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Pregnancy is, more often than not, one of the most difficult experiences of any woman's life. There are so many things that change regarding her physical and mental state. On top of all that, finding good-looking clothes becomes exceptionally difficult. Wearing stuff from her regular closet isn't an option since most of it won't fit. The stuff that does fit will stretch out and become useless after the pregnancy. Thankfully, the greatest maternity dresses of 2024 are here to eliminate this issue and provide something good-looking as well as comfortable to wear.
These dresses are designed with the pregnancy bump in mind. Owning just a couple of these can get you through the later stages of your pregnancy just fine. However, not all maternity dresses are created equal. Some look better than others, while others are more comfortable. Then there are the few that are both good-looking and comfortable. However, finding these among the thousands of available options is quite difficult.
This is why we took it upon ourselves to uncover these gems, and after an extensive review process, these are the five that stood out to us as a cut above the rest.
Comparing the Top Maternity Dress of 2024
HELLO MIZ Maternity Dress — Best Overall
While the first recommendation on our list was about a dress that's ideal for going out, this one is all about staying comfortable at your home. Sure, you can wear this gray maternity dress from Hello Miz outside. However, it truly shines when you're at home. The rib-knit construction, for example, provides unparalleled levels of comfort and utility. You can stretch this fabric to any size with ease, and it will not put any pressure on your body, at least to a limit. However, thanks to the magic of rib-knit, it will still feel snug and cozy.
The rib-knit material combined with the long-sleeved design makes this the perfect dress for winter. Even its plain gray color is perfect for matching a fancy jacket/coat on top. The low-key vibe of this dress is also the reason why you can wear it with high-heels to a formal event or just go casual with a pair of low-top sneakers.
Pros
- Cozy rib-knit construction
- Will adjust alongside your growing bump
- Feels fairly warm
Cons
- Can stretch out if not washed properly
Drindf Maternity Dress — Runner Up
Next in line is another full-sleeved dress with roughly the same length as the Hello Miz one, but these two are nothing alike. For starters, this dress is more akin to a sweatshirt than a rib-knit sweater. However, the thing that truly divides these two options is their usability. Hello, Miz's dress is great during pregnancy, and that is it. The Drindf dress, on the other hand, is designed to be useful during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and even after birth.
The discreet nursing access of this dress, however, is something completely unique. It might sound weird at first, but you have to use it to believe it. This feature is so useful, in fact, that you will start to wonder why more after-birth dresses are not like this. Even if you don't care about these unique features, this is still a fantastic dress that is simple yet gorgeous. Pairing it with maternity jeans will even allow you to look extremely stylish while staying fully comfortable.
Pros
- Lightweight and soft construction
- Precision-cut fit
- Includes discreet nursing access
Cons
- The sleeves are known to stitch out after a few washes
Mother Bee Maternity Dress — Honorable Mention
The Mother Bee maternity dress is the number one bestseller on Amazon with over six thousand five star reviews. This popularity is understandable, though, as this is the prettiest maternity dress on our list. Yes, other maternity dresses look great in their own right. But it is pretty obvious that they are maternity clothes shaped like a dress and not an actual dress designed for pregnant women.
This empire waist dress, on the other hand, is a fully-fledged maxi dress, just with minor modifications for the bump. You can wear this dress to weddings, parties, family get-togethers, or anywhere else you would like. The design is not the only great thing about this dress either, as the 95% polyester and 5% spandex material is soft and snug, while the stitch quality is second to none.
Pros
- Perfect for parties and events
- Made from quality, soft material
- Will fit in any stage of the pregnancy
Cons
- A bit cumbersome to get in and out of
Alex Evenings Maternity Dress — Also Consider
The Last thing you'll notice immediately about our last recommendation is that it is not designed for the later stage of pregnancy. That being said, this is also the best-looking dress on our list. The dark navy blue color combined with the A-line shape and the net sleeves creates a mesmerizing silhouette. This beauty comes at a price, though, as this dress from Alex Evenings also happens to be the most expensive option on our list. However, this design alone is worth this price tag, not to mention the smooth fabric and immaculate construction quality.
Also, despite how it looks in product photos, this is suitable till the first few weeks of abdomen growth. The belly-friendly ruching on the sides and on the back provides enough extra room for a starting bump. All in all, if you're looking for a dress for all of the events and get-togethers in the early stages of your pregnancy, then this is the uncontested best option.
Pros
- Gorgeous dark navy color
- Smooth polyester material
- Mesmerizing design
Cons
- Not suitable for later stages of pregnancy
How to Choose the Right Maternity Dress for You - Buying Guide
Maternity clothes are not something that women really think about until it is time for you to buy some. This is why a lot of them struggle to find the right ones and end up compromising for any dress that looks decent enough. It does not have to be this way, however.
Sifting through the hundreds of options will seem daunting at first. But you can quickly sort through them by using the right techniques and evaluating the correct attributes.
When to Buy Maternity Dresses
Before you go out looking for maternity clothes, do you really need them? Here are a few indicators that you do.
Your bump is starting to grow
The most obvious indicator that you need maternity clothes is that your bump is starting to grow. You might think that your current clothes can handle it, especially if you wear clothes that are a bit on the looser side of things. However, your current clothes will not be able to handle it after a few weeks; that much is for certain. So, if you notice the bump growing, start looking for quality maternity dresses immediately.
Your current clothes feel cumbersome
If you start feeling like your clothes are a bit too tight for you, then it is time for maternity dresses. Keep in mind that this can happen before your bump even starts expanding, so you might not think much of it at first. Just keep an eye out for this bloated feeling, and you might notice it around the tenth week of your pregnancy.
You start liking stretchy clothes
This behavior is heavily linked with the previously mentioned feeling of being uncomfortable in your regular clothes. Your day-to-day clothes feel a bit too tight, so you start wearing the stretchy clothes in your closet. If you find yourself fixated on wearing spandex, then it is time to shop for some maternity dresses. Most of these dresses are made with high percentages of spandex in them, so you will get what you want without stretching out your existing normal clothes.
What to Look for When Buying Maternity Dresses
These are the most important factors you have to take into account when looking for the right maternity dresses. Evaluating your options based on these will lead you directly to the dresses that are the perfect match for you.
Size
Size is one of if not the most important part of a maternity dress. It will determine how the dress feels for both short-term and long-term use. Mismatched sizes can cause discomfort at best and pressure marks and pains at their worst. So, make sure you buy the right size.
Unfortunately, predicting what your size will look like four weeks into the future of a pregnancy is not feasible, especially if it is your first time. You can just convert your existing size to maternity size and hope that you get the right size. Alternatively, you can ask for help from women around you that have already been through this experience. Some manufacturers also provide detailed sizing charts that you can follow to find the best fit.
Another option is just to buy a flexible maternity dress. These dresses can stretch and contract to fit your body. They do have their limits, but as long as you bought the right general size (small, medium, large, extra-large), you should be fine. The only downside is that these dresses tend to be way less pretty than properly sized ones.
Material
The material of a maternity dress affects how comfortable it is, as well as how it feels throughout the day. Ideally, you want a dress that is soft and stretchy. Unfortunately, there are so many unique blends of different materials for these dresses that recommending a specific one is not practical. What you can do instead is search up the blend used for a particular dress and read reviews about its material. You can also read through customer reviews to find out how the dress material feels after some use.
Color and design
These two elements are completely up to your personal preference. However, it is advised that you finalize your size and material choices before you start looking through different colors, patterns, and designs. This way, any dress you end up liking will be the perfect fit for you by default.
Cleaning
A lot of women completely forget about the cleaning part of the equation when searching for a maternity dress, but it is just as important as everything else. Just make sure that the dress you're buying is safe for machine-wash and will not release its dye when it comes in contact with detergent.
