Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
Good ethnic maternity wear is cut for the bump rather than just made bigger. Look for kurtas with room at the front, bottoms with an elasticated or adjustable waist, breathable fabric, and nursing zips if you want to keep wearing the outfit after your baby arrives. Those details matter more than the label, and they are what separate a maternity kurta set from a regular kurta bought a size up.
This guide explains what to look for at each kind of occasion. The examples come from our own range at The Mom Store, so we name the specific features listed on each product page rather than ranking brands we have not compared.
What to check before you buy
- Room around the bump through gathers, a flared cut or extra length at the front.
- A flexible waistband on pants or palazzos, either elasticated or with a drawstring.
- Breathable fabric such as cotton for daily wear in hot, humid weather.
- Nursing access through zips or discreet openings, if you plan to breastfeed.
- Pockets for a phone and keys, which are more useful than they sound.
Everyday cotton kurta sets
For work, clinic visits and visiting family, a cotton kurta set gives you a complete outfit without matching separates. The Sukoon Ensemble, ShyamAab and Azure Grace kurta sets in our maternity ethnic wear collection are each listed as 100% cotton, with 3/4 sleeves, two nursing zips, two side seam pockets, pants with an elasticated waistband and a dupatta. Sukoon and Azure Grace have a V neck; ShyamAab has a round neck with a notch.
Festivals and pujas
For Diwali, family pujas or a festive lunch, you may want more colour and print without anything heavy or tight. A printed cotton set with a dupatta works well here. The Sunehri Blooms kurta set, for example, is a multicoloured print in 100% cotton with the same nursing zips, pockets and elasticated waist as the everyday sets. Add earrings, bangles and traditional footwear and it reads as festive without being uncomfortable for a long day.
Weddings and formal functions
Weddings are harder, because you want something elegant that still lets you sit, eat and move through a long evening. Look for flared or Anarkali style kurtas, silk blend fabrics, embroidery at the neck or sleeves, and comfortable sleeves. The Ebony Embroidered silk kurta set is a raw silk blend with embroidery on the sleeves and neck, a V neck, concealed front zips for feeding and pockets. Silk blends are usually dry clean only, so check the care label before a function.
Ethnic dresses
If you do not want to coordinate a kurta, pants and dupatta, an ethnic print dress is simpler. With no separate waistband, it is often the most comfortable option late in pregnancy. Choose an A line or flared shape for bump room, and a V neck or front opening if you will be nursing. You can see more styles in maternity dresses.
Kaftan style sets
Kaftan kurta sets hang loosely from the shoulders, so nothing presses on your stomach. They suit casual festive gatherings and home functions. The Chand Sitare kaftan kurta set is cotton, with a round neck, nursing zips, and pants with side pockets and an elasticated waist.
Wearing it after the birth
An outfit with nursing access earns its place twice: through pregnancy and the baby shower, and again for postpartum visits, the naming ceremony and festivals in your baby's first year. Before buying an outfit for one occasion, think about how many of these you could wear it to.
Simple styling
- Daytime: a cotton kurta set with flats, light jewellery and a soft dupatta.
- Festivals: add statement earrings, bangles and traditional footwear.
- Weddings: an embroidered or silk blend set with festive jewellery and a dressier dupatta.
- Winter: a long cardigan, shawl or stole over the kurta, with room to stay open over the bump.
