Pregnancy brings many changes to your body, and one of the first things you may notice is that your regular clothes no longer fit the way they used to. Waistbands become tighter, tops can feel shorter, and even your usual size may suddenly feel uncomfortable.
This is where maternity clothing can make everyday dressing much easier.
However, choosing the right maternity size can feel confusing, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Should you buy your pre-pregnancy size? Should you size up? How much room should maternity clothes have? And what happens as your bump continues to grow?
The good news is that maternity sizing is generally designed to accommodate your changing body. In many cases, you do not need to automatically buy a larger size than you wore before pregnancy.
Here is a practical guide on how to pick the right size for maternity clothes and avoid common sizing mistakes.
Do You Buy Your Regular Size in Maternity Clothes?
One of the most common questions during pregnancy is whether maternity clothes should be purchased one or two sizes larger.
In many maternity clothing ranges, the answer is no.
Maternity clothes are specifically designed to accommodate a growing belly and changing body shape. Therefore, if you normally wore a medium before pregnancy, you may still wear a medium in maternity clothing.
The difference is in the construction of the garment.
Maternity clothing may include:
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Extra room around the stomach
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Stretchable fabrics
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Adjustable waistbands
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Side gathers
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Longer front panels
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Relaxed silhouettes
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Nursing openings
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Pregnancy-friendly cuts
However, sizing is not completely standardised between brands. Always check the individual brand's size chart before ordering.
1. Start With Your Current Measurements
The most reliable way to choose maternity clothing is to use your current body measurements rather than relying only on your usual clothing size.
Depending on the brand, you may need measurements for:
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Bust
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Waist
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Hips
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Thighs
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Inseam
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Shoulder width
Use a soft measuring tape and avoid pulling it tightly around your body.
For your bust, measure around the fullest part.
For your waist, follow the brand's instructions. Some maternity brands may ask you to measure around your natural waist, while others may provide guidance for measuring around your bump.
For your hips, measure around the widest part.
Write down your measurements and compare them with the brand's size chart.
2. Always Check the Maternity Size Chart
Never assume that a medium at one brand will fit exactly like a medium at another.
Different brands use different measurements and garment constructions.
Before buying maternity clothing online, look for the size chart on the product page. Compare your measurements with the measurements provided rather than choosing a size based only on the label.
This is particularly important when buying:
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Maternity jeans
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Trousers
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Bras
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Fitted dresses
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Maternity leggings
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Structured ethnic wear
For looser tops and dresses, you may have slightly more flexibility.
If you are shopping for a complete wardrobe, The Mom Store's maternity wear collection can be a useful starting point for exploring different maternity silhouettes and fits.
3. Understand How Maternity Clothes Are Designed to Fit
Maternity clothes should generally feel comfortable without looking excessively oversized.
The right fit should give your body enough room to change without creating unnecessary fabric around areas that have not changed significantly.
For example, a maternity top may have additional room around the stomach while maintaining a relatively normal fit around the shoulders.
Similarly, maternity leggings may use a flexible waistband that expands with your bump rather than simply making the entire garment larger.
When trying something on, check whether you can:
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Sit comfortably
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Walk without restriction
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Bend down
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Raise your arms
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Move your shoulders
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Breathe comfortably
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Wear the garment for several hours
If you are constantly adjusting the clothing, it may not be the right fit.
4. Pay Special Attention to Maternity Bottoms
Bottoms often become uncomfortable before other clothing because your waist and stomach change significantly during pregnancy.
Maternity leggings, trousers and jeans are designed to accommodate these changes.
There are several common maternity waistband styles.
Over-the-bump waistbands
These extend over your belly and can provide additional coverage and support.
Under-the-bump waistbands
These sit below the stomach and may feel more comfortable if you do not like fabric covering your entire bump.
Adjustable waistbands
Some maternity trousers have buttons, elastic or adjustable panels that allow you to change the fit as your pregnancy progresses.
When choosing maternity bottoms, focus on the waistband and overall comfort rather than simply choosing a larger size.
The maternity leggings and denims collection offers different options for women looking for pregnancy-friendly bottoms.
5. Do Not Size Up Automatically
Buying a larger size may seem like the safest option because your body is growing.
But oversized clothing can create a different set of problems.
A garment that is too large may:
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Fall off your shoulders
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Look disproportionate
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Have sleeves that are too long
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Create excessive fabric around the body
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Feel uncomfortable while moving
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Lose its intended shape
Maternity clothing already accounts for pregnancy-related changes, so sizing up is not always necessary.
Instead, check whether the maternity garment itself has enough room for your expected growth.
6. Consider the Stage of Pregnancy
Your clothing needs may change throughout pregnancy.
During the first trimester, you may still be comfortable in many of your regular clothes.
In the second trimester, your bump usually becomes more noticeable, and maternity-specific clothing may become more useful.
By the third trimester, comfort and flexibility often become the highest priorities.
If you are buying early in pregnancy, consider clothing with:
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Stretchable fabrics
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Adjustable waistbands
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Relaxed fits
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Roomy silhouettes
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Side gathers
These features can help the same garment remain useful as your body changes.
7. Choose Stretchable Fabrics Where Possible
Fabric can have a major effect on how a garment fits.
Stretchable materials can accommodate changes in your body more easily than rigid fabrics.
For everyday maternity clothing, look for materials such as cotton blends, modal blends or fabrics containing a small percentage of elastane or spandex.
Stretch is particularly useful for:
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Leggings
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Lounge pants
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T-shirts
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Nightwear
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Nursing bras
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Casual dresses
However, stretch should not be used as an excuse to buy a garment that is already too small.
The garment should feel comfortable without excessive pulling or tightness.
8. Maternity Tops Need Extra Length
As your stomach grows, your regular tops may become too short even if they still fit around your shoulders.
This is why maternity tops often have additional length or fabric around the front.
When trying on a maternity top, check it from the side.
Make sure it comfortably covers your bump without constantly riding up when you sit or move.
Longer maternity tops can also work well with leggings because they provide additional coverage.
If you plan to breastfeed, consider choosing maternity tops with nursing access. This can make them useful both during pregnancy and after delivery.
The maternity and nursing tops collection includes styles designed around both pregnancy and postpartum feeding.
9. Get the Right Fit for Maternity Dresses
Dresses are often easier to size during pregnancy because they do not have a separate waistband.
However, the fit around your bust, shoulders and hips still matters.
For maternity dresses, look for:
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A-line silhouettes
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Empire waist designs
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Relaxed fits
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Stretchable fabrics
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Side gathers
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Adjustable features
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Nursing access
Avoid choosing a dress that fits perfectly around your stomach today but leaves little room for future growth.
A maternity dress should provide enough flexibility to remain comfortable as your bump develops.
You can explore the maternity dresses collection when looking for pregnancy-friendly styles for everyday wear or special occasions.
10. Choosing the Right Maternity Bra Size
Bras require a slightly different approach because your bust may change considerably during pregnancy.
Your band size and cup size can both change.
Instead of buying several bras at the beginning of pregnancy, consider buying a small number and checking your fit periodically.
Signs your bra may be too small include:
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Band digging into your skin
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Cups spilling over
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Straps constantly falling
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Breast tissue bulging at the sides
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Difficulty fastening the bra comfortably
A well-fitting maternity or nursing bra should feel supportive without creating excessive pressure.
The maternity lingerie collection can help you compare different maternity and nursing-focused options.
11. Consider Postpartum Use Before Buying
One of the smartest ways to choose maternity clothes is to think beyond pregnancy.
After delivery, your body will continue changing. You may also need convenient access for breastfeeding.
Therefore, maternity clothing with nursing functionality can provide better long-term use.
Look for:
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Nursing zippers
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Button openings
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Wrap designs
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Stretchable fabrics
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Relaxed silhouettes
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Adjustable waistbands
Nightwear is particularly useful when it combines pregnancy comfort with nursing access.
The maternity nightwear collection includes pregnancy and nursing-friendly options that can remain useful after delivery.
12. What to Do If You Are Between Two Sizes
Sometimes your measurements may fall between two sizes.
In that situation, look at the garment design before deciding.
For a stretchable, relaxed maternity top, you may have more flexibility.
For structured clothing such as fitted trousers or a bra, accurate sizing becomes more important.
Also consider where you are in your pregnancy.
If you are purchasing early and expect significant growth, a flexible maternity design may be more useful than a rigid garment.
When in doubt, check the brand's measurement guide or customer support information rather than automatically choosing the larger size.
Common Maternity Clothing Sizing Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes when shopping for pregnancy clothing.
Buying two sizes larger
Maternity clothes are already designed for pregnancy, so automatically sizing up can result in an unnecessarily loose fit.
Ignoring measurements
Your usual size is only a starting point. Measurements are more reliable.
Buying too many clothes at once
Your body will continue changing. Start with essential pieces and add more as your needs become clearer.
Choosing style over comfort
If something looks great but feels restrictive, you probably will not wear it often.
Forgetting postpartum needs
Clothing with nursing access or flexible fits can remain useful after pregnancy.
A Simple Maternity Clothing Size Checklist
Before purchasing an item, ask yourself:
Does it fit comfortably around my current body?
Does it provide enough room for my growing bump?
Can I sit, walk and move comfortably?
Have I checked the brand's size chart?
Is the fabric flexible enough for pregnancy?
Can I continue using the item after delivery?
If the answer to most of these questions is yes, you are likely looking at a practical maternity purchase.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to pick the right size for maternity clothes does not have to be complicated.
Start with your current measurements, check the brand's size chart and understand how the particular garment is designed to accommodate pregnancy. Avoid automatically buying larger sizes simply because your body is changing.
The best maternity clothes should give you room where you need it while maintaining a comfortable and flattering fit everywhere else.
As you build your maternity wardrobe, prioritise versatile pieces that can adapt with you. Maternity tops, comfortable bottoms, dresses, nightwear and nursing-friendly clothing can help you stay comfortable throughout pregnancy and continue serving a purpose after your baby arrives.
Ultimately, the right size is not just the one that fits your measurements. It is the size that allows you to move comfortably, accommodate your changing body and feel confident throughout pregnancy.
