How One Vogue Editor Navigates Wedding Guest Dressing At Seven Months Pregnant

It’s wedding season and I have a permanent plus one. No, I don’t mean my husband. I’m talking about my baby bump.

Now, I love a wedding. Who doesn’t? From the borderline callous in jokes of the best man’s speech, to that stomach-flipping “I do” moment, witnessing a wedding is truly one of life’s great joys. But what I love most is the fashion. What is the bride wearing? How many outfit changes? Who are those rule-breaking guests wearing white, red or black? And most importantly of all (let’s be honest), what am I going to wear?

At seven months pregnant, it’s a little more complicated these days than simply throwing on a 1920s assuit dress. With swollen breasts and a swollen belly, somehow my usual fallback of a trusty naked dress isn’t quite hitting right. Which can only mean one thing: it’s time to get creative. From investing in a good slip dress to indulging in a bit of bodycon, here’s how to navigate wedding guest dressing with a bump.

Read more: The Best Summer Wedding Guest Dresses

Let it slip

There’s something very romantic about a slip dress. Clean, minimal and yet incredibly sexy, Kate Moss practically invented the style in the ’90s, and fashion has never forgotten it. It also looks great with a baby bump – some might even say better. When you’re pregnant there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re wearing a great big sack. You have lovely lady lumps; why not embrace them with the sinuous lines of a silk or chiffon slip? Tap into the Y2K trend and hit up Vestiaire Collective, eBay or Depop for some vintage Cavalli, or keep it contemporary with Victoria Beckham, Rodarte or Raey.

Stretch it out

Your body is growing; don’t fight it. Better yet, accentuate those gorgeous curves with a bit of bodycon. I’m talking Loewe, 16Arlington, or even this pastel number from Skims. Honestly, there is nothing sexier than a woman who celebrates her body – I cannot tell you how many compliments I’ve received recently while wearing a form-fitting look, although there has definitely been a back-handed element involved. “You look hot… for a pregnant person.” Still, I’ve chosen to rise above it.

Nevertheless, bodycon is your new best friend. It’s what PR guru Daisy Hoppen, who was recently seen in a gorgeous stretchy Ganni number, has been relying on to get her through wedding season. “I chose this Ganni dress as I felt that my shape had started to change quite dramatically these last few weeks, and to wear something very oversized would perhaps not work at this stage of the pregnancy,” says Hoppen. “Ganni always thinks about comfort (its founder Ditte having had three of her own children), and this dress has stretch in all the right places. I felt it accentuated the bump, but in a way that made me feel comfortable and supported.”

Opt for asymmetric

There is something to be said for accentuating the curves of your pregnant body, but going against them works, too. Not trying to hide them, mind, but rather using unusual silhouettes to create whole new shapes: a single dramatic sleeve, or an asymmetric hem. A bit of ruching on the hip or a cutaway detail on the body. Don’t be afraid to get experimental. I recently wore a vintage Calvin Klein dress to a wedding in Italy which had a lot of ruched detailing where my bump is, creating this elegant, cocoon-like shape. It also had an asymmetric hem, which gave the whole look a sculptural feel.

It’s all in the crop

Take a leaf out of Rihanna’s maternity style playbook and invest in a good crop top. When it comes to maternity wear, the singer loves to get her bump out and we couldn’t be more here for it. There was the bejewelled Attico halter top she wore to the Fenty Beauty launch in LA; the silver Lycra Coperni number she wore to another brand launch (note that crystal belly chain); and who could forget the PVC and lace bralette she wore to Gucci’s autumn/winter 2022 show? Whether you wear yours with some gorgeous palazzo trousers or a slinky, bias-cut skirt, the key here is to find an addition that sits comfortably on the hips.

Flat out

Pregnant or not, wearing heels to a wedding can be a minefield – especially if it’s happening outside. They sink into grass and hurt when you dance, both of which are exacerbated when you’re carrying an extra load. Here’s where your ballet flats come in. From the Valentino Rockstud to the Miu Miu classic, there are so many options to choose from.

Go micro

When picturing the ideal wedding attire, long bias-cut numbers usually come to mind. But let me draw your attention to the mini. Not only is it a great way to stand out from the crowd, it also looks fabulous with a bump. In fact, the bigger the bump, the higher the hemline you can get away with. It’s all about balance and proportion. You just might need to go up a few sizes up. Knwls has some excellent options, as does Miu Miu.

Back to black

Not everyone will feel comfortable with their newfound curves, and that’s understandable. Here’s where your classic all-black look comes in handy. Unbelievably forgiving, black really does look good on everyone. In the past, wearing black to a wedding was seen as a tad controversial – something about it being the colour of mourning. But in 2023, there’s nothing chicer than seeing a woman work a black look at a wedding, bonus points if they’re pregnant!

Your biggest fan

Another thing about being pregnant: you really feel the heat. Think of it like carrying a built-in hot water bottle around with you while the sun beats down on your back. A great way to get around this is by accessorising with a fan. Not one of those battery operated ones, but a beautiful vintage-looking fan that ideally matches your outfit. With everyone else wanting a go with it, you (and your plus-one) will be the most popular guests at the wedding.