Gone are the days when being pregnant meant you were forced to accommodate your growing bump in a tent dress. Expectant moms-to-be demanded more choice when it comes to places to buy maternity clothing, and South African retailers have delivered.
Here are some of our favourite local pregnancy stores where you can but maternity clothes (and best of all, most are available online, so you don’t even have to leave your home).
Best for effortless style: Anneen Henze
The Anneen Henze Collection is where comfort meets couture. It’s a proudly South African company and all their clothing is handmade in their Cape Town studio.
Browse their online shop and you’ll find skin-to-skin tops for baby wearing mamas, gorgeous tailored coats, easy-to-wear dresses and comfy loungewear. Psssst: they also sell gorgeous and flattering maternity swimwear that you’ll want to wear long after baby has arrived.
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Best for quality staples: H&M
The fashion retailer H&M has an impressive selection of maternity bottoms, including leggings, jeans and tracksuit pants. Although they currently don’t have an online store, it’s a great excuse to get out and go shopping.
You’ll also be able to stock up on breastfeeding-friendly tops, longer-length tees designed to flatter your bump and comfy dresses – and don’t forget to browse their racks of pregnancy and post-birth bras and undies.
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Best for maternity swimwear: Momsy
It can be near impossible to find maternity swimwear in South Africa but we’ll let you in on our newest find: Momsy maternity wear! The designers here know that not all expecting mommies want to wear a bikini to show off their bumps so they’ve put together a collection of colourful one-piece swimwear with smart details like a double fabric layer to make you feel secure and confident in your cozzie!
And while we do love their swimming costumes, we keep going back to look at everything else they have to offer too: dresses, sleepwear, loungewear… just about everything you’ll need for your pregnancy and breastfeeding journeys.
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Best for work & weekend wear: Mareth Colleen
We are always on the hunt for stylish maternity clothes that can double up as work- and weekendwear, and our most recent search lead us to local fashion house Mareth Colleen. Although they don’t exclusively make maternity wear (you’ll want to take a peek at their stunning party dresses and daytime staples too) you’ll be spoilt for choice with simple silhouettes that are comfortable and accommodating of pregnant bellies in sizes from small to x-large. We love the Philly4Mom dress (from R1 299) and the April4Mom dress (from R690). Shop online by clicking HERE.
Best for the 4th trimester: Hannah Grace
It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves: is it worthwhile to invest in stylish maternity clothing that you can only wear for a few months? Well, when you’re shopping at Hannah Grace, the answer is ‘yes’. Because most of their maternity clothing doubles up as breastfeeding-friendly items, they’ll see you well through the fourth trimester – and beyond.
We love their Redefine skirt: a comfy skirt specifically designed for the postpartum months with an extended elasticated waistband that hugs your body, giving you a ‘redefined’ waist. And you’re absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to the brand’s sleepwear range, where we’re tempted to click ‘add to cart’ on everything. Comfort and style – what’s not to love?
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Best for pretty practicality: Lonzi & Bean
When the founders of Lonzi & Bean were expecting themselves, they were disappointed in the range of comfortable and stylish maternity wear available locally, and what started out as just a few scribbles in a notebook has become a beloved South African brand.
Their signature crossover dresses are as pretty as they are practical (from R699). Made to be suitable during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period, with smart design details that make nursing a breeze – they’ve also just added a new range of nursing bras and post-birth panties. And we love that all their garments, and 95% of their fabric, are made in South Africa and support local communities.
Looking for plus size maternity clothing? We’ve fallen in love with the Curvy Mum Plus Size Maternity Range, which includes dresses, leggings and more. Thanks Lonzi & Bean for catering to an often neglected market!
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Best for everyday wear: Cherry Melon (closed down)
An old favourite that expecting women turn to again and again, Cherry Melon is the perfect spot to stock up on everyday maternity (and nursing) wear.
Everything is specially designed to grow with your bump so you’ll be able to wear the same dress, pants or tee in the first trimester and the last – genius (and imagine all the money you’ll save)!
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Best for versatility: Tummies Maternity Wear
If you’re on a budget – and when you’re shopping for maternity wear, who isn’t? – then check out one of Tummy Maternity Wear‘s bestsellers: the ‘6 in 1 multi-wear maternity skirt/top’. R245. You can twist, tie and layer it to create different looks every day – warning: you may be tempted to buy one in every colour!
The range of products here is impressive; you can buy swimwear, pajamas, workwear and leggings. There’s even a section where you can buy and sell pre-loved maternity wear – win, win!
Best for budget-savvy ‘buys’: Baby Bump
You know all those gorgeous, flowing dresses those glamorous moms-to-be wear in photoshoots? You’ve probably wanted one, but who wants to spend a small fortune on a dress you’ll only be able to wear a handful of times?
Well, we’ll let you in on a little secret: you don’t have to buy one. Instead, try BabyBump where you can hire spectacular maternity dresses for photo shoots, baby showers, gender reveals or any special occasion.
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Best for fun finds: Foxy Mama
If you’re looking for some fun maternity wear, you’ll find it at Foxy Mama. Say ‘goodbye’ to boring or bland colours and ‘hello’ to vibrant prints, interesting textures and attention-grabbing separates. The best bit? The prices are affordable – and a lot of the clothing items are also suitable for use in the post-partum period so you get more bang for your buck.
We like this Foxy Mama Black Lace Dress, R590.
They also sell belly binders, post-birth panties, Expanda-a-Belt (for when your regular jeans get too tight) for only R176, cloth nappy covers, lactation bars and much, much more.
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Best for simple elegance: Annabella Maternity
Yes, Annabella Maternity is a maternity wear store but it’s also so much more than that: it’s a one-stop-shop for all things mom and baby related.
Browse the clothing, underwear and sleepwear (that’s so much prettier than your partner’s oversized T-shirt) but you’ll also find Mexican Bola Pregnancy Chimes, sleeping wedges, nursing cushions, Love To Dream swaddles and pots of Aromadough. Plus, we like the prices!
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Best for activewear: FitMama
Staying active when you’re pregnant is good for both you and the baby (provided you have your doctor’s sign off, of course) but what about when your usual workout pants are a little too snug around the waistband?
Introducing FitMama: breathable fitness gear designed to support you, and stretch, in all the right places while you’re pregnant. Smart support leggings, racerback tops and training tops are all available up to a size 40.
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