What to Buy During Pregnancy That You Can Wear After

We barely go a week without seeing at least one of these dresses on a total stranger, and it’s no surprise: the Ellie Nap Dress has basically reached icon status because of its flattering fit, casual-chic vibe, and constant rotation of new patterns. Thanks to its smocked bodice and loose skirt, it should fit throughout your pregnancy and beyond, which makes the investment more than worth it. ($150+, Hill House Home)

Baltic Born’s website has a whole section for “bump friendly” clothing—aka things not specifically designed for pregnancy that still have plenty of room for a bump. This cute blue and white floral dress (which also comes in a few other prints) is 100% cotton and perfect for all your daytime celebration needs. ($112, Baltic Born)

And have pockets. Score. Like the two dresses above, these are technically non-maternity, but they’re so thin and stretchy that they will likely continue to fit during pregnancy, especially if you size up. And they’ll be perfect postpartum, too. ($128, Lululemon)

One of our go-to pregnancy outfits is leggings, a maternity tank top and an oversized button-down. Perfect for days when you’re running hot (just take that top layer off)—or anytime you want a comfy long-sleeve outfit that still accentuates your bump instead of looking tent-y. If you’re planning to keep the shirt open, you can probably stick with your regular size. Bonus: They’re typically on some kind of sale. ($47+, Gap)

Especially in the warmer months, these are a godsend. Choose between five different designs, with varying degrees of thickness and opacity—our favorite is the Cooling, which is as thin as a pair of tights but with basically no compression. Meaning, it will keep your thighs from chafing without making you super hot. ($39, Thigh Society)

If you’ve made it through the sweatiest, grossest months of the year while pregnant, it’s time to reward yourself with something you can wear on that nice, brisk autumn walk you’ve been craving. This Quince gauze dress has pretty long sleeves you can wear on or off the shoulder, plus smocking that makes it flattering for bumps and postpartum bodies alike. ($59.90, Quince)

Available in five colors and sizes XS–4X, these are some of the best-value cozy pajamas out there. They’re not made for maternity, so you may need to size up or take a break from them during the final few months (or just be okay with a little bared bump)—but they’ll work perfectly for lounging, nursing, and attempting to sleep once the baby is born. ($25, Target)

Since pregnancy itself can cause changes in your breasts and make too-tight or underwire bras uncomfortable, chances are you’ll want to invest in some new bras before giving birth. Try these nursing bras, which you’ll be able to use while breastfeeding, too. Kindred Bravely offers an impressive size range, fitting up to the equivalent of a 48 band or an I-K cup. There’s a version designed for pumping, too. ($48, Kindred Bravely)

Basic but extremely useful. Choose from three colors and sizes ranging from XS–4XL, then just throw on a comfy top underneath and call it a day. With pockets and adjustable straps, this is the ultimate chill, just-throw-it-on pregnancy and postpartum outfit. ($118, Storq)

For more color options and a different fit, we love this Free People onesie that’s not designed for pregnancy, but has a ton of room for your body as it continues to change. It’s 95% cotton, with two big front pockets and a tiny pocket that zippers in the back, and it’s super easy to pull down if you need to pee every 47 seconds. For warmer months, there’s a short version, too. ($70, Free People)

Skip the maternity-specific coat and opt for something you’ll want to keep using in the years ahead. Enter the “Amazon Coat,” which went viral for a reason: it’s spacious, with lots of pockets and a non-luxury price tag. Consider sizing up for pregnancy, or trying both your regular size and a larger size to see what works best. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

So if you like it, branch out from basic black with pink, maroon, or a navy-and-white stripe. Another nonmaternity option that you may want to try in both your regular size and a size up, this should serve you well as a base layer or one-piece outfit for years. ($20, Target)