For pregnant women, there’s no shortage of things to worry about—from what to register to how to break the baby news to friends, family and colleagues. As the CEO of MARION, a maternity workwear brand, I have good news: Maternity fashion doesn’t have to be inherently unsustainable, and in fact, it’s quite the opposite—you can build a wardrobe with sustainable maternity clothes.
So if you’re pregnant and hesitating to buy a new maternity wardrobe that you’ll only wear for a short time or cringe when the garments arrive in some virgin plastic bag, I’m here to reassure you—and show you— How to make your maternity wardrobe work for you. From buying only what you need to researching fabrics, here are five easy steps that can make your new maternity wardrobe both eco-friendly and a good investment.
How to build a wardrobe with sustainable maternity clothes
1. Buy only what you really need
You don’t need to buy a ton of maternity clothes to have a great maternity wardrobe. Why? Because there are many pieces in your closet that will serve you well during pregnancy, like that open-front blazer, flowy peasant top and empire waist maxi dress. Pack all of your tight, tight, and tight-fitting clothes in a box for later, and put your most forgiving garments front and center in your closet. there is some essential things are hard to live without when you’re expecting, but you can build a gorgeous wardrobe for your pregnancy while buying surprisingly little actual maternity clothes.
2. Buy from companies that prioritize sustainable materials and practices
Want to know if the maternity piece you’re looking at is planet-friendly? Start by finding a clear list of the materials used in the garment. Here are some good examples:
- Fabrics: TENCEL (made from sustainable Eucalyptus trees in a closed-loop system), Lyocell bamboo (instead of traditional bamboo rayon), organic or recycled cotton, recycled nylon, recycled polyester, organic hemp or organic linen.
- Certifications: Oeko Tex (tests for harmful substances at all stages of processing), BCI (Better Cotton Initiative), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and GRS (Global Recycled Standard).
Look for brands that have swapped plastic garment bags for recycled or compostable packaging and offer carbon neutral fulfillment. Bonus if they offer buy-back or other second-life programs to keep their clothes out of the landfill. Some of our favorite sustainable maternity brands are MARION, Agreement and Girlfriend Collective.
3. Find clothes you really want to wear after pregnancy
If your maternity clothes aren’t pretty or poorly made, who can blame you for celebrating the day you leave them behind for good?
News flash: It doesn’t have to be this way. Advances in stretch-fabric technology and thoughtful design updates have ushered in a whole new generation of maternity styles that are really, really (no joke) beautiful after pregnancy and nursing. Look for dresses with empire waists, stylish pleated tops that will flare and flatter your tummy, and high-waisted leggings that are stretchy enough to hug your post-baby curves. Some maternity brands include offering a great range of “before and after styles.” MARION, Hatch and Name Maternity.
4. Let your maternity clothes be reused
Even though many of your pieces are for “pregnancy, nursing and more,” there are some items you probably won’t wear past the baby stage. Wardrobe staples like over-bump pants and skin-to-skin tops really become obsolete after the last little one starts walking around. Extend the life of these items by giving them to someone who will use them again, by posting them on giveaway sites like Facebook’s Buy Nothing Project, Nextdoor or Craigslist. Or, try listing them through resale merchants like ThreadUp o Poshmark for a smooth return (high-quality garments will always fetch the highest resale prices on these sites).
5. Recycle or compost as a last resort
The truth is that recycling clothing isn’t as easy or accessible as it should be—yet. Some stores offer decent solutions. H&M gives customers a discount if they bring a bag of clothes for recycling, and Madewell will give anyone $20 off their next purchase in exchange for an unwanted pair of jeans. Websites like Land 911 and Recycle Now offers searches by zip code.
Believe it or not, clothes and other textiles can make excellent material for composting IF they are made with 100% natural fibers. Items made of pure wool, cotton, silk, or linen that are too old or damaged to donate can be cut into small pieces and placed in your composting system (remove buttons, zippers, and other idea, of course).
Clothing made for breastfeeding and pregnancy presents some unique maintenance challenges. Limiting your purchases to what you really need, choosing items you’ll wear beyond maternity and buying from companies that share your values are the most effective ways to keep your pregnancy green. Donating, secondhand sales, recycling and composting are also great tools to ensure your items have a planet-healthy life after they leave you for good.
This story is part of The Motherly Collective contributor network where we showcase stories, experiences and advice from brands, writers and experts who want to share their perspective with our community. We believe that there is no single motherhood story, and that every mother’s journey is unique. By amplifying each mother’s experience and offering expert-driven content, we can support, inform and inspire each other on this incredible journey. If you are interested in contributing to The Motherly Collective please click here.
