An Intimate Look at Maternity Fashion

maternity fashion

In the Middle Ages, a mere apron was considered as a maternity dress.  It was simply used to cover up because pregnant women’s dresses of the day did not fit around the belly anymore.  And this was maternity fashion for centuries. Fortunately, mothers-to-be today have more options to choose from as maternity fashion has evolved significantly.   If your next sewing project happens to be maternity wear, here is an intimate look at maternity fashion to inspire you.

Maternity Fashion in the 14th Century

Before the 14th century, pregnant women made do with their everyday clothes.  Dresses did not follow the female form at the time.  With no seams and just flowing fabrics, women’s dresses could comfortably be worn by pregnant ladies. It was only in the 14th century when women began to wear clothes that hugged their curves to reveal more of their feminine features.  This was the era when seams were let out to allow the growth of the baby bumps and paved the way for the evolution of actual maternity fashion.

The Adrienne Dress of the Baroque and Georgian Period

The first recorded maternity wear surfaced during the Baroque period between the years 1600 and 1750. Characterized by voluminous folds and flowing fabrics, the Adrienne dress expanded with the growing bellies. Some women also wore men’s waistcoats that allowed them to adjust the size of the coat through laced vents in the back. From 1714 through 1811, maternity clothes became more practical when bibs were added at the bust line of the Adrienne dress to allow for breastfeeding.

maternity fashion
MarkauMark / Shutterstock.com

The Glamorous 1950’s & 60’s

The '50s and ’60s are often known as the glamorous years when Hollywood reached the peak of its golden years. This was the time when some women were sometimes said to be doing house chores in pencil skirts and pearls. The swinging ’60s saw the replacement of the smock dress with miniskirts but pregnant women are still not wont to show their growing figures.

Those glamorous years saw a pregnant Princess of Grace of Monaco wearing an embroidered bell-style tent coat showing her distinct blend of glamour and poise. And when Breakfast at Tiffany’s iconic actress Audrey Hepburn was expecting her son, she wore a classic white dress that hid her bump, looking fabulous with a simple string of pearls to match.

maternity fashion
neftali / Shutterstock.com

The Maternity Fashion of the 1970s & 80’s

The fashion of the '70s & '80s with its big flares and big shoulder pads unfortunately did not include maternity wear. Pregnant women wore big shapeless tent dresses and they were still covered up. Brightly colored smock dresses dominated the maternity fashion during this time and Princess Diana of Wales is probably the most photographed pregnant woman of the era.

maternity fashion
Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

The Blossoming of Maternity Fashion in the 90’s and Beyond

When Demi Moore bared her bump on the cover of Vanity Fair in the 1990s, many people realized that the pregnant body is beautiful and pregnant women started wearing stylish dresses to show it. This is especially true with pregnant celebrities who set the trend of maternity fashion under the watchful eye of the paparazzi. With the media interest in celebrity pregnancies increasing, maternity fashion blossomed. Katie Holmes, Angelina Jolie, and the Duchess of Cambridge are just a few of the celebrities who helped set the trend.

Today, fashion designers are creating maternity clothes as more pregnant women want to look chic and feel comfortable at the same time. High-end denim brands like Rock & Republic and Citizens of Humanity are selling their own maternity lines. Other famous brands like Juicy Couture, Gap, and Old Navy also came up with stylish tops, wrap dresses, plunging V-necks, and gowns that were worn not only by famous pregnant moms-to-be.

maternity fashion

The days of hiding the baby bump is definitely over and pregnant ladies can now choose from an array of different styles as maternity fashion continues to diversify. You can create maternity shorts and trousers for a day out on a beautiful sunny day or go for that little black dress that can make you feel elegant during your pregnancy.

Indeed, being pregnant nowadays should not get in the way of your own personal style. From chic casuals to glamorous maternity dresses, the choice is yours because maternity fashion has indeed come a long, long way!

If you'd be interested in seeing some patterns here involving maternity fashion, please let me know in the comments below.  If interest is good, we can certainly pull some practical, beautiful, and easy-to-sew designs together.


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Rosiie
Rosiie

Please, Please some simple basic maternity patterns.

Rebekah
Rebekah

Yes, please. My daughter is pregnant and I would love to make something for her.

Sasha
Sasha

I’ve never bought maternity clothes because they are expensive. I just bought regular clothes in bigger sizes. But I’m a surrogate and will be carrying twins for a friend of mine and not sure how big I’ll get so may need to this time around.

Victoria
Victoria

Yes to maternity

Mary B.
Mary B.

Just finished making 4 pairs of leggings for my Daughter-in-law. She is larger in the hips and thighs. It is difficult to find Maternity patterns, even harder if the person is larger than a twig.YES would like Maternity patterns that are easy to alter for the not so perfect body.

Judith Cork
Judith Cork

I’d love to see maternity patterns in small sizes. My granddaughter is size XXS and can’t find anything to fit her. She’s a nurse and needs scrubs!

Carlene Bowen
Carlene Bowen

Yes please. my granddaughter is expecting after a ten year gap, Things have changed a lot. She is a plus size beauty after losing 100 pounds and a by-pass. I would love to help her feel as beautiful as she already is with some
new patterns. Thanks for you thoughtfulness.

Marlene Verhage
Marlene Verhage

Yes. My daughter is expecting. She is s big girl and needs larger maternity clothes than is readily available

Suzanne
Suzanne

Yes please especially if easy

Charlene
Charlene

Yes please! When I was expecting my first I was dissapointed how expensive at maternity dress was and how incompatible it became once I began nursing!

Mona
Mona

Would love to see some cute, basic maternity pieces. Even if it’s just one of each: a top, a dress, a skirt, a pant. I can’t wear them anymore, but I have a daughter who’s pregnant!

Carol
Carol

Yes, please!

Annetjie Kruger
Annetjie Kruger

Patterns for maternity wear and photoshoots, PLEASE

Donna Dansby
Donna Dansby

I would love to see some maternity patterns.

Kirsten Ross-Pedersen
Kirsten Ross-Pedersen

Many of the independent pattern companies are starting to offer add-on maternity hacks for their regular pattern lines. Great patterns on Craftsy as well.

So Sew Easy
Admin
Active Member

Thanks Kirsten. That’s good to know. We may give that a try too..

fiona j
fiona j

My DD would love me to make her nursing clohingt, and I have searche high and low but been unable to find a pattern, or advice about adapting patterns, so thats what I would find invaluable.

stephanie givens
stephanie givens

Me, too. Dear DIL expecting in Spring. She is short and round, and I would like to make her somerhings she would enjoy wearing. All help is welcome!

Martina
Martina

I would simply love it! I am just starting to try and get pregnant (bye-bye pill:) and would love it!

Linda Bowker
Linda Bowker

Would love some maternity patterns. Our granddaughter is expecting twins in March!

Chrysa
Chrysa

I gave birth to a fabulous son this spring. I would have loved to have a few extra pieces to wear. I would definitely collect anything yall design incase i get pregnant again.

I’d also like to see ideas for converting pregnancy wear into o post pregnancy wear. I have a couple skirts i would like to keep in use.

Erin Owens
Erin Owens

Me too! Me too! My daughter is due in April and Id love to be able to sew up a few things for her as Christmas presents Mostly shirts she could wear to work.

PFR
PFR

Both of my daughters are pregnant. I would love to have some stylish patterns for them.

Peg
Peg

Very interesting. I hand sewed all my Maternity clothes for my first as I did not want to look like every one else! For the second used over and made some new. Not a lot of variety as you said, but I wore outrageous colors and print galore. Just had to be me.

Leslie
Leslie

I would be interested in some patterns! There seems to be so little available in commercial patterns. Thanks for the article!

Sharon
Sharon

Hi. Yes definitely interested in some maternity patterns. I’m due (my 1st) at the beginning of May and so I’ll be needing to expand my wardrobe! I’m still a beginner so some simple patterns would be great for me.

Rosemary
Rosemary

Would love to see some new designs in maternity wear. My daughter is expecting her first next May. I would like some up-to-date ideas on what I could make her.

Jessica
Jessica

Hi Mayra,

What a nice topic! Thank you!As my little sister started just now and myself freshly married it won’t take long before we will really have use of some nice patterns for maternity cloth. Even better when they will be provided on my favorite sewing blog 😉

Please, please please I am already seeking for nice and simple patterns to sew our own maternity wardrobes 🙂

Really looking forward to celebrate pregnancy one day….

Greetings from Germany,
Jessica

Nancy
Nancy

I’d love to see some easy to sew maternity fashions. My daughter is expecting her first in January and she won’t wear anything but an extra large men’s t-shirt.

Cecily Phillippi
Cecily Phillippi

I would love to see some maternity patterns

Lynn H
Lynn H

This came at a MOST opportune time. I just found out my DIL will be having TWINS in March (or April) Since it’s been 5 1/2 years since her last pregnancy, she will be needing Maternity clothes! Lots and lots of maternity clothes. I would love to see some patterns if you have enough interest.