There’s something about these final golden days of the year that feels particularly precious. The air is crisp, the light is softer, and I can’t help but want to soak up every last moment before life changes in the biggest way. Once the little one arrives, I know I’ll be spending far more hours at home than I do now, so slipping into something that allows me to feel both comfortable and a little bit polished has become a small luxury in itself.
And let me say, comfort has climbed much higher on my priority list than it ever was before. Not that I didn’t want to feel comfortable in the past, but I’ll be honest: I’ve been guilty of holding in my stomach just to zip up a fitted dress for an evening out. (Tell me you haven’t done the same!) That kind of sacrifice, though? Pregnancy makes it absolutely impossible—and truthfully, completely unappealing. There are already a hundred little reasons your body can feel uncomfortable at this stage: a waistband that digs in, straps that cut into your shoulders, fabric with no give. Why add one more?
So I made a promise to myself early on: whatever I buy and wear during pregnancy has to feel good and look good. One does not cancel out the other. Because while comfort matters, I don’t want to look back and see myself as one of those women who just stopped caring the moment a bump appeared. No offence at all—but it’s not me.
The Magic of Multi-Use Pieces
That’s why I’ve gravitated toward pieces like the dress I’m wearing in this look. It works beautifully right now, but the real win is that it will also work afterwards. If you’ve followed along with my maternity posts, you’ll know this has become a bit of a theme for me. Honestly, who wants to invest in clothing that only works for a handful of months? Practicality matters more than ever, and I want my wardrobe to have longevity. Of course, I’m not talking about those maternity jeans with built-in belly bands (those are a category of their own), but when it comes to dresses and skirts, I refuse to see them as temporary.
This is where a style like this ruched dress comes into its own. It’s not just “good for maternity”—it’s good, full stop. The fabric stretches and moves with your body, and the ruching detail keeps it from feeling like a second-skin bodycon moment. Instead, it flatters in all the right places, both now and later.
Why Ruching Works
Let’s talk about ruching for a moment, because I truly believe it’s one of fashion’s cleverest design details. What makes it so brilliant is its ability to disguise the little things we’d rather not spotlight. I’m not talking about dramatic “imperfections” here—just the everyday realities. A visible underwear line, for example, or that awkward spot where fabric pulls more tightly than you’d like. A ruched panel camouflages it all.
Post-pregnancy, this becomes even more of a gift. Our bodies take time to shift and change, and a ruched dress offers grace for that process. It doesn’t cling mercilessly, but it doesn’t hide you away either. It simply celebrates the shape you’re in while giving you confidence that nothing unwanted is on display. Honestly, I think every wardrobe deserves a ruched piece or two, whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or nowhere near either stage.
Comfort, But Make It Chic
The beauty of this particular look is how seamlessly it balances comfort with polish. The ruched Isabella Oliver dress is the foundation, but it layers effortlessly with a sharp Zara blazer thrown over the shoulders. The structure of the blazer elevates the softness of the dress, making the whole outfit feel intentional rather than just “easy.”
Shoes can make or break an outfit, and here I chose Celine—classic, sleek, and grounding. Add a pair of Giorgio Armani sunglasses, and suddenly you’re not just running errands; you’re striding through the day with an air of quiet confidence. And isn’t that what we all want from fashion? To feel like ourselves, only a little more pulled together?
Dressing for Now and Later
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through maternity dressing is the importance of longevity. Trends are fun, of course, but investment pieces should work harder for you than just a single season—or trimester. Choosing items that transition smoothly from pregnancy to postpartum means you don’t feel like you’re constantly starting from scratch.
It’s about creating a wardrobe that adapts with you. A blazer you already owned. Dresses that have enough give to accommodate change. Shoes that ground you no matter what. And little touches, like ruching, that make you feel flattered and confident through it all.
The Final Word
As I move through these last weeks of pregnancy, I’ve realized that getting dressed is no longer about making a dramatic statement or chasing every micro-trend. It’s about striking a balance: feeling comfortable without surrendering style, and looking polished without sacrificing ease.
The ruched dress has become my quiet hero in all of this. It’s flattering, functional, and future-proof. And while there are certainly days ahead when sweatpants will win out, it feels good to know that I’ve found pieces that work just as well now as they will later.
Because in the end, style isn’t about perfection. It’s about how you feel in your clothes—and feeling good, to me, will always matter.
Outfit details: Isabella Oliver dress, Celine shoes (similar here), Zara blazer (similar here), Giorgio Armani sunglasses.
