Woman takes the internet on nostalgia trip with 100 years of maternity fashion

“That ‘80s outfit unlocked a memory I hoped I’d never see again!” a woman said of the viral clip.

There is no denying that maternity style has come a long way over the years. 

Partly thanks to Rihanna and her belly-revealing outfits during her two pregnancies, there has been a refreshed take on how women dress their pregnant bodies. 

But what was it like 100 years ago? 

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Maternity clothing through the last 100 years

Jasmine Chiswell, a vintage fashion influencer from Scotland, is currently expecting her second child. 

Best known for her vintage outfits and Marilyn Monroe impersonations, she frequently takes her audience back in time while showing off vintage cosmetics, style and trends. 

So it was only natural for her to take us on a journey through maternity fashion from 1920 to today. 

The clip begins with the '20s. Jasmine pulls out a pink smock covered in floral embroidery with an adjustable back, draped over her undergarments and secured at the back. You would be forgiven for thinking it was closer to a hospital gown than a maternity outfit.  

Thankfully this trend didn’t last long, as the ‘30s provided a floaty white dress with an empire waist to show off the baby bump. 

In rolled the ‘40s, and thanks to the war engulfing the first half of the decade, fashion was influenced by rationing, military silhouettes and modest styles. Clearly, maternity dresses were no exception, with exaggerated lapels, plenty of buttons, short sleeves, and a modest hemline. 

Fast forward to the ‘50s, and innovations are entering the scene. Women’s fashion was heavily inspired by a post-war boost of hyper-femininity, with a Dior-inspired skirt and delicate lace on the shoulders. 

With adjustable straps for breastfeeding and an adjustable waist for comfort, the summer dress was a great blend of beauty and practicality. 

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Jasmine rocked each decade effortlessly. Source: jasminechiswell/TikTok

“It’s crazy how much maternity clothes have changed”

But perhaps the most exciting was the ‘60s. At this time, the teenage rebellion had truly set in, and fashion became just as adventurous. The hemlines were higher than before, and the colours were just as vibrant, as seen by her orange shift mini dress. “OMG, the ‘60s were iconic!” she captioned the video. 

Comfort and style took precedence in the next four decades, with the ‘70s opting for bright colours and plenty of fabric to allow the mum-to-be to move around. 

Then it was the ‘80s, and Jasmine’s outfit choice perfectly represented the era. The striped dress was black and blue with a drop waist and a pleated skirt - all that was missing was a Princess Di haircut and a pair of black pumps (or better yet, white sneakers and socks.)

Getting closer to the present day, in burst the ‘90s with a floral sleeveless dress. Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if Rachel Green had this exact dress in her wardrobe on Friends. If not, I’m sure many people have photos of their mums in something incredibly similar. 

The 2000s to 2010s encapsulated the change in maternity trends, opting for skin-tight and revealing clothes that accentuated the bump rather than hiding it. 

Fast forward to today, and Jasmine was sporting a skirt and crop top, her naked belly on full display. 

“It’s crazy how much the clothes have changed!” she said. 

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From hiding the bump to fully embracing it. Source: jasminechiswell/TikTok

“The collars in the ‘80s were bigger than the bumps!” 

The video has amassed 2.5 million views, with fans lapping up the nostalgic outfits on the screen. 

“They are such cute clothes, all decades are worth trying out,” a fan wrote. “So much choice!”

“Tbh I would wear the 1920s to 1980s every day and I’m not pregnant,” read a comment. 

Some outfit choices brought out dark memories.  “The ‘80s … I felt that deep... both my kids were born in the 80s,” a mum wrote. “I had those outfits.” 

“That ‘80s one unlocked a memory I hoped I’d never see again,” laughed another. “I remember the late ‘80s and early ‘90s well. The collars were bigger than my bumps!” someone added. 

“I have a photo of my mother in 1994 pregnant with me in that same dress!” read a comment. “Wait my mum had that same dress in the '90s, and I was in the womb chillin’,” another chimed in.

Some were floored by how well Jasmine fit into every era. “You are a timeless beauty...they all look amazing on you!” a fan wrote. 

Originally published as Woman takes the internet on nostalgia trip with 100 years of maternity fashion