Maternity-Wear Brands You May Not Know
We've all combed the racks at Old Navy and Motherhood, but are you willing to explore some different maternity-wear brands for a change? These five purveyors of pregnancy fashion hit all the right notes when it comes to style and originality.
1. Boob
Sweden has more to offer the style-conscious mother-to-be than just IKEA.
The genius of Boob is that they make genuinely chic maternity clothing that doubles as nursing wear, thanks to a patented and very discreet access system.
Started by the sympathetic Mia Seipel - who was watching her poor sister freeze her, ahem, boobs off while trying to nurse her newborn in a Stockholm park one chilly day - Boob offers clothing and accessories for every stage of pregnancy and beyond, including some of the cutest baby onesies we've seen in a long time.
There's two more things we love about Boob - the fact that they take great care to ensure that their European-based manufacturers comply with stringent labour and environmental laws... and the flat-rate $20 shipping on all North American orders.
Don't miss: Boob's extensive online outlet for great deals.
2. Ingrid & Isabel
It may have been their ground-breaking Bellaband that put them on the maternity map, but pregnant style mavens in the know just can't get enough of Ingrid & Isabel's clothing collection, too.
Begun by mother-to-be Ingrid Carney in 2001 who was looking for a way to extend the life of her pre-pregnancy pants, the company has since set its sights on every belly basic you'll be needing for the next nine months, and serves them all up in modern, cool colors at a reasonable price.
Whether you're looking for looking for long, flowy maxi dresses or chic work separates, capri leggings or linen drawstring pants, seamless tank tops or shirred pencil skirts, Ingrid & Isabel nails the wardrobe essentials every time.
Don't miss:Belly Decor, Ingrid & Isabel's online how-to maternity lookbook.
3. NOM Maternity
NOM Maternity started out as Naissance on Melrose in L.A.... and for years was the place to shop for expecting starlets and fashionistas. While it may not exactly be a mom-and-pop shop anymore (it was acquired to become the proprietary line of designer-maternity-wear superstore Belly Dance Maternity), it remains one of the best go-to sources for any pregnant woman looking to style herself fabulous during her pregnancy.
What's impressive here is the selection; there's no way you won't find something chic that suits your taste and budget. Think printed tees, one-shoulder dresses, ikat tunics and LBDs in every shape and size... as well as NOM's best-selling and oh-so-temptingly titled outfit known as the Madonna Combo.
Don't miss: NOM's celebrity style blog. It's ridiculously fun and promises plenty of pregnancy inspiration!
4. More of Me Maternity Design
More of Me Maternity offers more than just a beautiful collection of dresses... it offers a dream. The dream we had as little girls of what we imagined ourselves to be wearing when we were pregnant, skipping through a flower-filled meadow, sunlight glinting off our hair. There are pale cardigans, fancy frills, cap sleeves and a bounty of boho beauties here, all of them elegant and girly and gorgeous.
Sure, some are a little pricey - most run between $150 and $225 - but if you need that special something for a wedding or event, More of Me is the perfect place to splurge. The Momshell dress and the Maternichic shift are two to try, and make sure to check out the miniature versions of mom's dresses for baby girls.
Don't miss: The Baby Shower Dress... offered in pink or blue, of course, with an eyelet flower and grosgrain ribbon belt!
5. Shade Maternity
Finally: a clothing company created by moms for moms... with a generous selection of maternity items, too. Shade clothing offers casual, comfortable, well-made pregnancy fashions at amazingly affordable prices.
Founded by a busy mother of three, Shade has designed its growing repertoire of coordinating separates with the needs of fashion-conscious mothers in mind. Everything's wash and go, and will take you from the playground to date night in no time flat. The always-free shipping and returns are a nice touch.
Don't miss: Shade's smart "Maternity-Friendly" category of regular-sized items that will work well in any pregnancy wardrobe.
1. Boob
Sweden has more to offer the style-conscious mother-to-be than just IKEA.
The genius of Boob is that they make genuinely chic maternity clothing that doubles as nursing wear, thanks to a patented and very discreet access system.
Started by the sympathetic Mia Seipel - who was watching her poor sister freeze her, ahem, boobs off while trying to nurse her newborn in a Stockholm park one chilly day - Boob offers clothing and accessories for every stage of pregnancy and beyond, including some of the cutest baby onesies we've seen in a long time.
There's two more things we love about Boob - the fact that they take great care to ensure that their European-based manufacturers comply with stringent labour and environmental laws... and the flat-rate $20 shipping on all North American orders.
Don't miss: Boob's extensive online outlet for great deals.
2. Ingrid & Isabel
It may have been their ground-breaking Bellaband that put them on the maternity map, but pregnant style mavens in the know just can't get enough of Ingrid & Isabel's clothing collection, too.
Begun by mother-to-be Ingrid Carney in 2001 who was looking for a way to extend the life of her pre-pregnancy pants, the company has since set its sights on every belly basic you'll be needing for the next nine months, and serves them all up in modern, cool colors at a reasonable price.
Whether you're looking for looking for long, flowy maxi dresses or chic work separates, capri leggings or linen drawstring pants, seamless tank tops or shirred pencil skirts, Ingrid & Isabel nails the wardrobe essentials every time.
Don't miss:Belly Decor, Ingrid & Isabel's online how-to maternity lookbook.
3. NOM Maternity
NOM Maternity started out as Naissance on Melrose in L.A.... and for years was the place to shop for expecting starlets and fashionistas. While it may not exactly be a mom-and-pop shop anymore (it was acquired to become the proprietary line of designer-maternity-wear superstore Belly Dance Maternity), it remains one of the best go-to sources for any pregnant woman looking to style herself fabulous during her pregnancy.
What's impressive here is the selection; there's no way you won't find something chic that suits your taste and budget. Think printed tees, one-shoulder dresses, ikat tunics and LBDs in every shape and size... as well as NOM's best-selling and oh-so-temptingly titled outfit known as the Madonna Combo.
Don't miss: NOM's celebrity style blog. It's ridiculously fun and promises plenty of pregnancy inspiration!
4. More of Me Maternity Design
More of Me Maternity offers more than just a beautiful collection of dresses... it offers a dream. The dream we had as little girls of what we imagined ourselves to be wearing when we were pregnant, skipping through a flower-filled meadow, sunlight glinting off our hair. There are pale cardigans, fancy frills, cap sleeves and a bounty of boho beauties here, all of them elegant and girly and gorgeous.
Sure, some are a little pricey - most run between $150 and $225 - but if you need that special something for a wedding or event, More of Me is the perfect place to splurge. The Momshell dress and the Maternichic shift are two to try, and make sure to check out the miniature versions of mom's dresses for baby girls.
Don't miss: The Baby Shower Dress... offered in pink or blue, of course, with an eyelet flower and grosgrain ribbon belt!
5. Shade Maternity
Finally: a clothing company created by moms for moms... with a generous selection of maternity items, too. Shade clothing offers casual, comfortable, well-made pregnancy fashions at amazingly affordable prices.
Founded by a busy mother of three, Shade has designed its growing repertoire of coordinating separates with the needs of fashion-conscious mothers in mind. Everything's wash and go, and will take you from the playground to date night in no time flat. The always-free shipping and returns are a nice touch.
Don't miss: Shade's smart "Maternity-Friendly" category of regular-sized items that will work well in any pregnancy wardrobe.
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