You don’t of course actually have to buy actual ‘maternity wear’ as you could just wear looser and bigger clothing instead during pregnancy. However, well-made nursing clothing is good as often it has special features for discreet breastfeeding. Try to find natural comfortable fabrics like cotton (organic or recycled if possible), hemp or linen. If you do find a little elastane, then launder in a microplastic catcher to help prevent microplastics leaching from the washing machine into the sea.
Most maternity online shops also sell preloved or rental baby clothing. Due to allergies and sensitivity, it’s best to launder with unscented biodegradable laundry liquid (also for yourself!)
tips for comfortable maternity clothing
- Firstly, don’t worry about nursing wear until well into your second trimester, you can get away simply with wearing loose clothing.
- Go for natural fabrics. Organic (or recycled cotton), hemp and linen (from the flax plant) are all comfy sustainable fabrics, and also less likely to give you itchy skin than polyester, nylon or wool.
- Get creative on a budget. You could buy (or borrow) oversized shirts, smock dresses to open-front cardigans, over standard maternity wear, often found at local thrift stores that support small charities.
organic maternity clothing from Cornwall
Frugi grownups is the adult range of Cornish company Frugi, which mostly produces organic cotton clothing for children. Everything is made ethically in India where the company supports an orphanage, and sent in biodegradable packaging. The range has won many awards for its unique features, that allows for easy and discreet breastfeeding using hidden panels, yet still shows that sustainable maternity clothing can be just as nice in design as any other. The range includes pretty dresses and breastfeeding tops, plus tunics and roomy shirts.
bump-friendly (ethically-made) clothing
The Simple Folk offers breastfeeding-friendly & bump-friendly clothing in muted designs, with regular seasonal sales From casual hemp/cotton tops to lovely summer dresses to a stunning organic knit jumper, everything is ethically made in Portugal.
rent maternity-friendly cotton dungarees
My Nice Pair offers maternity dungarees made from mostly cotton, with a little elastane. In various styles and colours, these can adjust to your waist size. The difference is that you can then send them back in the rezip bags, to replace with other designs. You can rent dungarees for as long as you like (send them back for professional laundering) and there is also the option to buy preloved dungarees.
rent (or buy preloved) maternity/nursing clothing
Belles and Babes lets you build a capsule maternity wardrobe for a monthly hire fee, with no charges for wear and tear, and nothing sent to landfill. The bespoke service lets you order items to try on and just send back items you don’t want to hire, then rental costs start after 7 days (most items are around £5 a month). You can also buy nursing clothing and pre-loved maternity clothes.
treat yourself to comfy linen maternity clothing
Linen (from the flax plant) is very comfortable. A bit more expensive, but ideal if you are planning on having more children, or just pass on to someone you love. This linen pinafore dress is made with love and care in Latvia. Made with stone-washed linen fabric, the skirt-dress has cross-back dungarees that close in front with buttons in four heights, plus two side pockets (available in various colours, order a size up if pregnant). Also available is this pretty linen breastfeeding dress.
sew your own sustainable maternity clothing
This Hinterland dress sewing pattern is easily modified for maternity and nursing wear. It features three sleeve options, partial or full button-down plackets and inseam pockets, with a loose fit and side bust tarts, with option to remove buttons. Just sew up with your favourite organic cotton fabric.
These cotton maternity dungarees feature adjustable straps to grow with your bump, and are in many colours (rust orange, blue, black, red and olive green).
The Cozette Maternity Dress sewing pattern features an empire waist bodice to wear during and after pregnancy, in 21 total sizes. This romantic dress features a charming square neckline with two bust darts and a gathered full skirt, with super long straps to gracefully tie into bows around your shoulders.
