While Nike’s well-known slogan encourages athletes to push forward, its new maternity line urges moms to give themselves a break.
Nike (M), the company’s first collection made specifically for pregnant and post-partum mothers, was designed with data in mind. The company’s product team looked at insights gleaned from more than 150,000 comparison scans of pregnant and non-pregnant women to identify their physiological differences. That analysis, in addition to detailed feedback on apparel fit, feel and function taken from about 30 pregnant or post-partum athletes, informed the line.
The four-piece capsule consists of a pullover, a tank, a Nike One tight and a Swoosh bra—all created with mothers’ bodies in mind. The sports bra allows for easy access for breastfeeding, while the tights are made to be worn both high and low-waisted. The maternity tank is designed with extra material to accommodate a changing body. The full collection will launch on Nike.com on Sept. 17.
“The more we listened to expecting mothers and postpartum mothers, the more we learned, reworked and innovated through inclusive design,” said Carmen Zolman, Nike’s senior design director for apparel innovation. “It’s the project of a lifetime to work in lockstep with all kinds of mothers to bring to life a capsule that truly supports women’s relationship with sport during such a transformative time in their lives.”
United States women’s national soccer team member and Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan described the challenge of adjusting to a slower pace during her pregnancy. “Not only was there a physical shift I had to make,” she said, “but it was a mental shift to say, ‘That’s okay.’”
“As an athlete, you want to see gains. You want to continue to progress,” the Nike (M) spokeswoman and Olympic gold medalist added. “Throughout my pregnancy I had to shift my focus from thinking, ‘I’m getting worse at my mile’ or ‘I’m getting more tired easily,’ to ‘I’m growing a baby, so be forgiving of yourself and your body, and really enjoy this time.’”