Curating a Bump-Friendly Closet: Workwear Essentials

Chances are you’re going to be working until your due date is just around the corner, which means you’re going to have to professionally dress that belly from now till maternity leave. Dressing for an office environment can seem a bit tricky—your around-the-house outfit of ultracozy leggings and XL sweatshirts might look out of place. Plus there’s some truth to that ol’ dress for success adage.

Here are some classic, easy-to-wear pieces that will make you feel profesh and comfy at every stage of pregnancy and beyond (cause maternity leave won’t last forever).  



Blazer

Every working woman should have a power blazer, especially a pregnant working woman. Our Adjustable Waist Ponte Knit Maternity Blazer fits that bill, and thanks to a hidden, adjustable back piece, you can work this look from the early days of pregnancy through the days of major belly. The jacket’s ponte fabric is soft, but still structured so you get a tailored style that’s still totally comfortable. Pair it with a nice dark wash denim (see below!) for something more casual, or our Ponte Pencil Skirt for the ultimate maternity-friendly power suit. Click to Shop!


Dark Wash Jeans

Dark wash jeans can pull double-duty: casual enough for weekends but classic enough for everyday work looks. Our Maternity Skinny Jeans with Inset Panel is the perfect maternity pair—they sit just under the belly and the panels stretch as your body grows. Wear them with booties and a sweater or top for a reliable Monday-through-Friday go-to. Click to Shop!


Button-Down Top

Throw on a button-down and you look instantly put together, especially if it’s our Pintuck Woven Top. Pretty pintuck detailing in the front gives this classic piece a feminine flair, and you can wear the cuffed sleeves rolled up or long and buttoned. It’s got plenty of room for a growing belly but is tailored up top for a flattering fit. Wear it to dress up denim or with our Adjustable Waist Ponte Knit Maternity Blazer and Ponte Maternity Pencil Skirt for an unstoppable combo. Click to Shop!


Skinny Pants

Our Ponte 5-Pocket Maternity Legging with Bellaband Panel have a classic skinny fit and are made from our soft and stretchy ponte knit, but have the more structured, pocketed look of pants. They also feature a comfy seamless panel that can go over the belly or be folded down and it offers a bit of support for your lower back as well. These pants will be your best workplace secret: they feel like leggings, but are polished enough for the office. Click to Shop!


Tank Dress

When you’re ready to show off that bump, our Pleated Maternity Tank Dress is another weekday staple, especially because it’s so dang versatile. Wear it on a Monday with a blazer and clogs, then wear it again on Friday with a heels and a statement necklace. Ruching around the belly and back make sure that there’s always room for your growing belly. Click to Shop! 


Long Sleeve Top

An everyday top—one you can throw on with just about anything and feel comfortable but presentable—is another office must. Our lightweight Long Sleeve Smocked Woven Maternity Top has a relaxed mock collar with cute smocked detailing. French cuffs give it a little something extra. Click to Shop! 


Pencil Skirt

Of course it’s helpful to have a versatile bottom that isn’t pants or denim. Our Ponte Maternity Pencil Skirt sits just under the belly and can be dressed up with a blazer and heels for client meetings or dressed down with a sweater or top and mules for Monday through Friday. Click to Shop!

Wrap Dress

Every work wardrobe needs a wrap dress, and this is one you’ll wear throughout your pregnancy and post-baby too, like our Flutter Sleeve Knit Wrap Maternity Dress. It’s made from super soft fabric so it’s extra comfy, and the adjustable tie waist means it’s a flattering fit at every stage of pregnancy. (And the crossover neckline will make for easy pumping access post–maternity leave, too!) Click to Shop! 


Kimono Sleeve Dress

Speaking of pumping, our Kimono Sleeve Pleated Front Nursing Dress is a new working mom’s dream. Hidden zippers in the front panel mean you can discreetly pump without having to take anything off. But you’ll want to grab one early on in your pregnancy; cinching just above the belly makes this dress cute and comfy (not to mention totally professional), and kimono sleeves are universally flattering. Click to Shop! 


Ingrid & Isabel was born when its founder, Ingrid, was newly pregnant with her daughter Isabel and could no longer button her pre-pregnancy bottoms. She fashioned the first prototype of the Bellaband and spent three years perfecting the design before it hit shelves in 2003. To this day, every piece we make, we design with, on, and for moms. Shop our full line of maternity wear.


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