Why are maternity shirts so long?

They’re so long because pregnant bellies can grow so BIG… they’re designed for a woman who’s 9½ months pregnant.

If there were different sizes in Maternity shirts, eg 22-28 weeks, 28-36 weeks. 36+ weeks, then they would not all need to be so long – but women wouldn’t buy three different shirts for the second half of their pregnancy. And… they’d end up pretty annoyed if their Maternity shirt looked great at 29-weeks, but wouldn’t even fit them at 39-weeks.

How are maternity shirts different from normal shirts?

Well, pretty much, strap a basketball to your tummy and increase your bra size substantially – but with the same height, arms and legs. Drape fabric over that bump, which can still look visually appealing, and still make the wearer feel attractive.

That’s the difference with maternity shirts.

So kind of the fashion designer’s most unappealing task, pretty much.

How many maternity shirts should you buy and when?

How many and when to buy depends widely on personal preference as to style and what you need the shirts for (work, working out, casual, etc.) and how soon you start showing. Typically if you’ve already been pregnant before you start showing earlier, but there are no hard rules. Some people start wearing maternity clothing immediately, some people hold out until the bitter end, though my recommendation is just to take the plunge. You’ll be so much more comfortable!

It really depends on the woman’s work (and social) situation – and her non-pregnant shape.

Larger women can sometimes just wear regular shirts that are naturally flowy.

Petite women can need almost a whole new wardrobe it would seem.

Some women need a lot of smart blouses for work – Other women can live in baggy t-shirts every day.

But the interesting thing is the changes in what women are comfortable wearing when pregnant.

Thirty years ago, everyone covered up in modest tent-style muumuu dresses – women didn’t actually want the world seeing their bump! It felt private.

Then in 1991, Demi Moore blew the world away with her nude pregnant Vanity Fair cover – until then most women had never seen a naked pregnant tummy, unless it was their own, or they were a midwife!

We all looked in curiosity at the square foot of extra skin covering a basketball-sized baby – it was an OMG moment before OMG even existed!

(I mean, look at the fashion-icon preggy dresses of Princess Diana – not even she had the dress style during pregnancy.)

So it would seem, these days you can actually buy NO maternity shirts. because it’s now all about showing off the curvy shape – I mean have you seen Instagram preggy sites!?!

Finding your style isn’t easy at even the best of times, let alone when a little person is growing inside of you. Here are 12 stylish and fashionable maternity shirts that you can rock to keep looking divine throughout your pregnancy.

Contributors to this article:

Amy Haderer, CEO and Co-Founder of [M]otherboard Birth

Kathy Fray, Best-selling maternity author, and award-winning international Maternity consultant

This Maternity T-Shirt with Pleated Waist Detail from La Redoute

You can get this awesome Maternity Shirt from La Redoute

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Maternity Slogan Print T-Shirt from La Redoute

You can get this awesome Maternity Shirt from La Redoute

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Striped Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute

If you’re after a cool Maternity Shirt then this Striped Maternity T-Shirt is a must have. You can pick it up for £13

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Striped Maternity T-Shirt with Pleated Waist Detail from La Redoute

Grab this Striped Maternity T-Shirt with Pleated Waist Detail from La Redoute for £20

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Dual Fabric Maternity T-Shirt with Embroidered Detail from La Redoute

You can get this impressive Maternity Shirt from La Redoute

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Long-Sleeved Roll Neck Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute

No one quite does Maternity Shirts like La Redoute. If you want to grab this Long-Sleeved Roll Neck Maternity T-Shirt before it sells out head over to La Redoute by clicking the button below.

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Straight-Cut Maternity Shirt from La Redoute

Get this La Redoute Straight-Cut Maternity Shirt for £19.5

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Long-Sleeved Velour Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute

Pick up this incredible Long-Sleeved Velour Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute for £29

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Slogan Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute

Get this La Redoute Slogan Maternity T-Shirt for £17

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Printed Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute

You can get this awesome Maternity Shirt from La Redoute

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Women’s Mamalicious ladies maternity cotton blend long cuff sleeve pinstripe shirt from M&Co

You can get this cool Maternity Shirt from M&Co

GET THE LOOK HERE

This Crew Neck Maternity T-Shirt from La Redoute

No one quite does Maternity Shirts like La Redoute. If you want to grab this Crew Neck Maternity T-Shirt before it sells out head over to La Redoute by clicking the button below.

GET THE LOOK HERE

This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com and other Amazon websites.

Post Views: 190