15 Baby Shower Outfits for Mom to Be That Show Off the Bump

Your shower is on the calendar, the invites are out, and now you need a baby shower outfit that fits the bump you have today, not the one you had last month. You want to feel pretty in photos, sit comfortably for two or three hours and still breathe after cake.

This list has 15 real dresses worn by moms to be, from a blush pink maxi to a burgundy sweater dress for a winter shower. Each one comes with the pieces you need, the season it suits and one easy swap, so you can copy the look with what is already in your closet or a single new dress.

1. Blush Pink Tank Maxi Dress With a Tie Waist

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A blush pink jersey maxi with wide tank straps and a scoop neck hugs the bump in the nicest way. The sash ties just under the bust and ends in a soft fabric knot on one side, which draws the eye up. A small pendant necklace, stud earrings and a bold berry lip finish it.

Best for: spring and summer showers, pink "it's a girl" themes, second and third trimester.

Try this: If the sash feels tight while sitting, tie it looser and move the knot to your back.

2. Blue Paisley Sundress With a Cropped Jacket

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A white sundress with a blue paisley and floral print gets a sweet upgrade from a light blue cropped jacket. The jacket has short puff sleeves, button tabs and stops just above the bump, so the print still shows. A thin chain necklace with a small blue stone pulls the colors together.

Best for: "it's a boy" showers, garden parties, spring.

Try this: No cropped jacket? Wear a short denim jacket open over the dress.

3. Red Floral Chiffon Dress With a V-Neck

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Light red chiffon with a large pink floral print floats over the bump and gathers at an empire waist. The V-neckline is soft, and the loose short sleeves keep the look relaxed. Long beach waves and no jewelry let the print do the talking.

Best for: outdoor afternoon showers, Valentine's season, any trimester.

Try this: Add a lined slip under thin chiffon if the sun is bright behind you.

4. Bright Red Sleeveless Jersey Maxi Dress

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This is the simplest baby shower dress on the list. A bright red jersey maxi with a round neck and a seam under the bust falls in soft folds over a big third-trimester bump. One color, one piece, done.

Best for: late third trimester, holiday showers, anyone who wants zero fuss.

Try this: A red dress makes a strong photo against a plain backdrop, so ask the host to set one up for pictures.

5. Little Black Dress and a Tan Leather Jacket

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A short, fitted black jersey dress with black opaque tights shows off the bump from the side. A tan leather moto jacket with zip details adds warmth and a bit of edge. Red nail polish is the only pop of color.

Best for: fall showers, restaurant showers, couples showers.

Try this: Swap the moto jacket for a camel cardigan if you want something softer.

6. White Tiered Dress With a Floral Kimono

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A white midi dress made of soft horizontal tiers stretches over the bump without clinging. A sheer navy kimono with blue and coral flowers adds color and covers the arms. A long gold tassel necklace and a thin gold bangle tie in the boho feel.

Best for: boho or wildflower themes, spring, the guest of honor who likes white.

Try this: Pick a kimono in your shower colors so you match the decor in photos.

7. Red Floral Midi Dress With Puff Sleeves

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This rust red dress has small cream and pink flowers, a V-neck and short puff sleeves with elastic cuffs. The empire waist sits high so the skirt falls straight over the bump. Standing sideways, like this, is the easiest way to show the bump in photos.

Best for: late summer and early fall, farm or backyard showers.

Try this: Add a straw hat for an outdoor party and keep it on for the gift opening.

8. Teal Tiered Boho Maxi With Lace Trim

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A sleeveless teal cotton maxi has a smocked bodice, white lace trim and three tiers that flare out at the hem. It gives the bump plenty of room and moves nicely when you walk. A pink pendant adds a little contrast at the neck.

Best for: summer park showers, boho themes, any trimester.

Try this: Light cotton breathes better than polyester on a hot day.

9. Blush Chiffon Dress With Flutter Sleeves and a Tie Belt

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Soft blush pink with wide, gathered flutter sleeves feels romantic without being too much. A thin self-tie belt wraps over the top of the bump and hangs in long loops. Shoot it among flowers and the whole frame turns pink and green.

Best for: "it's a girl" showers, tea parties, brunch.

Try this: Tie the belt in a bow at the side so it sits in photos when you hold the bump.

10. Cobalt Blue Long-Sleeve Fitted Dress

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A short, above-the-knee cobalt blue jersey dress with long sleeves and a wide boat neck shows the bump clearly. The color is bold, so you need almost nothing else. It works well if your shower is at home, since you can sit, kneel or curl up on the couch.

Best for: "it's a boy" themes, at-home showers, fall and winter.

Try this: Bright blue can look harsh in flash photos, so stand near a window.

11. Coral Pink Dress With a White Cardigan

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A bright coral pink stretch dress with a small ruffle at the neckline gets a white textured cardigan on top. The cardigan has three-quarter sleeves and stays open so the bump still shows. This is a good baby shower outfit when the room has strong air conditioning.

Best for: church hall or office showers, spring, mild fall days.

Try this: A cream cardigan softens the pink if bright coral feels too loud.

12. Cream Chevron Long-Sleeve Dress With Layered Necklaces

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This cream dress has a shiny chevron pattern, a round neck and long sleeves with a little volume at the cuff. Two long beaded necklaces in pink and gold add color. Big pink earrings and soft curls make it feel dressed up.

Best for: fall and winter showers, cooler evenings, neutral themes.

Try this: Keep jewelry long, so it sits on the bump and doesn't fight the neckline.

13. Rust Cowl-Neck Dress With an Olive Cardigan

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A rust jersey dress with a draped cowl neckline sits under a long olive green cardigan. A thin braided belt rests just above the bump. Rust and olive are a classic fall pair and look warm in photos. See more fall maternity outfits for cooler showers.

Best for: fall showers, pumpkin or "little pumpkin" themes, cool weather.

Try this: Swap the olive cardigan for a mustard one for a brighter fall look.

14. Burgundy Sweater Dress for Winter Showers

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A burgundy knit sweater dress with long sleeves hugs the bump and hips. Soft knit keeps you warm at a December party, and the deep wine color looks rich next to holiday decor.

Best for: winter and holiday showers, late third trimester.

Try this: Pick a knit with some stretch, so it moves with you when you sit and stand.

15. White Off-Shoulder Lace Maxi Dress

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White lace with off-shoulder flutter sleeves and a long, full skirt is the dreamiest choice on this list. Holding the skirt out with one hand makes a lovely movement shot. As the mom to be, you are the one person who can wear white to your own shower. It also works as one of the prettiest maternity photoshoot outfits.

Best for: outdoor and garden showers, photos, spring through early fall.

Try this: Bring a cardigan for the drive home, since off-shoulder dresses get chilly fast.

How to Pick Your Baby Shower Outfit

The right outfit is the one you can wear for three hours without tugging at it. Start with comfort, then match the season, then the theme.

1. Fit first. Try the dress on while sitting, since you will spend much of the party in a chair opening gifts. Stretch jersey, knit and chiffon over a lined skirt all give the bump room. Our maternity dresses guide has more shapes to try.

2. Match the season. Use this quick guide:

Season	Fabric	Easy topper
Spring	Chiffon, light cotton	Cropped jacket or kimono
Summer	Cotton, linen blend, jersey	None, or a straw hat outside
Fall	Jersey, light knit	Cardigan or moto jacket
Winter	Sweater knit, thick jersey	Long cardigan, tights

3. Pick a color with the theme. Ask the host for the shower colors. A matching or neighboring shade (blush with pink, cobalt with blue) looks great in photos. A solid color photographs more cleanly than a busy print against a busy backdrop.

4. Plan your shoes. Flats, low wedges or block heels are the safe bet when your feet swell. If you want heels, check with your doctor or midwife and bring flats in your bag.

5. Add one layer. Venues run hot or cold. A cardigan, kimono or light jacket fixes both.

Baby shower guest outfit ideas

Guests have it easier. A floral midi, a simple wrap dress or nice pants with a blouse all work. A few easy rules for guest outfits:

• Skip white and anything bridal-looking. Let the mom to be own it.
• Wear the theme colors in a lighter shade, not head to toe.
• Choose shoes for grass if the party is outside.
• Keep it daytime-casual unless the invite says formal.

FAQ

What should the mom to be wear to her baby shower? A comfortable dress that shows the bump is the most popular choice, like a stretch maxi, a tiered midi or a fitted knit. Pick a fabric you can sit in for a few hours and a color that goes with the baby shower theme.

Can the mom to be wear white to her baby shower? Yes. The baby shower is about her, so a white lace or tiered dress is a common choice. Guests should avoid white so she stands out.

What colors should a guest wear to a baby shower? Soft pastels, florals and the shower's theme colors are all safe. Avoid all white so you don't compete with the guest of honor.

Is it okay to wear pants to a baby shower? Yes. Wide-leg pants or maternity jeans with a nice top work for both the mom to be and guests, unless the invite asks for a dressier look.