How to Create a Maternity Capsule Wardrobe
The maternity capsule - if you have been considering a capsule wardrobe but aren’t sure if it’s for you, let me tell you, the maternity season is the PERFECT time to try it out!
Many times when I tell people about my capsule wardrobe they say the reason they can’t is because of their fluctuating body sizes in motherhood. It is true, the early seasons of motherhood can mean a lot of shifting sizes but y’all, this is EXACTLY why a capsule wardrobe IS the right thing for you!
Changing Body Sizes
The best thing about a capsule wardrobe is the ability to do much with little. Even if it means you need to rework your entire wardrobe, it is not bins of things, it’s a manageable amount of items. Since your wardrobe is simpler and smaller, it is not a big stressful overhaul to change your clothes out in different seasons of life. And whats more, the process of removing excess clothing and building a capsule wardrobe strengthens your ability to be detached from clothes. It helps you to embrace where you are right now. When you have a capsule, you wear your items often enough that you begin to feel that items has fulfilled its purpose and you find yourself ready to pass them on anyway!
If and when your body changes, which it will, because that is a part of life and motherhood; then, only a few smart swaps will help you feel stylish and beautiful again. When you have a strategized capsule wardrobe, you don’t need to do a major overhaul of your clothes when you are pregnant! No, you don’t need an entire bin of maternity clothes. Maybe the idea of a capsule wardrobe sounds great to you but you don’t know where to start…let me help you create a capsule wardrobe created strategically with changing body sizes, nursing babies, and all the seasons of motherhood in mind.
Your body is doing incredible things! Creating and sustaining life is more beautiful than anything in all the world. Your body is a wonder!! Love it, be gracious with it as it works so hard, and dress in a way that makes you feel beautiful BUT ALSO comfortable because hard work is balanced with rest.
You can love your wardrobe in every season of life. This is me giving you permission to try!
Have I convinced you yet?
I have never felt better in my style than with a capsule wardrobe. Maternity and postpartum are no exception. Now, when it comes to creating this maternity style, I do have some personal opinions. There are many maternity clothes I like to avoid. Belly bands on pants, I hate them, my stretching skin gets irritated and itchy with the tightness. Ruching down the side, it isn’t a favorite of mine though I do have a piece or two of these. Zippers on the side of shirts for nursing, no thanks. Flaps that lift in the middle of a top, for nursing, that is just weird. You might disagree with me on these and that is ok! I am just here to say, there are other options. There are many ways to be creative with your style while pregnant and nursing.
You can even build a fully functional maternity and postpartum wardrobe without maternity clothes!
In fact, most of the clothes in this blog post are not maternity clothes! There are many small shops that are making “maternity and nursing friendly” clothing without it being made solely for those seasons. I have a collection of shops on the Married & a House Market specifically for these recommendations!
A “Non-Maternity” Maternity Capsule
Just to give an example, these are some of the pieces I’ve curated for my maternity capsule. None of them are maternity clothes, all except for one work for postpartum/nursing and I anticipate them to work well whatever my body size is after it all.
Links: Red Shortalls (tip: size up one), Flared Black Jumpsuit , The Floral Top, The Green Button Down Dress, and the Sweater Tank are Neuflora (their in-stock items are ever changing!), the Waffle Knit Top and Floral Dress were thrifted.
(The last two photos are actually dresses that I have layered. So what you are seeing is actually two outfits in one!)
Many of these pieces will stick around when I am postpartum and nursing. And many of them are loose enough that I am confident they will fit, whatever my body size is after postpartum. And ya know what- if they don’t, it’s ok, I know I will find pieces I love just as much!!
TIP: The key is to be detached! Create a wardrobe you love, wear everything as often as possible, and then let it go! Your style and your wardrobe can cycle in and out. In fact, it is supposed to.
Building a Maternity Capsule:
The Everyday Maternity Capsule Wardrobe
For the everyday maternity capsule, I find it is good to have a variety of form fitting and loose pieces. At least for myself, in pregnancy, my mood shifts by the day with how I am feeling. Some days, all clothes annoy me, some days I just want to be comfortable and others I want to feel put together and beautiful. I have achieved this flexibility with my current capsule.
TIP: I do not include special occasion pieces in my capsule, if it so happens there is a special event, I suggest thrifting something or borrowing from someone! I also do not have a different set of clothes for working out in, I use some of the basics below and t-shirts for that.
The Maternity Basics
Ok. Let’s start with the basics. For the basics in a maternity capsule wardrobe, it is best to buy a few maternity specific items because of their form fitting nature. These are:
2 Maternity Undershirts/Tank Tops : I choose one white and one black, I like the Motherhood Maternity ones but you can also find some at H&M, Old Navy, and Target
1 pair of Leggings with belly band : I tried many different ones. The ones I found most comfortable were from Motherhood Maternity and H&M
1 pair of Biker Shorts : I have a pair from Target, but these also look good
Flexible, Comfortable, Stretchy Bra :I like this one for maternity because it is flexible with the changing bust size through pregnancy but I also wear it non-maternity. It isn’t impossible to work around for nursing either though it is not a specific nursing bra.
Pack of Maternity Underwear :I prefer under the belly and full coverage of the bottom
Though its not a clothing piece, I highly recommend this belly support belt. It has been a lifesaver for my third pregnancy aches and pains.
Maternity Capsule Tops
When it comes to tops in pregnancy, there are three kinds I look for: stretchy form fitting maternity tops, oversized normal tops, and crop tops or tops that can be tied and tucked above the baby bump. Yes. I said crop tops! If you have dresses and skirts, crop tops can make for an adorable maternity capsule. They cut just above the bump! Never did I see myself purchasing crop tops until now! You don’t need to buy a crop top though, I have a trick at the bottom of this blog post that will give you the same look using any top in your current wardrobe!
TIP: Try to stay neutral with tops or stick to a consistent color scheme. Then you can easily mix and match with pants, skirts and dresses. For fun, I suggest 1-2 patterned tops. As you are creating your wardrobe, try to think about how each of these would look with your other pieces: under overalls, over dresses, tucked into skirts etc.
2 Maternity T-Shirts (long sleeve and/or short sleeve depending on the season) : I keep it simple and only have two of these so its easy to pass along.
2 Regular Tops Cropped or those that can be tied or tucked above the baby bump: (long sleeve, short sleeve or tank depending on the season). Button downs, oversized shirts, and t-shirts work great for tying! This is where I was able to use clothes from my pre-maternity wardrobe.
1 Patterned Blouse Top : This is the top to have fun with, add your pop of something special that you can mix and match.
1 Oversized Button Down: (long or short sleeve)These are great for layering and tying in pregnancy.
1 Oversized Sweater: I have one lightweight long oversized sweater since I am pregnant in the summer, but if you are pregnant in the winter, I suggest a second heavy sweater. I particularly like the one that I thrifted and is two sizes too big.
2 Cardigans: I personally like a big chunky sweater and a crop sweater. Both look great with a baby bump and I wear both year-round.
The oversized sweater I live in. It was thrifted.
My first crop top purchase with a vintage skirt, both thrifted.
Maternity Capsule Bottoms
Maternity bottoms were tricky for me since I am not a fan of belly bands. I pulled out my old maternity jeans and hated them as soon as I put them on. I like “under the belly” pants as an alternative to belly band leggings as well as the new maternity style: smocked high waisted pants. I thrifted some denim patterned ones to replace my maternity jeans. And I have discovered a better solution to maternity pants…I will share more in the next section!
Links:The Black Under the Belly Pants are no longer available at Target. They are more of a jegging style rather than legging, they are thicker material and have pockets, White Maternity Top, Ribbed Green Shorts (I was a little unsure about this brand, it was a random online purchase but I couldn’t find any shorts similar and it turned out ok), The Marion Floral Top (non-maternity from Neuflora, similar styles are available at Shop Dahl), Smocked Waist Pants (the denim is no longer available at Target, you could also search the brand Emme. I considered them but never tried), The Black Top is not maternity but is a stretchy ribbed top from Target.
I love wearing skirts in maternity and think they look very cute over a bump. Many skirts are maternity friendly without being maternity specific.
1-2 Pairs of Maternity Pants of your choosing: Under the Belly, Belly Band, Smocked.
1-2 Bump Friendly Skirts: I love my stretchy maternity pencil skirt from ASOS, my other skirt is not maternity but the stretchy waistband can sit overtop of the bump easily.
Optional: 1 Pair of Shorts if pregnant in the summer
Links: Sweater Tank is Neuflora, Maternity Pencil Skirt
Maternity Capsule Jumpsuits
If you were asking yourself, where are all your pants?? Do you really only have those few? The answer is yes because majority of the time I am wearing jumpsuits. Friends, if you don’t like maternity pants, the solution is jumpsuits and overalls!! I am OBSESSED. What could be better than wearing pants with NO waistband while pregnant? Every maternity capsule needs a good jumpsuit. When I got my first pair of overalls, I was unsure if I could get on board with the style until I put them on. I am telling you, imagine the comfort of pants with no waistband! It’s amazing!
1-2 Jumpsuits: Some styles can be worn with or without tops under them. I actually have two jumpsuits in my current capsule because I wear these every day. They are loose fitting around the belly and can be worn before, during, and after pregnancy.
Optional 1 Romper if pregnant in the summer: These are my summer shorts, and yes I will wear these everyday.
Links: Red Shortalls (tip: size up one), Flared Black Jumpsuit , Jersey Nursing Jumpsuit, and I don’t have this one from Storq but have been close to buying it because I think its so cute!
Maternity Capsule Dresses
Maternity is the time to let the feminine dresses shine!! They are usually the most comfortable, airy, and flexible to body changes, and they look stunning with baby bumps. This is the space to have fun with patterns and colors. Your neutral color tops and sweaters will go great with these.
TIP: Look for loose fitting dresses around the belly. Empire waist with a fitted bust looks great. Smocked bust are good for body changes and nursing. Buttons and sleeves that pull down are great for nursing. And of course, for your own sake, pick comfortable fabrics!!
1 Stretchy T-Shirt Dress: I love a good ribbed or gauze dress to add some texture here.
1 Knee Length Dress: Go ahead have fun with pattern or style!
1-2 Tank Top Dresses: These are great on their own in the summer and can be layered with tops over them for colder days or just to change it up. I love a good jumper here too!
1-2 Midi/Maxi Dresses: A long skirt looks so beautiful over a baby bump.
Links: Denim Dress is from a boutique in my town, Ribbed T-Shirt Dress , and for all other dress recommendations especially the beautiful floral ones like this blue one, check out Neuflora and Shop Dahl.
The Secret Staple Item
And this my friend is the secret sauce. The item you never knew you needed! The Brami Crop Top Tank. It is a mix between a bra and a cami. It is tight and stretchy. And I have been using it to tuck my tops into over dresses. Making them look like a cropped shirt/skirt combination.
I love the Brami I have but the brand doesn’t carry it anymore. Neuflora has one. And you can try some of these from Amazon: Cropped Brami Top, Free People Ribbed Brami
See the photos below to get a demonstration of what I mean! Basically, I will put the dress on then the Brami on top, then the shirt or sweater over it and tuck it under the Brami to hold it in place. In the last photo, the top is tucked into the brami.
Maternity Loungewear
Some days are just cozy days. I don’t have an extensive "loungewear” collection because most of my clothes are comfortable. But, it is always nice to have the option to dress down and be as relaxed as possible.
1 pair of Maternity Lounge/Jogger Pants
1-2 oversized T-shirts if this isn’t already a part of your collection of tops
1 massive Sweatshirt
And I can always wear my basic pieces like leggings or biker shorts to lounge in as well.
Seasonal Wear
Since I am pregnant in the summer I needed to find a maternity swimsuit. I tried many affordable options from Amazon since I was sure I would only be keeping this for the current summer and didn’t want to spend too much. The one-piece below was my favorite and it goes so well with many of my other capsule pieces (rompers, shorts, jumpsuits, skirts, and my Neuflora button down).
If you are pregnant in a different season like winter, the only seasonal wear you may be considering is a maternity coat. I personally don’t think it is necessary. Just leave your regular coat unzipped.
Links: Black Ribbed Swimsuit and Floral Button Down. Here are a few others options I sent back but were great ones: Two-Toned One Piece , Retro Halter One Piece
Total Number of Pieces in My Maternity Capsule : 32
My Everyday Maternity Capsule has a total of 32 pieces (with only 7 of those being maternity specific). I did not count the basic pieces in the total count because they are undergarments but those were maternity specific as well. Apart from those items, everything else is considered “maternity friendly” clothing and I will be able to wear them in postpartum and beyond.
There are some items I will have to switch out for nursing but most of my wardrobe is nursing-friendly as well. I could write a whole different blog post on postpartum and nursing style strategies but let me know in the comments if that is something you want!