Is there such a thing as sexy maternity lingerie?

Offbeat Mama runs these advice questions as an opportunity for our readers to share personal experiences and anecdotes. Readers are responsible for doing their own research before following any advice given here... or anywhere else on the web, for that matter.

Hey, Offbeat Fashionistias! Heather sent us a question about maternity lingerie — what are you wearing that still makes you feel hot and keeps everything where it should be?

Photo by BlondeShot Creative.

As my body slowly outgrows my normal clothing, I'm really feeling the need for something silky, lacy, sexy, and pretty that also fits my ginormous boobies and expanding belly. Where are offbeat mamas getting their sexy little outfits from?

Are there any fashionistas out there who can tell us what styles look particularly good on pregnant ladies? What styles or fabrics are most likely to fit well or grow with you? And what about nursing bras? I've seen so many that can only be described as "utilitarian."

Read more posts about: maternity fashion, pregnancy

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About Stephanie Kaloi

Stephanie is a wedding and lifestyle photographer and the Managing Editor of Offbeat Mama. She spends the rest of her time with her husband and son, working on photography projects, blogging, and selling vintage clothes on Etsy.

Comments (28)

On February 23rd, 2011 at 8:26 AM
Tabatha said

Search HotMilk lingerie (Figleaves has it) — it's from Australia or NZ, but it's pretty awesome & totally worth it.

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- On February 23rd, 2011 at 8:33 AM
  alisa said
  
  Haha. I concur! This is what I was going to post the minute I saw this.
  
  Hot Milk is sexy! I loved the pretty lace and funky diamantes =]
  
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- On February 23rd, 2011 at 8:47 AM
  Jessica said
  
  Definitely agree, I'm wearing one of their nursing bras now, and its amazing!
  
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On February 23rd, 2011 at 8:37 AM
Rizubunny said

I've not been pregnant, so I can't say from personal experience, but it might be a good idea to check out Intimacy (http://www.myintimacy.com/). I went there a few months ago to get sized and they had some amazing bras, both for larger sizes and maternity bras. One of the brands I liked particularly was called Panache (http://www.panache-superbra.com/lingerie.aspx). Prima Donna is also a great brand (http://www.prima-donna-bras.com). They're pretty pricy ($80-$120 for non-embellished ones), but so much better than VS, it's totally worth it.

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- On February 23rd, 2011 at 6:56 PM
  Sarah said
  
  I second this! My nursing bras are prima Donna bras that I bought at intimacy. They converted them into nursing bras and will do repairs for the life Of the bras.
  
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On February 23rd, 2011 at 8:38 AM
bunny said

i heartily recommend freya bras and their maternity line. i wear their super cute -pink and cream polka dot!- nursing bras to sleep. retail they can be expensive, but i cruise ebay or nordstrom rack for good deals. i've paid anywhere from $15-$70 for a single bra.

i'm not expecting, or even trying to conceive for that matter, but i am a "ginormous boobie" haver. my problem is going to be getting maternity bras when the time comes. i'm already a 34H.

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Jenn said

Cake Lingerie is so pretty! http://www.cakelingerie.com

But normal, loose fitting, thin, dress like lingerie pieces are always good because you can wear them during pregnancy and after. Just choose ones in a little larger size and with a free flowing stretchy material.

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Amanda Lyle Dunn said

I simply bought one or two sizes up of my regular undies. I wasn't comfy with anything ON my baby belly, so that worked. I wasn't about to wear "maternity" undies. The bra, I did wear sports bras until after the baby came, then I wore nursing bras that slipped up or over easily, (not the latch kind, those were not sexy!) But I am fairly small chested, so I don't really have to go specialty for my bras. Some ladies do. But the internet is great for finding anything you need

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 9:25 AM
Sarah said

Hotmilk! Practical and sexy – and not as expensive as they can be (well for bigger boobs anyway).

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Kate said

The Bravado "Allure Underwire" bra is my favourite — boring colours but a sexy shape.

And in the early days of nursing, I loved the standard Bravado bra in the leopard print. Animal print makes everything better!

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Sarah said

I've heard good things about Hotmilk. I also wore Victoria's Secret lingerie while pregnant and it worked. I just bought stretchy stuff!

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 1:14 PM
My-Lien said

Ok, here's my experience based on selling lingerie for a year… and being pregnant for 8 months of that year. First of all, get measured. Then go up a cup size and up a band size (unless you're willing to buy new bras a couple times over the course of your pregnancy). Most women wind up growing 2 cup sizes larger, with at least an inch in rib expansion as well. You're gonna want to buy with bras that fit on the tightest setting, so you have room for all that growth. Pick stretchy, soft styles – they'll last longer, while those molded cup bras just end up looking funny as your bust gets bigger.
Wait on buying nice nursing bras 'till after your babe arrives because your size may change again when your milk comes in… and it may change again when your supply regulates after the first couple months, so stick with wire-free until then. HotMilk and Elle McPherson make beautiful wire free nursing bras!

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Stephanie said

This thread is making me cry tears of joy. I was a 30G before and by month 3 I was a 36H. I keep emailing Bravissimo hoping they will open up a store in the US, because they are the only place I found that could fit me, and I sadly sized out of the one bra that was really comfortable and cute, but this is giving me hope!

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- On February 25th, 2011 at 6:01 PM
  Monika said
  
  Brava in Australia do from DD upwards
  
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On February 23rd, 2011 at 3:28 PM
Freckles said

I have to agree with Hot Milk and Cake in Australia, their stuff is so beautiful, i can't wait until i get pregnant so i can buy some of their stunning lingerie!

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 5:09 PM
Sara said

Naked. Nothing is sexier than naked

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On February 23rd, 2011 at 7:03 PM
Susanne said

I love Bella Materna http://www.bellamaterna.com/Shop/home.aspx
Very comfy-classy-sexy. My twins are due in August but I already have their nursing gown. My friend swears by their bras.

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- On February 24th, 2011 at 9:00 PM
  Jess said
  
  I hadn't found these before! They look beautiful and come in a good range of sizes. I've just now ordered a bra and a couple of camis on sale
  
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On February 24th, 2011 at 3:34 AM
Jess said

Another vote for Hot Milk here! One of the only bras I could find that gave my 36G boobs a good shape. For comfy and practical I also wear Bravado. Online bra shopping has been great. Most websites have excellent returns policies, so I've ordered lots in different sizes and returned all the ones that didn't fit. Still wearing the granny undies though! The others sit right on my Caesar scar

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On February 24th, 2011 at 6:12 AM
amb said

Ok so I know this is a really stupid question that makes it obvious I don't yet have a baby, but what exactly makes a bra or clothing "nursing-wear"? I keep seeing nursing shirts and nursing bras online, and thinking "that looks like a regular piece of clothing". What's the difference?

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- On February 24th, 2011 at 7:26 AM
  Stephanie said
  
  Nursing bras have little snaps that can fold down/to the side so it's easier to nurse. There are also nursing shirts that do the same. I LIVED in these nursing tank tops from Target while breastfeeding. They looked like regular tank tops, but had snaps at the shoulders that I could pull down, pop Jasper on, and then pull back up. WIN.
  
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  - On February 24th, 2011 at 8:58 AM
    amb said
    
    thanks!
    
    Reply to this comment
On February 24th, 2011 at 6:23 AM
Sheila said

The bras typically have a hook or snap at the top of the cup that drops down so you can easily pop out your breast to feed the baby. That way, you don't have to completely undo the bra or lift it up (possibly stretching it irreparably). Like so: http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/50/sid/6121

Shirts typically have some sort of secret opening that allows you to latch the baby on without yanking down, lifting up, or unbuttoning your shirt and exposing yourself. Here are several examples, although Motherwear's kinda cheap quality: http://www.motherwear.com/cs/openings.cfm Nursing clothes like tops and such are a luxury, for sure; it's nice to have a few if you're the slightest bit nervous about being indiscreet while in public, but if you're at home you're better off just lifting up your regular shirt.

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On February 24th, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Rena' said

For lingerie, I just bought flyaway babydolls. You get plenty of use after the baby, too. My favorite bra, which I still wear almost 2 years after nursing, is Medela's Sleep Bra. It's a simple crossover cotton bra, but the deep V makes me feel sexy. And it comes in black.

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On February 25th, 2011 at 4:34 AM
Serene said

Hi ladies,
I just bought sexy and comfortable maternity bras from Cake Maternity Lingerie. I hope this helps!
http://www.cakelingerie.com/

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On February 25th, 2011 at 7:10 AM
janelle said

FYI – www.zulily.com is having a hotmilk lingerie sale. you have to sign up for the 'opportunity' to buy through their site, but they do run some good sales sometimes! )

http://www.zulily.com/hot-milk-022511.html

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On February 25th, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Liset said

!!!! I WANT BRAS !!!!
I've been checking out all the ones ya'all mentioned, and wow! They're so sexy! I love it! And if i had money, I'd buy em! : )

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On March 1st, 2011 at 5:40 PM
Brandi said

I found decent looking (even full lace) nursing bras at motherhood maternity for very affordable prices. I was surprised at the selection myself.

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