5 Simple Tips for Creating a Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

It should come as no surprise that expectant mothers have to get as comfortable as possible with change. There are the obvious bodily shifts that occur, as well as the necessary adjustments required around a home. There are also numerous doctor's appointments to fit in and impending work schedules to consider. And then, of course, there's the biggest development of them all: knowing that soon a baby will come and really change everything.

Given all of that, it's equally unsurprising to learn that creating a maternity capsule wardrobe is one welcome switch that moms-to-be are willing to make when everything else is in flux.

"Not feeling like yourself can be very daunting when getting dressed every day," Caley Rinker, a celebrity stylist and mother to 2-year-old Weston, says. "Having a capsule collection allows you to know what to put on with having to think too much about it."

Rinker describes a capsule wardrobe as consisting of 10 to 15 versatile head-to-toe pieces that can be put together fast: a few basic tops, a couple of casual bottoms (including skinny jeans and leggings), a jacket, and a more upscale dress. "Finding pieces that are effortless and easy to mix and match is key," she continues. But since this is the case for anyone who is looking to minimize their closet, what should pregnant women keep in mind when simplifying for this specific period in their lives?

We ask Rinker to give us five guidelines to follow when building a maternity capsule wardrobe, and they're as straightforward as this overall fashion philosophy. If you have a baby on the way, these suggestions should provide a stylishly simple closet—and more importantly, some much-appreciated peace of mind.

"Our bodies change so much during pregnancy, so sticking to darker colors is a good way to hide those not-so-flattering areas that come with the baby weight," she says. "Color isn't always bad, but if you're going to pick a bold color, do it on top and stick to a darker color on bottom."

"Every person is different when it comes to their pregnancy style," Rinker notes. "Some tips for styling the bump are layering tailored jackets over fitted dresses, or choosing shorter dresses that show off your legs. It's also never a bad idea to stick to the tried-and-true empire waistband to give it some shape." 

"Some women feel great in fitted clothes that accentuate their bump, while others like a more loose fit to hide it," she continues. "Whatever your style preference is, it's always best to stick to what's most flattering for your body type and feels the best when you wear it. When in doubt, black stretchy pieces that are layered with a cool jacket is always a good way to go!"

"No one wants to spend a ton of money on pregnancy clothes that they will only wear a few times," Rinker adds. "I never bought one maternity piece of clothing while I was pregnant that I couldn't also wear today. I recommend brands like Vince, Madewell, Old Navy, Ulla Johnson, Doen, Hatch, The Great, and Beyond Yoga."

"When you're pregnant, being comfortable is important but you also want to feel put together and stylish," Rinker says. "Remember that less is more when you're styling the bump, and that it's better to stick to timeless pieces over trendy ones when you're looking to create a capsule wardrobe."

Up next: "I'm Stronger, Wiser, and More Ambitious"—A Mom on Raising 7 Kids