Helping pregnant women and new mothers look and feel their best in beautiful clothing is what we do. However, we know that as your body changes during and post-pregnancy, it can be challenging to find clothes full-stop – never mind finding something that makes you feel confident and comfortable on a special occasion.
Not only do you want to look and feel your best, but you also want clothing that allows you to feed or pump breastmilk without any hassle. For this, you’ll usually need to find a wrap dress, a dress with buttons or a specific breastfeeding dress. Plus, if you’re wearing a bra with breast pads you’ll need to consider this when finding something to wear.
It can make finding the ideal dress difficult, if not impossible with everything else you’re focussing on (you know, just your new baby you have to look after 24/7).
But luckily we’re here to help…
This blog shares some of our favourite breastfeeding dresses to help you look your best for weddings or special occasions.
- Related content: The best sustainable maternity and breastfeeding brands
1. Ally Velvet Midi Dress (Whistles)
This beautiful velvet dress has been designed with an elegant, relaxed silhouette that is perfect for a growing bump, or breastfeeding.
Its midi-length with v-neck detail and covered buttons not only allows you to wear a nursing bra but enables easy and convenient access for pumping or feeding when necessary.
A beautiful on-trend fit, with a cut-out back that can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion. It’s the perfect breastfeeding dress.
Price:
Rental from £26.46 for 4 days
Buy for £189
Material: 75% Viscose, 25% Nylon
Colour: Pink
Suitable for: Small bumps and breastfeeding friendly
Season: The velvet style is perfect for an Autumn or Winter wedding (although could also be worn on cooler days throughout the year).
2. Polka Dot Jersey Tea Dress (The White Company)
This timeless, beautiful dress goes with anything. You can wear it with trainers for a casual look, and for weddings and special occasions, you can add accessories and boots or heels.
It’s super soft and comfortable. Although not strictly made for post-partum, the deep v-neck and stretchy material will make it easy for breastfeeding or pumping.
Price:
£98
Material: 97% viscose (LENZING™ ECOVERO™), 3% elastane
Colour: Black
Suitable for: Breastfeeding friendly
Season: Perfect for Christmas parties, office parties and birthday celebrations
3. Bloom Wrap Dress (Anthropologie)
An absolutely stunning and unique breastfeeding friendly dress that will have everybody asking you where it’s (rented) from.
Featuring a lace-up back, and striking contrasting patterns, this midi-wrap dress will have you dancing the night away – with effortless access for breastfeeding.
While the lace-up back is stunning, it may make it more difficult to wear a bra, so you will need to consider this when wearing it.
Price:
Rent from £17.60 for 4 days
No longer available to buy new
Material: Polyester
Colour: Pink combo
Suitable for: Breastfeeding mothers and all stages of pregnancy
Season: Although floral, this dress would be ideal for occasions from Spring to Autumn.
4. Dorine Dress (Sezane)
A stunning floral, long shirt dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Wear with boots, pumps or even heels if you feel brave – and look fabulous no matter what.
It’s 100% cotton, making it ideal for keeping cool at a Spring or Summer wedding – even if it’s abroad. You can comfortably wear a bra with it while having easy access for nursing.
Price:
Rental from £17 for 4 days
Buy from £170
Material: 100% Organic Cotton
Colour: Multicoloured pastel floral
Suitable for: Smaller bumps and nursing mothers
Season: Ideal for a Spring or Summer wedding
5. Soa Dress (Free People)
This silky maxi dress is designed in a shapeless silhouette with a one-shoulder bow, a gathered neckline pleat, and a dropped armhole.
Plus….it has pockets. We know, this fact sells it alone, right?
This is an effortless pull-on style that runs large, and so allows anyone to wear it no matter what stage of pregnancy or post-partum you are in.
The one-shoulder style will mean you’ll need to wear a strapless or one-strap bra, which might not suit every nursing mother.
Price:
Rental from £25.10 for 4 days
Buy from £228
Material:
- 22% Cotton
- 27% Lyocell
- 51% Cupro
Colour: Ink
Suitable for: All stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers
Season: Ideal for Autumn or Winter weddings
6. Pastel Floral Wrap Maternity & Nursing Midi Dress (Seraphine)
A feminine, floral wrap dress that is a stylish and practical option for pregnancy and nursing.
The chiffon dress features a delicate watercolour print, which flatters a growing bump, or a post-partum body. And the jersey-style wrap top is soft and stretchy, which conceals a secret double layer – providing coverage and easy access for breastfeeding.
It makes the ideal outfit option for a wedding or special occasion – flattering and functional no matter where you are in your pregnancy journey.
Price:
Buy from £139
Material:
- Main: 95% Viscose, 5% Elastane
- Woven Skirt: 100% Viscose
Colour: Multiple options including pink, black, navy and blue
Suitable for: All stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding
Season: The long- sleeves make it ideal for colder seasons, but it could be worn any time of year
7. Summer Organic Cotton Breastfeeding Maxi Dress (Bump & Milk)
Need something that will make you feel effortlessly chic and feminine?
This organic cotton, breastfeeding maxi dress from Bump & Milk is the perfect dress for summer weddings and occasions.
It’s cool and lightweight, with feminine ruffles and will make you look and feel fabulous with minimal effort.
Plus, it has cleverly hidden zips under the bust which allows you to nurse easily and discreetly as required. It’s a stunning, breastfeeding dress.
Price:
Rent for £12.90 for 4 days
Buy from £129
Material: 100% linen
Colour: Raspberry
Suitable for: Breastfeeding mothers
Season: Ideal for a Summer or destination wedding, to keep you cool
Are you looking for a breastfeeding-friendly dress for a special occasion?
The problem with breastfeeding-friendly occasion wear is that you are unlikely to wear it more than once – unless you have multiple weddings post-partum.
This means you’ll spend a lot of money on something that will end up spending more time in your wardrobe than on you. It’s not good for your wallet, and it’s not good for the environment.
An alternative to buying is to rent your maternity and breastfeeding clothing. Renting clothes allows you to wear a luxurious, quality piece, but without shelling out for something that you are going to wear once – plus it’s a sustainable way to shop.
If you have a wedding or special occasion coming up then have a look at what we have on offer to rent.
How to maintain your style personality whilst pregnant
What is Group A Strep?
