Maternity and nursing dresses: buy, rent, for a photoshoot
First decide what the dress is for
An everyday dress, an evening dress for a celebration and a dress for a photoshoot are three different purchases. For daily wear people look for stretchy jersey. For photos they choose a chiffon maxi or one with a train, which rarely gets a second use, so such dresses are often rented or bought second-hand.
On BlaBlaPrice you can describe your exact situation: buy new, buy second-hand or rent for the day of the shoot. Sellers and boutiques reply with offers in the chat, you compare them together, and your phone number stays hidden until you choose the one you agree with.
What to put in your request
- occasion — everyday, office, wedding, photoshoot, leaving hospital;
- buy or rent — and the date you need the dress;
- style — maxi, midi, bodycon, wrap, off-the-shoulder;
- for nursing — nursing opening, wrap, zip at the chest;
- size — your pre-pregnancy size and bust, waist and hip measurements;
- stage of pregnancy — the week of the event;
- fabric and colour;
- condition and budget.
Example: “I need a blue off-the-shoulder maxi dress for a photoshoot at 34 weeks, size M, jersey. Second-hand or a 2-day rental is fine. Wellington, budget up to $63.”
Rental specifics
For a rental, check for how many days the dress is lent and what the delivery arrangement is: you need to try it on before the shoot. Ask about the deposit, cleaning after use and the rules on damage. Do ask for real photos on a living person, not only catalogue ones.
With the stage of pregnancy the risk of error is greatest: the bump grows fast. Choose the size for the last week, not for the day of ordering, and ask for a dress with an adjustable lace-up or an elastic bodice.
For daily use, one or two simple jersey styles are best: they don't crease, they are easy to wash, and a nursing opening keeps the dress useful after birth. For a photoshoot look for a fabric that drapes beautifully and a colour that looks good in natural light: pastel and deep shades usually photograph better than white.
How to compare replies
Bring the offers to the same terms: new, second-hand or rental, size, length, fabric, shipping. Sellers compete for your request and see where they stand among the others, so they may give a better price or faster delivery. BlaBlaPrice shows the best-value offer first, and seller reviews help you choose.
See also skirts, jumpsuits and tunics for ordinary outings. All categories are in “Maternity wear”, and how the service works is on the “How it works” page.
