Autumn maternity clothing essentials

Shopping for autumn maternity clothes can be nothing short of a daunting experience. Layering up like an onion as the weather gets colder isn’t the easiest of tasks whilst our body is continually changing, sifting through clothing racks and webpages of mostly unfashionable maternity wear can make styling our bumps a challenge, and at the same time waving goodbye to our favourite pair of full-length jeans is a painful experience, albeit only a momentary one. 

But we promise that dressing a bump in autumn can also be an exciting chance to explore and evolve our personal style as we enter this brand-new and exciting phase of our lives. We’ve already explored and shared great options for the best maternity nightwear, the best maternity leggings and dresses, and we’ve even done a deep-dive on the perfect maternity coats, but autumnal pregnancy clothes deserve a whole chapter of their own in our books!

List of autumn maternity essentials

It’s all about layering in autumn. Whilst pregnant, we can jump from feeling cold to overheated within seconds, so having a capsule wardrobe of trusty pieces we can mix and match, take on and take off, and come back to again and again is fundamental!

Some essentials you’ll be needing as you get ready to layer up this season are:

• Autumn maternity tops: Make sure you buy stretchy ones! This is the perfect piece to create the basis of any outfit during autumn. Its stretchy material means you can wear it throughout the season as your body changes and it wraps around your body perfectly to keep you warm at all times. Pair it with a cute pleated skirt for a nicer event, pop it under a pair of dungarees for a trendier look, or just wear it with some basic jeans and a cardi for an effortless look. Depending on your personal style, your stretchy top can come in many variations: you might prefer a turtleneck, a mock neck or a bodysuit. Just think what works best for you and makes you feel most fabulous!
• Autumn maternity jeans: We all have that one pair of jeans we gravitate towards and can’t help but reaching for every time we leave our home in autumn. Now, it’s time to find a new pair! We’ve included two pairs in the list below. Depending on your style, you might prefer to only buy one, or both!
• High-waisted skirts: Pleated skirts are an excellent way to elevate an everyday look with a fitted top, but a pencil skirt can also work perfectly to match with a chunky knit on those colder days.
• Bodycon dresses: This is another fantastic piece that can work as the basis of an autumnal outfit. Layer on top of it with a stand-out chunky knit cardi, or elevate the look stepping outside in a fabulous trench coat. You can also pair it with pretty much any shoe style, whether you want to look smart with some loafers, feel comfy in trainers, or match it with some boots in rainy weather.
• Autumn maternity dresses: For the especially cold or rainy days, a knit dress with have you feeling cosier than ever. It’s also a great piece for when you want to feel a little more put together and ready to tackle anything that comes your way. If you’re not a huge fan of form-fitting dresses, you might want to swap this out with a dress that has a seam right under the chest area, so that you have enough room for the growing bump, and you can wear it after pregnancy.
• Leggings: We’ve covered our favourite maternity leggings before, but it wouldn’t be a list of autumn maternity essentials without mentioning them again! Leggings are great for running errands, staying indoors, or simply finding comfort on a day where we need that extra bit of TLC. Plus, they go with anything, which is extra helpful when we’re not feeling particularly inspired to put together elaborate outfits.
• Cardigans and other upper layering pieces: It’s helpful to have roomy and cosy autumn maternity jumpers or cardis at hand as the weather gets colder and colder. We recommend buying a statement one that you can mix and match with all of the essentials listed above, so you get more value for your money!
• Co-ords: Hear us out on this one. Co-ords are wonderful sets to have in your wardrobe because not only can you wear them together when you want to make an effort, but you can also wear them separately with your essentials. Co-ords also tend to come in more colours, so they’re a great way to add vitality to your maternity wardrobe.
• Coats and shackets: We’ve also covered the perfect maternity coats in a separate post, but autumn calls for cosy shackets and trendy trench coats to layer on top of all the above. You might want to use a roomy coat you’ve already got on hand, but if you want something extra special, we’ve included a couple of options below that we think will really make your autumnal looks no-brainers to put together. 

Things to consider when purchasing autumn maternity clothes

Fit

With multiple pieces to layer and mix and match as autumn gets colder and our body temperature shifts, the only way to really cut costs is to ensure what we buy will last us through the season and work across trimesters. Make sure each piece is super stretchy to guarantee extra comfort and room for your growing bump.

Comfort

Because you’ll be layering piece atop piece, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing light-weight materials, so you never feel weighed-down or constricted. You might also want to prioritise buying clothes made of natural materials, like cotton or viscose, which can feel lighter, more breathable and less constricting. And think of how easy it is to jump in and out of each layering piece. Button-up cardigans for example are a great basic you can easily take off whenever you feel a bit overheated.

Versatility

To get the most out of your money, think of how you can pair each piece you buy with other elements in your wardrobe. Often times pregnancy can make us feel like we don’t have many things in our closet, and we might easily fall in the routine of wearing the same outfits over and over again. But having pieces you can mix and match will give you endless options and inspire creativity as pregnancy gets more uncomfortable.

Does it spark joy?

Pregnancy is a true journey of self-discovery and so many of us can struggle with the ups and downs of it. Feeling fabulous in a cute outfit might help us feel more comfortable in our ever-changing skin. So whenever you try something on, try and focus on how that piece makes you feel. You’ll want to wear clothes that keep you connected with your true self, that reflect your personal style and that simply make you feel like you are growing into the best version of yourself for those days when you might need a little confidence boost. 

The best maternity clothes perfect for autumn

We’ve covered the basics of creating the perfect wardrobe for an autumn pregnancy, and with all this in mind, here are some fantastic options to get you over to the cold season in style, including some easy-to-source basics from Amazon, and some stand-out pieces from our favourite retailers, from ASOS to River Island.

Maternity Leggings

Yoga leggings are a must, and these ones are made of a buttery soft fabric that’s breathable, elastic and moisture-wicking, These leggings double up as athletic wear, perfect for yoga, Pilates or the gym. They’re also super functional: a high waist belly support means you’re covered from your first trimester over to your first postpartum months, and you’ve also got some side pockets for all the essentials you need at hand. If you’d like more leggings options, read our article about our favourite maternity leggings.

Purple maternity peplum cardigan

Meet your show-stopping cardigan. This is the perfect central piece for your outfit on days when you want to make an effort whilst feeling comfortable. Pop it over a pair of trousers or jeans, a pair of boots and you’re sorted for the day all the way to the evening! The textured fabric, peplum hem and pearl embellishments will elevate your look. 

GeGekoko Women's Oversized Sweatshirt

Let’s be real: we’re not always in the mood to dress up. So on those relaxed, couch-potato days, nothing is better than an oversized jumper that you can just slouch in. We love this graphic, vintage-style one made mostly of breathable cotton, but you can truly pick up whatever feels good as long as it’s roomy enough for the bump!

Maternity Black Check Pinafore Dress

A pinafore dress is perfect for layering under both long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops depending on how cold autumn gets near you. With a gorgeous check pattern, this dress has a timeless feel to it, and plenty of room for the bump to grow. Its look is quite unique as well and feels less traditional for maternity wear, thanks to its scoop neckline, thick straps and mini length.

Smallshow long-sleeved maxi Dress

For a minimal Scandi look, you won’t go wrong with this long-sleeved maxi dress. Its material is on the thicker side but mostly made of viscose, so very breathable. This is another dress you’ll take into your nursing months, thanks to its front panel that lifts for easy access. 

Midi High Waisted Solid Stretchy Pregnancy Pencil Skirt

Pencil skirts are another fantastic staple you can dress up or down. This one is available on Amazon, comes in different colours depending on whether you prefer neutrals or pops of colour. Pair it with a basic top and trainers, or dress it up with a fancy cardigan and a pair of heels; you couldn’t have a more versatile piece in your wardrobe. And it’s available from size S to XXL.

The Frolic Maternity soft ribbed cardigan co-ord in purple

For the fashionistas, this purple co-ord is a great way to stand out as our bodies grow and change. The relaxed fit make this such a comfortable look to wear. If you’re not a fan of the matchy-matchy style, you can also buy each piece separately for a pop of colour in your existing fits.

Cream maternity cami and cardigan set

Another matching set, this time a knit square-neck sleeveless top and a cosy and warm cardigan. The Fairisle print feels especially autumnal and nostalgic. We also love the sleeveless top, perfect if you’re suddenly feeling a bit too warm.

Maternity longline trench coat in stone

Complete any look with this gorgeous trench coat. In a neutral camel colour, this is a great staple you can use from pregnancy to postpartum days. With notch lapels, side pockets and a double-breasted design, this is such a contemporary and affordable trench coat. It also includes a tie you can use around the waist to quickly buckle up. Sizes start from a UK 6 to a UK 20.

Maternity denim dungaree in mid blue

This classic dungarees design is perfectly fitted to accommodate your bump, with an elasticated waist and buttoned side help as your bump grows over the autumn months. These dungarees are also perfect for any breastfeeding parent, as the straps can easily be snapped off for access.

Maternity sweater with zip neck in navy white stripe

If you’d like a more stylised autumnal jumper, this zip neck in navy and white is the ultimate chic layering top. It’s nostalgic, it’s classic, it’s cosy. It also has a partial zip closer so it’s easy to throw on and the drop shoulders give it a beautiful relaxed look. 

Wide Leg Maternity Palazzo Trousers

For a chic, elegant and versatile look, these trousers are perfect. Made of a soft and silky viscose fabric with a palazzo-style cut, they are so easy to match and are perfect for workwear occasions. Sizes start from 8 and reach 20, and you can also get this look in gorgeous shades of black, blue red or camel.

Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Women's Maternity Bootcut Jean

These are the jeans you will miss using when you’re not pregnant. The perfect light blue wash, their 90s boot leg trim and the breathable cotton fabric make them so comfortable. These are also a great option if you’re not a fan of over-the-bump elastics and prefer to have more breathing space. These go up to a size XL.

Milano Skinny Jeans

If you prefer wearing slim jeans, these are the highest reviewed ones! These jeans are made in Italy, the over-the-bump elastic is adjustable and they are mainly made of cotton, so very comfortable to wear throughout the day. They are available in different washes and colours, and sizes start from 6 and go up to a 22.  

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