Maternity Skirts

Waistband, length and how the hem behaves

Most maternity skirts use either a soft over-bump panel or a wide elastic waist that can sit above or below the bump. The panel version stays put and is invisible under a longer top; the elastic version is more adjustable and often more wearable afterwards.

Length behaves differently over a bump: the front hem rises as the bump grows, so a midi can read shorter in the third trimester than the product photograph suggests. Heavier fabrics hang more predictably than fine viscose.

Fitted knitted skirts show the bump and stretch with it; A-line and pleated shapes skim instead. Both work, and the choice is mostly about how visible you want the bump to be.