Maternity fashion guide - why it's so important

Here you will learn:


The Big Change Fashion 1 x 1

Are you pregnant for the first time? Congratulations and welcome to Mamarella! Now you're probably wondering, what exactly is maternity wear and do I really need it? Is it worth buying maternity clothes just for a few weeks of pregnancy? Our answer is a resounding YES! The best part is that our maternity wear isn't just based on the latest trends, it's also designed so you can continue wearing it after pregnancy, during breastfeeding, and long afterward. We've put together our maternity wear shopping guide to explain what maternity wear actually is and what a good basic maternity wardrobe looks like.

Why do I need maternity clothes?

Quite simply: you'll always look fantastic in them, no matter how big your belly is or how much your silhouette changes during these nine months. The special designs make our maternity wear truly special garments that flatteringly accentuate your physical changes during pregnancy and provide optimal support.

Even though every pregnancy is different, one thing is always the same: your body will change dramatically during the 40 weeks of pregnancy and the postpartum recovery period. You won't feel great in your own skin every single day; that's just part of it, and every expectant mother experiences it – believe us, we've been there too. That's why we know from our own experience how incredibly important it is that your clothing makes you feel comfortable and confident during these times. And the right maternity clothes can do just that.



Why is it called "maternity wear"?

Perhaps you're wondering why maternity clothes are actually called "maternity wear"? Admittedly, we don't particularly like this term, as it dates back to a time when pregnancy wasn't a particularly joyous event. In the mid-19th century, every pregnancy carried a high health risk for the expectant mother. Furthermore, a baby bump was an obvious sign that the expectant mother, well, had sex – oh dear! This topic was highly taboo and terribly embarrassing. So, there was no shame in being pregnant or talking about it, which is why pregnancy was described as: "She is expecting." This is where the term "maternity wear" comes from, and it has remained in our everyday language to this day. Fortunately, maternity fashion has changed a great deal: instead of covering up and hiding, it now emphasizes the baby bump, which you can rightfully show off with pride.

Here we go! When do I need maternity clothes?

Right from the beginning of your pregnancy, your body starts to change. Your breasts will increase in size, and by the time your belly starts to grow around weeks 8 or 9, your favorite clothes won't fit anymore. For many of us, this is quite a shock. Of course, you could just wear baggy sweatpants from now on or raid your partner's wardrobe, but honestly – who wants that? It's time – you need maternity clothes!

We promise you – once you've put on your first pair of maternity jeans or leggings, you won't want to take them off. Good maternity wear not only creates a very flattering silhouette, but it's also incredibly comfortable and gives your belly plenty of room to grow until the end of your last trimester.

What maternity clothes do I really need?

To prepare your wardrobe for pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should first carefully consider what you truly need as a basic set. This naturally depends on many individual factors, such as your personal style. Do you prefer trousers or are you more of a dress person? Do you work in an office and need formal business attire for everyday life? Do you enjoy sports and don't want to give them up even with a baby bump? Are there any special occasions coming up for which you'll need festive outfits? The time of year, especially during the second half of your pregnancy, will also naturally influence your maternity wardrobe.

Your basic wardrobe should include a small selection of trousers, shirts, dresses, underwear, nightwear, and loungewear. Depending on the season, you'll also need one or two jackets that you can zip up over your baby bump. Since you can continue wearing our maternity clothes after pregnancy, you don't have to limit yourself when shopping. Based on our many years of experience – Mamarella has been around since 2004 – we recommend the following list of maternity wear that will see you through your pregnancy in style.

How much maternity wear do I need?

  • Maternity underwear : 2 maternity bras , 2 sleep/nursing bras , 3 to 4 maternity panties , 2 maternity camisoles , 1 maternity shaper , 1 supportive belly band , 1 set of bra extenders
  • Maternity nightwear : 2 maternity nightgowns or pajamas
  • 2 to 3 pairs of maternity jeans
  • 1 pair of maternity trousers and/or 1 maternity skirt
  • 3 to 4 maternity shirts
  • 2 to 3 casual maternity dresses and matching maternity tights for each one
  • 1 to 2 pairs of maternity leggings
  • Loungewear : 1 pair of yoga/lounge maternity pants
  • 1 to 2 sets of maternity swimwear
  • Depending on the season: 1 maternity jacket or coat
  • Depending on your needs, we also offer: sportswear , formal maternity dresses , and office maternity wear (blouses, blazers, sheath dresses).

One more tip: When choosing your maternity clothes, make sure that the individual pieces can be easily combined with each other, so that you can create as many outfits as possible from as few items as possible.

Sustainable shopping: Buy once, wear for a long time

Do you know what the best thing about our high-quality maternity wear is? Its durability! You can comfortably wear our maternity clothes from the first to the third trimester, often even during breastfeeding and beyond. Yes, you read that right. Many of our tops, dresses, pants, and jackets can also be worn without a baby bump and simply become part of your regular wardrobe after the baby stage. This way, you can be sure that your investment in high-quality maternity wear will pay off for you in the long run.

Of course, you can easily wear our maternity clothes during subsequent pregnancies as well. Thanks to their high quality and modern, timeless designs, our maternity wear easily accommodates future baby bumps and breastfeeding periods. This means you don't have to painstakingly assemble a new wardrobe for your next pregnancy, because you already have it in your closet.



What is maternity wear?

If this is your first pregnancy, maternity wear is completely new to you, and you've probably never even held a pair of maternity jeans or a maternity shirt. Welcome to the new mom club! We've all been there. So here's a quick explanation of the most important maternity wear essentials. The ABCs of maternity fashion, so to speak:

What are maternity jeans?

Our current maternity jeans are indistinguishable from your regular favorite jeans at first glance, in terms of washes, materials (many of which are sustainable!), and style. But upon closer inspection, you'll notice the clever modifications that transform them into maternity jeans. For example, our maternity jeans are extra soft and stretchy. Elastic inserts at the waistband provide ample room and gentle support for your growing belly. You can choose between jeans with an over-the-belly or under-the-belly waistband. Many of our maternity jeans also feature an adjustable elastic waistband, allowing you to adapt your new favorite jeans to your changing bump. Some even have a removable belly band, so you can continue wearing them comfortably after your pregnancy. You can find everything you need to know about maternity jeans in our guide: Maternity Jeans

>> Shop maternity jeans

What is a maternity shirt?

Our maternity shirts are also perfectly tailored to your changing body. Thanks to stretchy materials, ruching, and clever pleating, your belly always has plenty of room to grow without your shirt ever running out of fabric. Special design elements, such as darts in the back, ruffles, or a highlighted empire waistline, flatter your new silhouette. The right necklines, like deep V-necks or crew necks, also beautifully accentuate your décolletage.

For styling for work, outings, or events, we offer a wide selection of maternity shirts, blouses, and tunics – so you really don't have to worry about your wardrobe getting boring with a baby bump! Our tip: Make sure that at least most of your maternity tops have nursing openings, so you can continue wearing them long after the birth, making the investment doubly worthwhile.

>> Shop maternity shirts

What is a maternity dress?

Do you love dresses as much as we do? Then you'll love wearing them even more during pregnancy. Maternity dresses simply create an extra feminine look and beautifully accentuate your baby bump. At the same time, they give you maximum freedom of movement and don't restrict you. Like our shirts, our maternity dresses are perfectly tailored to your changing silhouette thanks to stretchy materials, ruching, pleats, and other special design elements. You can choose between short, midi, or long dresses with various sleeve and neckline options. Our trendy layered maternity dresses are especially popular; they not only look stylish but also feature discreetly hidden nursing openings. Depending on the occasion and desired look, you'll find plenty of casual and formal maternity dresses with us.

Our tip: Our maternity shaper creates a smooth silhouette under your dresses and is super comfortable. Our skin-toned maternity tights give you the illusion of even legs, while the black ones provide the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. They offer gentle support for your bump without feeling restrictive.

>> Shop casual maternity dresses
>> Shop festive maternity dresses

Do I need a maternity bra?

Absolutely! A well-fitting bra should be your most important piece of underwear during pregnancy. A maternity and nursing bra provides the necessary support for your changing breasts during this special time and relieves back strain. Not only will your breasts grow during the months of pregnancy, but your ribcage will also expand. Elastic materials and a closure system with up to six rows of hooks on our nursing bras always give you the flexibility you need during this time.

By the fourth month of pregnancy at the latest, you should measure your breasts correctly and buy two or three maternity bras. In the seventh month, you should measure again and check your bra size. We explain in detail how to measure your bra size correctly in our guide to nursing bras .

>> Shop maternity bras

Long-time favorite: Maternity jacket with baby carrier insert

As your belly grows, you'll soon find your regular jacket no longer fits. That's when it's time for one of our practical maternity jackets, which offer plenty of room for your growing bump. Many of our maternity jackets also have a baby carrier insert, so you can continue to wear them over your baby carrier after the birth. And last but not least, styles like our best-selling maternity parka will still look great long after your pregnancy and babywearing days are over.

>> Shop babywearing jackets

Maternity sportswear for maximum support and freedom of movement

Special maternity sportswear gives you the necessary freedom of movement during your workouts without feeling restrictive. At the same time, it supports your belly. A suitable sports nursing bra also provides sufficient support for your breasts. We also offer maternity swimwear for aqua aerobics or swimming during pregnancy.

>> Shop maternity sportswear
>> Read also: Yes, you can! Exercise during pregnancy



What size maternity clothes should I buy?

Our maternity wear doesn't have a complicated conversion chart or special sizes. The designs are created to fit you in your usual clothing size throughout your pregnancy and to "grow" with you in all the right places. This means you can be sure that our maternity clothes will fit you right up until the birth, and you won't have to constantly buy new things as your pregnancy progresses.

Your bra size will change frequently throughout your pregnancy. Therefore, you should take accurate measurements no later than the 4th month and again in the 7th month to determine your correct bra size using our size chart . Detailed instructions on how to measure correctly can be found in our guide: Nursing Bras .

If you're still unsure which size you need, just give us a call . We'd be happy to advise you personally and answer any questions you may have.

What should I pay attention to when buying maternity clothes?

You've already taken the first important step to avoid bad purchases and wasted money: you've landed with us, Mamarella. With almost 20 years of experience in maternity wear, we simply know what really matters. And we're happy to share our knowledge with you so you can enjoy your maternity and nursing clothes for a long time.

And that brings us to the key point: maternity AND nursing wear! Purchasing new maternity clothes is especially worthwhile if you can wear them not only during your pregnancy but also beyond. That's why most of our tops and dresses are equipped with a nursing function. The discreet nursing openings allow you quick access to your breast after birth without having to undress. Discreet breastfeeding in public becomes a breeze.

When it comes to fit and comfort, our designers have thought of everything for you: Our tops and bottoms are cut to fit you through all stages of pregnancy, creating a flattering silhouette at all times. Stretchy materials, elasticated waistbands, and cleverly placed pleats and gathers make this possible. Seamless designs also ensure exceptional comfort, especially for items worn directly against the skin (underwear, belly bands in your maternity pants, maternity tights, belly supports, shapewear, etc.).

Otherwise, when buying maternity clothes, simply pay attention to the same things you would with your regular clothes: modern designs and a mix of versatile basics and stylish statement pieces. However, you should pay particular attention to quality. Even more so than before pregnancy, you'll notice inferior materials in your clothing. Stiff, scratchy fabrics that don't allow your skin to breathe and make you sweat are an absolute no-go now. You'll find that soft, stretchy, and skin-friendly fabrics like viscose, modal, and Tencel are much more appealing. This is because your skin becomes more sensitive and therefore more circulated during pregnancy. Furthermore, you certainly don't want to expose your unborn child to harmful substances that you could absorb through your skin from cheaply produced textiles. We therefore recommend natural fabrics, such as organic cotton, ideally certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.