The French Girl’s Guide to Effortlessly Chic Maternity Style

As you know, French women have a distinctive approach to beauty, fashion, and self-care—and maternity is no exception. Pregnancy in France tends to follow a laissez-faire philosophy, best summed up by the mantra “live and let live.” There’s little pressure to curate the perfect pregnancy with elaborate social media announcements, gender reveals, extravagant baby showers, or other grand celebrations. Instead, French women embrace a more understated, natural approach, aiming to welcome a child without drastically altering their lifestyle or personal philosophy.

This same effortless mindset extends to maternity style. Wardrobe-wise, not much changes—aside from a few subtle adjustments for comfort. Most French women continue wearing their usual clothes for as long as possible, staying true to their signature style while making small, practical concessions. So whether you’re curious about what French women wear during pregnancy or simply looking for inspiration, this guide has you covered. Here are five essential tips to master French maternity style, plus ten effortlessly chic maternity outfit ideas you can seamlessly incorporate into your wardrobe.

The 5 Tips for Mastering French Maternity Style

1. Stay True to Your Signature Style

During pregnancy, French women remain faithful to their signature style, making only slight adjustments to accommodate their changing bodies. They tend to be reluctant to buy new clothes at first, preferring to shop at regular or vintage stores and simply size up rather than investing in dedicated maternity wear. Comfort is key, but without compromising style. As Parisian model and creative director Léia Sfez shared in an interview with Modesens: “For me, it’s very important to stay as close as possible to my natural, non-pregnancy style, while just taking into consideration a belly that is growing day by day.”

2. Wear Your Regular Clothes for as Long as Possible

Rather than overhauling their wardrobes, French women adapt their existing pieces for as long as possible. Instead of buying maternity clothes that will only be worn for a few months, they style their usual wardrobe to accommodate their baby bump. Think oversized tops, jackets, large sweaters, classic button-downs, trenches, long coats, effortless dresses, and even men’s blazers—all items that already exist in their closets.

For denim lovers, jeans remain a staple. When fastening them becomes tricky, French women rely on the classic elastic trick: loop a hair tie around the button, thread it through the buttonhole, and secure it back around the button. A simple, discreet solution that extends the life of their favorite pairs.

3. Invest in Maternity Essentials for Comfort

While French women prioritize their usual wardrobe, they also incorporate a few maternity essentials for added comfort. Writer and broadcaster Monica de La Villardière admitted in an interview with Net-a-Porter: “Eventually, every woman needs to bite the bullet and invest in a great pair of pregnancy leggings, pregnancy tights, and, dare I say it, pregnancy jeans. I regret avoiding these purchases for as long as I did.”

Though leggings aren’t an obvious fashion choice for French women, many confess that a high-quality pair becomes indispensable during pregnancy. Léia Sfez also shared her experience: “The real problem I found was knowing what to wear on my legs, as I’m such a pants-and-jeans girl. I quickly realized that leggings and dad jeans were my only solution! I did buy some black maternity leggings—they are essential, I would say.” Maternity leggings can be effortlessly styled with oversized sweaters, button-down shirts, and voluminous tops and paired with equestrian-style boots or chic sneakers. Another French maternity essential? Knitted dresses. They’re practical, comfortable, and can be worn long after pregnancy.

4. Prioritize Comfort While Maintaining Elegance

French women never sacrifice their signature allure—even when pregnant. As Chloé Harrouche, founder of Loulou de Saison, told Vogue UK: “Comfort is an obvious keyword, but the idea is to achieve it whilst maintaining one’s innate elegance.”

The secret? Playing with proportions to highlight the silhouette while staying comfortable. Try pairing maternity leggings with a basic tee, a luxurious cashmere sweater, or an oversized button-down. Layer with a chic overcoat or an oversized blazer for a refined touch. In summer, lightweight dresses paired with flat sandals or ballet flats strike the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication. Accessories also play a crucial role in elevating an outfit. A structured bag or elegant jewelry instantly enhances a simple look. A thin belt placed just above the baby bump over a loose-knit sweater or a flowy shirt can create a more polished, put-together appearance.

5. Choose Outfits That Flatter Your Silhouette

Oversized pieces—like loose shirts, blazers, and knitwear—are comfortable and stylish during the first trimester. However, as Net-a-Porter’s Monica de La Villardière noted: “Once you’re into your second trimester, if everything you wear is loose, you risk looking like a walking tent.” To maintain balance, she suggests pairing form-fitting pieces with looser items—such as a fitted top with relaxed trousers or a body-hugging dress under an oversized blazer.

Some, like Jeanne Damas, creative director of Rouje Paris, prefer to embrace their pregnancy curves with stretch fabrics instead of oversized silhouettes. As she told Vogue UK: “I’ve really wanted to embrace my bump with stretch fabrics and not hide it beneath oversized clothes. I’ve always worn wrap dresses in summer and knit dresses in winter as part of my style, and both have been perfect during pregnancy.”

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14 French Maternity Wardrobe Essentials

• Oversized button-down shirts – Classic and versatile, perfect for layering or wearing loosely over a growing bump. Pair them with wide-leg pants, jeans, or maternity leggings.
• Maternity leggings – A French maternity must-have for ultimate comfort. Best styled with oversized shirts or sweaters and paired with loafers or equestrian-style boots.
• Trench coat – Timeless and practical, effortlessly elevates any maternity outfit.
• Oversized blazer – A chic layering piece that maintains polish while accommodating your bump. Style it with maternity leggings and loafers for a refined yet effortless look.
• Loose-fit sweaters – Soft and cozy, perfect for layering over leggings or pairing with jeans. Wear it under an oversized blazer for a chic-décontracté (effortlessly chic) look.
• Stretchy ribbed tops – A fitted yet comfortable option to balance oversized pieces like blazers, coats, and wide-leg jeans.
• Cardigan – A cozy, versatile layering piece that can be worn open or belted above the bump.
• Knitted dresses or knitted skirts – Stretchy and elegant, they hug the silhouette beautifully while keeping you comfortable.
• Slip and wrap dresses – Flowy and feminine, ideal for everyday elegance.
• Relaxed jeans or elastic-waist jeans – A go-to alternative to maternity jeans for French women. Use the elastic trick to extend their wear! Pair your favorite jeans with loafers and an Oxford shirt for an effortlessly elevated look.
• Ballet flats & loafers – Chic and comfortable, they complete a French maternity look effortlessly.
• Flat knee-high or equestrian-style boots – Stylish yet practical, perfect for pairing with leggings or dresses.
• Classic sneakers – A must-have for effortless Parisian casual chic.
• Thin belt – Worn above the bump over dresses or sweaters for a structured, polished look.

7 Chic French Maternity Outfit Ideas

These effortlessly chic outfit ideas, inspired by French women, blend comfort and sophistication—proving that maternity fashion can be both practical and undeniably stylish ;).

1. Embroidered Midi Dress + Trench Coat

2. Tweed Jacket + Maternity Leggings

3. Short Boho-Chic Flowy Dress + Heels

4. Long Knit Dress + Shearling Coat

5. Embroidered Maxi Dress + Mary Janes

6. Oxford Blue Shirt + Maternity Skirt + Loafers

7. Oversized Shirt + Maternity Leggings + Boots