What to Wear to Your Baby Shower: 9 Dresses I Love

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Three dresses are on the bed and the shower is Saturday. One digs in at the waistband by the second hour, one fit beautifully at twenty weeks and has not since, and the third still has its tags on because you cannot quite picture yourself in it.

Here is the shortcut, and it is only three decisions. Pick a fabric with stretch in it. Pick one silhouette, flowy or fitted, and commit to it. Then let the color be the fun part. Nine dresses are below, sorted by that middle decision, so you can jump straight to the shape you already know you want.

This is the outfit guide. For the themes, decorations, and everything else, start at the baby shower ideas hub.

Start with comfort and confidence

• Pick a fabric that stretches and breathes. You will be sitting, standing, hugging, and opening gifts for a couple of hours, so anything stiff or tight at the waistband gets old fast.
• Choose one silhouette and commit. Flowy and romantic, or fitted to show off the bump. Both photograph beautifully, so it comes down to how you want to feel.
• Dress for your trimester and the season. Empire waists and wraps grow with you, while a bodycon shows a full third-trimester bump best. For a warm-weather shower the summer outfit guide has the breathable formulas, and the fall outfit guide covers layering once it cools. Browse bump-friendly maxi dresses to see the range.
• If you are nursing soon or want to wear it again, a wrap or a nursing-friendly style earns its keep long after the party.

Flowy and romantic

• PinkBlush Mauve Floral Mesh Overlay Maxi, a delicate floral with a soft mesh overlay and a stretchy waist that works at any stage.
• Hello Miz Floral Ruffle Off-Shoulder Maxi, an off-shoulder ruffle and airy floral for a romantic look at a friendly price.

Both brands also sell through Amazon, so if you prefer one cart, browse the PinkBlush Amazon store or the Hello Miz maternity selection.

Dressy and special

• PinkBlush Emerald Bow Satin Maxi, rich emerald satin with a statement bust bow that skims the bump.
• PinkBlush Blue Lace Mesh Overlay Maxi, a scalloped lace overlay with an empire waist that feels almost bridal.

If emerald is your color, this emerald maternity dress search surfaces more options at every price.

Bump-hugging and photo-ready

• Hello Miz Ruched V-Neck Sleeveless, side ruching that defines the bump, and it doubles as a nursing dress later. A lovely budget pick.
• Ingrid and Isabel EveryWear Bodycon Tank, buttery double-layer ruching in earthy tones that suit a neutral theme.
• Motherhood Ruched Bodycon Mini, the easiest, most affordable way to get that photo-ready silhouette.

More in this shape: a ruched maternity bodycon search shows what is in stock across brands.

Easy, elegant color

• Baltic Born Olivia Maxi in Dusty Blue, an on-trend muted blue maxi that drapes gracefully over a bump.
• Baltic Born Vara Satin Wrap in Dusty Blue, a liquid satin wrap that cinches at the waist and photographs with a gorgeous sheen.

Dusty blue not your shade? This muted-tone maternity dress search covers sage, mauve, and terracotta too.

Shoes and finishing touches

Keep your feet happy. A comfortable block heel or a pretty flat you have already broken in beats brand-new shoes every time, because your feet may be a little swollen. Add simple jewelry, and if your shower has a theme, a soft sash or a fresh flower in your hair is a sweet touch. That is really all you need.

What I would skip

• Anything tight at the waistband that digs in after you sit down.
• Brand-new shoes you have not walked in yet. A pair of comfortable flats you already love beats box-fresh anything.
• A dress so structured you cannot breathe after cake.
• Stark white, unless you have decided you want to be the one in white, which, it is your day, so you absolutely can.

One last thing worth saying out loud: you will look at these photos for years, and what you will remember is the room, not the label in the dress. Pick the one you can breathe in and go get fussed over.

Which shape are you leaning toward, floaty or fitted? Say so in the comments, and if you are stuck between two, describe them and we will pick.

More baby shower ideas

Back to the baby shower ideas hub, or browse the maternity clothes hub for more. See also baby shower ideas for boys, for girls, gender-neutral ideas, and twin baby shower ideas. For the whole outfit in one browse, this baby shower dress search is a good place to start.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most flattering dress for a baby shower?

An empire-waist or side-ruched style. The empire seam floats over the bump for a soft look, while side ruching hugs and defines it for a photo-ready silhouette.

What should I wear if my shower is in summer or winter?

For summer, a breathable floral or a sleeveless maxi keeps you cool. For winter, a long-sleeve bodycon or a wrap dress in a rich color feels seasonal and cozy, with tights and a block heel.

Can I wear a dress that is not maternity?

Yes. A stretchy bump-friendly maxi or a wrap dress with an adjustable tie works beautifully and is easy to wear again after the baby comes.