As I navigate my way through my second trimester, one of the trickiest things for me has been finding things to wear that I feel good in. Seems like a simple problem, but at this point, my body is just in an unrecognizable place for me and getting dressed has been a stressor. It’s like my bump is definitely visible, but I also feel like I’m that awkward stage where I’m not quite *obviously* pregnant, but I definitely look a little bloated. I will say that it has gotten a little easier the past few weeks, but I think there are a few weeks during your 2nd trimester where your bump is just an awkward size, you know?

And since it has been such an issue for me, I thought it would be helpful to put together a blog post of outfits that worked for me. I looked all over the internet for somethign like this and I mostly just saw outfit ideas with HUGE bumps. And while that’s great, I needed something that was more for the in-between stage!

If you’re reading this in your early stages of pregnancy, then you can probably relate when I say that getting dressed during this season can be a bit discouraging. I mentioned it (I think) in my first trimester Q&A post, but I actually started noticing differences in my body extremely early – like around week 6 or 7! And by weeks 8 and 9, I felt like my jeans and pants didn’t quite fit and it was already time to size up.

So that being said, I’ve put a lot of effort recently into finding outfits that still look cute while also making me comfortable and as confident as possible. Because as great as leggings are, I definitely don’t want to feel like that’s *all* I can wear! Plus, I’ve tried dressing leggings up and it can be challenging!

Oh also, this totally depends on WHEN you are pregnant! I only got a few weeks of being pregnant when I could wear oversized dresses everyday, but I imagine if you’re pregnant through the summer that would be so ideal!

I hope these outfit ideas are helpful to anyone else with a growing bump – let me know which outfit or which combo is your favorite!

Second Trimester Outfit Combinations Working For Me

1. Fitted Dress with a Cardigan or Jacket

If you’re feeling comfortable wearing form-fitting outfits, then this combo might be your favorite! I’m just not getting to the point where I feel like this can be a go-to of mine. In the earlier weeks of my second trimester, I felt slightly uncomfortable but I really think (and definitely in the next month or so) I’ll fully embrace this look!

Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch Squareneck Mini Sweater Dress (I’m wearing a size S – fits TTS) // Cardigan: Leith Cozy Long Sweater (I’m wearing a size S) // Shoes: The Madewell Harper Mule (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Bag: The Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody

Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch Squareneck Mini Sweater Dress (I’m wearing a size S – fits TTS) // Cardigan: Abercrombie & Fitch Pointelle Back Cardigan (I’m wearing a size XS – fits oversized)// Boots: Vince Camuto Derika Leather Boot (I’m wearing a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Necklace: Missoma Gold Roman Arc Coin Necklace // Sunglasses: Warby Parker Wright Sunglasses

Dress: Madewell Crosshatch Puff Sleeve Minidress (I’m wearing a size S) // Jacket: Madewell The Jean Jacket in Pinter Wash (I’m wearing an XS and it fits TTS for a fitted look) // Shoes: The Madewell Harper Mule (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Bag: The Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody // Necklace: Missoma Gold Roman Arc Coin Necklace // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Icon 50mm //

Dress: Socialite Rib Side Slit T-Shirt Dress (I’m wearing a size S and I would say it fits TTS) // Cardigan: Leith Cozy Long Sweater (I’m wearing an S) // Shoes: The Madewell Harper Mule (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Bag: The Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody // Sunglasses: Warby Parker Wright Sunglasses

When I wore this dress (above), I was right on the edge of feeling comfortable. My bump (as you can see) isn’t quite big enough to embrace the fitted dress look but I went for it! I think wearing the cardigan helped too. I was 15 weeks when I wore this outfit.

Dress (wearing size XS) // Jacket (wearing size medium) // Sneakers

This was one of my first looks where I felt like I could actually wear something fitted. For reference, I was 18.5 weeks or so when I wore this look (above).

2. Leggings With a *Long* Fitted Tank and Cardigan

Even though I said I didn’t want to *live* in leggings, I definitely still appreciate them right now! For super casual days at home or when I just want to be comfortable, this is 100% my go-to right now.

Outfit Details: White Tank (wearing size XS) // Black over-the belly maternity leggings (wearing size XS) // Oversized grey cardigan (fits oversized, wearing size US2) // Frye Ivy White Sneakers

These leggings are great because they don’t have a seam anywhere on the front. That way, when I wear a fitted tank over them, there aren’t any funky lines! And they’re super comfortable and supportive!

3. Oversized Long Top or Sweater With Regular or Maternity Jeans

Oversized and longer tops will become your best friend during your second trimester! At the beginning (around weeks 13-15), I could attempt to wear my regular jeans by using the rubber band trick. Or, if you prefer, you could get one of those belly bands to put over the waistband of your jeans to hold them up. I felt like it was a little too early to wear maturity jeans since I wasn’t quite big enough, but it was actually around this time I started to order a few!

Then, after I had a decent sized bump (for me, around 14 weeks), I started wearing some of the insert panel maternity jeans. I started with this pair from Gap and didn’t love them, but they were more comfortable than my other options. I’ll need to do another post on maternity jeans because I’m still figuring it out.

Top: TOPSHOP Tired Poplin Blouse (I’m wearing an XS – It fits oversized, so I would recommend sizing down one size) // Bottoms: AG Farrah High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans  // Shoes: Marc Fisher LTD Oshay Pointed Toe Bootie (I was a 7 and they fit TTS) //

Top: Free People Brookside Tunic (I’m wearing an XS – fits oversized) // Bottoms: Gap Maternity Inset Panel Skinny Jeans (I’m wearing a size 24) // Booties: Marc Fisher Oshay Pointed Toe Bootie (I wear a 36.5, but I find it helps to size down a 1/2 size) // Hat: Treasure & Bond Snakeskin Print Trim Wide Brim Wool Panama Hat //

Top: American Eagle Oversized Henley Sweater (I’m wearing a size XS) // Bottoms: Madewell Maternity Skinny Jeans (I’m wearing a size 24 here) // Shoes: The Madewell Harper Mule (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Glasses: Warby Parker Percey Glasses

4. Looser-Fitting Dresses

If I have needed to dress up for anything recently like a date night or something, this look is pretty much what I wear. I’m especially loving sweater dresses! I would just recommend ordering a size or two up from your normal to account for the bump (if it’s not maternity).

Dress: TopShop Funnel Neck Sweater Dress (I’m wearing an XS) // Boots: Lecchese Bootmaker Summer Boot (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Bag: The Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody // Mask: Kitsch Face Mask

Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch Mock Neck Sweater Dress (I’m wearing a size S and would say it fits TTS) // Boots: Frye Melissa Button 2 Classic Leather Boots (I’m wearing a size 7) // Scarf: White + Warren Cashmere scarf

Dress // Mules

Dress (waring size XS) // Booties: Marc Fisher Oshay Pointed Toe Bootie (I wear a 36.5, but I find it helps to size down a 1/2 size)

5. Oversized Sweater With Leggings (+scarf or poncho)

Another legging look I am FULLY embracing right now! I loved oversized sweaters and leggings before getting pregnant so you can bet I’m not giving them up now. This is also a great way to hide your bump if you’re not ready to go public with it.

Top: American Eagle Oversized Dreamspun V-Neck Sweater (I’m wearing an XS – fits oversized) // Bottoms: Zella Live in High Waist Leggings (I’m wearing a size S) // Shoes: Sam Edelman Lior Loafer (I’m wearing a size 7 and they fit TTS)

Top:American Eagle Oversized Dreamspun V-Neck Sweater (I’m wearing an XS – fits oversized) // Bottoms:Zella Live in High Waist Leggings (I’m wearing a size S) // Poncho: Abercrombie & Fitch Plaid Poncho // Boots: Vince Camuto Derika Leather Boot (I’m wearing a size 7 and they fit TTS)

Top: Abercrombie & Fitch Half Zip Sherpa Sweatshirt (They don’t have the specific color available anymore, but they have a bunch of other great colors to choose from!) // Bottoms: Zella Live in High Waist Leggings (I’m wearing a size S) // Shoes: FRYE Ivy Sneaker (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Scrunchies: Athleta 2-pack Scrunchie

Top: American Eagle Oversized Mock Neck Sweatshirt (I’m wearing an XS – fits oversized) // Bottoms: Zella Live in High Waist Leggings (I’m wearing a size S) // Shoes: Gucci Princetown Loafer Mules (fit TTS) // Glasses:Warby Parker Percey Glasses

6. Fitted Pencil Skirt With Cropped or Tucked-In Top/Sweater

If I still worked in an office, this is probably what I’d be wearing non-stop while pregnant. Most skirts I’ve come across like this are really stretchy and actually pretty comfortable. It’s an easy way to look really put together yet be surprisingly comfortable at the same time.

Top: For Love & Lemons Anastasia Sweater (This is a cropped sweater and I’m wearing an XS) // Skirt: Abercrombie & Fitch High Slit Midi Sweater Skirt (I’m wearing a size S) // Heels: Sam Edelman Dana Point Toe Pump (I wear a size 7 and they fit TTS) // Bag: Gucci Velvet GG Marmont

7. Loose-Fitting, High-Waisted Skirt With a Cropped Sweater or Bodysuit

And on the flipside of wearing a tight skirt, you can also opt for a loose skirt, which is a look I love as well! This was a great option for me around week 9 or so when I didn’t quite have the bump for the tighter skirt.

Top: American Eagle Chenille Crewneck Sweater (I’m wearing a size S)  // Skirt: Woodcut Flower Piped Miniskirt (I’m wearing a size S) // Booties: Marc Fisher LTD Oshay Pointed Toe Bootie (I was a 7 and they fit TTS) // Bag:Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody // Sunglasses: Wright Warby Parker Sunglasses //

8. Fitted Dress

And for when you’re FULLY ready to put your bump on display, a fitted dress is the perfect option! I haven’t worn this look a ton, but I know the further along I get in this trimester, the more I’ll start reaching for dresses like this.

Dress: Topshop Leopard Print Off the Shoulder Minidress (I’m wearing an XS – this dress has major stretch to it) // Booties: Vince Camuto Gradina Block Heel Bootie (I wear a size 37 and they fot TTS) // Sunglasses:Ray-Ban Icon 50mm

Dress: ABLE Shilpa Midi Tank Dress (I’m wearing a size S and felt it had a little room for my bump without being oversized) // Shoes: Sam Edelman Lior Loafer (I’m wearing a size 7 and they fit TTS)

9. Oversized Top with Faux Leather Leggings

I know I included options above to wear an oversized top with jeans or an oversized sweater with leggings, but I didn’t want to include the additional option because it has been working for me lately. I think that especially wearing the faux leather leggings with a nicer-looking-ish top creates a whole different look than if you were to wear them with an oversized sweater or sweatshirt! I have been loving this look!

Outfit Details: Topshop animal print top (wearing size US2) // Spanx Faux Leather Leggings (wearing size small – the XS always feels a little too tight for my comfort) // Black booties (old – similar here)

TOPSHOP Tired Poplin Blouse (I’m wearing an XS – It fits oversized, so I would recommend sizing down one size) // Spanx Faux Leather Maternity Leggings (wearing size small – the XS always feels a little too tight for my comfort)

What about you?

Which look or outfit combination is your favorite?

And did I miss any combos that work really well?? I’d love to hear! You can tell in these images that I was at all different stages with my bump, but I truly hope this is helpful to anyone else dealing with the same frustrations!