace the bump—don’t try to hide it

Your body is doing holy work. Let yourself look pregnant. Fitted knits, wrap dresses, and stretchy ribbed tops can highlight your bump beautifully and remind you of the miracle you’re carrying.

9. Prepare a few go-to outfits for hard days

Have a couple of pre-planned, comfy-yet-pretty outfits you can reach for when nothing else feels right. A favorite dress with soft flat or maybe a cute staple book for my fellow midwesterners and a cardigan, or linen pants with a flowly cotton or linen blouse and earrings—it makes a difference mentally and emotionally to feel somewhat like yourself.

10. Keep postpartum in mind

As you buy or borrow maternity clothes, think ahead to those first few postpartum weeks. Wrap dresses, elastic stretch chest portion dresses, nursing-friendly tops (any top that you can lift over your breast(s) is breast feeding friendly so no need to solely stick to button downs if you wish), button-downs, and loose joggers will serve you well after baby arrives. Aim for pieces that transition with you as your body heals and shifts again.

Pregnancy is fleeting, but the way you feel during it can linger. Dressing your bump with grace isn’t about trends or perfection—it’s about honoring this season, your changing body, and the beautiful work it’s doing. You’re not just growing a baby. You’re growing as a woman. And that, dear friend, is always worth dressing up for. You can still still feel like you during pregnancy too because it’s apart of you, a new part of you!

Check out my inspo board

Linked below is my pregnancy fashion inspo board to help me curate different looks when my baby is growing still applying my personal style and not having to embrace the cozy Adam Sandler look most days!