For a long time, I had a file folder of ideas and references for pregnancy costumes, should that day ever come. I had a big section dedicated to Amidala’s pregnancy outfits. Then, Halloween hit and I was eight months pregnant with no Star Wars costume in site. I don’t know if it was pregnancy hormones or what, but as I was looking through the costumes I felt like that was the last thing I wanted to make since it seemed like everyone did those. So that started my search for maternity-friendly costume options!

Costuming while pregnant comes with several challenges, the top two being, “If I make or buy this today, will it fit my ever-expanding shape when I plan to wear it?” And “Will I be able to take this off to pee every 30 minutes?” I made and purchased several costumes over the course of my pregnancy and would like to share what I’ve found as far as options go for pregnant cosplay.

By the way, I also wrote a geeky kids book about costumes and comic cons! It’s available now on Amazon.

1 – As I mentioned, there is always the Star Wars angle

Padme Amidala is pregnant with the twins and has a few nice maternity costuming options including a blue nightgown looking outfit and a sporty pregnant Jedi. Both of these options are comfortable with plenty of belly room. Star Wars fans can also transform their belly into the Death Star when using suggestion #3 below.

2 – Take it easy with a t-shirt

For me Halloween came in my first trimester, while I was pretty miserable with morning (afternoon and evening) sickness. So I stayed home and handed out candy while wearing the easiest of all maternity costumes- the humorous t-shirt. Click here to check out a whole collection of fun maternity shirts for Halloween on Amazon!

3- Make the belly part of the costume!

For the more creative and larger bellied costumer, there is always the “belly as accessory” option. If you can’t hide it, might as well put it to good use!

This would make a great addition to the October section if you choose to do a special photo calendar showcasing your pregnancy journey.

4 – Disguise the belly

If your belly isn’t quite big enough to be the focus of the outfit, but is too big for you to wear your regular costumes, choose a costume that disguises the belly. I went with Lumpy Space Princess from Adventure Time. I figured she’s lumpy and so am I. I got a lot of use out of this outfit from 2-6 months along because it was so comfy and stretchy! All I did was sew some tulle onto a purple cotton dress.

5 – Zombie Baby!

Halloween, horror fests and zombie walks are the perfect time for the gross zombie baby belly!

6 – There’s always the packaged pregnant costume option

I tried the Maternity Fairy costume from a costume shop and I think most of these kind of costumes are really just plus size costumes repackaged. This one ran pretty small, though it had plenty of belly room. The arms were tight enough to fit a child. There aren’t many good manufactured maternity costumes that are worth getting so I would not really recommend the packaged options unless you are desperate and that’s all you can find in time.

If you are thinking of being a pregnant fairy, click here to see a much prettier dress on Amazon that fits better and comes in several colors.

7 – Anything with an empire waist can be a pregnancy costume

I dressed as a pirate for the medieval fair. My top is just an empire waist dress over stretchy pleather leggings. I wore the Burgundy High Low Gauze Peasant Dress by Leg Avenue, which I wouldn’t actually recommend because it ripped THREE times before I even left the house. I had to sew it back together and pray it didn’t just rip right off. The gauze material is pretty delicate. My pants were black liquid leggings by Elegant Moments. They were comfy and low-waisted so they fit right under my belly. Whenever someone commented on my pregnant status, I just told them, “Blackbeard did it.”

8 – Find obscure characters

A pregnant friend of mine went to MegaCon as Most Fruitful Yuki. She wasn’t far enough along for Yuki’s big belly so she wore a deflated beach ball over her small bump.

9 – Pregnant pop culture characters

There are several pregnant characters in pop culture besides Amidala. Juno is one of the most comfortable costumes to do and the bonus is your partner can go as Bleeker. There’s also Daenerys Targaryen, although if you watch Game of Thrones, you know that didn’t end well. But pregnant pop-culture characters leads me to number 10 on the list.

10 – Any character can be pregnant!

When you are far enough along, flaunt the bump, don’t hide it. For New Year’s Eve I wanted to be something pretty and elegant so I went as the White Queen to an Alice in Wonderland themed event. I made a flowy white empire waist dress. It was like wearing a nightgown, but I felt dressed up and it was obvious by then I was pregnant and not just lumpy. Or at least, I thought it was obvious until looking at these photos now and realizing I look like I had a big lunch. I felt huge! lol.

I’d love to hear what you decided to wear! Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite maternity costumes were or are about to be.

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About the Author:

Candy Keane is a blogger, crafty geek and children’s book author who writes about nerdy culture and “geek mom life”.  She’s well known for her cosplay and costumes, many of which are posted on Instagram @SewGeekMama. Her first children’s book, I’m Going to My First Comic Convention, is available now on Amazon.