When it comes to maternity activewear Australia seems to finally be catching on. Let’s face it, it’s challenging enough being a pregnant woman trying to stay active, let alone having to try to squeeze yourself into an outfit that closely resembles a sausage casing, to sweat it out in. Cue a number of maternity activewear ranges popping up that are getting it right; they tick every box; from comfort to clever design and wearability taking expectant mothers stylishly from the studio to the street, before birth and beyond.
Skye wears the Maternity Sports Bra, LJ Maternity Tank and Maternity Tights from Lorna Jane. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Lorna Jane
As one of my favourite Australian activewear brands it appeared to be fate that Lorna Jane released their first limited edition maternity activewear range just as I was really starting to pop and when I slipped on that set, I didn’t want to take it off. Lorna Jane has got it right on a number of counts; the LJ Maternity Tank is nice and long, soft and very stretchy. It’s also a top that translates from studio to street and I’ve worn it on a number of occasions with a casual shorts or skirt. The maternity sports bra is super comfortable, yet supportive and features not just nursing clips but removable padding and a clasp back meaning it grows with you throughout the pregnancy. It is the tights though that are the stand out for me; when I say I have been living in the Maternity Tights, I’m not exaggerating. They are super lightweight, the foldable waistband feels comfortable even over my third trimester bump. Why I love the range: Comfort is key to the Lorna Jane maternity range
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Great, supportive Maternity Sports Bra by Lorna Jane. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Skye wears the Blue POP! Singlet and Geometric POP! Leggings from Pop Maternity. Image © Skye Gilkeson
POP! Maternity
The POP! Maternity range really lives up to the brand name. While the range is small, it packs a punch with stunning bold colour ways and fun prints. That’s what really drew me to the range initially; a clear lack of fun and fashionable maternity activewear on the Australian market. That’s exactly what prompted Pop! Maternity owner and mother, Laura Eyles to develop the brand; she discovered the gap in the market and has done a great job at answering that demand. On wearing the range, I was relieved to find the capris are really comfortable with plenty of stretch and a generous belly band and the singlets nice and long with carefully considered rushing around the stomach to allow for belly growth and a very comfortable built in bra. Why I love the range: Fashion forward and clever designs.
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The Cadenshae range is cleverly designed for nursing mothers so you can wear their super comfortable pieces beyond birth. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Cadenshae
Style and function fuse perfectly together in the Cadenshae range of activewear for nursing mothers. A friend of mine pointed me towards the brand for their amazing nursing sports bras and when slipping on The Smoothie Bra in black, I could see why she loved them so much. They are fashionable and supportive with easy to access feeding clips. The 3/4 Classic Leggings have an ultra high belly band which sits comfortably over the bump without slipping. The luxe fabric is nice and thick with a light sheen. The material and the soft, bamboo Casual Tank in Navy sits long and loose over the bump and moves easily away for access to the feeding crop. This is an outfit I will wear well beyond birth, whether I am training or as everyday athleisure wear. Why I love the range: Great quality pieces designed to wear beyond birth.
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Beautifully soft bamboo top easily moves aside to access the nursing bra by Cadenshae. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Cotton On Body
For those who are on a budget, the Cotton On Body range ticks all the boxes. Super affordable, fun, young pieces from basics to bold prints. The Maternity Training Tank Top is super lightweight cotton, ideal for summer. I also fell in love with the prints in the Maternity Printed Core Capris, not to mention the super high waist which are not only great during pregnancy but I also look forward to wearing them for support in postpartum recovery. Why I love the range: Affordable and fun pieces.
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POP! Maternity set worn at 38 weeks pregnancy for stretches in the sun. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller. She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health. As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Skye created The Fit Traveller as a beautiful online space and community where people feel inspired to escape the desk to move and explore more.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her insatiable appetite for adventure.
