"Having a baby changed me from the inside out. While it’s been written about ad nauseam, it’s still shocking to actually experience just how much your life changes the moment your child is born. Along with the obvious changes to my body, having a child also completely changed my lifestyle and identity. One of the parts of my identity that changed the most was my love of fashion.
Both before and during pregnancy, I found that not much changed as far as my personal style. I have always been someone who has loved fashion. My never-ending closet of flowing maxi dresses lent itself well to my changing body. However, post-pregnancy was another case altogether. I have always been someone who has loved dressing up. But postpartum, I couldn’t seem to shake myself out of wearing a uniform of sweatpants and an oversized tee. It was partly due to low self-esteem with my changed body but also because of a massive lifestyle shift.
Fast forward two years and to the middle of a second pregnancy, and I’ve found a few brands that have really helped me regain my personal style both with pregnant and postpartum. But, one clothing brand in particular really helped me to feel beautiful again post-baby: DÔEN. Keep scrolling to find out why, plus a full review and try-on of DÔEN clothing.
What is DÔEN?
DÔEN is a clothing brand that was founded in 2016 by sisters Margaret and Katherine Kleveland. According to their website, their collections are inspired by a “nostalgia for the coastal California of decades past.” While the brand is not specific to maternity or postpartum, the clothing line was built with motherhood at its core. Both Katherine and Margaret are mothers who wanted to create clothing that was a celebration of women, with garments that could be passed along from generation to generation.
While DÔEN is not a maternity line, it’s a brand that wants to make its customers feel beautiful during every part of their life. As part of that mission, you can shop certain collections on their website, including pieces that are both pregnancy and nursing-friendly. These are pieces that can be worn before, during, and after pregnancy. Their pieces have more stretch and free-flowing silhouettes that lend themselves throughout the journey of motherhood. DÔEN even has a kids’ collection if you’re looking for a special piece for your little one.
Now, there are no two ways about it—this is a luxe line. The prices are firmly in a higher price range. A majority of the line is sold exclusively direct to consumers from the DÔEN website (though you can shop select pieces on NET-A-PORTER and Saks Fifth Avenue).
DÔEN Resale and Hand Me DÔEN Program
It’s also worth noting that DÔEN is a brand that is extremely popular for resale. Whether it’s through Facebook groups or Poshmark, these quality pieces are coveted on the secondhand market. So coveted, in fact, that DÔEN even started their own resale program: Hand Me DÔEN. The program allows you to send in your pre-loved pieces DÔEN pieces to the company. Once approved, you’ll receive a digital gift card for the value of your item that you can use to shop on their website. Every couple of months, DÔEN hosts a new Hand Me DÔEN event. This is when customers can shop secondhand items at a heavily discounted price.
DÔEN Clothing Review: How the Brand Helped Me Regain My Personal Style
Before, during, and after my first pregnancy, DÔEN was my go-to investment brand. It was the brand I would buy staple pieces from to mix and match with a more budget-friendly selection from my closet. The prints, silhouettes, and overall quality always felt like they were worth the price to me. They always made me feel so confident.
Immediately postpartum, I donated or sold a lot of my clothing, including some of my favorite DÔEN pieces. In the haze of postpartum, I just couldn’t imagine a time I would feel confident enough to wear them. I couldn’t even dream of an outside-the-house event where I could possibly need to wear them.
After I cam out of that haze a bit, I revisited my favorite brand and picked up a few new pieces. And it finally helped me see a little bit of my old identity again. These are a few of my favorite pieces that have really made me feel like myself again:
DÔEN Quinn Dress
The Quinn Dress was a fan favorite—not to mention celebrity favorite—as soon as it launched. So it was no surprise the brand brought it back for another year. The solid black and solid white options from years past have returned, but there is a gorgeous solid blue and a blue and white floral for spring 2025 as well. When you’re looking for a dress to throw on and look effortlessly put together, this is it. It’s comfortable, cute, and has even withstood the ultimate test of being worn while running after a toddler.
DÔEN Bijou Dress
Perhaps my favorite design from DÔEN is their Bijou Dress, which can easily be worn day or night. This pattern may be my favorite yet, with brown and blue florals that work wonderfully in any season. I ended up getting my dress’ sleeves altered to be shorter, and wore this for an outdoor fall wedding with some short booties and a leather jacket.
DÔEN Haleigh Dress
I’m all for elastic, so the idea of a fully button-up dress doesn’t always appeal to me. But the Haleigh Dress is so effortless and immediately made me feel confident. I love playing around with unbuttoning for more leg, or around the neck for a higher neckline.
The dress is particularly versatile, casual enough for running around doing errands, or easy enough to dress up for date night. In cooler weather, I throw my Quince Cardigan over it for a cozy layer.
DÔEN Ischia Dress
This Ischia Dress is one that returns again and again in different prints. But the new floral and plaid prints may be my favorites yet. The cottagecore-inspired silhouette is incredibly flattering—and comfortable!—with adjustable ties. The sleeves can be worn stretched out or scrunched up for different looks. I sometimes even tuck them in for an alternative style. It’s perfect for summer get-togethers or outdoor events.
5 colors and patterns available
Additional prints available on Net-a-Porter | Second option
DÔEN Kaira Dress
The Kaira Dress is a mash-up of the brand’s Ischia and Bijou dresses, with elasticized longer sleeves like the Bijou and a scoop neck like the Ischia.
I’m a sucker for a blue floral, so the pattern of the dress is what drew me in right away. I like that it’s a neutral floral that can work in any season, whether that’s layered in the spring or fall or alone in the summer. My favorite combination is with a leather jacket, as I love the juxtaposition of the romantic florals with the more edgy outer layer.
DÔEN Ashlynn Dress
If you need just one maxi dress for spring, make it the Ashlynn Dress. This dress is a returning style, and I can already tell it’s going to take me through pregnancy and get reworn plenty for years to come.
The style has a drawstring waist and neckline, so can be worn several different ways (I’m looking forward to trying it off-the-shoulder for an upcoming beach trip). It’s also deceptively one of the most comfortable items in my closet with light, airy fabric that’s ideal for warmer weather! If the current yellow option on DÔEN’s site isn’t your color, you can also find it in a white with blue floral on Net-a-Porter.
DÔEN Henri Top
I loved the blue floral print of the Ashlynn Dress last year so much that I needed to try it in shirt form as well. The Henri Top is a fan-favorite style from the brand, with a flattering design that looks perfect with jeans, shorts, a skirt… just about anything you could think of!
DÔEN Cartwright Sweater
For years I avoided cashmere because of the price point. In my mind it was the caviar of the clothing world. It’s considered a pinnacle of luxury, but how could it possibly be worth the price tag? But, after I got my first cashmere sweater I understood the hype. I have a select few things I consider heritage items, and one of them is the Cartwright Cashmere Sweater.
The design is timeless, and the fabric is as soft as you’d expect. It’s oversized enough I’ll wear it over leggings, or tucked in slightly with jeans for a slightly less casual look. It’s a high price tag but also high quality, so I see it as an investment piece to bring out year after year.
DÔEN Diana Crop Jean
The DÔEN Diana Crop Jean is a splurge, to be sure. But when you try them on, you’ll understand why. Made with 100 percent organic cotton, these feel like a pair of jeans that will last a lifetime. My usual size fit like a glove. I also felt like it would stretch and mold with my body to become incredibly cozy (as most 100 percent cotton jeans will do). The length of the straight jeans hit right at my ankle, making them perfect to wear with some sneakers or a pair of boots. I loved them so much that I didn’t even mind that they broke my usual pro-zipper jeans rule. Despite having a button fly, the style fits so well I barely even noticed.
Shop all of DÔEN’s latest arrivals here!
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is full-time writer, editor, and mom. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom on all things Disney World, beauty products, and the latest fashion trends, her writing has appeared in Well + Good, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Baby Chick.