Pregnancy and postpartum are seasons of life, and we don’t think you need to spend a fortune building an entirely new wardrobe for a body that’s changing by the week.
That’s why we design NOM pieces to work as long and as hard as possible — through pregnancy, postpartum, nursing, and that weird in-between stage when your body is still figuring out what it’s doing.
We get this question all the time: should I buy maternity clothes or rent them?
Our answer: both. We work with rental companies like Nuuly, Armoire, and Rent the Runway, but there are also some maternity essentials that are absolutely worth owning depending on your lifestyle, season, and how often you’ll wear them.
Our rule of thumb: Buy what you’ll wear on repeat. Rent what you’ll only need occasionally.
WHAT TO BUY
You don’t need 47 maternity outfits. You need a small foundation of pieces that fit well, feel good, and are always there when you need them.
Start with what you’ll wear on repeat: a great pair of maternity jeans or work pants, a versatile dress or jumpsuit, and a few tees and tanks that stretch with your bump and still work postpartum.
If you plan to breastfeed or pump, add a few nursing-friendly basics. Postpartum is not the time for mysterious panels or anything that requires problem-solving while a baby is screaming. Easy boob access wins.
Your season matters, too. Third trimester in July? A pair of shorts and a couple of easy dresses may earn their keep quickly.
Pregnant through a Chicago winter? A coat that grows with your bump and works for postpartum baby-wearing may be worth the investment.
And then there are the things you’ll live in: sleepwear, loungewear, and everyday basics that sit close to your skin and may encounter a bodily fluid or two. You probably don’t want to rent someone else’s breast-milk-stained pajamas.
Our highly scientific rule: if you’re going to live in it, sleep in it, or potentially cover it in breast milk, buy it.
WHAT TO RENT
Rental is perfect for filling in the fun stuff — clothes you want for a specific occasion, a short season, or simply a little more variety.
Have one wedding while you’re pregnant? Rent the dress. Have six weddings, three baby showers, and an entire summer of events? Buying one dress you love might make more sense.
Rental is also great for rotating maternity workwear, trying trendier pieces without committing, or adding seasonal items you may only need for a month or two. A blazer, statement dress, seasonal nursing sweater, or leopard-print maternity jeans can all be good candidates.
The question to ask is simple: How many times am I realistically going to wear this?
If the answer is once or twice, rent it. If you’re going to reach for it every week, it probably deserves a spot in your closet. You can also rent something first and buy it later if it turns out to be a staple.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You don’t need an enormous maternity wardrobe — just a small group of hardworking pieces, with rental filling in the gaps.
Buy the basics. Rent the variety.
And when you do buy, look for maternity clothes that can keep working through pregnancy, postpartum, nursing, and beyond. Pregnancy may be temporary, but needing clothes you actually like wearing is not.
