It’s warming up in NYC. Woo hoo! Pretty soon it will be time for open-toed shoes, flirty dresses, and potent poolside cocktails.
Or not.
Yeah, the promise of tiny bikinis didn’t exactly jazz me when I was waddling into my third trimester of pregnancy, either. My maternity clothes had lost their luster, my boobs were growing as quickly as my bump, and my feet were too swollen to even consider the “quick fix” of sky high Louboutins. “This is crazy,” I thought. “I style other people for a living!” I needed to peel myself out of my belly-banded jeans and pull it together.
That’s me in the center wearing a chevron jersey Donna Morgan dress at my baby shower
By the time I had my baby shower, I’d already outgrown many of the “cute outfits” that I’d pinned for the occasion. Try searching “baby shower dress” on Pinterest. You will find hundreds of tan-legged preggo ladies frolicking through fields in crochet mini skirts, holding their bumps while the California sun sets on their perfectly highlighted hair.
I hate to sound like the Negative Nancy of mommy stylists, but I didn’t feel that pulled together in my late pregnancy, and you probably aren’t going to either. That’s okay. I lived in leggings in my seventh month.
Unlike shopping for your bridal shower (when your SoulCycle obsession allowed you to look effortlessly awesome in everything you slipped on), you are now growing a new human being inside you. You are nurturing life, mama! While you won’t be able to shimmy into a Coachella-inspired sundress any time soon, embracing the body shifts of pregnancy is probably the first of many frustrating, yet fleeting (and rewarding!) moments of motherhood.
To help you feel like the beautiful, empowered mama you are, I’ve rounded up an assortment of spring baby shower dresses that really work for late pregnancy. The fabrics are forgiving, the cuts are generous, the stretch factor is surreal…literally all of these dresses will make you feel gorgeous as you hug family and friends amongst mounds of adorable baby gear. Happy shopping!
This ASOS body-conscious scuba floral dress, $85, hits all the hottest spring 2015 trends at an accessible price! First, it’s made of neoprene (a fancy way of saying scuba fabric), which was all over the runways at New York Fashion Week. Moreover, its curve-hugging quality is a great way to boost your bump, as is the pretty lavender print (dusty pastels and painterly designs also top the list of trends for this season). This is definitely a fashionista’s go-to baby shower dress.
This Berry Boatneck Lace Dress, $98, is designed by Ingrid and Isabel (the geniuses behind the Bellaband). Its bright color, classic silhouette, and stretchy fit will last you until the end of your pregnancy. The fabric is lightweight, so girls who like to have their arms concealed will still feel comfortable in warmer temps!
The Kristi Embroidered Organza dress from Donna Morgan, $158, is actually not a maternity style, but has been popular with their pregnant customers. “Size up on this woven dress,” suggested their President of Sales, Sarah Hannah, who also wore the line through two pregnancies. This look is chic, sweet, and perfect for all sorts of spring occasions.
The Andrea Pink Maxi Dress by Olian, $165, comes in two punchy, bright colorways that work for backyard and beach-side showers. It has an uber-summery look, and can also be rented on Mine for Nine for just $45.
The Purple V-Neck Tie Dress, $35, is a Mine for Nine Rental that’s equally awesome for your shower or a work event. The bow can be worn in the front or the back of the comfortable empire waist silhouette, and the fabric is completely wrinkle resistant, making it a great option if you need to travel to your shower!
This ASOS Maternity Scuba Bandeau Dress in Mono Floral Print, $73, speaks to the many graphic black and white prints that dominated the Spring 2015 runways. The oversized floral design is polished, but not too sweet. Major bonus? It comes with detachable straps for added support. Add a cardigan for your bridal shower, or lose the layers and rock it with some edgy chandelier earrings for a night out.
The Highline dress from HATCH, $198, is downtown cool at its finest. It’s easily accessorized and great for the city girl being showered by girlfriends at her favorite brunch spot.
This breezy Ruffle Chiffon Dress from Maternal America has a leg-accentuating high-low hemline, and is also a great rental option from Mine for Nine. Try it for $50 for your shower, or buy it new for $155 if you have a few weddings this season as well.
The Brooke Maxi Dress by Olian, $165, is my personal pick for its comfortable empire waist, bra-friendly covered back, and deep cross-over V-neckline that flatters your bust line. It’s another great style available for rental at Mine for Nine for $50, making it a no-brainer for chic and easy baby shower style!
The Kara Jersey Dress from Donna Morgan, $118, is from their ready-to-wear collection. It has great stretch and a fun kaleidoscope print that highlights your belly bump. I wore a one-size-up jersey Donna Morgan dress for my shower and couldn’t have been happier
This Isabella Oliver coral one-shoulder dress, $144, has an asymmetrical neckline and bold color that puts the sexy back in bridal showers. This revved up look is sophisticated and chic, and best worn when minimally accessorized to keep it daytime appropriate.
The HATCH Lily Dress, $298, has intricate gathering at each shoulder from grosgrain straps, which provides a feminine, elegant touch to the open, full shape. It’s both intricate and unfussy, and like many of the pieces in the HATCH line, Lily can be worn after pregnancy as well.
This mint green floral dress from Pink Blush Maternity, $39, is the steal of the bunch. Recently marked down from $63, it’s cheery, bright, and simple to wear—just add gold sandals & cute bangles, and go!
This Rachel Pally caftan dress in Messa Quill, $242, is, in my stylist opinion, the bees knees for the boho mama-to-be. Rachel Pally’s signature soft, slinky, and stretchy dresses make them must-haves for the preggo celebrity set. It’s also not a maternity style, but you can see that the bust and torso are roomy enough to support your curves while concealing your arms.
This Rebecca Taylor sleeveless organza floral dress, $750, is quite the splurge, but I couldn’t help but add it to my stylist’s picks. The floral applique is so on trend right now, and the style can be dressed up for a spring wedding or paired down for your shower. Size up! It’s a woven and doesn’t have stretch, but the tented silhouette is very bump friendly.
More Maternity Fashion:
