Celebrity Maternity Style: 5 Things to Look for in Maxi Dresses for Moms-to-Be

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I recently noticed that along with the baby boom happening in Hollywood right now is a maternity maxi dress trend.

They’re completely right of course — just take a look at how many pregnant celebs have been recently spotted rockin’ maternity fashion in maxi dresses:

Pregnant celebrities in maxi dressesAlessandra Ambrosio lunches at Il Pastaio in LA on February 25, 2012; Alyson Hannigan out and about in LA on April 1, 2012; Tori Spelling signs her new book “CelebraTORI” at Barnes & Noble in NY on April 4, 2012

 Pregnant celebrities wearing maxi dresses
Molly Sims outside Rummage in LA on April 18, 2012; Elizabeth Berkley out and about in Brentwood, CA on May 25, 2012; Anna Faris leaves a wax salon in LA on August 7, 2012

She just gave birth to daughter Penelope on July 8th, but if there was one celebrity who really embraced the maxi dress trend throughout her pregnancy, it would be Kourtney Kardashian:

Kourtney Kardashian out in Malibu, CA on May 6, 2012; Outside Fred Segal in West Hollywood, CA on May 16, 2012Kourtney Kardashian out in Malibu, CA on May 6, 2012; Outside Fred Segal in West Hollywood, CA on May 16, 2012

Kourtney Kardashian shops at Fred Segal in LA on June 1, 2012; Leaves Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, CA on June 3, 2012; Shops at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, CA on July 5, 2012
Kourtney Kardashian shops at Fred Segal in LA on June 1, 2012; Leaves Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, CA on June 3, 2012; Shops at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, CA on July 5, 2012

Kourtney Kardashian’s enviable maternity style in maxi dresses look so effortless yet fashionable, doesn’t it? But most importantly, especially to expecting mothers, it also looks downright comfortable.

These pregnant celebrities prove that ladies-carrying-babies-in-their-bellies shouldn’t be and aren’t restricted to shopping at maternity sections for clothing needs. And particularly with this maxi dress trend, the style is easy to find, versatile and wearable even post-pregnancy.

There are just a few things to be mindful of while perusing the regular racks for maternity-friendly maxi dresses. Moms-to-be, here are the 5 things to look for when shopping for that perfect maxi dress!

1. Loose Silhouettes

This one’s a no-brainer but loose shouldn’t mean frumpy. A spaghetti-strapped maxi dress that’s fitted around the bust area will show just the right amount of skin and will balance out the skirt’s volume.

We’re loving the pregnant Beyonce in an orange Lanvin gown look of the Winter Kate ‘Kamala’ dress below!

Loose SilhouettesMichael Stars ‘Marisa’ Tiered Voile Maxi Dress, $169.99; Tbags Los Angeles Tie Neck Dress; Winter Kate ‘Kamala’ Dress, $295.00

2. Stretchy Fabrics

You’ll want a maxi dress that will stretch right along with you as your baby bump grows. Thankfully, jersey is a popular fabric for maxi dresses and should be found in every style:

Stretchy FabricsGabriella Rocha ‘Hally’ Shirred Strapless Maxi Dress, $65.00; Tommy Bahama ‘Deco Waves’ Maxi Dress; RVCA ‘Spirit Voice’ Maxi Dress

3. Empire Cuts

100% cotton is one of the most comfortable fabrics but unfortunately, it doesn’t have a lot of give. If you’re itching to wear a pure cotton maxi dress, at least choose one in a pregnancy-friendly empire cut:

Empire CutsJessica Simpson Striped Twist Bust Maxi Dress, $82.99; Roxy ‘Born Dreamer’ Dress, $62.99; MICHAEL Michael Kors Square Neck Tiered Dress

4. Pleat and Gathers

Pleating, ruching and gathering in a maxi dress are a few more of a pregnant gal’s allies. Just check out the Nicole Miller maxi ‘Tidal Wave’ dress on Vanessa Minnillo Lachey — it’s not categorized as a maternity dress but it looks like it was made as maternity wear:

Pleat and GathersSoft Joie solid ‘Wilcox’ Maxi Dress, $150.99; Nicole Miller Maxi ‘Tidal Wave’ Dress, $238.99; Type Z ‘Liliana’ Maxi Dress, $89.00

5. Removable Belts, Drawstring and Elastic Waists

Removable belts, drawstring waists and elastic waists will let you wear your maxi dress after your pregnancy. We all want to get the most bang for our buck, right? Just make sure to choose one that’s really stretchy!

Removable Belts, Drawstring and Elastic WaistsRip Curl ‘Line Up’ Maxi Dress, $54.00; MICHAEL Michael Kors Belted Maxi Dress, $140.00; Rachel Pally Print ‘Athena’ Dress, $169.99

Credit: Josiah True/Michael Carpenter/Danny/WENN

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