Great Expectations Maternity wear isn’t new, although it has evolved greatly in the past 150 years. There were pregnancy undergarments as far back as the 1810s, and maternity sewing patterns sold by the last decade of the 19th century, although many women altered the clothes in their closet rather than purchase or make something new. By the early 1900s there were more maternity clothing options, particularly thanks to Lane Bryant, which is said to have made the first maternity dress in 1904. Loose, flowing clothes were favored through the 1920s, and wrap dresses and adjustable waistbands were the thing in the 1930s and 40s. By the 1950s, separates and loose tops were in vogue for expectant mothers, who were more and more apt to purchase clothing especially for those nine months. The maternity fashion label Page Boy patented a skirt with a U-shaped cutout and an adjustable tie at the waist, paired with a long matching jacket. By the 1960s and 70s, maternity fashion mirrored other fashions, with miniskirts, and, increasingly, form-fitting clothing showing off baby bumps—a long way from Victorian days. Look for some punny labels in vintage maternity wear: Coming Attraction, Hi-Stork, An Heir Conditioned Maternity, Mrs. America, Stork-a-Lure. For modern mothers-to-be, there are specific maternity fashion choices from many eras, plus vintage clothing staples that can work well for maternity: Trapeze dresses, smocks, swing coats, empire and dropped waists, wrap and adjustable waists, kimonos, cloaks and capes, and body-con knits. What will you wear when you’re becoming a-parent? For our parade this week, the VFG offers you a choice—to meet your great expectations!
1950s Cotton Three-Piece Maternity Set 1960s Satin Pussy Bow Maternity Blouse 1980s Rayon Paisley Pinafore Dress 1970s Silk Chiffon Bias-Cut Trapeze Dress 1950s Maternity Smock and Adjustable Skirt Pattern
Vintage 50s Maternity Suit Pattern 32 Vintage 60s Maternity Pattern Top Skirt Pants 31 Vintage 50s Vogue Maternity Outfit Pattern 30 Bust
1950s maternity skirt pattrn Simplicity 4004 1950s maternity smock and skirt pattern Butterick 6973 1960s maternity smock or top, blouse and pants pattern Simplicity 7817 1970s maternity top and pants pattern plus kangaroo toy Simplicity 8197 1970s maternity dress, top and pants pattern Butterick 5723
1970s Red Black Floral Stretchy Cape Dress 1950s Plus Size Charcoal Stork-A-Lure Skirt Set 1970s Floral Boho Elastic Top and Skirt Set 1950s Coming Attraction Navy Checked Maternity Set
Vintage 1950s Maternity Top Blue Plaid Cotton Pleated My Vintage Clothes Line on Ruby Lane https://www.rubylane.com/shop/myvintageclothesline
1950s pink cotton maternity top and skirt by Phil Jacobs Edwardian white cotton nightgown 1970s blue and gold Egyptian dress
Suzanne, I have a Phil Jacobs too! At magsrags.net - note the pun represented by the "Treasure Chest" embellishment... In my Etsy shop, this Catherine Ogust LBD would work well until the last trimester A vibrant batik style caftan that would accommodate a baby bump nicely And an empire waist Hawaiian sundress with full tiered skirt below
Listings-to-be in my shop (links to come) 40s Fruit of the Loom maternity house dress 80s pleat front blouse 80s-90s cotton smock jacket 60s Hawaiian tunic top 70s red-orange poly knit long dress with rhinestone buttons up the side
Maternity and maternity appropriate sewing patterns 1970s MATERNITY Size 12 B34 dress tunic trousers vintage sewing pattern Style 1503 1950s ladies NIGHTDRESS NEGLIGEE short PYJAMAS B 38" vintage sewing pattern Le Roy 2177 1970s MATERNITY TROUSERS Size 10 W 25 Small Simplity 5701 elastic waist wide leg flared pants only incomplete