From Bump to Babe: 10+ BEST Nordstrom Maternity Dresses

Ah, the daily battle of the baby bump fashion dilemma! Ladies, we’ve all been there, wrestling with the ever-changing landscape of our expanding bellies and the unyielding task of finding something stylish to wear. It’s like a never-ending game of Tetris, where zippers become our arch-nemeses and buttoning pants feel like attempting a Rubik’s Cube in the dark.

But fear not, for we are all in this together, navigating the new adventure of maternity dressing. From the frustrating pant dance to the constant fear of popping a button, we understand the struggles, the sighs of exasperation, and the longing for the days of carefree fashion choices.

But instead of frustrating sighs, let’s find a way to make fashion fun again. And my personal favorite staple for dressing while pregnant is the chic dress. It’s easy, it’s breezy, and it’s basically an outfit all in one.  It’s the best pregnancy dressing hack you will find.  However, you might be thinking, a comfortable and chic maternity dress- how can I find such a holy grail item? 

I’ve got you covered. 

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From Bump to Babe:  10 Best Nordstrom Maternity Dresses 

Why Nordstrom you ask? They have a ton of selection, they have great prices, and overall I like their customer service and rewards programs. When you’re dealing with an ever-changing body, a friendly customer service rep and a good return policy is key! 

When buying a new dress for your bump, it’s easy to scroll and scroll and scroll until you find the most enchanting dress you’ve ever seen.  You imagine yourself in a field of violets, with a straw hat, gently cradling your bump with golden hour fast approaching… And suddenly you make that purchase only to find it absolutely will not work for your commute to work or your daily errand grind.  So, this list states the specific best uses for each of these dresses.  We want to shop for our wardrobes and lives of today, and not our ideal styles of a future distant date. 

1. Ingrid and Isabel: Column Maternity Dress

This dress is simple and elevated and could be styled in a variety of different ways for different lifestyle needs. It’s not too clingy, so you won’t be dying of heat stroke, and it has some room for all you 3rd-trimester mamas. 

The slits along the side seams allow you to walk easily, but they don’t go above the knee so you don’t have to worry about any accidental flashing. 

It’s modest, but chic and can grow with your belly.  

So if you’re a classic fashionista, or just prefer a simplified silhouette, this is a great option. 

Best for:  This dress is a great daytime dress.  It could be elevated for a casual night out, as well. However I think this dress really shines for errands, work-from-home, playing with any kiddos, and any relaxed work environments. 

2. Hatch: The Long Body Cotton Maternity Dress

If you’re itching to show off that bump you could try this cotton tank dress instead.  I especially love the horizontal stripes for a fun but sophisticated print option. 

I think this is a great dress that can easily be dressed up for brunches with friends, a playdate, or even a fun dinner out. 

It’s comfortable and hugs your new curves in all the right places. 

Best for:  Staple piece. This dress can be a day or casual evening dress. Some people even find it a comfortable sleep option as well! 

3. Angel Maternity:  Shoulder Tie Sundress 

This is a fantastic dress because it doesn’t “look” like a maternity dress and you get some extra cost per wear because it works seamlessly for breastfeeding as well ( if you choose to go that route).  

Best for:  Any day of the week dress.  You can roll out of bed and throw this on without any effort and actually be comfortable all day.  Casual dresses are a great staple wardrobe piece.  

4. Raquel Floral Midi Dress

This dress is super versatile as it can be worn on the shoulder or off, and can be worn after pregnancy because it doesn’t scream “bump dress”. 

It’s polished enough for you to feel put-together but still so comfortable and easy to move in. 

Best for: A great dress for slightly more polished events.  This could work for day-to-day but would be great for brunch out,  a casual evening out, or even your baby shower. 

5.  Charity Smocked Maternity Maxi Dress

What a vision! This dress is stunning and easily grows with your bump. 

However, it’s not your average “day” dress.  And is definitely a bit more styled.  While you could wear it to run errands, I think this dress is better reserved for events like baby showers, maternity photoshoots, or even as a wedding guest. 

Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t feel and look your best. 

Best for:  Events, special occasions, or when you really want to feel 100. 

6.  Caroline Maternity Maxi Dress

This dress is a little “extra” for your average weekday, but it’s the perfect option for those evening outs when you need to look presentable but just don’t have the energy. 

I find adding a bolder print a great way to add a bit of oomph to your look, without any extra effort on your part. (Bonus points if the print is in your seasonal color palette). 

Petite mama’s best to try this dress on in person. The longer length, sleeves, and large-scale pattern might overwhelm your frame a bit. 

Best for:  Evenings out, events, and when you want to feel put-together. Could be made more casual with a cute flat sandal.

7.  Long Sleeve Maternity Dress

I love this option for the third trimester and find it a perfect fit to breastfeed in.  You can literally sleep in this dress and then wear it during the day.  (Don’t judge me for this, you might be surprised at what sleep deprivation will do to you). 

It’s a very casual, button-up dress.  I would keep this dress for mostly daytime, sleep, or lounge. 

Best for:  Daytime or sleep.  

8. Ingrid and Isabel Elbow Sleeve Maternity Dress

The Ingrid & Isabel Elbow Sleeve Maternity Maxi Dress is a go-to option for moms-to-be who want to rock their pregnancy with confidence and comfort. This black maternity dress combines timeless elegance with laid-back vibes, making it perfect for various occasions.

It’s a great dress for those transitional seasons, and it keeps you cool (loose skirt, open neckline) without showing anything you don’t feel like showing. The empire waist is especially great for later in your pregnancy. 

Best for:  Later Pregnancy, a staple piece. 

9. Camille Maternity Shirt Dress

Sometimes you just want to feel a bit more put-together and I love this shirtdress for that function.  It’s open neckline allows it to transition to nursing days, and the cut is relaxed enough that you still feel comfortable. 

Best for:  Day or Casual evenings. A  good option when you want to feel like you’re wearing “real clothes” but not actually have to wear real clothes. I think this is best for a 1-2nd trimester ( could get a bit tighter in the belly during your 3rd trimester and the wrap skirt might not be as wearable with a larger bump). 

10.  Angel Maternity Shoulder Tie Sundress 

Maternity dresses don’t always need to be longer lengths ( it just makes the possibility of flashing people less likely).  But I love this shorter option for maternity and love that you can wear it post-partum as well. 

The stretchy bodice with shoulder ties not only looks flattering but makes nursing easy.  Plus a lovely bright green is a perfect way to add a bit oomph to your look. 

Best for:  Casual day dress.  Best for 1st-2nd trimester as the shorter hem might be challenging with a large bump. 

11.  Eliza T-shirt Dress 

I think this dress could be a great staple for some people.  It’s easy to throw on and has simple style lines that could go with a lot of different personal styles. 

However, it is a longer and heavier-weight fabric dress. So if you are super petite, it may not be a great fit.  And it is a stretchy knit but a heavy-weight one. This means that while it isn’t see-through it may be uncomfortable during the later trimesters depending on how big you get. 

This is a fitted dress, closer to a bodycon than a loose t-shirt dress. So while it shows off the bump beautifully, you may not want it for your work days.

Best for:  Showing off the bump, daytime outfits, or casual evenings. Not great for work. 

Maternity Dressing Evening or For Maternity Photoshoot:

I love this dress for a maternity photoshoot. It allows for the bump to be on full display, stretchy enough for any movement or positions you want to try, and looks so angelic. 

If you’re doing a maternity shoot, be sure to try the dress on a few times before your actual shoot day and take some of your own test photos. Gather some inspiration for what you want it to look like, and test out some of the poses and angles. This will ensure you’re comfortable at the shoot and get your ideal shots quickly with time to play around after.

Tips for Shopping While Pregnant

Pregnancy is full of ups and downs, and it can be challenging to start dressing for your new body.  You’re either not showing enough (so you worry people can’t even tell your pregnant), or your bump is so big it becomes a challenge just to get up from a chair. 

But, each of the stages is a moment to be embraced and you will look back with fondness (for the most part 😉).  

I find gathering a good collection of staple pieces to be the best bet for feeling like yourself without a ton of effort. And dresses are always my favorite option.  But in general, here are some tips for shopping while pregnant. 

1. Opt for neutral pieces (within your own personal wardrobe palette).  This allows more versatility to style the pieces, and you won’t feel like you’re wearing the same piece over and over again.  Plus it can cut down on how many pieces your purchase during this temporary phase. 
2. You could try a belly band in your first trimester to help you smooth out your midsection, support your pelvis, and give you a bit more time in your pre-pregnancy clothing. 
3. By the second trimester, start investing in some new bras or bra extenders.  The right bra can really help your outfit look polished and keep you comfortable.
4. Ideally, don’t try to hide your bump. Style it like it was an accessory, and show it off! 
5. In your third trimester, you may find your bigger bump harder to style.  But you can balance out your bump by keeping your style lines more streamlined, and adding in some larger accessories (this keeps the visual scales more aligned). 
6. Wrap pieces are especially effective. Just watch how short the hems are in the third trimester so you avoid accidental flashing. 
7. If you’re feeling down, splurge on some accessories. They help you feel more put-together and can transition to your style post-pregnancy. 
8. Apply Coco Chanel’s advice “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory”.  Your bump will visually be a focal point, which means you may find that wearing fewer accessories helps streamline your outfits a bit more. 
9. Feet swelling is a  real problem and not worth trying to make all your favorite heels and shoes work. If this becomes an issue for you, opt for a good arch support shoe and potentially size up a half size for more comfort.  Avoid lace-up shoes as they can be difficult to tie as your bump grows. 
10. I know you might be in the nesting and planning phase and want everything settled for post-partum, but wait to buy too many clothes for that phase.  Your body will be going through a lot of changes, and you won’t know exactly what you need until you live it.  It’s great to have a couple of maternity dresses that transition to postpartum (like the ones I mentioned in this list), but don’t go on a crazy spending spree until you know what your days really require. 
11. Give yourself some grace.  I know we are all inundated with “picture perfect” expecting mamas on social media, but that is not the norm or anyone’s 24/7.  Shop when you’re feeling good about your body and give yourself some leeway if you’re not feeling 100%.  
12. If you’re feeling a little too “on display” add a relaxed or oversized layering piece. While this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a good way to make a bodycon dress or fitted dress more casual.  Softer pieces tend to be a bit easier to integrate (think a larger boyfriend shirt, a casual cardigan, or a soft kimono). 

And there you have it, dear moms-to-be! A delightful journey through the realm of Nordstrom’s top-rated maternity dresses. From the flowing maxis that make you feel like a glowing goddess to the chic bodycon dresses that hug your curves in all the right places, these fashion wonders have got you covered (literally!). Embrace your bump, embrace your style, and embrace the joyous adventure of motherhood.

Happy styling, mamas!