Having a baby soon? Start motherhood sustainably with some chic, ethical maternity clothes
By Lora O’Brien
As someone who is 30 weeks into their pregnancy, I know how important it to find clothing that provides comfort, support and above all else, no harmful chemicals when you have a tiny human growing inside you. Yep, it’s true – your clothing can be seriously bad for your health, and when you’re pregnant, you want to ensure what you’re wearing has no chemical dyes or finishes that could seep into your bloodstream…after all, whatever goes into your body at this point, eventually makes it down to your baby!
Additionally, it’s inevitable you’ll have those days where you feel like (and possibly look like) a beached whale. So you just want to wear something pretty! After a fairly long search, I’ve finally found some chic, ethical maternity clothes that will not only protect the health of wee babies-to-be, but will also make their mamas look pretty hot!
Ethical Maternity Clothes For Super Stylish Moms-To-Be
1. Rent the Runway
In all honesty, the best thing to do when preggos is rent your wardrobe – especially if you’re planning on having zero more kids. And no one rents better maternity wear than Rent the Runway. There are organic options available, and of course, renting clothing instead of buying it is super-sustainable.
My pick: It hardly matters here, because their stock changes frequently with the seasons – and whatever you get is temporary, anyway. But, this off the shoulder, stripey number is pretty sweet!
2. Frugi Swoop Blouse
Frugi is one of the best known ethical maternity clothing brands around. They not only make organic maternity clothes, but organic baby wear, too!
My pick: Designed to take you all the way from bump to breastfeeding, this comfy blouse grows with you! It’s made of 95% organic cotton jersey, and be moved to each side to reveal the cleverly integrated vest underneath with low armholes, perfect for easier feedings!
3. Jojo Maman Bebe
Up here in the north, there’s one thing we definitely do need when we’re growing a baby inside us – a cozy coat. These can be pretty hard to find, as coats are generally not as baggy as sweats or tees, for example. But luckily, Jojo Maman Bebe makes a great range, from military style, formal coats, to roomy parkas.
My pick: There are loads of coats from this label that I love, but I bought the padded jacket, which has zips that can expand or contract the size of the coat, meaning you can wear it even once the babe is born.
4. Boob Design’s Amelia Jumpsuit
Boob Design was a brand born way back in 1999, when one woman noted the lack of stylish and functional clothing for nursing mums. Every item in Boob Design’s collections has to adhere to strict criteria: it must be ethically made from sustainable materials; be functional, and of high quality. And did I mention that the entire collection is certified 100 percent OEKO-Tex, which means that “garments are free from substances known to be harmful to health?”
My pick: Inspired by the first pilot to fly across the Atlantic, the appropriately named Amelia jumpsuit is the ultimate piece of clothing for the working woman. It’s perfect whether you’re pregnant or nursing. Designed for comfort and style, the jumpsuit is made out of a super stretchy recycled cotton blend that will grow with your bump.
5. The Notched Blouse by Hatch
Being pregnant doesn’t mean you want to cover your body up under a tent dress and hide nine months. So thank goodness Hatch is determined to make garments that allow pregnant women to look and feel sexy.
My pick: I love this gorgeous, indigo hued slouchy shirt made from a cotton/Tencel blend. I adore the voluminous sleeves and the deep V collar. The length is perfect for pairing with tights or jeans, too.
6. Boob Design Once-On-Never-Off Pants
When you buy a garment from Boob, you buy a product that has been produced with care. The brand only uses fabrics that are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. Some of the sustainable materials they use are organic and recycled cotton, recycled polyamide, and recycled wool.
My pick: These elasticated, organic cotton pants are so damn comfy that the brand reckons once they’re on, they’re not coming off…until the baby starts demanding to be born, I assume! But even after that, these are sure to be part of the few ethical maternity clothes you buy that actually become a wardrobe staple, since they’re as comfy as track pants, but far, far more stylish.
7. Tiffany Rose Maternity
It’s pretty hard to find ethical maternity clothes that are actually sexy, but Tiffany Rose Maternity has seemingly done the impossible! This ethical fashion label is best known for their maternity evening wear and wedding gowns. However they also offer a wide range of more casual dresses to suit any occasion, from the office to a picnic in the park.
My pick: I love so much about this dress: the sapphire hue, the lace, and the fact that if you look at it full-on frontally, it barely looks like you’re pregnant, right?
8. Séraphine Sky Blue Floral Woven Maternity Dress
Looking for ethical maternity clothes that bear a royal seal of approval? Séraphine is a London-based maternity line that is much-loved by Kate Middleton. The label offers chic, sophisticated style of expectant mothers, and sell everything from jeans to dresses. All garments are ethically made from all natural materials, and the brand also gives a portion of profits to mothering charities.
My pick: This maternity dress is so light and pretty, it just may stop me from feeling gross.
9. Mamamoosh Maternity Dressing Gown
It’s a shocking fact that some of us bloom so much during pregnancy, that even our bathrobes fail to fit! But no worries – Mamamoosh makes chic dressing gowns ethically in London from a soft, light cotton jersey. All are cut with a wider front panel to accommodate a growing bump. Perfect to quickly sling on during all those night wakings after birth.
My pick: I like the colours in this number, and like the fact that the belt is positioned to go above the bump, and is partially sewn in at the back so it doesn’t fall out. There’s also a handy good-sized pocket discretely sewn into the side seam.
10. Hatch Katie Cotton and Tencel Blend Midi Dress
Hatch’s clothes are designed to look and feel great for expectant moms on the go. The New York label’s collections are defined by chic, billowy silhouettes that will remain everyday favorites, even after the baby is born.
My pick: If you’re having a summer baby, then this breezy dress is a must for those warmer summer days when you’re keen to wear something that’s both comfy and feminine. The elasticated bust and knotted shoulder straps perfectly accommodate a blossoming baby bump – and ever-expanding boobs!
11. April White Tunic by People Tree
People Tree is a pioneer in the ethical fashion field, and is well known for growing its own organic cotton in India, where its clothing is also made by FairTrade paid workers.
My pick: A white tunic style shirt is a classic in any wardrobe, and People Tree make a wonderful organic cotton one. Lightweight, oversized and easy to wear, the great thing about this shirt is it can be worn to work with slacks or at the beach as a cover-up.
12. Frugi Bloom Dress
Yep, it’s another dress by Frugi- and why not? This is your one-stop-shop for all things organic for not only you, but your baby, too.
My pick: Made from organic, breathable cotton, I cannot resist the easy, breezy style of this dress. It’s simple, whilst remaining incredibly feminine. Plus I love the denim-blue hue!
13. Kindred Bravely Nursing Bra
If anything you buy for your pregnancy wardrobe should be organic, it’s your nursing bra. It’s a scary fact that clothing dyes and finishes can leach into your milk ducts and lymph glands, contaminating your breast milk – and your breast tissue! But Kindred Bravely makes 100% organic cotton bras that are not only good for your health, but are easy to use, too.
My pick: I’d take this nude-hued bra, which you can easily wear under blouses of any colour.
14. Mamalicious Maxi Dress
Mamalicious doesn’t make all their maternity clothing from natural materials – most are viscose. But the organic choices are pretty gorgeous!
My pick: Sometimes you just want to cover up everything, and this cotton jersey dress does just that! Made from organic cotton jersey, it’s a classic style that you can dress up or dress down – and the best part? Mamalicious makes ethical maternity clothing that doesn’t cost the earth – this dress is only $35!
15. Symbology Clothing
Symbology Clothing is known for its boldly printed dresses and jumpsuits, and has recently expanded its curation to include maternity, and nursing-friendly designs. With a Symbology dress, customers make a statement in more ways than one – not just by wearing a head-turning number, but also by reflecting their values. Symbology was founded with the goal of redefining the fashion industry so that ethical maternity clothes would no longer be the exception, but the norm. The label is proud to celebrate textile artisans worldwide by paying them a fair wage to maintain their cloth making traditions.
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Hi, Thanks for your informative article on maternity clothes. One of my cousins currently pregnant with her first baby. I am going to pass this suggestion to her. Hope so she can choose her maternity cloth which one is suitable for her. If you had more insight, I would much appreciate it.