10 French-Inspired Outfits for Pregnancy and Beyond

10 French-Inspired Outfit Formulas for Pregnancy & Beyond

Try the French way of getting dressed for beautiful outfits during your pregnancy and after birth that you’ll reach for over and over again.

Expecting a baby is an exciting adventure! But let’s be real, it can be hard to know what to wear with a rapidly changing body. Sometimes, you might feel disconnected from your personality because your maternity wardrobe does not suit your personal style. However, if we look to the French for style inspiration, it isn't too difficult to take some of their timeless outfit templates and adapt them to be worn all nine months of pregnancy and through the postpartum season.

During pregnancy and postpartum, it’s important to focus on the overall silhouette your clothes create on your body. The visual problem that many of us notice intuitively but can’t quite put into words is that many styles maternity clothes cut off the body’s natural silhouette in an awkward way, rather than showcasing the beautiful form of a pregnant body.

The best example of this is the prolific maternity “t-shirt and leggings” combination which throws off balance, visually speaking, the shapes created on your body. Instead of dividing the body into visually pleasing thirds (first third on top, rest of two thirds on bottom), a long shirt falling below the waist paired with the tightness of leggings magnifies the size of your torso/ baby bump, and simultaneously makes your legs appear shorter. Let’s fix that with ten repeatable outfit formulas that exude class and will help you glow, Mama!

1. Scoop neck body suit and A-line skirt; (Budget Variation of Skirt)

Cue the first outfit combination. A bodysuit might not be the first maternity piece that springs to mind, however there are a few key reasons that make it an excellent, Gallic-worthy choice. 

First, as your baby bump expands, a scoop neck bodysuit draws your eye upward to draw focus back onto your collar bone, shoulders, neck and face; all lovely parts of the body to highlight to bring you confidence, framing the “first third” of your body. An A-line skirt that can gradually move upward over the bump as the weeks progress will elongate your legs and keep you in proportion.

Next, a maternity bodysuit will work postpartum as a breastfeeding top, (just gently stretch the neck downward). The smocked waist on this skirt also makes it your continued best friend during postpartum.

 

2.     2. Oversized button-down shirt , (Budget Version) and straight leg maternity jeans, (Budget Version)

An oversized button-down shirt, particularly in a light, airy color like ivory, light blue, or a fun pinstripe edition is already a flattering, staple piece for the French. It’s also an incredible versatile piece for a changing woman’s body during pregnancy.

A true oversized fit shirt in your regular size will be able expand outward and become more fitted by your pregnancy’s apex, while the buttons offer easy breastfeeding access after birth. You can also tuck your shirt in when you’re past postpartum for regular daily use, making it a wonderful investment piece with a great deal of longevity in your wardrobe.

A straight leg maternity jean with expansion panels on the hips offer the best of both worlds—comfort and ease for a growing baby bump, and freedom from multiple pairs of pants postpartum while your body is slowly adjusting back to your old pre-pregnancy size.

It’s very important to select a pair of jeans with side panels instead of the typical over the bump style of jeans because the over the bump styles can often feel restrictive, and the over the bump panel can be itchy. Plus, this style does not work well during the second trimester when “nothing fits,” or also postpartum, whereas a side paneled denim tends to work for both of these trickier fit stages.

3.     3. Silk slip dress, (Budget Version) with jacket cardigan, (Budget Version)

One of the wisest ways to decide whether or not something is worth purchasing for pregnancy and postpartum is to consider if you’d actually continue to wear the piece beyond your baby’s first year. A silk slip dress is an incredible versatile piece for year-round wear (especially because the material is antimicrobial and temperature regulating on the skin). Silk is highly conducive to layering in across fall, winter, and spring, yet it is incredibly breathable on hot summer days. The spaghetti straps on this style of dress make it nursing accessible by gently pulling down on the straps. It would go together splendidly with the Sézane Betty cardigan, like a croissant with strawberry jam.

4.     4. Striped maternity tee, (Budget Version), Wide leg pants, (Budget Version)

This is one of most effortlessly chic outfits to achieve. A French mariniere a la bebe is a no-brainer way to look classy while pregnant and postpartum. Paired with a wide-leg maternity trouser (once again, make sure your pair has a smocked waist or side stretch panels over and above the often uncomfortable over the bump styles), it really makes for a timeless combination you’ll reach for over and over again.

5.    5.  Peasant dress, (Budget Version), and Oversized shirt jacket, (Budget Version)

A peasant dress is the investment piece de la resistance—a winner for all body types and sizes, and effortlessly accommodating for both pregnancy and breastfeeding. The moveable waistband truly accommodates all four trimesters. When you need a layer, balancing this highly feminine style of dress with a more masculine-leaning shirt jacket like the Sézane Will jacket (or alternatively, a utility jacket) creates a harmonious, tomboy flair.

6.     6. Maternity tank top, maxi skirt and classic cardigan

If you’re looking for a quick way to elevate a maternity tank top and make it feel a bit more personal, pair it with a maxi length maternity skirt in a natural fiber fabric like cotton or linen, and pair it with a classic cardigan like the Sézane Gaspard when the weather is chilly. The length of your skirt can really elevate an otherwise casual piece like a tank top. Choosing separates that coordinate allow more capsule worth mix and matching possibilities. Never forget, versatile skirts are your number one best friend for pregnancy and postpartum clothing—the possibilities are manifold.

7.     7. Frilly blouse, (Budget Version), and Mermaid midi skirt

Nothing screams French elegance quite like the classic “frilly blouse” (the Chlo shirt). A feminine spin on the traditional button-down shirt, surprisingly it can work during pregnancy by unbuttoning the bottom most buttons (two or three, depending on what you need). Then gently drape the semi-open shirt over the top of a mermaid silhouette skirt, which can easily be positioned all the way up to the bottom of your ribcage for full maternity coverage.

 

8.    8.  Sleeveless button down dress, (Budget Version), and Crochet Sweater

 

This delightful pairing adds a splash of vibrance to your maternity and postpartum wardrobe. The sleeveless button-down dress is a must-have for any French inspired wardrobe, and I can’t get over how intentionally the fit was designed for pregnancy and postpartum—truly excellent. The adorable crochet sweater provides a lightweight layer when you need it without compromising the aesthetic. The cropped length of the sweater makes it rest just above your baby bump.

 

9.     9. T-shirt and Maternity dress pants

 

Such a gorgeous, easy combo that makes your casual day just a little bit more je ne se quois. Bonus points if you choose a t-shirt in your signature color!

 

10.  Empire waist dress, (Budget Version), and cashmere shawl

 

Incredibly feminine and flirty, our French fashion tour wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Rouje, the brand created by the fashion queen of Paris, Jeanne Damas. The light, airy drape and empire waist of the Minnette dress makes it bump friendly, however as it’s not strictly a maternity dress, you might want to size up if you plan on wearing it through your whole pregnancy. Also, the Minnette style is always selling out, so be sure to add your email to their alert list! Pair it with this luxurious cashmere nursing shawl, which doubles as a lightweight layer and a nursing cover for breastfeeding.

French style has always taught me that elegance and practicality can coexist. That philosophy is at the heart of Real Atelier Co., my upcoming line designed for mothers who want timeless beauty without compromise. If you would like to be the first to know when our collection launches, join the list below.