Typical scenario: You have your whole wardrobe organized; everything fits just right and everything has its match. Skirts and blouses, dresses and sweaters are all coordinated by style and color. How easy it is to get out of the shower, go to your closet, and snatch up the next clothing set waiting on its hanger for you to put on! That is, it was easy . . . until you became pregnant. Now what do you wear?
Having been through several pregnancies, I’ve learned a few things that can help manage this tight (literally) situation. What are they?
Well, first of all, I’ve learned to accept my new body
Yes, I’m going to get bigger–probably, a lot bigger. And that’s okay. It’s okay to go from a size Large to a size Extra Large, or even a size Extra-EXTRA Large! It’s better to wear clothes that actually fit me than to try to force my body into a sausage-suit just to make myself feel better about the letter on the label.
Second of all, I’ve learned that I need to plan ahead
I don’t buy maternity clothes that barely fit. No, I need to think ahead: How will this skirt fit me in the next couple of months? If it only fits me this month, but not the next, then why I am spending so much money on it? I need to buy clothes that are useful in the long term.
So, skirts with an elastic waist band are nice; but, skirts with an adjustable elastic waist band and a maternity tummy panel are even better!
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I really like New Creation Apparel’s maternity skirts! I have three skirts in the half-panel style, and two in the full-panel style. The half-panels are great for the first trimester, going into the second; while the full-panels work well for the second trimester, going into the third.
Another reason I like to buy maternity skirts is that I’m usually still nursing my youngest child during the early part of the pregnancy and trying to wean him or her gradually. I’ve found it’s much easier to wear a comfortable skirt with a matching, loose blouse than it is to find a dress which buttons down the front.
By the time I’ve gotten into the second trimester, I’ve usually weaned my youngest successfully, and that’s when I move into maternity dresses. Honestly, as much as I love my maternity skirts, I find dresses even more comfortable during pregnancy, as long as I’m not still nursing.
Maternity dresses can be found in some department stores, but I’ve found that regular dresses with a high, empire waist and a full, gathered skirt work just as well. The trick is to buy them a couple sizes “too large.” So, as I mentioned before, if I usually buy a size Large, I’ll bump that up to an Extra-Extra Large for maternity purposes. Not only will my tummy need the extra growing room, but so will the rest of my body, including the chest area. (On average, the pregnant woman gains about 30 extra pounds.) Additionally, buying clothing a couple sizes larger helps me stay modest.
How I create my own modest maternity style
What is a modest maternity style?
I always look for a few things:
-Length. The skirt or dress has to be below my knees, or longer. Actually, I much prefer calf-length to ankle-length skirts and dresses because they don’t ride up too far when I bend over (or squat down, since pregnant women aren’t supposed to bend over). I find that in order to sit comfortably, I often have to sit with my legs further apart to make room for my growing tummy; this also requires a longer skirt. I will often sit on the floor with my little children with one leg bent and one leg out (my legs seem to fall asleep easily when I’m pregnant, and I need to change position constantly).
However, if I find a dress that is knee-length but that fits my modesty expectations in all other areas, I will wear it with maternity leggings (these have a full tummy panel).
-Looseness. My skirts and dresses need to have enough fabric to hang with a loose fit. I stay away from clothing that is too tight or clingy. I check how the item fits me in the bottom and hips, the waist, and the chest. When I walk, the fabric needs to swish with my movements, not stick to my curves. When I notice my clothing becoming too tight, that’s a sign to me that I need to move up to the next size.
-Adaptability. Though I look hard for clothing pieces that fit my modesty expectations in all areas, if there happens to be one area they don’t measure up in, I look to see if there might be an easy solution.
If a dress, for example, is sleeveless, I can probably add a short sweater, or “shrug,” over the top of it to make it fit my modesty standards. Either that, or I can wear one of Kosher Casual’s elbow-length cropped undershirts (perfect for maternity!) underneath to cover my chest and shoulders. Some maxi dresses have thin shoulder straps, which would normally be a problem for me; but, with the help of a modest undershirt, the problem can be solved.
Other dresses cover the shoulders and upper arms, but have too low of a neckline; in that case, I just wear one of Kosher Casual’s sleeveless cropped undershirts. These have come in very handy during the past few years, not only for dresses, but also for blouses that would normally be too low in the neckline for me to wear. (I have linked to the undershirts made of viscose lycra, but they also have 100% cotton ones available.)
Where I shop for modest maternity styles
The web sites I’ve already linked to above are good places to start (Kosher Casual doesn’t have maternity dresses, but the undershirts are very helpful as complements to a modest maternity style).
As I pointed out earlier, though some department stores carry maternity clothing (which may or may not be modest), any dress that is long and loose enough can do, as long as it is adaptable. Thrift stores can be great places to look, too. I don’t try too hard to find maternity blouses; I just look for regular shirts that are plenty loose.
If you have any suggestions for where to find modest maternitywear, please link to them in the comment section below; it’s always great to find another source of modest clothing for pregnant women who wear skirts and dresses only!
Also, please share your thoughts and experiences regarding how to dress modestly (in skirts and dresses only) while pregnant. You might also share how you re-organize your closet during those nine, special months. 🙂
~Jessica
Hi,Jessica!I am happy to see your recent photo here. I hope that you have blessed days of pregnancy.
In Japan,long loose maternity dress was common.When I was pregnant,I bought some,and my church mate gave me her maternity dresses she used to use while pregnant.
After I gave birth to my son,the dresses went to other church mate who was pregnant at that time.
We shared maternity dresses each other.
Your article remind me of this happy memory.
Thank you and please take care,God bless you and your family always!
Thank you, Sanae! I appreciate your hopes for my having a blessed pregnancy. 🙂
How nice to hear about how you and other Christian ladies at your church were able to exchange maternity clothing during your pregnancies!
Thanks for this great article, Jessica! The picture of you is lovely! 🙂
I find that I have a hard time with maternity wear because of my height. Most shirts are simply too short, maternity or regular, and they stop short of covering my tummy. Big problem.
I shop almost exclusively at thrift stores. Challenges I find include: (1) clingy synthetics (not only immodest, but SO HOT down here!), (2) finding clothing that still has wear in it – a lot of maternity stuff is near end-of-life when it hits the thrift stores, (3) finding skirts at all – it’s usually mostly jeans.
My biggest challenge is that I stay exhausted and nauseated for each pregnancy’s entirety, so the time when I need maternity clothing the most is the time when I am least prepared to shop for it!! So I need to be shopping for maternity clothing the most when I am NOT pregnant. 🙂
I love your suggestions!! This is a good reminder to me that I need to get shopping, pronto!!
Diana
You’re welcome, Diana — and thank you for the compliments!
I usually have a hard time finding shirts that are long enough, too. I’m not very tall, but I do have a long waist. I tend to like the tunic tops, since they are usually long enough for me.
I find shopping for clothing, whether at the thrift store or otherwise, simply exhausting! It always takes forever to find something — even just one thing — that fits my standards and needs. Obviously, I have a pretty limited wardrobe as a result, ha, ha.
Searching for maternity clothing while pregnant is a huge challenge for me, too. Like you, I feel so yucky that just the thought of going to the store exhausts me! I totally agree with you that it’s best to buy maternity-wear when not pregnant, even though it can feel like a waste to buy something you’re not even going to wear yet — but, the time will come soon enough! And, by the time I’m pregnant, we’re paying the medical/midwife fees, which is another restriction on my purchasing ability. Yes, sooner is better than later.
I’ve been thinking about you, and even wondering when you might be announcing the next pregnancy. I guess the further away we get from the birth of our youngest, the more we start to anticipate the conception of the next one! Always a joy, of course!
I’m due sometime in the next few weeks — so exciting (better word to use than “nerve-wracking”). No, I’m not really that nervous; just a little. I’ve already got all my supplies ready. Next thing on my to-do list is “clean and organize the house.” Daunting task, but it will make me feel better.
Thanks again for your feedback!
Jessica
Oh, boy! I can’t wait to hear baby news! We will be praying for a safe and easy delivery for you and your newest. I know how worrisome the thought of an upcoming birth can be (I usually start stressing about it at around 20 weeks), so I’ll pray for peace about it for you as well!
I too am wondering when our next “announcement” will be! Our earliest conception is 19 months postpartum (that was our last one), and we just passed the 17-month mark. My cycle also returned recently (as in, a couple of days ago!), so we are truly moving into “any time now” land. I’m a nervous wreck about it but also eager, if that makes sense!! 🙂
Thanks again for a lovely article!!! 🙂
Diana,
Thank you so much for your prayers — they are very much needed and appreciated!
“Any time now land”: I almost always have only one period (max, two), and then I’m pregnant again. I totally understand about being a nervous wreck and eager at the same time! It does make sense to me, ha, ha. 🙂 Nervous, because of what being pregnant means: nausea, tiredness, not being able to get things done, paying the medical fees again, etc. Eager, because of what being pregnant ALSO means: a new little baby fresh from the creative mind of God!
Glad we can exchange pregnancy/looking forward to pregnancy news!
Jessica
Congratulations on your pregnancy Jessica. I love your maternity clothes , they are so pretty as well as being modest. I have a few long wrap skirts, that I hope would work well if the Lord blesses us with another pregnancy.
Thank you, Katie!
I haven’t tried wrap skirts yet (I don’t have any); I guess they could work well if they had plenty of fabric to wrap around your tummy, without there being a gap when you walk. Nice idea!
Jessica
I like to find jumpers at thrift stores with a higher waistline and a gathered skirt. That works well. I also sew so I can make maternity dresses. I have one pattern for a dress that is loose and comfortable but toes in the back for smaller days and also has concealed nursing openings for nursing days. Some maternity dress patterns are easy to sew an if the neckline is too low it can be adjusted on the pattern before cutting it out.
I chuckled at the “waiting time”. I just had a miscarriage in April so I’m in that waiting time too. After two other miscarriages it was six months exactly before I conceived again. I’m also 39 now so I don’t know if that will change things either.
Blessings on the rest of your pregnancy Jessica and I hope your birth goes well and your baby is healthy. I’m very encouraged by your blog–as mothers of many we have to encourage each other in this culture which looks down upon Christian mothers.
Thank you, Celina!
I agree that we definitely need to encourage each other, as mothers of many. 🙂 I also appreciate your feedback on modest maternity styles!
I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I know you had mentioned having one on one of your recent blog posts. I sincerely hope and pray that the Lord will give you a healthy pregnancy this next time, and that He would heal your heart from the pain of those previous losses.
To let you know, I really enjoy reading the articles you and your husband write together. They are edifying and inspiring. 🙂
Jessica
Thanks Jessica – and you look lovely in that dress !!
Finding modest practical and feminine maternity clothes is a real challenge, particularly because what is a modest length between pregnancies is always way too short over a bump.
Can I say how lovely it is to read the three of you (Jessica, Celina and Diana) speaking of that ‘waiting time’ between pregnancies and how you look forward to the next gift from God. A real inspiration and what a contrast to the feminist message which rejects life and promotes birth control. God bless you.
You’re welcome, Susanne!
I don’t know if my post was exactly what you had in mind. I had wanted to post more pictures of me in my dresses, but I was just too tired!
I do try to buy dresses and skirts that are below the knees; but, shopping for pregnancy-wear can be challenging, so (as I mentioned in my post) I sometimes settle for “mostly modest,” and see how I can make up for the limitations by adding accessories. The purple dress actually goes below my knees, though it looks so short in the photo! And the plaid dress, though it reaches to my knees (I usually prefer past the knees) is so loose and comfortable and modest in all other ways (in my opinion) that I chose to overlook its shortness. I feel a little sheepish admitting that I make “exceptions,” but at the same time, maybe it will be helpful to other women to see how we can tweak what we find at the store to make it fit our guidelines a little better.
Also, I too am encouraged by Diana’s and Celina’s comments on motherhood! It’s so wonderful that we can share our common experiences and support each other!
I wonder when your baby will come? It must be about time! 🙂
Jessica
Jessica I love your ideas for being modest while pregnant. I can’t wait for your little one to get here! Let me know because we want to bless you with a meal.
Thank you so much, Regina! You are so sweet, and I really appreciate your friendship!
Of course I will let you know. 🙂
Jessica
Hi Jessica
Love your pic. Payers for your upcoming birth.
I like the new apparel brand too since i found a store in the city wich imports these.
Never bought a maternity skirt but they look very nice and might also work well for the time after birth or a heavier lady 🙂
What worked for me in this departement was the following:
Simply wear my ankle lenght skirts highter and higher up as my belly grows. By the end of the 9 months it will be mid calf lenght. Still perfectly modest . If i wear my top on the outside it is not noticable.
Summer sales usually carry flowy maxi dresses. These are cheap and if worn with a t’ the spaghetti straps are no pro.-I find 🙂
Empire waist lines work best if i’m growing.
I never found it hard to find nice modest maternity dresses but i usually went with the skirts i already had and bought me something new after the Baby 🙂
Love to y’ all who are in waiting line 😉
Wonderful points, Ruth!
I liked all of your tips; however, I’ve tried wearing regular skirts higher up as I get bigger, and having the waist near my stomach always bothers me. But, that is something that might work perfectly for other ladies! Thank you!
I, too, have worn blouses over maxi dresses, and it works great!
Oh, and I’m glad that you’ve found the New Creation Apparel brand where you are. 🙂
Jessica
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