I’m Petite and Pregnant, So I Asked a Stylist How to Best Dress for My Shape

Jillian Obarski is one of several stylists on the Stitch Fix team who are dedicated to helping with maternity wear. In fact, she’s part of a recently launched program called M.O.M., which stands for milestones of motherhood, which aims to support the style needs of mothers throughout every single phase from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond.

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With all bump-friendly styles, the number one goal is to shop for clothes that come with a bit of give and flexibility. Per Obarski, this is where a wrap dress is destined to be your best friend. Instead of choosing a style with a ton of volume, a wrap dress—plus its adjustable belt—comes with a waist-defining feature that you can adjust as you move through each trimester, she explains. In a lot of cases, you can wear it on the other side, too, meaning the months (and sometimes years) after giving birth. Another silhouette that’s particularly flattering for petite moms? Empire waist dresses. “They’re a fantastic choice because they sit right below the bust and emphasize the slimmest part of the torso before flowing outwards,” Obarski says. This helps lengthen your frame and make you appear a bit taller.

As much as it’s tempting to stick with your favorite pair of skinny jeans—we’re talking to you, millennial moms—maternity clothes for petites call for a looser (but still tailored!) silhouette. “Choosing a straight or slightly bootcut leg can help balance the proportions of a petite frame better than a skinny pant might,” Obarski says. The ideal fit is one that hits at an ankle length, which helps elongate your legs. Additionally, a straighter cut feels like a sister to skinny styles in that it still offers a close-to-the-leg fit, but comes with a bit more flexibility without too much volume or anything that feels over the top. Add a belly band to a favorite style and you’re ready to go.

If you haven’t yet noticed, it’s A-OK to borrow from your non-maternity wardrobe to assemble a bump-friendly look. Case in point: the oversize button-up. While volume in many cases can overwhelm a petite frame, proportions are what matter. “For a look that’s equal parts comfortable and stylish, every petite pregnant person needs an oversize button-up that can be paired with black leggings,” Obarski says. “This particular top silhouette offers plenty of coverage that also flows nicely over the belly without overpowering a petite frame, while the leggings ensure flexibility and comfort.” In fact, Obarski says it’s her go-to pregnancy uniform for petites. “Reach for it every time you’re running errands,” she says.

Again, while bump-friendly, anything shapeless is going to drown a smaller stature. (Of course, it that’s what makes you feel comfy right now, go forth.) Still, you can find a happy medium—say, a shirt dress which is a bit more figure-hugging around your belly or even a body con style. Per Obarski, styles like these allow you to play up your bump in a way that’s flattering while still looking relaxed. (Pop on a cardigan for an easy—and cozy—layer, she adds.)

You’d be surprised what a workhorse a high-waist midi skirt can be for anyone petite and pregnant (bonus points if you find one with stretch). “Another tried-and-true combo is a midi skirt that sits over your bump, paired with a tucked-in maternity blouse,” Obarski says. “It works because it accentuates the smallest part of the waist, but the midi-skirt hemline elongates the body without overpowering it.”