When you start to show, it's pretty common to start think about what maternity clothes can work for you. Having a baby can be incredibly exciting but also quite expensive with the array of baby products you need, plus adapting your wardrobe to your growing bump. If you’re in need of maternity clothes and are on a tight budget, it’s easier than you think to find affordable maternity clothes and enjoy maternity fashion. Mums-to-be rejoice!
Maternity clothes are designed to accommodate to all the changes that come with pregnancy, supporting your bump and keeping you comfortable. They need to be the right size for you but they also need to suit your personal sense of style. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you have to give up how you typically like to dress. As long as they're comfortable and within your budget, you're good to go.
Editor's choice
• Best affordable maternity dress: ASOS DESIGN Maternity racer front ribbed midi tank dress
• Best affordable maternity T-shirt: Maternity Ultimate T-Shirt
• Best affordable maternity jumpsuit: Tu MATERNITY Khaki Jersey Jumpsuit
• Best affordable maternity jumper: Star Maternity Jumper
We’ve scoured the high street and online to find the be affordable maternity clothes. These bargains are super stylish so you don’t even have to compromise on looking good, plus they don't skimp on quality either.
The best affordable maternity clothes 2023
Best affordable maternity dress
www.asos.com
Description
No wardrobe is complete without the staple that is, the little black dress. This ASOS DESIGN Maternity racer front ribbed midi tank dress is all about comfort and easy style - you can pair it with nearly anything and look chic. It will easily stretch around your bump so it's a win-win choice.
One reviewer said: "Really lovely fit, good sizing. Comfortable fabric. Will be a summer evening staple."
Pros
- Soft and breathable
- Flattering neckline
Cons
- None
Best for date night
www.newlook.com
Description
Modern and unique, with a classic twist, this midi design looks super cute and we love how flattering it is. The fun print looks fab and it's made from lightweight fabric that is bump accommodating. Perfect for styling with a jacket and some comfy boots or sandals, this is the perfect maternity date night dress.
One reviewer said: "Lovely dress, really soft fabric and doesn’t crease. Great price. Really pleased with it. I am 5’2” and it is ankle length. Perfect!"
Pros
- Lightweight woven fabric
- Flattering fit-and-flare design
Cons
- You may need help with the tie-back fastening
Best affordable maternity T-shirt
www.asos.com
Description
Paired with some leggings or underneath dungarees, this striped top has a relaxed fit and is designed to fit you and your bump. Not only is it soft and breathable, this top is giving us major 'cool but casual' vibes. It's a staple that anyone who's pregnant can benefit from having to hand. It's easy to throw on too.
One reviewer said: "Really comfy, washes well and lots of room for bump to grow without feeling huge on me."
Pros
- Comfortable crew neck
- Breathable material
Cons
- Some may want a more oversized fit
Best for wearability
www.newlook.com
Description
A slim fit design that's designed to show off your growing bump, the 3/4 sleeves on this top are ideal for layering underneath dungarees, jackets, or just wearing as a top. It's also super soft, so that you and bump feel comfortable. If you want a quality top that keeps things casual, this is definitely a winner.
One reviewer said: "Great item - Very nice top, soft and durable."
Pros
- Made with organic cotton
- Classic design
Cons
- A bit basic
Best for keeping cosy
www.asos.com
Description
A cosy knit is a must-have for any wardrobe, especially if you're pregnant during the colder months of the year. With a flattering design, this volume sleeve crew neck jumper fits you and your bump with ease, keeping you warm and comfortable. We're loving this incredibly wearable grey colour too.
One reviewer said: "The jumper is very flattering and comfortable. It is a good fit and I am happy with my purchase."
Pros
- Bump to baby design
- Cosy feel
Cons
- No other colour options
Best affordable maternity jumpsuit
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk
Description
Lightweight and floaty, this stunning Tu MATERNITY Khaki Jersey Jumpsuit fits around your bump easily, while still looking bang on trend. It just oozes style and comfort, plus we love the jersey fabric. This is a fab pic for Summer, just pear with a T-shirt and trainers, grab pair of sunnies and you're good to go.
One reviewer said: "So comfortable and washes super well. Really light to wear especially and hardly creases."
Pros
- Large size range
- Machine washable
Cons
- Better for Summer
Best for a casual look
www.marksandspencer.com
Description
With the comfort of leggings and style of jeans, these M&S COLLECTION Maternity Over Bump Jeggings are perfect for a plethora of outfits. The stretch for comfort, are high-waited, and, even better, they're made from breathable, cotton-rich fabric that feels great against the skin. These are another fabulous wardrobe staple.
One reviewer said: "These are great! I got a size larger than I'd usually get as I read reviews saying that they were a bit small. They are perfect, comfortable around the belly, and stretchy enough on the legs."
Pros
- Comfortable high-waist
- Breathable
Cons
- None
Best for warmer weather
www2.hm.com
Description
A soft top with ribbed design, this short sleeve top fits snug around your bump. The frilled neckline and sleeves also makes it cuter than your standard plain tops. It's feminine but casual, and definitely easy to wear. This MAMA ribbed top is perfect with a midi skirt or under some dungarees with a nice pair of trainers.
One reviewer said: "Just beautiful. I said if they had other colours I would get them, so here we are, they had other colours and now I have them."
Pros
- Super soft
- Easy to style
Cons
- Selling out quickly
Best affordable maternity jumper
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
Description
As your pregnancy goes on, it’s highly likely that you will find you spend more and more time pulling on a comfy sweatshirt, so it’s worth investing in one that’s chic too. Look no further: this All-over star print and round neck sweater makes it trendy as well as cosy. This material just feels fab against the skin.
One reviewer said: “This has been my favourite maternity jumper, it’s lasted throughout my whole pregnancy when many others ride up and become too short and it has stayed in shape and comfy. Wish it came in more colours styles!”
Pros
- Fits throughout pregnancy
- Fun print design
Cons
- No other colour/print options
Best for style
direct.asda.com
Description
We're loving this simple but oh so effective mini dress, coming a fantastic price. With a flattering crew neck and soft touch fabric, the George Maternity Khaki Soft Touch Mini Dress is proof that you don't have to give up garments like shorter dresses when you're expecting. This dress embraces your bump while looking super stylish.
One reviewer said: "Brought for casual wear, so comfy I purchased the other colours."
Pros
- Soft-touch fabric
- Flattering fit
Cons
- Not suitable for the tumble drier
When should I buy maternity clothes?
You can start buying maternity clothes at any stage of your pregnancy. As every bump grows different, you could start showing from as early as 12 to 16 weeks and your clothes might feel tighter.
If you want to be prepared for when you start to notice a baby bump, you can start buying maternity clothes early on. However, a lot of women don't start showing until much later in their pregnancy and can get away with their normal clothes for longer, so you might want to buy a few affordable pieces for when you need them.
What maternity clothes do I need?
Knowing what to buy can be tricky as you want items that not only feel comfortable, but are flattering too. There are a variety of maternity clothes on the market, so it's best to start with the essentials.
T-shirts: Stretchy maternity tops are comfortable during pregnancy and also after, as they provide a lose fit.
Leggings: Leggings are an essential for everyday, and having a few pairs of maternity leggings on rotation is a must. They fit snuggly to you and your bump and often the waistband will expand as your bump grows bigger.
Underwear: comfortable maternity underwear is also a must. Ideal for throughout pregnancy and after birth, maternity briefs provide extra support to your bump and post-pregnancy tummy. Maternity bras can also double up as nursing bras too, if you're planning to breastfeed.
Dresses: Easy to throw on, dresses are a must for pregnancy. Through pregnancy you can bloat a little more than normal, so your bump may feel bigger in the evening than when you first woke up, so dresses are ideal for contouring to the shape of your ever changing body.
Affordable Maternity Clothes FAQs
Where is the best place to buy maternity clothes?
There are a lot of places that sell maternity clothes with more brands and celebs expanding into their own maternity ranges.
Different shops will sell different styles of maternity wear, so it's always good to shop around to find a brand that you prefer.
There are also different ranges, accommodating to different heights, such as maternity clothes for tall women, and also accommodating to different clothes sizes, like plus-size maternity clothes.
Will I need maternity clothes at 20 weeks pregnant?
By the time you are 20 weeks pregnant you may have started undoing the top button of your jeans, or wearing clothes with a looser fit. Your baby is around the same size as a banana at 20 weeks, so your bump might have popped by now or you might feel more bloated after eating.
If you're looking for comfort in pregnancy, then swapping your regular wardrobe for a maternity one is probably worth starting at around 20 weeks.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.