Starting later this year, Air Force will offer pregnant service members a new maternity wrap dress to replace the service’s maternity jumper first fielded in 1993.
The service created the new maternity wrap dress and a new maternity coat in an effort to modernize the service’s existing maternity uniform with better-fitting items that adjust to a wide range of sizes.
“The new maternity uniform offers a flattering, comfortable, and professional appearance, and features a 360-degree stretch panel made with moisture-wicking material that adjusts easily throughout all stages of pregnancy,” an Air Force spokesman told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
These new additions feature modern fabrics that stretch for better freedom-of-movement and are easy to maintain, the spokesperson said.
The new wrap dress has long sleeves and a midriff side buckle compared to the sleeveless, one-size-fits-all maternity jumper. It is scheduled to show up at Army Air Force Exchange Service clothing stores this winter and intended for occasions that require the Service Dress, Class A uniform.
Airmen who wore the wrap dress during testing liked the new look, the spokesperson said.
“The dress was well thought out and designed,” one pregnant Airmen involved in the wear tests said. “I felt extremely professional while wearing it during official ceremonies.”
The maternity coat is also a new addition to the maternity uniform. It also features long sleeves and includes shoulder epaulettes, a two-button front closure and a left breast pocket.
The new maternity wrap dress and maternity coat will join the existing maternity blouse, slacks, and skirt. It’s unclear how much the new items will cost. Pregnant Active-duty, Guard, and Reserve enlisted service members are authorized a maternity supplemental clothing allowance within any 36-month period. Commissioned officers receive a one-time payment to buy uniforms and other clothing items.
Pregnant Space Force Guardians will be authorized to wear the new maternity uniform items “until the Space Force specific maternity uniform is fielded,” the spokesperson said.
The Space Force maternity uniform is also being designed to offer a better fit and improved features. Uniform prototypes are scheduled to be tested sometime next year, the spokesperson said.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Air Force Uniform Office began asking pregnant Airmen what they wanted to see in an improved maternity uniform in 2019. Uniform officials shelved the effort during the COVID-19 pandemic until it could be restarted in 2022, the spokesperson said. As of September, there were 4,143 female Airmen listed as pregnant.
The Air Force launched the maternity uniform update as part of the service’s sweeping effort to provide better fitting uniforms and equipment for female Airmen, ranging from maternity flight suits to female-specific body armor.
Uniform officials expect the new wrap dress to be fully available at AAFES stores by April 2026, the spokesperson said. The new maternity coat should be available by next summer.
