Four months after Nike debuted its first collection designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum mothers, another footwear giant is making its entrance into maternity wear.
Adidas launched its inaugural collection of maternity activewear last week. Crafted with lightweight, high-stretch fabric around the belly and chest, the line is designed so the same set can be worn throughout pregnancy and postpartum as a woman’s body changes.
The collection’s 7/8 tight features a tailored waistband with lighter fabric to minimize pressure on the belly, Adidas said. A customizable waistband can be pulled all the way up to cover the entire belly or pulled below for a more relaxed fit to release heat and moisture. The product, available in grey and black, is made with recycled polyester. The collection also offers cotton leggings with the same customizable waistband in black and navy blue.
The maternity collection’s tank top “hugs the body, without squeezing, for all day support,” Adidas said. The design includes an A-line cut and a longer front for full coverage during pregnancy, while transitioning to a longer-length look postpartum. The piece comes in black, navy blue and hazy rose.
Considering the increased body temperature many women experience during pregnancy, the collection also uses Adidas’ Aeroready moisture management technology to keep the wearer cool and dry.
To design the collection, Adidas worked with a cohort of women in different trimesters. Aimee Arana, general manager of Adidas Global Training, said it was “paramount” that the company work with expecting women so it could understand exactly what they need through each trimester and during the postpartum months. “The insights we gained were invaluable, and led to a collection of essential pieces with support and comfort at the forefront,” she said in a statement.
Nike introduced its maternity line in September. The brand said it looked at more than 150,000 comparison scans of pregnant and non-pregnant women when designing the collection to identify physiological differences and then, like Adidas, turned to women at varying stages in their pregnancy for feedback. The four-piece collection includes a pullover, tank, Nike One tight and Swoosh bra.