By the last stretch of pregnancy, getting dressed is mostly about what you can put on without a fight. Bending is harder, your feet may have changed size, and you're often warm while everyone else is reaching for a coat. The outfits below are built around full-panel bottoms, stretch dresses, open layers and flat shoes you can step into. I've also leaned on regular outerwear that stays open over the bump, since a coat you'll wear again next fall is better value than a maternity coat you'll wear for ten weeks. There are casual outfits, work outfits and a few for showers and seasonal gatherings.
Running Hot While Everyone Else Wants a Coat
Late pregnancy raises your body temperature and your blood volume, so a crisp fall day can feel very different to you than to the person next to you. I plan third-trimester outfits so the warmth sits in layers I can remove without undressing.
- Keep the base layer thin and breathable: cotton, modal or fine merino. Polyester knits trap heat against the bump.
- Put the warmth in the outer layer, such as an open cardigan, vest or coat, so it comes off in one move when you walk into a heated store.
- Choose coats you can wear unbuttoned. Few regular coats close over a full-term bump, and you'll often want it open anyway.
- A scarf does a lot of the work a buttoned coat would, and it's easier to take off in a car or waiting room.
If you do want a closed coat for the coldest days, a coat extender panel or a babywearing coat with a zip-in panel will last beyond the birth.
1. Third Trimester Maternity Cardigan And Leggings Outfit
This is the outfit I'd want most days in the third trimester. Full-panel leggings in a thick, opaque fabric go on first; thin leggings turn see-through as they stretch over the bump and the seat. Add a stretchy maternity tee in white, black or soft gray and a long open cardigan in camel, oatmeal or olive that falls past the hips. Slip-on sneakers or flat ankle boots with a side zip mean you aren't bending to tie laces. A light crossbody keeps your hands free, and a cap takes care of bad hair days at school pickup or the doctor's office.
2. Third Trimester Maternity Sweater Dress And Boots Outfit
One piece, nothing to match. A ribbed midi sweater dress follows the bump and still leaves room to walk, provided the neckline stretches and the knit isn't scratchy against skin that may already be itchy from stretching. Flat knee-high boots are the tricky part. By now many women find their calves have filled out a little, so I look for stretch shafts or long side zips and always try them on in the afternoon. Maternity tights and an open wrap coat cover colder days. Green, burgundy, chocolate and navy all suit fall, and the dress moves from the office to a shower or dinner without changing anything.
3. Third Trimester Maternity Midi Dress And Denim Jacket Outfit
Denim makes a stretch midi dress feel relaxed. I start with a long-sleeve maternity dress in ribbed jersey or soft cotton; side ruching holds extra fabric through the middle so the hem doesn't lift at the front as the bump drops lower. An oversized denim jacket stays open so nothing presses on your stomach. Low white sneakers keep you comfortable on a walk, and a small backpack spreads weight across both shoulders, which is kinder to a lower back that's already working hard. Rust, charcoal, forest green or warm beige dresses all look like autumn. It suits a market morning, a casual lunch or a mild afternoon.
4. Third Trimester Maternity Jeans And Utility Jacket Outfit
Late pregnancy jeans need a full over-bump panel; at this point an under-bump band tends to dig in under the belly or slide down all day. A straight leg looks neat, and a slight taper at the ankle stops the hem from dragging. Add a striped maternity tee or long-sleeve top that covers the panel completely, then an olive utility jacket worn open for pockets and color. I'd pick loafers, slip-on sneakers or Chelsea boots with elastic sides, so there's nothing to lace. Push up the jacket sleeves for a bit more shape. It feels more put together than leggings while still comfortable for coffee runs and a relaxed office.
5. Third Trimester Maternity Overalls And Cardigan Outfit
Overalls take the waistband out of the equation, which is a relief at eight or nine months. Choose soft denim, corduroy or stretch twill with side buttons and adjustable straps, and wear them over a fitted long-sleeve maternity top so you don't end up with volume everywhere. A light open cardigan adds warmth without bulk, and a crossbody sits best slung beside the bump rather than across it. Rolled hems look tidy on mild days; full length is warmer. Cream, rust, brown and faded black all repeat well. My one warning: check the bathroom situation. Side buttons that are hard to undo become a real nuisance when you're going every hour.
6. Third Trimester Maternity Knit Set And Trench Coat Outfit
A matching knit set looks planned even when you got dressed in four minutes. Choose maternity pants with a soft, wide waistband and a long-sleeve top that stretches over the bump without riding up. Fine rib or smooth jersey layers under a coat far better than a thick knit, which adds width you don't need right now. An open trench in beige, taupe or olive draws long lines down the front, and white sneakers and a structured tote keep it modern. Have the pant hems checked before you rely on them. Wide-leg knits that touch the floor catch under your heel, and your balance isn't what it was a few months ago.
7. Third Trimester Maternity Trousers And Button-Down Outfit
Wide-leg maternity trousers with a long button-down are my go-to for third-trimester workdays. Get trousers with a stretch over-bump panel and a light, fluid fabric that doesn't bunch at the lap when you sit through meetings. Wear a fitted maternity tank under the shirt and leave the lower buttons open so the shirt falls around the bump instead of pulling across it. A longline blazer or open cardigan adds a layer. Loafers with a cushioned insole are worth having, and buy them with a little room, since feet often swell by late afternoon. Black trousers with a blue or white shirt is the classic; camel and cream feel softer.
8. Third Trimester Maternity Tunic Sweater And Leggings Outfit
Few things beat a tunic sweater over leggings for comfort. The sweater should cover the hips and have side slits, because without them the hem stretches tight around the bump and pulls up at the front. Black maternity leggings in a thick fabric, or faux leather for evenings, finish the bottom half. Flat ankle boots with a wide opening slide on easily, and a long pendant adds length. Cream, camel, plum and deep teal all sit well with black. I'd avoid very oversized knits at this stage. Dropped shoulders and a straight body look relaxed; an extra-wide sweater simply turns into a tent around you.
9. Third Trimester Maternity Maxi Dress And Shacket Outfit
A maternity maxi dress gives the most room of anything here, through the stomach, hips and legs. Choose a long-sleeve jersey style or an empire waist, and check the front length standing side-on in a mirror, because the bump lifts the front hem and a dress that's ankle-length at the back can end up mid-calf at the front. Throw an open plaid or solid shacket over it, and wear flat ankle boots. A felt hat is a nice touch for outdoor photos. A compact shoulder bag keeps the proportions right; a huge tote competes with the bump. Rust, olive, navy and fall florals all work, and the shacket comes off when the afternoon warms up.
10. Third Trimester Maternity Skirt And Turtleneck Outfit
Skirts give you a dressier option without fitted trousers. A satin or soft-knit midi with a wide elastic waistband can sit above or below the bump, whichever feels better that day. Pair it with a fitted maternity turtleneck in a breathable stretch fabric. If you run warm, try a fine merino or cotton turtleneck over a synthetic one, which can feel stifling indoors. An open long cardigan covers any visible waistband. Ballet flats, a low block heel or roomy ankle boots all work, with a small top-handle bag. A black turtleneck with a bronze, olive or burgundy skirt is my favorite fall pairing, and the outfit suits work, showers or a holiday meal.
11. Third Trimester Maternity Jumpsuit And Blazer Outfit
A maternity jumpsuit is a whole outfit in one zip or wrap. Look for soft jersey with wide legs and adjustable straps or a wrap neckline, and plenty of stretch through the torso, since the third trimester adds length to the front of the body as well as width. An oversized blazer worn open gives a tailored finish, and loafers or sleek sneakers change it from work to weekend. The honest trade-off is the bathroom: a jumpsuit with no wrap front or easy straps means undressing every trip, and late pregnancy means a lot of trips. Black, espresso, navy and dark green are the most versatile, and the blazer will keep working after the baby arrives.
12. Third Trimester Maternity Hoodie And Puffer Vest Outfit
Hoodie, leggings and a puffer vest is the outfit for brisk walks and long travel days. Choose a maternity hoodie with extra length at the front so it still covers the bump as it grows; a regular hoodie will ride up over it. Thick maternity leggings go underneath, and the open vest keeps your core warm without pinning your arms in a jacket, which suits anyone who runs hot. Walking sneakers with elastic laces or a slip-on design save you bending down. A belt bag worn high across the chest holds keys and a phone. Black leggings, a heather gray hoodie and an olive, cream or burgundy vest make an easy palette.
13. Third Trimester Maternity Empire-Waist Dress And Tights Outfit
An empire-waist dress puts the seam above the bump, so the skirt falls clear and nothing presses on your stomach. Choose knee or midi length in stretch jersey, knit or a woven with soft gathers; stiff fabric juts out from the bump and looks boxy. I check the bust seam closely, because late in pregnancy the chest often keeps growing and a tight seam there gets uncomfortable fast. Opaque maternity tights with a soft panel and flat knee-high or ankle boots finish it, plus a collarless coat worn open. Small florals, burgundy, navy and deep green feel seasonal. It's a good pick for work or family photos when leggings feel too casual.
14. Third Trimester Maternity Wide-Leg Pants And Cardigan Outfit
Wide-leg maternity pants feel softer than jeans late in pregnancy and give you room to move. I prefer a full-panel pair in ponte, jersey or a light knit, with a fitted maternity top on top so the wide leg doesn't make you look the same width from shoulder to floor. A long open cardigan that falls near the knee adds a vertical line. Pointed flats or supportive loafers lengthen the leg without a heel. Hem length matters here: the pants should skim the top of the shoe and stop short of the ground. Tonal pairings like cream and camel, gray and charcoal, or chocolate and beige make this simple formula look deliberate.
15. Third Trimester Black Maternity Dress And Duster Outfit
All black is the easiest palette to rework from one day to the next. A fitted long-sleeve maternity midi in stretch jersey or rib is the base, with a black or charcoal duster cardigan worn open to frame the bump. Flat black ankle boots keep it unbroken from top to toe. Then I add one color through the bag, maybe burgundy, camel or forest green, and some gold at the ears or neck so the black doesn't look flat in photos. Maternity tights and a removable scarf cover colder days. Swap the bag, jewelry and layer, and the same dress gets you through the office, a shower and a dinner in the same week.
Shoes for Swollen Feet and Lost Balance
Feet commonly swell in the third trimester, especially by evening and after long periods standing or sitting. Many women find they've gone up a half size, and for some it doesn't fully go back. Your center of gravity has also moved forward, so a slight heel feels less steady than it did.
I shop for third-trimester shoes in the late afternoon, when feet are at their largest. Slip-ons, elastic-sided Chelsea boots and side-zip boots save you from bending to tie laces. A wide toe box matters more than a cushioned sole. Skip anything with a narrow pointed toe that pinches by noon, and break in boots before you need them.
After Delivery, These Pieces Keep Working
You will still look about six months pregnant for a while after the birth, so your maternity clothes don't retire at the hospital door. The pieces that carry on best are the ones that also open for feeding: button-down shirts, wrap dresses, cardigans over a stretch tank, and V-neck or wrap jersey dresses. Full-panel leggings and soft waistband trousers are welcome postpartum, too, since a low or tight band can rub a healing belly.
For a going-home outfit, I'd pack loose full-panel leggings or soft pants, a long tee or nursing top, an open cardigan and slip-on shoes. That's the third trimester rotation all over again, which is exactly the point.
Late Pregnancy Dressing Comes Down to a Few Easy Pieces
A third-trimester wardrobe works when everything is easy to get on and adjusts to the day's temperature. You can cover work, travel, celebrations and appointments with a handful of pieces: supportive full-panel leggings, one or two stretch dresses, full-panel trousers and long maternity tops. Use open cardigans, jackets, blazers and coats to deal with fall weather, and keep shoes flat and easy to slip on. Above all, dress for the body you have this week, not the one you had in spring or the one you'll have next month. A small, comfortable rotation will see you through the last weeks.
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