I've Spent a Lot of Time Looking for Nursing Clothes, and These Are My Favorite Brands
When I first found out I was pregnant, I worried about how I would translate my personal style to maternity clothes. While my options weren’t as bad as I feared they would be (I managed to find some stuff I actually really liked!), I still couldn’t wait to retire the stretchy-waist pants and return to my regularly scheduled wardrobe programming. I figured as soon as the baby was out, the style hiatus would be over—I even threw my favorite Nike turtleneck sweatshirt dress (similar style here, for reference) in my hospital bag to wear home after the birth, and to do so as it was intended to be worn, as opposed to stretching the waist as far is it would go during those last few weeks of the bump. What I naively didn’t take into account, though, was what sartorially restricting phase came after: nursing.
I didn’t consider how breastfeeding would render almost the entirety of my prepregnancy closet useless, including that aforementioned dress. I did have one friend who advised me to bring some nursing bras and button-down PJs to the hospital, but no one had mentioned to me anything about the best way to get dressed when you’re nursing eight to 12 times a day. I guess most moms wear whatever’s on hand? But it didn’t take long for me to discover that I didn’t like lifting up any old shirt and nursing that way—for one thing, I had my baby in March, when it was still cold. As soon as I had to nurse in public for the first time (it happened on her fourth day of life), I learned that I like to feel fully dressed when I do so, which turned out to mean button-downs, zip-ups, and spending way too much money on anything labeled “nursing” as I went on online shopping sprees during 4:00 A.M. feeds.
I’ve found that there’s a wide mix of stuff in the market. Some recurring brands in my pregnancy shopping rotation, like Asos and H&M, have been offering nursing options for quite a while. Facebook’s algorithm relentlessly targeted me with ads for some newer, nursing-specific brands, like Latched Mama, that have risen in the social media age. My in-the-know fashion friends tipped me off to some just-launched labels, like Storq and Teat & Cosset, that are incredibly chic—not a word you usually associate with this category of clothing. (Thanks, pals!) To see how they stacked up, I tried them all. Here, my thoughts on nursing clothing.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1/7Best for Layering: Asos
I ordered approximately 85 nursing tank tops when I first got home from the hospital, and the ones from ASOS were the only ones that didn’t have a built-in bra. (Sometimes the product descriptions don’t mention this either way, so opening every box was a crapshoot.) As I mentioned, I’m very busty, and most built-in bras were just not working for me. So I was grateful for the plain, easy-to-layer Asos blouses, and ended up buying them in every color. I tried a few other pre-layered pieces from the retailer as well, like this tee and this top—both were cute but definitely would be better on someone with a slightly smaller chest. Prices ranged from about $21 to $87.
2/7Best on a Budget: H&M
One very frustrating thing I learned from this experiment is nursing clothes are expensive. New moms are a captive market, so we just deal, but even those ASOS camis were $20 a piece, which is sort of nuts. H&M’s stuff was by far the most affordable, between $10 and $60, and the retailer has a pretty broad selection of products. I will say, though, the sizing, in my experience, can be inconsistent—a medium in a top was enormous on me, but I could barely get the same size in a bra over my head—so just be prepared to make some returns. Still, I loved that most of H&M’s nursing collection is also a part of its Conscious line, so you can feel good about having your baby snuggled up against the fabric all day. (Literally. All. Day. Long.)
3/7Best for Sustainability: Teat & Cosset
I’m not one of those moms that love breastfeeding. Most of the time I find it slightly uncomfortable and boring, and definitely not to be the ultra-baby-bonding time some women describe it as. But occasionally, it does me feel like a powerful goddess—like, after I eat an organic salad and then feed my baby my very nutritious milk in public. On those days Teat & Cosset is my outfitter of choice. The brand, which is based in Italy, makes products that are a little funky, both in their look and in the creative ways they give you boob access, like this cool sweatshirt that snaps open in the middle, and the dress (pictured) with buttons and hidden side zippers next to each breast. It’s a little outside my usual style, but being a mom is nothing if not trying new things, right?
Teat & Cosset also uses sustainable fabrics (which I appreciate), so the earth mama thing comes through in more than just its design. The price point is a bit high—items range from $68 to $198—but since it’s well-made and responsibly made, I think it’s worth the cost.
4/7Best for Versatility: Storq
New moms are exhausted (duh). When I have to get dressed but really did not want to, Storq has been my go-to. The brand is known for its well-made basics, and I couldn’t get over how soft and comfortable the nursing bras and tanks were. It’s like the Everlane for nursing (and similarly priced, between $32 and $168). The tanks did have built-in bras, but they were sized in a way that I actually got a decent amount of support—plus, I fit into them completely. Normally I hate sleeping in a bra (built-in or otherwise), but the Storq tanks were so comfy that, when I got a precious moment to go back to bed, I didn’t even change clothes.
5/7Best for Looking Put-Together: Loyal Hana
I felt like a supermom in this jumpsuit from Loyal Hana. Not only did I love how it looked on (like I actually had my shit together), but it was easy to nurse in. The stretchy fabric pulled right down, so I didn’t waste any time in my precious, short daily windows to pee. Plus, the dozens of spit-up stains all over me at any given moment were well-hidden. (When it comes to nursing clothing, black is your friend.) Nursing access comes via hidden zippers near each boob, which go from the armpit to the belly button—helpful if, like me, you’re very busty.
Overall, the collection is really cleverly thought-out: Everything can be easily layered, and I really liked that the nursing tops are not also maternity clothes, so they’re more formfitting. Loyal Hana on the pricier side, with items ranging from $55 to $148, though these pieces will definitely have a second life beyond breastfeeding. My only complaint is the zippers are kind of hard to undo one-handed if, you know, you’re using your other one to restrain a hungry baby.
6/7Best for Larger Busts: Boob Design
Silly name aside, bustier moms should definitely check this line out—I really liked how this tee has a waist tie that pulls down completely. The cut looked great on because it’s a simple shape, and it made switching sides super easy. Boob also offers sustainable and organic fabrics, so you do pay a little more—still, most items are priced between $33 and $139.
7/7Best for Lounging: Latched Mama
Latched Mama is perhaps best known for its viral nursing hoodie, but it became my favorite for its loungewear, which is comfortable but not sloppy. The V-neck tee was the only two-layer tee I tried that really did look like one shirt and not two (a real problem, people), and the maxidress was super cozy and easy to nurse in (the latter was a little long on my 5'4" frame, but if you’re taller, it’s a no-brainer to add to your nursing wardrobe). I also loved that the fabrics, even in the lighter colors, didn’t show any evidence of milk or spit-up stains. Plus, everything’s $50 or under.
