When you start to show, it's pretty common to start thinking 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 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 knitted midaxi column dress in textured boucle yarn in khaki
• Best affordable maternity T-shirt: ASOS DESIGN Maternity ultimate t-shirt with crew neck in cotton blend 3 pack - MULTI
• Best affordable maternity jumpsuit: Brushed snit wrap jumpsuit
• Best affordable maternity leggings: Black Maternity Sports Leggings
We’ve scoured the high street and online to find the be affordable maternity clothes from dresses to t-shirts and jumpsuits. 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 2024
Best affordable maternity dress
Best affordable maternity dress
![ASOS DESIGN Maternity knitted midaxi column dress in textured boucle yarn in khaki](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/ASOS-DESIGN-Maternity-knitted-midaxi-column-dress-in-textured-boucle-yarn-in-khaki.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.asos.com
Sometimes the easiest way to look and feel put together is just by throwing on an easy dress which is why we love this bump hugging knitted column dress that’s not only soft against the skin, but also a great length for dressing up or down year round. In winter, pair with some thick tights, chunky boots and baggy jumper to keep you and bump cosy in the cold. In the spring and summer season, wear with sandals and while linen shirt if you need a coverup. We also love the calming khaki shade.
Pros
- Soft against the skin
- Suitable for wearing year round
Cons
- Limited sizing options
Size Range: | UK Women's 4-6 – 20-22 |
Material: | 68% Cotton, 32% Polyester. |
Best black dress
Best black dress
![Black summer maternity dress](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Black-summer-maternity-dress.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.newlook.com
No wardrobe is complete without the staple that is, the little black dress. This New Look dress is perfect for summer and is all about comfort and easy style. Lightweight and cool, it will look great with sandals on summer evenings and it will easily stretch around your bump so it's a win-win. It’s also available in a cream colour if you fancy something lighter and the comfortable thick straps will easily disguise any bra straps.
Pros
- Lightweight material
- Flattering fit-and-flare design
Cons
- Doesn't come in a range of lengths
Size Range: | UK Women's 8-20 |
Material: | 80% Viscose, 20% Linen. |
Best affordable maternity T-shirt
![Maternity tshirts](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Maternity-tshirts.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.asos.com
Everyone needs some staple t-shirts in their wardrobe which is why this three pack of tshirts is at the top of our must-have maternity t-shirt list. With a grey, white and black t-shirt included, these tops will make the basis of any outfit and mums loved the quality, with one saying, "got these a while back and are very good quality for the price." Whether you’re pairing them with some relaxed maternity jeans or dressing them up with some work trousers for the office, these tops will fit comfortably over your growing bump.
Pros
- Mums found the quality excellent
- Pack of three making them great quality
Cons
- Some mums found the fit a little too oversized
Size Range: | UK Women's 6-20 |
Material: | 100% cotton |
Best for a girls night out
![New Look maternity striped dress](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/New-Look-maternity-striped-dress.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.newlook.com
If you’re going on a night out with your besties or out for a fancy dinner with your other half and have nothing to wear, you’ll need a stylish number that you feel confident and comfortable in. We love this slim fitting stretchy dress with a midi length and long sleeves. The bold stripes gives this dress a real modern feel, and we think it would look great paired with some bright accessories.
Pros
- Has some stretch in it for added comfort
- Is fully lined
Cons
- Isn't wearable for everyday
Size Range: | UK Women's 8-20 |
Material: | 94% Polyester, 6% Elastane. |
Best for keeping cosy
![Striped maternity sweatshirt](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Striped-maternity-sweatshirt.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
direct.asda.com
A cosy sweat is a must-have for any wardrobe, especially if you're pregnant during the colder months of the year or if you need something to throw over your outfit. With a flattering design featuring side zips to accommodate your growing bump, this soft jersey striped sweatshirt will look excellent paired with jeans or smart trousers.
Pros
- Side zips to accomodate growing bump
- Stylish design
Cons
- No other colour options
Size Range: | UK Women's 8-18 (S-L) |
Material: | 100% Acrylic |
Best affordable maternity jumpsuit
![Jumpsuit](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Jumpsuit.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
direct.asda.com
This super soft brushed snit fabric will make you feel comfortable and put together, whatever you're doing, fitting around your bump with ease. With a loop back fastening, it fits comfortably around the next and the wrap front fastening is super stylish and adds some extra detail. The only downside some mums found that it was a little too snug around bump, with one mum commenting, "nice but not loads of room for bump to grow." It also comes with an attached coverup layer so your cleavage won't feel as exposed.
Pros
- Good size range
- Very soft fabric
Cons
- Comes up a little small around bigger bumps
Size Range: | UK Women's 8-20 |
Material: | Fabric composition: 54% Viscose 43% Polyester 3% Elastane |
Best for a casual look
![M&S COLLECTION Maternity Over Bump Jeggings](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2023/05/MS-COLLECTION-Maternity-Over-Bump-Jeggings.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.marksandspencer.com
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 mum was a huge fan, "These are great!" she said, "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
Size Range: | UK Women's 6-22 (Also coming in Short/Petite, Regular, and Long) |
Material: | 69% cotton, 28% polyester and 3% elastane, Jersey fabric - 94% cotton, 6% elastane |
Best for swimming
![Maternity swimsuit](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Maternity-swimsuit.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.newlook.com
Whether you're going away on your babymoon or regularly swimming to keep fit in your pregnancy, you'll want a good-fitting maternity swimsuit that you'll feel comfortable in. This simple black wrap design swimsuit is designed to look flattering on all shapes. We love that the straps are adjustable for your changing shape and one mum loved the fit, commenting, "I'm currently 19 weeks and will be 22 when I go away and I feel this fits well and will definitely last well into my pregnancy." It also comes with breast padding that can be removed or kept in for added support.
Pros
- Adjustable straps
- Removable breast pads
Cons
- Some mums would have preferred thicker straps
Size Range: | XS-XXL |
Material: | Cotton 95%, Elastane 5% |
Best affordable maternity leggings
![Maternity leggings](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Maternity-leggings.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.next.co.uk
If you're anything like us, then you'll live in your trusty leggings, even if you aren't going to the gym, so it’s worth investing in some reliable leggings that are great for everyday wear. These from Next are designed to stretch right over bump thanks to the super stretchy and comfortable fabric which is made from 75% Recycled polyester making it a great sustainable choice.
Pros
- Sustainable fabric
- Stretchy over bump
Cons
- No different leg length options
Size Range: | S-L |
Material: | Cotton |
Best maternity skirt
![Maternity Denim Midi skirt](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/12/2022/10/Maternity-Denim-Midi-skirt.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk
We're loving this stylish denim midi skirt, coming in at a fantastic price. With a soft over the bump band for a comfortable fit it's ideal for dressing up or down. Featuring added stretch, it's not as restrictive as other denim so it feels extra comfortable around your bump.
Pros
- Soft over the bump band
- Features added stretch
Cons
- Doesn't come in different lengths
Size Range: | UK Women's 8-22 |
Material: | Main: 99% Cotton; 1% Elastane, Lining: 70% Polyester; 30% Cotton |
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.