Contents
At a Glance
- If you are pregnant or still planning to be pregnant in the future, maternity clothing sizes are similar to your regular or pre-pregnancy clothing sizes. If you are a size medium before you became pregnant, then you’ll fit on a medium sized maternity garment.
- Before purchasing maternity clothes, you need to take measurements of the following: (1) bust, (2) waist or bump, and (3) hip.
- Buy maternity bras or nursing brassieres at the start of the second trimester. During this period, you need to identify your bust size (highest point of the chest), band size (underbust measurement) and cup size (difference between bust and band size).
- Planning ahead and knowing your maternity size is very important to keep you prepared. Therefore, keep your wardrobe packed with the following maternity clothes: Maternity Shirts, Maternity Dresses, Maternity Jeans and Pants, Maternity Bra, Maternity Hosiery, Maternity Panties.
How do maternity clothing sizes work?
The answer to your most common question is easy. Your maternity clothing sizes are the same as your regular clothing sizes. If you are a size medium before you became pregnant, then you’ll fit on a medium sized maternity garment. If your size is 8 during pre-pregnancy, look for items in that size as well.
Same goes for jeans with waist sizes. If your pre-pregnancy size was 30-inches, look for the same size in maternity. Different manufacturers made shopping easier for maternity clothes by sticking to your pre-pregnancy size or number.
How to choose the right maternity clothing size?
Before purchasing maternity clothes, you must know three important sizes and how to measure them the right way.
- Bust: Relax your arms on the side and let someone measure around the fullest part of your chest or bust.
- Waist/Bump: You can determine your waist size by simply measuring the fullest point of your waist.
- Hip: Stand upright and measure the fullest point of your hip about 20 cm below your waist.
Maternity Clothing Size Chart and Conversion Chart
| Size | US | UK | Bust (in) | Hip (in) | Waist pre/post-pregnancy (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 0-2 | 4 | 32-34 | 35-37 | 26-28 |
| XS | 2-4 | 6 | 34-36 | 37-39 | 28-30 |
| S | 4-6 | 8 | 36-38 | 39-41 | 30-32 |
| M | 8-10 | 10 | 38-40 | 41-43 | 32-34 |
| L | 12-14 | 12 | 40-42 | 43-45 | 34-36 |
| XL | 14-16 | 14 | 42-44 | 45-47 | 36-38 |
Maternity Bra Size Chart
Buy maternity bras or nursing brassieres at the start of the second trimester. During this period, you need to identify your bust, band and cup size.
Bust Size: Know your bust size by wrapping the measuring tape around your bust at the fullest point.
| Bust | Up to 34'' | 35-38'' | 39''+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Even Number | +4'' | +2'' | 0 |
| Odd Number | +5'' | +3'' | 1 |
Band Size: The band size is determined by fully wrapping the measuring tape under your bust around your rib cage. Then, round off this measurement up to the nearest inch.
Use the measuring guide below and add the corresponding numbers to determine your band size.
| Bust-Band | Cup Size (US) | Cup Size (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | B | B |
| 3 | C | C |
| 4 | D | D |
| 5 | DD (E) | DD |
| 6 | DDD (F) | E |
| 7 | G | F |
| 8 | H | FF |
| 9 | I | G |
| 10 | J | GG |
| 11 | K | I |
Example: 31’’ bust + 5’’= 36 band size
Cup Size: Subtract your band size from your bust size. Use the chart below to find your cup size.
Example: 40’’ – 36’’ (band) = 4’’ D
Your bra size is your band size plus your cup size. In our case, your bra size is 36D
Maternity Tops and Dresses Size Chart
| Pre-Pregnancy Size | US | UK | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) | Maternity Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0-2 | 4-6 | 34-35 | 86.36-88.9 | XS |
| S | 4-6 | 8-10 | 36-37 | 91.44-93.98 | S |
| M | 8-10 | 12-14 | 38-39 | 96.52-99.06 | M |
| L | 12-14 | 16-18 | 40-41 | 101.6-104.14 | L |
| XL | 16-18 | 20-22 | 42-43 | 106.68-109.22 | XL |
| 1X | 18-20 | 22-24 | 45-46 | 114.3-116.84 | 1X |
| 2X | 22-24 | 26-28 | 47-48 | 119.38-121.92 | 2X |
| 3X | 26-28 | 30-31 | 49-50 | 124.46-127 | 3X |
Maternity Pants and Bottoms Size Chart
| Pre-Pregnancy Size | US | UK | Full Hip Size | Maternity Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS (0-2) | 0-2 | 4-6 | 36"-37" | XS |
| S (4-6) | 4-6 | 8-10 | 38"-39" | S |
| M (8-10) | 8-10 | 12-14 | 40"-41" | M |
| L (12-14) | 12-14 | 16-18 | 42"-43" | L |
| XL (16-18) | 16-18 | 20-22 | 45"-46" | XL |
| 1X (18-20) | 18-20 | 22-24 | 46" - 48" | 1X |
| 2X (22-24) | 22-24 | 26-28 | 50" - 52" | 2X |
| 3X (26-28) | 26-28 | 30-31 | 54" - 56" | 3X |
Maternity Panties Size Chart
| Pre-Pregnancy Size | Maternity Size |
|---|---|
| 4-6 | S |
| 8-10 | M |
| 12-14 | L |
| 16-18 | XL |
| 18-20 | 1X |
| 22-24 | 2X |
| 26-28 | 3X |
Maternity Hosiery Size Chart
| Size | Height(in) | Weight(lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 5'0" - 5'6" | 100 - 130 lbs |
| M | 5'2" - 5'10" | 130 - 180 lbs |
| L | 5'2" - 6'0" | 170 - 220 lbs |
| XL | 5'2" - 6'0" | 220 - 255 lbs |
| 1X | 5'4" - 6'0" | 245 - 265 lbs |
| 2X | 5'4" - 6'0" | 265 - 285 lbs |
| 3X | 5'4" - 6'0" | 285 - 325 lbs |
When to buy maternity clothes?
During your second trimester or your 12th week of pregnancy, you may already notice your baby bump. It doesn’t mean that this is the only time you’ll be buying maternity clothes. Remember that maternity clothes are intended to be worn from the time your regular clothes don’t fit anymore. There’s no harm in planning and preparing your maternity wardrobe early. Also, you don’t want to waste so much energy for shopping later on in your pregnancy.
Tips on buying maternity clothes
- #1: Brand. Different brands may have varied sizes so it is best to talk to a staff who can guide you throughout your shopping.
- #2: Layers. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that bring about a change in your body temperature. Because of this, you might need a layer of clothes or to take off outfits over the course of the day whichever makes you comfortable.
- #3: 1st/2nd Baby. Multiple pregnancies also mean a significant weight gain and tummy growth, especially in the earlier stage of pregnancy. As a result, you may already need to wear maternity clothes during your 3rd or 4th month of pregnancy.
- #4: Size. By monitoring your size, it will be easier for you to shop for maternity clothes. Typically, the size of your regular clothes is an absolute reference for your maternity size. For multiple moms, they may adjust the size if necessary. Ideally, you may add one or two dimensions.
- #5: Material. Buy clothes made of breathable fabrics such as cotton to prevent constant sweating and irritation.
- #6: Style. As your body changes, you may consider other shapes and styles to suit your taste during your pregnancy. Wearing maternity clothes should not be a trend, but it wouldn’t hurt to look good and be able to dress the same way you did before your pregnancy.
- #7: Last few weeks. As you are nearing the date of your labor, you may need to wear those comfortable skirts and dresses. Furthermore, they make the trip to the bathroom easier.
What maternity garments to buy?
We have listed the most common maternity clothes and garments you need to include in your wardrobe.
- Maternity Dresses
- Maternity Tops
- Maternity Jeans
- Maternity Lingerie
- Maternity Hosiery
- Maternity Nightwear
Most popular maternity clothing brands
A lot of top brands and favorite stores have a wide array of maternity clothes that will help your style throughout your pregnancy.
Dressing with ease and confidence shouldn’t stop just because you are pregnant. Moreover, shopping is something a lot of people enjoy. While it’s a way of pampering yourself, it is also something you can still do without taking any fun out of it. Maternity clothes come in different sizes, making sure you are clothed with ease all throughout your pregnancy. Most of all, there’s no reason you should go out of style while showing off that baby bump!