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Time to read 6 min
If you’re considering renting maternity clothes, you’re not alone. As bodies change quickly during pregnancy and postpartum, more mums are asking a very practical question: what maternity clothes can you actually rent — and what’s better to buy?
Renting can make a lot of sense. It gives you access to the sartorial benefits of new(ish) clothes every month, just without actually buying them.
Plus, it's helps to reduce waste, and lets your style evolve as your body does. But not everything is designed to be rented — and that’s a good thing.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what maternity clothes you can rent, what you can’t (and why), and how renting and buying can work together to create a maternity wardrobe you'll love for pregnancy and beyond.
Stick with us and we’ll show how this works at For The Creators — a new kind of shop that lets you rent the clothes you need just for now, and buy the ones you’ll want to keep.
Rental works best for clothing that helps you feel good for a specific stage, season, or moment — without needing to live in your wardrobe forever. That’s exactly how maternity rental is designed to work.
To make things super easy, we offer two ways to rent:
You'll find clothing for every stage and every occasion, so your wardrobe can evolve as your body and lifestyle change.
Let's go through what's best to rent.
These are the pieces you often only need once or twice — but still want to feel amazing wearing.
Maternity dresses for weddings and events
Evening and celebration wear
Renting occasionwear means you can choose something special without committing to a one-wear purchase.
Rental isn’t just for big moments — it’s also for everyday dressing.
Cool maternity jeans and trousers
Pregnancy Dungarees and jumpsuits
Easy, throw-on dresses
Comfortable maternity knitwear
These are the kinds of clothes that make day-to-day life easier while your body is changing — and renting lets you refresh them as your needs shift.
Many rental styles are designed to support the transition after birth too.
Breastfeeding-friendly dresses and tops
Stretchy, comfortable loungewear
Styles that work for C-section recovery
These are items you may only need for your postpartum window, making rental a savvy option.
Outer pregnancy layers are often the hardest to justify buying — especially during your last trimester. So if you're feeling the cold - and the impending maternity leave pinch - then trying renting these:
Winter Coats and jackets
Knits and layering pieces
Transitional styles for changing weather
Renting lets your wardrobe keep up with your body and diary, without the need to always buy something new
You can add newness alongside the foundation pieces you already own
It’s an easy way to have something new(ish) for specific moments or seasons
You avoid over-committing to clothes that may only suit one stage of pregnancy or postpartum
Rental is the perfect addition to buying the items you love
While rental works brilliantly for many maternity and postpartum clothing pieces, there are a few items that are better bought new and kept just for you. This isn’t about gatekeeping — it’s about comfort, hygiene, and personal preference.
Items worn closest to the body are best owned.
Maternity and nursing bras
Knickers and intimate underwear
While you might lend a mum mate a bra, you probably don't want to be sharing these on a regular basis. Definitely something to buy for keeps.
Need more help with your nursing bras? Here's a handy guide on when to start wearing a maternity bra
Skincare and body products are another category that’s always for keeps.
Belly oils and treatments
Pregnancy Skincare routines
Self-care essentials
These are daily-use items you’ll want fresh, personal, and part of your own routine.
Some pieces are simply meant to be kept.
Gift sets
Candles and self-care treats
New-baby gifts
Consider new mum gifts as daily joy-givers. Keep them close.
Buying essentials like underwear, skincare, and gifts lets you own the items you really can't do without— while rental takes care of the rest. Together, you can build a maternity wardrobe (and routine) that’s flexible, practical, and suited to your stage.
We offer two ways to rent, all handily explained here: How to Rent Your Maternity Clothes
Sometimes, you just can't break up with your rentals–we get it. The fit, the feel, the memories of wearing it to get your baby registered— suddenly you’re not ready to send it back.
That’s where our gently rented prices (and our maternity sale) come in.
Each item has been professionally cleaned and quality checked before being resold, so it’s ready for its next chapter.
Buying pre-loved is a simple way to:
Keep an item of clothing you already know works for you
Save on the original retail price
Give an item of clothing a second home
It’s super practical if you’ve found something you’ll keep reaching for — during pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond.
Renting maternity clothes lets your wardrobe keep up as your body and needs change
Buying works best for personal, everyday essentials and the clothes you'll wear this year - and next
Mixing rental, buying, and pre-loved builds a wardrobe that grows with you
You can rent maternity and postpartum clothing like dresses, jumpsuits, jeans, trousers, knitwear, and outer layers. Our collection is designed to for all seasons and stages, from everyday wear or special occasions - we've got you.
Absolutely. Our Maternity Occasionwear is perfect as wedding guest dresses, baby shower outfits, and for those moments when the dress code doesn't account for a bump.
Always. We're very experienced in choosing breastfeeding-friendly styles, stretchy loungewear, and comfortable everyday outfits for after birth. Consider our postpartum recovery collection your fourth trimester checklist.
Items like underwear and skincare are personal and hygiene-sensitive, so they’re always better bought new. These are available to purchase rather than rent.
In some cases, yes. If a rental piece becomes a favourite, you may be able to buy it gently rented. Our team are happy to help (orders@forthecreators.co).
Renting clothes for pregnancy works well alongside buying. Many mums rent seasonal or short-term pieces and buy the essentials they’ll wear long-term, creating a flexible wardrobe without overbuying.
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.
