We Love These Stylish, Bump-Friendly Dresses (2024)

Seraphine is beloved by our consumer panelists as well as GH editors and Lab pros. The brand has an array of high-quality options that aren’t quite as expensive as some other luxe maternity brands. This particular style is great for pregnancy thanks to a stretchy rib knit top and flowing skirt. But what really makes it stand out is that the dress also has a lift-up top that provides easy access for breastfeeding once your baby has arrived. The style is highly versatile too; you can easily dress it up or down. Unfortunately, the size range is a bit more limited than we'd like. It only comes in sizes 2 through 16, with no options for petite, tall or plus-size.

Sizes: 2–16 | Materials: Viscose blend

Old Navy's maternity section is the place to go for an assortment of budget-friendly clothes that don't skimp on quality. You can find comfortable, versatile and stylish clothing — dresses included — in designs that are perfect for everyday wear. I have personally worn this one before, and it's nice quality, particularly for the price, especially considering the dress saw me through two full pregnancies.

It’s lightweight and made of cotton for breathability with some spandex for stretch, plus the sides are ruched to accommodate growing bellies. (Because of this, you may find it a little looser earlier in your pregnancy.) I love that this dress is the ultimate layering piece too — wear it with a sweater or a denim jacket or wear it solo and add wedges and hoops for a more formal look.

Sizes: XS–XXL | Materials: Cotton, spandex

When it comes to finding the perfect dress for a maternity photoshoot, Amazon is a gold mine. The retail giant is home to all kinds of billowing, stretchy maxi dresses made to show off your bump in the most glamorous ways — and you don't have to spend a ton of money. This one, available in a whopping 15 colors, is made of a stretchy rayon and spandex material that has nice drape. The flattering V-neckline and empire waist gorgeously accentuate your baby bump. But be warned: The slit on the dress is very high, so make sure that's something you're comfortable with before hitting "add to cart."

Sizes: XS–XXL | Materials: Rayon, spandex

Well-known rental services, like Rent the Runway, have a huge selection of dresses that are either maternity-specific or approved by the service's stylists as maternity-friendly. Our editors and Lab pros love these options — particularly for special events — because you can wear investment pieces without, well, making the investment. I exclusively used Rent the Runway while pregnant with my first child. This one has a shirred top with plenty of stretch and a flowy bottom to ensure there's enough fabric to drape over a second- or even third-trimester belly.

A word of caution: Because it's not manufactured as a maternity dress, you may have to play around with sizing to get the right fit. On the upside, Rent the Runway's styles typically have extensive reviews that go a long way in guiding you.

Sizes: Varies by brand | Materials: Varies by brand

READ MORE: Rent the Runway Review: Is the Subscription Service Worth It?

Though pieces may not be as long-lasting as some other brands, H&M is our go-to workwear maternity brand because the line is filled with more modest options that suit both business and business casual dress codes. It doesn't hurt that dresses are also relatively affordable! We like this style because it's highly versatile and neutral enough to mix and match with other items in your closet. It's designed to be worn as a maternity and nursing dress thanks to a deep neckline and a wrap front with buttons that are easy to open for nursing.

Sizes: XS–XXL | Materials: Rayon

Several brands offer maternity clothes in plus sizes, but PinkBlush has a wider range of options than most — especially when it comes to more formal styles for a wedding or your baby shower. Take this lace option, available in eight colors, for example. The dress boasts a flattering V-neckline, semi-sheer short bell sleeves and a beautiful scalloped trim. The bust and skirt are also double-lined to prevent any potentially embarrassing moments, but unfortunately, this option doesn't have any stretch.

Sizes: 1X–3X | Materials: Polyester

More than one Lab analyst and GH contributor told us they were most comfortable in more form-fitting dresses during pregnancy. I happen to agree. I found I was much more comfortable embracing the bump than trying to conceal it, and this is exactly the style of dress I'd reach for during my pregnancies. It's fitted and casual for everyday wear, but also easy to layer with a denim jacket or something a little more elevated like a leather moto. Online reviewers warn you may want to size up on this particular dress, though — it tends to run a bit snug.

Sizes: XXS–XL | Materials: Rayon, polyester, spandex

ASOS is a great resource for trendier styles for weddings or baby showers. Take this particular style, for example. It's similar to trendy LoveShackFancy dresses but comes at a price that won't give you serious sticker shock. Sizes are limited, but the tie waist helps you nail the fit, even if you are in between sizes. We also like that this style is designed to be worn after baby arrives too, upping the overall value.

Sizes: 2–12 | Materials: Polyester

When you want the best of the best and don't mind paying for it, Hatch is the destination for you. The brand, a favorite among celebrities, makes high-quality items from premium materials. Our pros say Hatch's styles are worthy splurges that rival anything else you may already have in your closet. This cotton and viscose dress, available in two colors, is easy-breezy for the summer months and looks just right with sandals, sneakers or wedges — whatever the occasion demands. Just take a close look at the brand's unique sizing before placing an order, especially because the brand charges a $15 shipping fee for all returns.

Sizes: 0–4 | Materials: Cotton, viscose

For fun and funky styles, check out Anthropologie, but note that the brand has a very limited selection of true maternity dresses. Instead, search the retailer for flowy non-maternity dresses that have enough room to accommodate a belly. This style is a particularly good choice for shorter women, because it comes in a petite size specifically meant for smaller frames yet it's still flowy enough for pregnancy. (It also comes in plus sizes.) In fact, it's so billowy that you may want to think about sizing down. We like that it also has pockets for little things like your phone or lip balm.

Sizes: XXS-XL, Standard, Petite, Plus | Materials: Cotton

When I was pregnant with my twins — and well into my postpartum period — I basically lived in Hill House's nap dresses. At one point, I owned seven, one for every day of the week. Let's be clear: It's technically non-maternity; the brand just gave the dress a second maternity page on its website to highlight that the dress can most certainly be worn as well into pregnancy. Here's why: It's stretchy, has an empire waist to give your bump room, plus is super lightweight and breathable for those hot days. You can't beat all of the fun prints, and we love the inclusive size range.

Sizes: XXXS–XXXXL | Materials: Cotton

Motherhood Maternity may not have the trendiest styles, but it's our top overall pick for maternity essentials because the brand carries everything from casual clothes like this form-fitting dress to work outfits to loungewear and underwear. It really is a one-stop shop. We love how basic this cotton and spandex dress is. It's an easy and affordable layering piece that allows you to proudly show off your bump throughout your entire pregnancy and beyond. Don't like stripes? Choose one of the solid colors — black or olive green — instead.

Sizes: XS–XL | Materials: Cotton, spandex

Not everything at Beyond Yoga is made specifically for exercising, but it is all made with comfort in mind. Good Housekeeping Institute Fitness Lab Director Stefani Sassos says Beyond Yoga was a go-to during her pregnancy because of how well the clothes stretched with her growing body and how comfortable and high-quality they felt. This dress is a bit more expensive than your average tank dress, but take a close look, and you'll notice design details that make it stand out from the rest: a square neckline, a built-in shelf bra, a modest side slit and shirred sides to ensure it fits for the long haul.

Sizes: XS–XL | Materials: Polyester, elastane

GAP is another great place to score relatively affordable yet quality wardrobe staples in classic styles. Hit one of the brand's frequent sales, and you may even be able to score a dress like this flowy, bump-friendly maxi at a deep discount, adding to the overall value. Not to mention, this style can also be worn postpartum. Sizes could be more inclusive, but the brand's offerings do tend to run a bit large, which could offer some additional wiggle room.

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Materials: Cotton

Ingrid & Isabel is known for its wide range of budget-friendly maternity wear, from dresses and jeans to bras and blouses. This soft and stretchy rayon and spandex blend dress is a classic short-sleeve style suited for both everyday wear and the office — a highly versatile piece to stock in your closet. We also appreciate the added layer over the chest that allows you to pull the fabric up and over for nursing access after baby's birth. Unfortunately, it isn't as size-inclusive as we might have hoped.

Sizes: XS–XXL | Materials: Rayon, spandex

The analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly evaluate both dresses and maternity clothing of all kinds from maternity swimwear to maternity leggings to nursing bras and beyond. During evaluations, analysts consider construction by reviewing the actual fabric, any special features designed for pregnancy and the overall quality of attributes like seams and stitching. We also consider care, versatility and even the brands' return policies.

Real user feedback is important too. Over the last couple of years, we've shared maternity clothes — dresses included — with more than two dozen testers from our panel and polled GH editors who have babies or little ones on the way. They've provided feedback about their experiences wearing the items, rating factors like overall appearance, comfort and fit.

To curate this list of the best maternity dresses, we chose styles from our most well-reviewed maternity brands. The styles featured are all editor and tester favorites or come from tried-and-true maternity brands we are confident recommending.

When shopping for maternity dresses, here are a few things to consider:

✔️ Style: Dresses come in all different styles, from long, flowy maxi dresses to short, fitted bodycon options. Pick a style that you feel comfortable and confident in.

✔️ Care: Some dresses can be machine washed and even dried, while others may require hand-washing or even a trip to the dry cleaners. In general, we recommend machine-wash options since they are easier to care for — ideal for everyday wear. However, hand-wash and dry-clean-only dresses may be suitable for special events like baby showers, weddings or maternity photoshoots, since you likely won't wear these as often.

✔️ Versatility: Nobody wants to spend a ton on maternity wear, since this kind of clothing is usually worn for such a short time. Look for options you're likely to get the most wear out of — non-maternity maxi dresses that can accommodate a bump and stretchy body con styles you can wear alone or layer with a sweater in cooler months, for example.

✔️ Pregnancy features: Maternity clothes are specially designed to grow with your body — some are even designed to fit postpartum. To make this possible, many of these dresses have design features like ruching or shirring along the sides of the torso. This extra material stretches as your belly grows. Some maternity dresses are even made to be worn postpartum, with details like a multi-layer top that can be easily pulled up for nursing.

✔️ Sizing: In most cases, you don't have to stress about figuring out a new size, because the majority of pregnancy clothing is designed to mimic your typical pre-pregnancy size. If you normally wear a size medium, you can usually stick with a medium. If you're unsure, check out the brand's maternity sizing chart and compare your body measurements to the brand's measurements to determine the right size.

✔️ Return policy: Pay attention to the brand's exchange policy — especially if you're ordering online and want to try out a few sizes or styles to find the right fit. Return windows vary, and not all retailers offer free return shipping.

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Brigitt Earley is a seasoned freelance writer with extensive experience testing and writing about consumer products, including women's clothing and parenting products. She's also a mom of four kids ages 3 through 6, so she's worn many maternity dresses during her three pregnancies. Brigitt has personally tried styles from most brands on this list and worked with analysts from the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab to learn more about what attributes make a standout maternity dress.

Amanda Constantine is a home and apparel reviews analyst who joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022. In the Textiles Lab, she's evaluated parenting products including diapers, waterproof mattress protectors and kids' luggage. Amanda used her textiles and fashion background to curate this list of maternity dresses from popular brands we've previously tested and reviewed.