Baby Shower Dress: When Lucy Said Enceinte on Television

On Dec. 8, 1952, Lucy broke the news to Ricky in an episode called Lucy Is Enceinte, using the French word for pregnant. I think about that whenever I shop for a baby shower dress, because the way we talk about pregnancy keeps changing, and so does what we wear to celebrate it.

The party is newer than you would guess. Baby showers only became popular in the middle of the 20th century. When Meghan Markle had hers at The Mark Hotel in New York in February 2019, Page Six reported she wore a navy sleeveless dress with white polka dots, which is still the kind of easy, cheerful dress I would point anyone toward. So every dress here, from a nursing knit to a ruffled babydoll, is the answer to a fairly modern question: what do you wear to celebrate a bump.

Here is a test you can run today. Sit down in the dress, lift both arms, and take a long breath. If anything pulls or rides up, it is not the one, whether you are hosting or just bringing a gift.

If you are the guest of honor, start with comfort that also photographs well. HATCH's Darla Nursing Dress is a camel plaid empire-waist midi with puff sleeves, contrast piping and a hook-and-eye neckline for nursing later. The Jules Nursing Mini Sweater Dress, also HATCH, is toast-colored ribbed merino with a fit-and-flare shape and a button front. PinkBlush's sage Long Sleeve Wrap V-Neck Maternity Nursing Midi Dress has side ruching and a deep V, and its Mocha Ribbed Knit Half-Zip Maternity Midi Sweater Dress is soft and stretchy. Tip: pick the one with a neckline you can adjust, because shower rooms run warm and then cold.

Florals are the shower default for a reason, and the trick is choosing one with some movement. HATCH's Odette Dress is a blue foulard-floral viscose midi with flutter straps and a tie front, and it drapes like a scarf. PinkBlush's Light Blue Floral Mesh Overlay Tie-Back Maternity Midi Dress has a square neckline and puffed elbow sleeves, while its Mauve Floral Pleated Waist Maternity Midi Dress is a ditsy print with a V-neck and short puff sleeves. Lulus' Azalea Sage Multi Floral Long Sleeve Midi Dress is chiffon with a plunging V and a fluid skirt. What I would skip: heavy necklaces. These necklines already do the talking.

Pink is the obvious shower color, so these four make it feel grown up. Lulus' Kandra Light Pink Floral Jacquard Bustier Midi Dress is strapless with a bustier-style bodice, and the Johanna Blush Pink Floral Jacquard Midi Dress is a slip-style midi with fluttery short sleeves and a draped neckline. For something cozier, PinkBlush's Pink Rib Knit Mock Neck Maternity Nursing Dress is dusty pink with balloon sleeves and a layered nursing front, and its Light Pink Floral Tiered Maternity Midi Dress has a V-neck and side pockets. Tip: if the host has chosen pink, go for the dustier shade so you do not blend into the cake.

Smocking is the quiet engineer of a shower dress, since it stretches where you need it to. PinkBlush's Cream Floral Smocked Puff Sleeve Maternity Dress has a smocked bodice made to stretch around a bump, a square neckline and a ruffled hem. Its Latte Floral Smocked Shoulder Tie Maternity Dress adds adjustable shoulder ties and tiers. For guests, Lulus' Harley Light Pink Smocked Ruffled Midi Dress is chiffon with adjustable straps, and the Dreamy Sweetness Burgundy Swiss Dot Ruffled Mini Babydoll Dress is a long-sleeve mini in a deeper color. Tip: pair the burgundy one with tights if the party is outdoors.

Fall showers are brunches in drafty rooms, so sleeves matter. HATCH's Scarlett Dress is a navy deco-rose stretch-mesh midi with shirring at the waist and a removable slip, and the Carmella Dress is a navy crochet-knit maxi with a scalloped square neckline and a sheer skirt. Lulus' Fallyn Navy Floral Swiss Dot Long Sleeve Midi Dress is chiffon with a tie waist and ruffle hem, and the Impressive Flirt Plum Floral Mesh Ruched Mock Neck Midi Dress hugs with ruching and a mock neck. Tip: if you wear the Carmella, bring a slip in a neutral shade, since the skirt is sheer.

Before I buy any dress for a shower, I do the sit-down test. Put the dress on, sit in a low chair, reach for a plate and laugh at something. If you forget you are wearing it, you have found the right baby shower dress. Everything else, the print, the pink, the sleeve, is a matter of taste, and a shower is a forgiving place for taste. Save the stiff fabrics for the photographs you take standing up, and wear the soft ones for the three hours of cake and games. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together White Bridal Shower Dress.