Pregnancy Outfit Ideas for Autumn & Winter: Layering Like a Pro During the Cold Snap
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Time to read 7 min
There’s something particularly cruel about autumn and winter when you’re pregnant.
One minute you’re piling on layers to brave the work commute. The next, you’re peeling them off in the lift because your body has decided it’s summer again.
The reality is: pregnancy and cold weather don’t behave the way you expect them to – you're dealing with freak UK storms and random hot flushes.
And that’s exactly why layering becomes the most important part of getting dressed.
With a few hardworking staples — and some flexible layers you can add or remove as your day changes — it’s possible to feel warm and comfortable, without ending up swaddled in clothes you can’t wait to take off.
We’ve enlisted Hester Paton, founder of JOURNY — a brand designed for pregnancy and beyond — to share how she’s been layering her maternity wardrobe this season, and how she’s making it work with real life, real weather, and a body that refuses to stay one temperature for long.
Jump to
Why Dressing for Autumn & Winter Feels Different During Pregnancy How to Layer Maternity Clothes Without Feeling Bulky Pregnancy Outfit Ideas for Autumn & Winter (Styled in Real Life) Buy the Foundations, Rent the Layers: A Smarter Maternity Wardrobe How to Get More Wear Out of One Pregnancy Outfit this Winter Choosing Pregnancy Outfits That Work Now — and Postpartum The Takeaway TLDR? FAQS | Your most common questions More on The Delivery
Why Dressing for Autumn & Winter Feels Different During Pregnancy
If you’ve ever stepped outside shivering, only to find yourself peeling layers off the second you walk into a shop, you’re not imagining it — and it’s not just bad central heating.
Cold Outside, Hot Inside: What Pregnancy Hormones Are Doing
During pregnancy, fetal body heat as well as hormonal changes — particularly increased levels of progesterone — can cause your body temperature to rise. It’s why so many pregnant women feel warmer than usual, experience hot flushes, or struggle with overheating, even in colder months.
Add in layers that can’t be adjusted, and suddenly getting dressed becomes a game of endurance rather than comfort.
That’s where layering comes into its own.
Introducing Layering: Your Style Formula for Winter Pregnancy Outfits
Instead of relying on one heavy, restrictive piece, building outfits with light, breathable layers means you can adapt throughout the day — adding warmth when you’re outside, and removing it easily when your body temperature spikes.
It’s not about wearing more clothes.
It’s about wearing the right ones.
How to Layer Maternity Clothes Without Feeling Bulky
Layering during pregnancy is a balancing act. You want warmth, but not bulk. Comfort, but not clothes that feel like they’re wearing you. And ideally, pregnancy outfits that still feel like your style — not just whatever fits this week.
As Hester puts it, “layering is a lifesaver during pregnancy because your body temperature can change so quickly. One minute you’re chilly, the next you’re overheating.” Being able to add or peel back layers throughout the day gives you flexibility — especially in autumn and winter, when outside temperatures rarely match how your body feels inside.
The trick, she says, is staying cosy without feeling restricted. “A lightweight knit under a looser coat, or a cardigan you can wear open over your bump, feels effortless but still put-together.”
Start With a Breathable Base
Your base layer does most of the work, so comfort is key. Fabrics that feel soft on the skin and stretch as your body changes make a noticeable difference — especially when sensitivity and overheating are part of daily life.
“If you feel restricted, you won’t feel confident,” Hester explains. She starts with breathable fabrics like cotton jersey, bamboo blends, or linen, which sit close without clinging. BTW, linen is often overlooked in colder months, is thermoregulating — helping you stay warm when it’s cold and cooler when your body temperature spikes.
Add a Soft, Flexible Mid-Layer
This is where layering really earns its keep. Lightweight knits, maternity cardigans and roll-neck jumpers add warmth without trapping heat, while fabrics with a natural drape sit more comfortably over a bump.
Hester looks for “softness, stretch, and room to grow.” Open-front or button-down styles are especially useful, as they give you longevity and can be worn loose throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Finish With a Layer You Can Take Off Easily
Your final layer needs to handle the weather — and come off easily once you’re indoors.
Hester prefers jackets and coats you don’t have to zip up, making it easier to regulate your temperature throughout the day. Shackets, denim jackets, bombers and gilets all work well here, offering warmth without locking you into it.
The goal isn’t maximum warmth from one layer (the under ones are working hard for you). It’s maximum flexibility.
Pregnancy Outfit Ideas for Autumn & Winter (Styled in Real Life)
What You’re Seeing
Bomber jacket + jumpsuit + baseball cap
An easy off-duty layer for cold mornings that still feels relaxed and practical.Denim jacket + jumpsuit
A lighter outer layer that works for going from the car to inside activity and back again.Long-sleeve base layer + linen dress + wool bomber
Built for fluctuating temperatures — breathable underneath, warmth on top.Light dress + knitted roll-neck
A simple way to extend lighter dresses into colder months without overheating.Linen trousers + knitwear + detachable collar
A comfortable, layered look that feels pulled together without feeling heavy.
Buy the Foundations, Rent the Layers: A Smarter Maternity Wardrobe
When you’re building a maternity wardrobe for autumn and winter, not everything needs to be treated the same. Some pieces earn their place long-term, like styles you can buy from JOURNY. Others might only work for one season, one stage, or one event – those are the ones to rent.
Hester’s approach is simple: “I always think about longevity. If something can be worn before, during and after pregnancy, that’s worth investing in.”
Worth Buying: Your Maternity Foundations
These are the pieces you’ll wear on repeat — and keep reaching for long after pregnancy.
Wide-leg trousers with stretch
Elasticated waists and drawcords work with or without a bump.Supportive leggings
Look for maternity leggings that stretch without going baggy and recover their shape postpartum.All-in-one pieces
Maternity jumpsuits like Etta are easy, comfortable, and surprisingly versatile — “I’m wearing mine far more than I expected,” says Hester.Quality bras and underwear
Comfort first with maternity underwear, especially as your body changes.Accessories you'll wear often
Like, detachable collars that double as breastfeeding covers
Better to Rent: Seasonal & One-Off Pieces
These are the items that tend to work for a moment — and you might not love for forever.
Coats and jackets
Great for one stage of pregnancy, then suddenly not.Knits and layering pieces
Useful as the weather changes, but not suddenly very oversized in the long-term.Occasionwear
Wedding, party or christening outfits you’ll only wear once.
Borrowing these through For The Creators, either renting one time or with a maternity clothes membership, lets you adapt as your bump grows, without overbuying or cluttering your wardrobe.
How to Get More Wear Out of One Pregnancy Outfit this Winter
When you find a maternity piece that really works, the goal isn’t to save it for “best” — it’s to wear it everywhere, just styled differently.
The Etta jumpsuit is a good example. As Hester puts it, “I’ve been experimenting with dressing it down with trainers, shacket and caps and dressing it up with heels and jewellery.” Same base. Different mood.
Choosing Pregnancy Outfits That Work Now — and Postpartum
One of the biggest mindset shifts during pregnancy is realising your wardrobe doesn’t need to reset every few months. You can rent layers to update your look, and buy the clothes that carry you through different stages — not just one trimester.
Hester’s approach is simple: choose clothes with longevity. Styles that aren’t restrictive, fabrics that feel good on sensitive skin, and silhouettes that still make sense once your body changes again.
Look for:
Non-restrictive fits that don’t rely on tight waistbands
Breathable, natural fibres that work across seasons
Easy access for breastfeeding, if that’s part of your journey
Neutral foundations mixed with prints or colour for joy
The Takeaway
Winter pregnancy outfits can be simple but stylish. With the right foundations and a few adaptable layers, you can build outfits that work with your body, the weather, and real life.
Cold mornings.
Hot flushes.
Different plans, different moods.
Layering lets you adapt — without starting from scratch every time.
So buy the pieces you’ll live in. Rent the layers that come and go
TLDR?
Layer for flexibility, not bulk
Buy trusty basics, rent joy-giving layers
Build a wardrobe that grows with you
FAQS | Your most common questions
How do I dress for pregnancy when I’m always too hot or too cold?
Layering is key. Start with a breathable base, add a light mid-layer, and finish with something you can easily remove. This gives you flexibility as your body temperature changes throughout the day
What maternity clothes are best for autumn and winter?
Think flexible layers rather than heavy pieces. Dresses, jumpsuits and trousers paired with knits, jackets or gilets work better than bulky, fixed outfits.
Should I buy or rent maternity clothes for winter?
Many mums choose a mix. Buying everyday foundations makes sense, while renting coats, knits or occasion pieces gives you flexibility without overcommitting. A maternity clothes membership gives you the ultimate wardrobe freedom.
Can I wear lighter fabrics like linen in colder months while pregnant?
Yes. Linen is naturally thermoregulating, meaning it can help keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when your body temperature rises — especially when layered well.
More on The Delivery
Author | Amy Lane
Meet Amy: Editor, author and mum of two, recovering jeggings wearer, and your unofficial guide to not losing yourself in the maternity fashion aisle. She tests the good stuff so you don’t have to.
