These Long Maternity Dresses are Game-Changers

Whether you’re in the first trimester of pregnancy, the third, or the postpartum period, maternity clothes can be a game changer. Often overlooked, a solid wardrobe of maternity clothes is a crucial part of the pregnancy and postpartum lifestyle, and it’s about more than just how you look. Naturally, finding clothes that fit right and feel comfortable while pregnant or after giving birth is important for confidence and self care; after all, if you look good, you feel good, right? But maternity clothes are about more than just style. Having clothes that fit right actually can impact the health of both your baby and your body during pregnancy, and can make a difference in recovery following childbirth.

If you’re just beginning to shop for maternity clothes, we’re here to help. Naturally, few women want to buy an entirely new wardrobe for your pregnancy or postpartum days; it’s just not practical or economical. Instead, it’s important to choose a few maternity wardrobe staples, and we’re here with a roundup of some of our favorite go-to’s: long maternity dresses. Perfect for numerous occasions, long maternity dresses are a great place to start on your maternity shopping spree. Here are some that we love to get you started.

Long Maternity Dresses: Our Picks for Any Occasion

For Dressing Up

You might not be having crazy nights out while pregnant or immediately postpartum, but there are still events to attend and good times to be had, and picking a comfortable and practical maternity dress for the occasion doesn’t need to be a challenge. 

If you’re looking to be a showstopper, go with this lightweight, cut out dress that will have women in the room eyeing your outfit, pregnant or not. This dress is loose and comfortable regardless of how far along you are, but it also allows you to show some skin, thanks to the cut outs. The edge detailing and multi-tiered skirt will also draw attention.

If you’re aiming for elegance, this gown will do the trick. It’s flowy and voluminous, but it’s also very flattering whether you’re two months in or eight. And the best part? It’s versatile; the top can be a deep, plunging V-neck style, or it can be changed and worn as a high V (shown above), allowing you to still wear a bra. Your mood, your choice. 

Looking to stray from black? There are plenty of options for that, too. Slip dresses, with some styles pictured above, are a sleek, sexy option that hug the body just enough while remaining breathable, comfortable, and light. The silky material adds just enough swankiness, while the simplicity of the designs let the shape speak for itself. You could also opt for a silky dress that offers a similarly sexy vibe, but with a more notable, slightly more modest neckline. The cowl neck changes the look, but keeps the comfort the same. 

For a Casual Summer Day

For many occasions and seasons, male clothing options are often  more comfortable than women’s. They get loose pants, long shorts, and tops that don’t require you to be a size extra small to pull off. But when the weather’s nice, women get dresses, and that’s just about all we need. If you’re heading to work or to run errands for the day, or even if you’re on your way to a weekend lunch with friends, there are, of course, perfect long maternity dresses for the occasion.

With its button top, this soft, summery maternity dress can remain a wardrobe staple right through your fourth trimester. Why? Because it doubles as a nursing dress. The buttons on the front of the dress are for more than just style. Rather, they allow easy access for nursing and pumping when needed. So whether the baby is still in-womb or coming along to lunch in a stroller, this dress is a perfect option for a perfect summer day. 

Pregnant or not, t-shirt dresses have always been a go-to in my wardrobe, and for good reason. They’re super casual, literally just like wearing a t-shirt, but the fact that you’re still wearing a dress takes the whole outfit up several notches. They also, like all dresses, remove the hassle of picking out a full outfit that matches. Instead, it’s just like wearing a t-shirt out and not having to choose pants. Revolutionary. We owe so much to the t-shirt dress. 

We love this dress for its versatility. You can dress it down with an undershirt and some casual boots (pictured above) or even some cute sneakers, or you can jazz it up with jewelry and some strappy shoes. Technically, this dress could be a date-night dress, a work dress, or an errand dress, and if you didn’t already notice the front, we’ll let you in on a little secret: it allows easy nursing access as well. 

Long-Sleeved Dresses

Though they’re the perfect warm-weather wear, dresses aren’t just for the summer months. And even if they are, they don’t need to be sleeveless. Here are a few long-sleeved dresses for when the occasion permits. 

As you can see, long-sleeved dresses can range from the ultra-casual shirt-dress to cozy sweater dresses to a more typical black dress for an evening dinner, regardless of the season. Our advice is to try to have one long-sleeved long maternity dress in your wardrobe. Even if you live somewhere warm without winter, breezy nights happen, and sometimes, you just don’t want to be showing off your guns. 

Maternity Clothes: Why They Matter

As we said before, maternity clothes are about more than just looking good in your third trimester (or before, or after). They’re about comfort, practicality, and keeping your body healthy for both you and your baby. During pregnancy, the body typically swells; this often occurs in your hands, feet, and face. Loose-fitting maternity clothes, like maternity dresses or lounge clothes, can help the swelling reduce after childbirth. Breathability is also an important factor as you pick out your maternity wardrobe, and dresses are the definition of breathability. Finally, nursing convenience is something major to consider. You don’t know the wonder of being able to simply unbutton your top for nursing or pumping access until you experience that convenience for yourself. 

But at the end of the day, it’s comfort and confidence that matters. So when you’re picking out your maternity wardrobe, we hope some of these long maternity dresses will get you on the right track, and keep you looking good and feeling good for any occasion.