Wondering how to look fabulous at your next event while juggling breastfeeding? You’re not alone! As a new mum, it can feel like your little one always comes first—even when a party is calling your name. But who says you can’t have fun and look great while accommodating your hungry baby?
Finding the right breastfeeding dress for special occasions can feel daunting, but it’s totally doable! We’ve scoured the internet for the most glamorous yet practical looks that make nursing easy, so you can shine while keeping your baby fed and happy. Whether you’re dressing for a wedding, a christening, or the holiday celebrations, we’ve got you covered with styles that let you enjoy every moment without the fuss.
"When choosing a breastfeeding maternity dress, opt for soft, eco-friendly fabrics that feel gentle against the skin and adapt to your changing shape. Prioritise designs with button-down fronts, wrap styles, or discreet openings for easy nursing access, so you can transition seamlessly from pregnancy to breastfeeding. A versatile piece should make you feel both comfortable and confident, fitting effortlessly into everything from casual outings to special occasions, allowing you to embrace both style and function, Isabella Oliver’s design director Natalie Grants tells Mother&Baby.
As you build your maternity wardrobe, check out our tips for all the must-have maternity wear essentials you need during and after pregnancy.
www.seraphine.com
Featuring a stunning sequin top paired with a midi pleat skirt, this Halima Sparkle Maternity & Nursing Top with Pleat Skirt is a beautiful choice for any special occasion. The bodice is designed for easy breastfeeding access, ensuring convenience without sacrificing style. Plus, the top and skirt can be worn separately, allowing for versatile outfits in your maternity wardrobe.
With its glamorous sparkle and chic pleated skirt, this dress is ideal for weddings, parties, or any event where you want to stand out. The decorative adjustable bow at the center-back adds a unique touch, making this dress a perfect choice for a memorable night out.
www.yoursclothing.co.uk
The YOURS LONDON Curve Red Sequin Wrap Dress is a must-have for any festive occasion. Made from comfortable mesh fabric and adorned with shimmering sequins, this dress offers a flattering wrap design with a belted tie waist fastening. The short sleeves provide a balanced look, making it a versatile option for both day and evening events.
This wrap dress is designed to be breastfeeding-friendly, with easy access for nursing when needed, making it both fashionable and functional. Pair it with heels and a clutch for an elegant, head-turning look that's both glamorous and comfortable.
www.neverfullydressed.com
Shine bright in this Silver Sequin Kira Wrap Dress from Never Fully Dressed, a classic yet versatile piece designed to make you sparkle. Featuring a voluminous bodice and an adjustable wrap waist, this dress allows you to create a variety of looks.
The wrap tie fastening makes this dress perfect for breastfeeding, offering easy access while maintaining style and comfort.
www.mamalicious.com
Add comfort and colour to your wardrobe with the MLMARIE Maternity Dress – the perfect choice for both pregnancy and nursing. Designed with a flattering V-neck, long sleeves, and elasticated cuffs, this dress offers a blend of comfort and style. The regular fit and pleated details ensure it fits beautifully over your bump, while the drawstring fastening allows for easy adjustments.
This dress features a hidden nursing layer beneath a wrapped effect, making it incredibly convenient for breastfeeding without compromising on style. The elasticated waist enhances your comfort too.
www.nobodyschild.com
This stunning midi dress is perfect for a special occasion, with its angel sleeves and flattering A-line skirt. The plunge neckline adds a chic touch, making it easy to nurse while looking fabulous. Pair it with gold accessories, and you’ll be ready for any event!
- Low v-neck
- Fluted sleeves
- Under bust seams designed to flatter
- A-line skirt that skims the body
www.seraphine.com
The Seraphine Greta Ivory Maternity & Nursing Dress is perfect for special occasions like weddings or christenings. It’s designed to look great during pregnancy and is super handy for nursing afterward, thanks to hidden access. A stylish all-white choice that’s as practical as it is beautiful!
www.freepeople.com
Embrace romance and elegance in this ethereal maxi dress. With its flowing silhouette, it's not just stunning but also practical for breastfeeding, allowing you to feel beautiful and comfortable while nursing your little one. This dress comes in 12 stunning colours.
www.asos.com
This fuchsia pink wrap dress is ideal for dressing up while still allowing for nursing. The beautiful sequin embellishments and flattering tie waist create a stunning silhouette, making it a go-to for any festive occasion.
- Plunge neck
- Wrap front
- Volume sleeves
- Tie waist
- Sequin embellishment details
- Zip-back fastening
- Regular fit
isabellaoliver.com
If you are looking for comfortable yet chic caviar black dress, then this Kelsy Maternity Dress from Isabella Oliver is perfect for your upcoming special occasion. Made with Tencel for a soft, breathable feel, this dress offers a flattering fit and timeless style. This versatile dress would work for work brunches, baby shower, or weekend date nights!
www.asos.com
With its pleated design and wrap-style front, this mini dress combines style and practicality. The long sleeves and button details make it chic, while the wrap feature allows for easy access when breastfeeding
- Pleated design
- Wrap-style front
- Button details
- Regular fit
www.johnlewis.com
This floor-length wrap dress is a classic choice for any occasion, designed with a flattering neckline and short sleeves. The twinkling embellishments add glamour, making it perfect for evening events while providing easy nursing access.
| 95% polyester recycled, 5% elastane, Lining 100% recycled polyester | |
| Wrap Over Neck |
www2.hm.com
This knee-length velour dress combines comfort and style, featuring a unique nursing design with a twisted waist detail. Long sleeves provide warmth, and the thoughtful design allows for easy breastfeeding access.
www.johnlewis.com
Stand out in this sparkling wrap dress, featuring long sleeves and a flattering V-neckline. The frill-edged maxi length is comfortable for nursing, ensuring you feel confident and stylish at every event.
| 65% nylon, 30% lurex, 5% elastane | |
| Do not tumble dry | |
| Sequin finish | |
| Cool iron | |
| V-Neck | |
| Machine Washable at 30°C |
This fitted waist mini dress is a showstopper, made from structured taffeta for a chic look. The wrap design allows for convenient breastfeeding, so you can enjoy your evening without any fuss.
This flattering maxi dress is a stunner. It features long, sheer sleeves and a shimmering metallic pattern perfect for festive occasions. The lined design up to the knee ensures comfort, while the V-neckline offers easy nursing access when needed.
| 96% Viscose, 5% Metallised Yarn | |
| Wrap Over Neck | |
| Dry Clean Only |
www2.hm.com
Made from crinkled chiffon, this short sparkle nursing dress features a stylish V-shaped neckline and overlapping section at the top for easy breastfeeding. With long balloon sleeves, it’s both practical and elegant for any occasion.The design also includes a double layer at the top to help retain warmth while allowing easier nursing access.
www.next.co.uk
Look effortlessly festive this holiday season in JoJo Maman Bébé's Wine Red Velvet Wrap Maternity and Nursing Dress! The rich wine-red velvet adds a touch of holiday elegance, while the super-soft fabric keeps you comfortable all day and night.
Thoughtfully designed for new mums, it features discreet nursing access so you can feed easily while staying stylish. Perfect for Christmas parties and cosy gatherings alike!
www2.hm.com
This calf-length nursing dress is made from luxurious crêpe satin and includes a crossover detail that ties at the back for a beautiful fit. The concealed zip and long sleeves make it a sophisticated choice for events while remaining breastfeeding-friendly.
www.seraphine.com
Sizes avaliable: 8-18
Truly a stunning party dress, this gorgeous sparkle nursing dress from Seraphine is a showstopper. Made from soft and comfy fabric with a touch of sparkle, the style drapes beautifully and shimmers as you move. The empire waistline gives you plenty of room for your growing bump and easy lift up access is so practical.
www.seraphine.com
Sizes available: 6-18
If you're after a dress with more boho than formal vibes, this dress is a must. It has beautiful feminine flutter sleeves, and a soft tiered hemline with plenty of room to grow. It also features a hidden zip for discreet nursing access - it's fully breastfeeding-friendly.
www.seraphine.com
Sizes available: 6-20
A whimsical dress suited for a spring or summer occasion, be it a wedding, christening or baby shower. With floral design and maxi length, its shirred smocked bodice disguises an underslip that has easy breastfeeding access. All you need to do is lift up the bodice when it comes to feeding times.
Pros: Inclusive size range available
Cons: Expensive
Breastfeeding occasion outfits FAQs
What is a breastfeeding dress?
A breastfeeding dress, more commonly known as a nursing dress, is an outfit that allows you to feed your baby without exposing your breasts, sides, back or tummy. How amazing is that?!
You'll usually find that these dresses have hidden openings near the breast. Sometimes, the bodice is even made of two pieces that cross over each other, with one that can be pulled to the side.
The best thing about breastfeeding occasion dresses is that they allow you to stay at the event without having to pop to the toilets to undress and feed. That means you can do so discretely without having to miss a thing.
What to wear to a wedding when pregnant?
Although we've included some wedding-appropriate dresses within our list, our guide of maternity wedding guest dresses also has some stunning recommendations. First and foremost, be sure to dress according to the weather. After all, you don't want to be shivering in a summer dress during a winter wedding!
If it's a summer wedding, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics so you don't overheat on the day. If you're not wanting to wear heels due to swollen pregnancy feet, sandals are also a lovely option. Think pastels, bright colours and floral patterns during the summer.
For a winter wedding, breathable fabrics are also a good idea but be sure to layer up so you're kept warm. Winter maternity clothes should keep you warm from the cold weather, so long sleeves are generally recommended. Think rich, deep colours or even sparkles for winter.
Just remember not to wear white - or black for that matter, and you should be fine!
What to look for in a breastfeeding dresses
Easy nursing access
Dresses with wrap styles or button closures allow for easy access when nursing.
Look for dresses with discreet zippers or nursing panels that blend seamlessly into the design.
Comfortable fabrics
Fabrics like cotton, jersey, or modal provide comfort and flexibility, accommodating your changing body. Choose breathable fabrics to keep you cool and comfortable, especially if you’re nursing frequently.
Versatile styles
Consider dresses that can be dressed up or down for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events.
A-line silhouettes, empire waists, or wrap dresses can be flattering for different body shapes and sizes.
Length and fit
Look for dresses with adjustable features like waist ties or elasticized sections to accommodate postpartum changes. Choose a length that feels comfortable and appropriate for the occasion, whether it’s a mini, midi, or maxi dress.
Stylish design
Don’t sacrifice style—look for dresses in colours and patterns that make you feel beautiful and confident. Consider the season and select dresses that suit the weather, such as lighter fabrics for summer and warmer materials for winter.
Machine washable
Opt for dresses that are machine washable for convenience, especially since spills and messes can happen while nursing.
Supportive features
Some dresses come with built-in support, making them more convenient for breastfeeding.
Look for necklines that are easy to maneuver, such as scoop necks or V-necks.
About the author
Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is mum to a one-year-old bambino and lives between Italy and the UK.