During pregnancy, your body shape changes as your baby grows. Many women begin to experience discomfort, such as tightness in their traditional bottoms, and begin to consider maternity wear. However, for first-time mothers, maternity wear can be a new experience. How does it differ from regular clothing, and what functions does it offer for mothers during and after pregnancy?

We spoke to Kana Hino, category specialist and maternity and baby concierge at Isetan Shinjuku, about these questions. She also shared some recommended items, so we hope you'll find this information useful when choosing your maternity wear.

Packed with features to make expectant and postpartum moms smile!

Maternity wear is designed to keep expectant and postpartum moms comfortable, with features to support a growing belly and make breastfeeding easier after giving birth. For many customers, maternity bottoms are the first thing they purchase. We feel that many women wear their existing bottoms during the early stages of pregnancy, and then purchase new bottoms around the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, when regular clothes begin to feel tight around the stomach.

Many customers are surprised by how comfortable they are, with comments such as, "My daily movements are so much easier," and "I wish I had bought them sooner!" Maternity wear is an item that can help avoid stress by reducing the burden on expectant and postpartum mothers, so why not get your hands on a pair you love?

Comfortable from the early stages of pregnancy, through the final month and after giving birth! Maternity bottoms you can rely on for the long term

Not only do these bottoms have an elastic waist, but some also have buttons that can be fastened in different positions. The elastic doesn't stretch out, so you can continue to wear them after giving birth.
The key point about maternity bottoms is that the waist size can be adjusted, so they can be worn comfortably even as your belly grows day by day, and you can maintain a relaxed state even in the final month of pregnancy. With pants, you can precisely adjust the waist size by changing the position of the elastic fasteners, allowing you to tighten the fit as your belly shrinks after giving birth. Another attractive feature is that you can always maintain the perfect fit. Types with a gusseted waist not only provide a secure, supportive fit around your growing belly, but also help protect your stomach from the cold during this time of year.

Some skirts and leggings have elastic waists. The patterns are designed to accommodate a pregnant woman's expanding belly, so they maintain their silhouette even as the belly grows, and some are popular for their slimming silhouette.

Another great thing about maternity bottoms is that they're easy to care for. While going to the dry cleaners can be a hassle for pregnant mothers and new mothers who are busy adjusting to life with a baby, maternity bottoms, such as those made from elegant materials or with a neat center crease, can often be washed at home, even if they appear to be dry-cleaned. This convenience is one of the reasons for their popularity.


These pants are popular for their "beautiful leg silhouette," which helps maintain a sleek line around the legs even as your belly grows. The warm fleece lining also makes them a great choice for expectant mothers who "can't stand the cold." The center crease gives them a "neat" look, making them a popular choice for working mothers when commuting to the office. Customers have also commented that they're "comfortable even when worn for long periods of time" and "look neat." The lustrous material adds a touch of elegance, making them perfect for ceremonies and other special occasions. The easy care and ability to wash at home make these pants a great choice for busy expectant mothers.

Click here for details on the Excellent Fleece-Lined Pants




This skirt has an elastic waist, which not only makes it comfortable around the stomach, but also creates a mermaid silhouette towards the hem, giving it a very feminine look. The appeal of this skirt is that it maintains a beautiful shape no matter what state your belly is in, from the early stages of pregnancy when your belly is not particularly noticeable to the final month and postpartum. It doesn't have a gusset to hug your belly, so you can tuck in your top.

Click here for product details about the

Makes breastfeeding fun for both mom and baby! What are maternity tops?

Maternity tops are designed to address concerns about the front of the skirt riding up and losing its shape as your belly grows. The biggest feature is its breastfeeding functionality, which supports mothers after giving birth. There are several types of tops suitable for nursing, so here are some representative examples.

Side-opening types

Hoodies with side zips
These tops have openings, such as zippers or slits, on the side, which allow you to breastfeed. An increasing number of designs make the zipper less visible from the front, making it less obvious that they are nursing wear. Dresses and long tops that were previously considered difficult to wear during nursing can now be worn without any problems if they have openings on the side, making them a welcome addition to maternity outfits.

Front-opening type

Shirts that can be worn either way are very convenient
Tops that open in the front, such as cardigans and shirts, are also great for nursing. If they are 2-way types that can be worn either front or back, you can enjoy them as a stylish shirt with back buttons during your pregnancy, and then wear them open in the front for nursing after giving birth, giving you twice the fun of one piece of clothing.

Two-Layer Type

This sweater and jumper skirt set, knitted with smooth yarn, can be cared for at home.

Types with a double front or layered design are convenient items that incorporate a nursing cover. We've received comments like, "It's so helpful because I don't have to put on a nursing cover," and "It's great that I can breastfeed discreetly, even on airplanes and in restaurants."

Maternity wear is primarily designed to allow for comfortable breastfeeding, but Isetan's unique appeal lies in its wide selection of nursing wear that caters to moms who also want to enjoy fashion and trends. We've heard comments from customers like, "Isetan's maternity wear section has a wide selection of stylish items that don't look like typical nursing clothes," and "I'm happy I can still wear my favorite clothes even after I've finished nursing." Because the garments are designed to be comfortable for all body types, many women continue to wear them even after they've stopped nursing.


This top has a smart look, but it also securely covers and wraps around your baby. Large side slits allow for easy entry and exit. The fabric on the front can be used as a cape, making nursing a breeze. The high-quality material is also a factor in this top's success. The soft material is gentle on baby's skin, and the outer layer is made of Rugwarm material, which converts moisture and sweat into heat to retain heat, so it's thin yet keeps you warm.It can also be worn as an inner layer under a jacket, or layered under a knit...This is a recommended piece that will expand the range of your maternity outfits.

Click here for product details on the



This tunic-length shirt covers the buttocks and has a clean, I-line silhouette, but the deep slits make it comfortable and easy to move around in even as your belly grows. It has a pre-washed, wrinkled finish, so you can wear it right away after washing without ironing, which is another reason for its popularity. It also looks great tucked into your bottoms.

Click here for more information on the

The appeal of maternity coats that gently wrap around your baby

Maternity coats can be worn comfortably even over a large pregnant belly, and by attaching an expandable part called a "ducker," you can wear them after giving birth while holding your baby in a baby carrier. The bag-shaped bottom of a "dukkah" wraps around the baby's feet, providing perfect protection from the cold. It also saves busy moms the trouble of dressing their baby in a coat. Simply place the baby in a baby carrier, then put on the coat yourself and you're ready to go. This is a huge time-saver for those who struggle with dressing their babies. Another advantage is that it's easy to adapt to sudden temperature changes. If you suddenly feel hot, such as on a train, you can easily adjust the temperature by simply opening or removing the "dukkah." This makes it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature and may reduce the risk of upsetting your baby.

Recently, maternity coats have been released that allow you to attach the "dukkah" to the back and carry your baby on your back, so if you prefer to carry your baby on your back, be sure to check them out.

Not only does it make moving around with your baby much more comfortable than a regular coat, but once you remove the "dakkar", it can continue to be used as a coat even after your baby has graduated from the baby carrier. In fact, it is an item that can be used for a long time if you have one.

The stand collar does not look like maternity wear, but you can also add a dukkah.
You can also attach a dukkah to the removable inner layer.
We recommend this stand-collar maternity coat. The back has a trench-like design, giving it a neat look and making it perfect for going out. The faux shearling inner layer can be removed and worn as a standalone blouson. A ducker jacket can be attached to both the outer layer and the blouson, providing excellent protection from the cold. It also has excellent functionality, such as being effective at preventing pollen! The use of faux shearling has also attracted attention from those conscious of sustainable fashion.

Click here for product details of the <3-way stand collar coat>


So far, we've spoken to Hino about the functions of maternity wear. We were introduced to a wide variety of items, and as you can see, there are many different styles of maternity wear available. From casual to conservative to elegant, functionality is key, and some customers have commented that they don't have to give up their favorite style just because they're pregnant. If you're starting to think about maternity wear, it's definitely worth checking out the selection at Isetan Shinjuku.