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By Worth Collective
# Bridal Shower Dressing When You're the Pregnant Guest Bridal showers sit in that tricky territory between too casual and too dressy—and adding a bump ...
Bridal showers sit in that tricky territory between too casual and too dressy—and adding a bump to the equation doesn't simplify things. You want to look polished enough for photos (because there will be many), comfortable enough to sit through two hours of gift opening, and put-together without accidentally upstaging the bride.
The good news? This is actually one of the easier events to dress for during pregnancy. The vibe is typically feminine and celebratory, which plays perfectly into bump-friendly styles. The challenge is nailing the specific type of bridal shower you're attending.
A backyard garden shower in May calls for something completely different than a wine bar celebration in February. Before you even think about what's in your closet, figure out what you're working with:
Daytime garden or outdoor showers lean floral, flowy, and light. A midi dress with a botanical print works beautifully here—just make sure the fabric has enough weight that you're not fighting the wind all afternoon. Avoid anything too sheer in direct sunlight.
Restaurant brunches typically run a bit more polished. Think solid colors, structured silhouettes, and fabrics that photograph well in mixed lighting. A fitted knit dress or a blouse tucked into a stretchy midi skirt hits the right note.
Evening or cocktail-style showers (increasingly popular for winter weddings or sophisticated brides) warrant richer fabrics and deeper colors. Velvet, satin, or a substantial crepe in burgundy, emerald, or navy reads appropriately festive without trying too hard.
Home showers are the wild card. They can range from extremely casual to surprisingly dressy depending on who's hosting. When in doubt, a nice dress that could go either direction—dressed up with heels, dressed down with flats—gives you flexibility.
Here's the unspoken rule: don't wear white, cream, ivory, or anything that photographs as white. Yes, even if the invitation doesn't specify. Yes, even if it's a casual shower. Yes, even if you wore cream to a shower last month and nobody said anything.
This leaves you with approximately every other color in existence, so it's not exactly limiting. Soft pastels work beautifully for spring and summer showers. Jewel tones carry you through fall and winter. Prints are almost always appropriate unless the invitation specifies otherwise.
One note on pink: some brides choose pink as their signature color for wedding events. If the shower has a clear pink theme going on, you can either lean into it or intentionally choose something complementary (soft blue, sage green) so you don't blend into the decor.
When you're pregnant and attending an event that involves sitting, standing, sitting again, posing for photos, and potentially playing shower games on the floor, your fabric needs to perform.
Stretch ponte and thick jersey hold their shape through hours of wear and don't wrinkle when you've been sitting on a folding chair. These fabrics also tend to drape nicely over a bump without clinging to everything.
Cotton with a bit of spandex breathes well for daytime outdoor events but can read too casual for dressier showers.
Ribbed knits are having a major moment and work beautifully for bump dressing—the texture adds visual interest while the stretch accommodates your changing shape.
Avoid: anything that wrinkles the moment you sit down (pure linen, thin rayon), fabrics that show every line underneath (thin jersey, clingy satin), or materials that trap heat if the venue might run warm.
You will likely be on your feet more than you expect—greeting people, participating in games, helping carry gifts to the bride's car. This is not the event for breaking in new heels.
A block heel or wedge gives you height without the instability. Ballet flats or pointed-toe loafers work for more casual showers. If the event is outdoors on grass, skip anything with a thin heel entirely unless you want to aerate someone's lawn.
Whatever you choose, make sure you've worn them before. Swollen feet plus new shoes plus three hours of socializing equals misery.
Group photos at bridal showers tend to be casual—everyone gathered around the bride, maybe some candids during games. You're not the focus, which actually takes the pressure off.
That said, a few things photograph better than others in group settings:
Solid colors or small prints read cleaner than large, busy patterns. Something with a defined waistline (even if it's empire or under-bust) gives your silhouette structure. Avoiding all-black can help, since you'll blend into the background in group shots.
If you know the bride is planning professional photos, treat your outfit choice with slightly more intention. If it's just phone pics, don't overthink it.
Bridal showers are notorious for unpredictable temperatures. The backyard setup seemed fine until the sun went behind clouds. The restaurant's AC is cranked to arctic levels. The living room is packed with thirty women and suddenly feels tropical.
A lightweight cardigan, structured blazer, or even a pretty denim jacket (for casual daytime showers) lets you adjust without sacrificing the outfit. Choose something that coordinates with your dress rather than just grabbing whatever jacket is by the door.
For winter 2026 showers specifically, a long coat that you can remove when you arrive keeps you warm in transit without affecting your actual outfit planning.