Orange Is the New Black‘s Danielle Brooks curated a pregnancy-inspired clothing collection that’s both stylish and comfortable
Orange is the New Black star Danielle Brooks was tired of not being able to find cute, comfortable maternity clothing that properly fit her newly changing pregnant body, so she decided to do something about it. After all, as if being pregnant weren’t hard enough, finding clothes to fit you as your body, size, and confidence level changes over the course of nine months makes it even more challenging. And clothes should really be the least of your worries!
After Brooks announced back in July that she’s expecting her first child, she opened up to her two million Instagram followers and literally sang about how hard it is to find clothes while pregnant. That’s why she teamed up with Universal Standard, an inclusive fashion brand with a mission to give real women with real bodies (hello, all of us) access to beautiful, comfortable clothing that we can feel good about wearing.
The slogan for the capsule collection reads:
“This is not maternity clothing. It’s a collection of clothing, curated in partnership with actress and soon-to-be mom Danielle Brooks, that you can wear anytime —when you’re pregnant, and when you’re not.”
Comfortable, flattering, size-inclusive maternity clothing that can last beyond your pregnancy? Now that’s the kind of clothing that might help take some stress out of being pregnant.
Brooks’s FIT LIBERTY (MOM) collaboration is part of Universal Standard’s FIT LIBERTY program, which allows buyers to exchange clothing for a new size if they shift a size up or down within a year of purchase. So whether you’re in your first or third trimester of pregnancy, you can pick the size you need now and exchange it for a different one as your body changes, free of charge.
Brooks shares her story on the Universal Standard site saying,
“I’m a size 14/16, but I’ve gained over 50 pounds, so now I’m like an 18, but pregnant I feel more comfortable in a 20. You think you can just size up, but it’s really not that easy. Everything sizes up. The arms size up. The measurement of the ankle sizes up. Or the neckline sizes up—if you don’t get it right, you just end up looking frumpy. It’s been challenging to find fun pieces.
That’s where the collaboration came in. From soft, comfortable jumpsuits and dresses to breezy tunics, trendy maxi dresses, and basic tees, these regular and plus-size maternity pieces are meant to have you looking and feeling your best.
Shop the FIT LIBERTY (MOM) collection:
1Foundation tank dress
Everyone needs a versatile tank dress like this. It’s made from ribbed jersey so it’s super soft, and it can be worn alone or layered with a sweater or jacket.
2Rita ribbed sweater dress with pockets
Keep warm in this breathable, body-con sweater dress that proves you can totally still look and feel sexy while pregnant. It hits mid-length and has a sweet, subtle slit.
3Nailah button down tunic
Add an extra layer to any maternity outfit with this perfectly oversized tunic that’s made of a breezy, gauzy fabric.
4Kate twill jumpsuit
Show off your growing baby bump in style with this casual-cool, military-inspired one-piece that’s minimal and versatile enough to wear post-baby.
5Emily Cupro maxi dress
$130
Shop itWe love this bright, stretchy maxi dress. It even has convenient side pockets.
6Foundation camisole
Stop stretching your regular camisoles to try and fit your pregnancy bump—seriously! Instead, opt for an essential like this. The ribbed jersey will stretch to hug (not squeeze) your bump.
With Brooks’s baby due in early November, she’s aware that her body will change. “After I give birth, I’m going to have a new body—again,” she told Universal Standard. “I’m going to have to adjust to the new body. Ten years from now, it’s going to be another new body. That’s why I try not to put so much pressure on myself to what the world shoves down my throat and tells me I’m supposed to look like. In reality, you define what beauty is, at all times. You define your strength and your power.”
