The Autumn/Winter Maternity Clothes Checklist Every Mum Needs
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Time to read 7 min
Being pregnant or postpartum in autumn and winter can make getting dressed… complicated. The weather’s unpredictable, your body’s changing weekly, and the idea of buying a full wardrobe for just a few months feels, well, overwhelming and expensive. But the good news? You don’t have to buy it all, you can rent some of it too.
Stick with us, as we've got the ultimate AW maternity wardrobe checklist for any mum whose reached maternity leggings fatigue.
Whether you’re looking for everyday maternity coats, maritime knits or Christmas-party-worthy maternity dresses, we’ll show you how to build a flexible, stylish maternity wardrobe that grows with you.
Table of Content
A Simple Shopping Formula for Your Autumn/Winter Maternity Clothes
You asked: What do I actually need?
2 bump-friendly knits or cardis
1 party ready maternity dress
1-2 nursing-friendly maternity tops (if that's your feeding preference)
3 Nursing bras & plenty of maternity underwear
Soft PJs or pregnancy loungewear
Practical essentials like muslins + feeding pillows (cult postpartum accessories)
We mentioned, that you don't need to buy all of this list. In fact, let us introduce how to enjoy maternity clothes on a need-to-own basis.
With For The Creators, you can rent one-off pieces for special events (think work parties and winter weddings), dip your toe in trends for a month (with no fast fashion guilt), or even buy gently rented staples in which you’ve fallen in love. Buy, rent as a one off or rent for longer with a membership.
✨ Discover maternity clothes rental and thank us later. ✨
Right, back to autumn/winter advice. Whether your maternity style is bold like Rihanna’s or more minimal like Sienna Miller’s, we've got you.
What to Rent vs What to Buy
Rent |
Buy |
|
Maternity party dress |
Rent dresses for baby showers, Christmas, and weddings. | Unlikely to wear more than once or twice, so rent your maternity party dress. |
Maternity coat |
Rent trendy maternity jackets to give staple outfits a refresh. | Buy a 3-in-1 maternity coat that you'll wear in pregnancy, postpartum and on the nursery run. |
Maternity jeans |
A member? Road test different styles as part of your monthly items. | You're likely to live in your maternity jeans so make the investment and see the cost-per-wear fall with each week. |
Maternity knitwear |
Borrow statement styles you don't want to own. | Buy versatile, everyday maternity jumpers. |
Nursing bras |
Not on our watch. | Invest in a maternity bra that'll support your whole journey. |
Maternity Pjs |
Skip to buy, trust us. | Buy right and your maternity pyjamas will see you through to the toddler years. |
Maternity Outfit Ideas for this Autumn/Winter
Embrace Burgundy Maternity Dresses
Be inspired by the hue of the season, beloved by Gucci, by working deep red dresses into your life. To be paired with brown, black or even carmine accessories, don’t be a wallflower this party season.
A cosy, pregnancy take on this luxe trend
Unsure what to wear to autumn’s evening events? Swathe your plus one bump in Albaray’s knot-front midi dress – it's the maternity party dress that does it all. Pair with knee-high boots (with or without a heel).
Styling rich red dresses in the 4th trimester?
Don’t miss a dear friend’s wedding in your postpartum era due to wardrobe admin. Try a comfy, easy-access, but still delightfully stylish, wrap dress from Rewritten. This is our kind of maternity wedding guest style.
Buy or rent burgundy dresses
Get A Cool AF Maternity Coat
Whether you’re with bump or with baby, wearing comfy, staple loungewear is a great option for day-to-day dressing (hello go-to maternity leave ensemble). And a great way to elevate said simple tracksuit or legging and t-shirt combination is with a trendy maternity coat or jacket.
Bump-Friendly Coats and Jackets You’ll Wear on Repeat
A maternity denim jacket from Hatch is the kind of staple you’ll reach for again and again — throw it over a dress on those warm autumn days or layer it with your maternity cardigan as the evenings turn cooler. And when spring comes, it’s still perfect for nap walks and coffee runs with baby in tow.
Postpartum Coats That Do It All
School run, errands, or a quick walk to clear your head — a leopard-print coat adds instant style to the everyday. A statement piece that’s practical, postpartum-friendly, and guaranteed to earn you compliments.
Sign Up to The Mother Pass
Your ultimate maternity wardrobe reimagined. Rent it, love it, return it. Access today with membership.
Cosy Up in Maritime Maternity Knits
Nautical stripes are everywhere this year — an easy way to add trend-led style to your autumn/winter maternity wardrobe. The best part? They’re cosy, versatile, and work whether you’re bumping, nursing, or baby-wearing.
A Striped Maternity Jumper That Layers With Ease
Buy or rent styles with wide collar and side vents for comfort that's chic this season. Albaray’s striped maternity jumper is made for layering — wear draped over shoulders in early autumn or pair with maternity jeans and boots as the temperature drops.
Nursing-Friendly Cardigans That Feel Pulled Together
Cardigans are a lifesaver when you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or baby-wearing. You'll love striped styles, (Albaray we're looking at you) for easy to throw on, nursing-friendly style that's also chic enough to feel pulled together.
Buy or rent cosy maternity cardigans & jumpers
Autumn/ Winter Maternity Style Inspo from Mums Who've Been There
Postpartum style is all about choosing pieces you can wear for longer and that adapt as your body changes. A great pair of maternity trousers with an elastic waist and drawstring can see you through weeks and months — 17 weeks on, they’re still a wardrobe hero. Pre-loved and non-maternity brand finds can work too, as long as they’re stretchy or adjustable enough to grow (or shrink) with you.
But, how do other mums do it?
Jazmine Rocks, Chelmsford-based content creator and mum of two shares her maternity style tips.
'When the weather turns my autumn/winter maternity staples are boyish maternity jeans for comfort, oversized jumpers and a babywearing coat that will adapt as you grow. Nursing-specific tops are a must in the colder weather! They mean you don't have to get your whole boob out in the cold, especially if, like me, you’re happy to feed anywhere and everywhere.
'When I was pregnant, I found it worth buying a few new maternity bras — they didn’t have to be breastfeeding-specific, just ones that made feeding easier. For occasionwear, though, I’d always rent. Your body and style change so much in pregnancy and postpartum, you’ll probably only wear those pieces once or twice, so there’s little point in buying new.
'Renting short-term pieces, like maternity dresses or seasonal outerwear, is such a space-saver. They’d only be worn for a short window, and I’d rather keep my wardrobe for the items — new or new-to-me — that I know I’ll wear again and again.'
More style tips
→ Breastfeeding Outfits Ideas from A Year of Feeding My Newborn
→ Maternity Dresses You'll Want to Rent for Every iCal Appointment
TLDR? Here's Your 60-Second Autumn/Winter Maternity Style Cheat Sheet
You don’t need to buy a full autumn/winter wardrobe, you can buy the essentials and rent the rest.
Buy items like maternity jeans you'll wear again-and-again. Or rent them with a membership, so you can enjoy different styles and washes throughout the season.
Rent maternity party dresses and posh frocks for Christmas day. Then pop them back in the post and we'll handle the cleaning.
Buy feel-good daily moments like pregnancy-safe skincare - the motherhood accessory that goes with every outfit. All eyes on new launch SKN TO SKN. Plus, maternity bras that prop up any outfit.
Ready to stock up on your autumn/winter pregnancy style essentials? Browse trending styles and more.
The Author: Daisy Murray
Daisy Murray, former Fashion Editor at ELLE UK and mum of two girls, writes about style and sustainability for For The Creators.
Buy or rent our autumn/winter maternity heroes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a maternity coat for winter?
Not necessarily. Many mums size up or rent a statement maternity coat just for the colder months. If you want something you’ll wear every day, invest in one bump-friendly coat or jacket, then rent trend-led outerwear you’ll only wear short term.
What should I wear to a wedding or party when pregnant?
Something you feel good in! Generally, a maternity party dress is the easiest option for bumps— look for wrap styles, stretchy fabrics, or knot-front details that work with a growing bump. Renting is a smart move if it’s a one-off occasion, saving you money and wardrobe space.
How do I layer maternity clothes without feeling bulky?
Stick to breathable base layers (like nursing tops or tees), then add bump-friendly knits and an open coat or jacket. Cardigans are especially handy postpartum for feeding and baby-wearing.
When should I switch to maternity jeans?
Many women move into maternity jeans around the second trimester, but it depends on your body and comfort. Look for adjustable waistbands or side panels that grow with you and last into postpartum if over-the-bump panels give you the ick.
Is it worth renting maternity clothes instead of buying?
Yes — especially for one-wear pieces like party dresses, or trend-led knits. Buy the everyday essentials (jeans, underwear, PJs), then rent the rest to save money, reduce waste, and keep your wardrobe flexible.
