Pregnancy is a wild journey and it can come with its fair share of challenges - from unpredictable cravings and morning sickness to dramatic body changes and hormone-fuelled emotions. The last thing any expectant mother needs is the added stress of finding flattering, comfortable maternitywear.
Unfortunately, maternity fashion has long suffered from a lacklustre reputation, often marked by unflattering shapes, bold 'mumsy' prints, and limited variety. But dressing for two doesn’t have to mean compromising on style - especially in summer, when airy, lightweight fabrics and relaxed silhouettes reign supreme.
In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in the maternity fashion landscape. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Elsa Hosk, Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, and Sofia Richie Grainge have embraced non-traditional maternitywear, choosing sleek, body-hugging, or luxe minimalist looks that celebrate rather than conceal the bump.
© Getty ImagesSimilarly, Barbara Palvin lead the charge for elegant pregnancy occassionwear, stepping out at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 alongside her husband Dylan Sprouse cradling her baby bump in a pale blue gown by Miu Miu.
© Getty ImagesStill, not every mum-to-be is looking for red carpet glamour - most just want effortlessly chic pieces for day-to-day wear that don't resist or cloy. Cool-girl brands like Ganni, Doen, Bernadette and Stine Goya are stepping up, offering contemporary dresses with forgiving fits: think breathable shirt dresses, floaty nap dresses, softly gathered tea dresses and babydoll dresses - a personal favourite.
They key to curating the perfect maternity wardrobe? Avoiding classic maternitywear labels and heading straight for the operatic XL silhouettes, prints and voluminous cuts. If in doubt, simply size up - or have a gander our rather substantial guide below.
Maternity dresses for expecting mothers in 2026:
Black Silk Lace Strappy Dress
Bimba Y Lola
Invest in some monochrome magic to complete your luxury wardrobe. Bimba Y Lola's longline dress is an summer vision, compete with a lightweight silk blend construction, a loose silhouette and white lace panelling for a boho finish.
Quinn Poplin Dress
DÔEN
DÔEN channels the laid-back elegance of the California coast with its dreamy, vintage-inspired pieces. The Quinn dress, crafted from structured cotton-poplin, features a smocked bodice and delicate puff sleeves, blending ease with a touch of prairie charm.
Dress in White Cotton
Ganni
Look to Ganni for a dose of sartorial dopamine this summer. The Scandi brand is home to several loose-fitting frocks to consider for your pregnancy wardrobe, including this cotton option available in two tempting colourways.
Checked Seersucker Mini Dress
Bernadette
Seersucker is a go-to fabric for expecting mums thanks to its breathability and lightweight feel - perfect for keeping cool during pregnancy. Bernadette's gorgeous babydoll mini dress features a relaxed fit and a sweet checked print, offering both comfort and style.
Romantic Voluminous Sleeve Dress
Stine Goya
Stine Goya’s statement dress is a vibrant, mood-lifting option with voluminous puff sleeves and a flowing silhouette. Its roomy fit and lightweight fabric make it an effortlessly stylish choice for mums-to-be during the warmer months.
Elle Dress
If Only If
Available in two wearable palettes, If Only If's longline throw-on dress is a breezy piece to wear religiously throughout your pregnancy. If you're a fan of babydoll silhouettes, this is the brand to know.
Ruffled Lace-Trimmed Silk Georgette Mini Dress
Chloé
Crafted from low-impact materials in a dreamy sea green hue, this luxury take on the retro babydoll is reserved for whimsical dressers. Finished with fanciful lace detailing and a georgette silhouette, this designer garment is one to treasure forever.
Sol Seeker Ruffle Mini Dress
Sister Jane
Sister Jane is a label that is defined by quirky, cool-girl cuts - from voluminous mini dresses to tiered, beruffled gowns. Ideal for mums-to-be seeking a generous silhouette to proudly display their bump in this year.
Loose-Fit Cotton Shirt Dress
Arket
Not one for a girly maternity dress? Never fear, Arket is here. The brand's crisp poplin shirt dress is divinely cool, both in style and design. Lightweight and breathable, this cotton gem is for the coolest mums around town.
Delhi Pleated Maxi Dress
Farm Rio
Inspired by joyous days spent basking in the Brazilian sunshine, Farm Rio's luxurious printed maxi dress is a bohemian treasure. Complete with a halterneck finish and delicate pleating throughout.
Charlotte Dress
ba&sh
Another brand that's brilliant for free-spirited, free-slowing numbers - ba&sh is stocked to the brim with boho-chic options for those wanting a deliciously slouchy slip-on to wear during a humid London summer.
Floral Puff Sleeve Mini Dress
Susan Fang
Our love affair with Susan Fang continues. A designer who can't resist a voluminous, babydoll silhouette that toys with subverted florals and joyous textures, the creative is our forever port of call for ethereal mini numbers.
The Scarlett Nap Dress
Revel in nap dress mecca courtesy of Hill House Home. The brand is famed for its coveted nap style designs, which are primed for feminine dressers who can't resist a touch of print.
Eda Cotton-Gauze Maxi Dress
LemLem
Ethically made from handcrafted cotton, LemLem's gauzy gem is a dreamy marriage of feminine pink tones and beach-ready vibes to see you through the season in romantic style.
Kyra Midi Dress
Daughters Of India
Floaty and feminine, the Kyra Midi Dress in cumin by Daughters of India features billowing sleeves, a soft floral print and airy cotton voile designed for effortless everyday dressing and sun-drenched escapes alike.
Liddie Barrel Tank Dress
Hush
Once you've selected your chosen print or hue from the mighty six available, slip into ease with thanks to Hush's no-fuss Liddie dress, which comes complete with a forgiving barrel silhouette and a sassy leopard print design.
Poplin Halter Dress
Topshop
Ah Topshop, she never lets us down. The brand's effortlessly glamorous striped mini dress radiates South of France chic with a timeless twist. Add to bag with immediate effect.
To The Moon Maxi Dress
Free People
Serve up Stevie Nicks style with Free People. The label is saturated with 70s-coded dresses to help you sink into comfort this summer - and we have our eyes on the ghostly To The Moon Maxi Dress in classic white.
Lil Midi Dress
AllSaints
Showcasing a classic white hue, a boho-infused handkerchief skirt and a slip-on design, AllSaints' Lil Midi Dress has summer holiday style down to a fine art.
T-Shirt Dress
H&M
A highly affordable option for hardened high street fiends, H&M's slouchy maxi is primed for casual days at home when comfort is your priority.
Harlow Mini Night Dress
Damson Madder
Charm in checks with a helping hand from It-girl label Damson Madder. Sweet puff sleeves, a babydoll silhouette and a serene blue hue culminate in a failsafe choice for summer frolicking.
Laurence Wrap Midi Dress
Alémais
Crafted from a luxurious linen-silk blend, the Laurence Wrap Midi Dress by Alémais combines painterly prints with a fluid wrap silhouette, bringing an artful, bohemian elegance to warm-weather dressing.
How we chose:
Style: We've opted for breezy, versatile silhouettes so mums-to-be can enjoy autumn in the city with no sweat. Colour is ideal for emphasising your bump, and we can't resist a ruffle or two.
Price: This round-up included well-crafted pieces from independent labels to designer finds with the price tags to match.
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