Pregnant Women Are Obsessed With This Viral Amazon Dress

Of the many cultural shifts brought on by the pandemic, perhaps the oddest was the way it awakened a desire to find a meadow and frolic wildly through it, leaving our worries behind in a grassy wake. As our social feeds became populated with sourdough starters and odes to nature, the fantastical appeal of cottagecore fashion — which actor and blogger Michelle Hopewell described to Refinery29 as "dressing like a storybook character" — was impossible to ignore. Nap dresses, tiered silhouettes, and ultra-long styles reign over closets in which jeans and work clothes were once the norm. And prairie-inspired attire isn't going anywhere, at least not according to Amazon, where yet another frock of this kind has gone viral. What's so special about this one, you ask? Well, it's got lots of pregnant women singing its praises (and posing for photos) — and it's not even made for maternity wear. We had to investigate.

Let's start with the sheer number of ratings and comments this flowy frock, brought to you by the brand R.Vivimos, has amassed over the course of its brief but bountiful cyber life. It's got an impressive 2,485 reviews, the majority of which tout a five-out-of-five star rating. The square neckline, the puff sleeves, and the $35 price tag seem to have successfully hit a sartorial trifecta for shoppers in search of something easy, ethereal, and fit for a picnic in a field. Customers have posted about wearing it for fairy costumes, cottagecore shoots (yes, it’s a thing!), and renaissance fairs, though they promise it's acceptable to wear in um, normal life, too.

The reviews range from single-word posts (what more do you need when that word is "perfect"?) to digital novellas detailing everything from color to fit and shipping time. What our investigation revealed as the standout trend across these thousands of write-ups, however, was the popularity of this garment among many moms-to-be. Its relaxed silhouette means it can accommodate bumps of any size, with the possibility of continued wear post-partum. And for more than one belly-cradling lady, this super-dress of sorts was just what they needed while planning maternity shoots and pregnancy announcement photos.

“GET THIS DRESS!!! I had been searching for a dress for our maternity shoot… THIS dress swooped in and saved the day!” writes Amazon reviewer Kimberly, adding: "Also can we talk about the price?! SO affordable! I feel like this dress will even fit me post-pregnancy. I absolutely love it!” She even dropped the name of her photographer, for anyone who might be in need of more than a dress. Another reviewer named Mallory shared her similar experience of just about giving up on finding the perfect ensemble until this dreamboat of an option floated across the internet's sea of choice: "Ordered it like less than 3 days before my shoot, it came in time and looked amazing! It’s not even a maternity dress but fits like one has tons of room for your growing belly!"

Considering the style is ultra-lightweight, it makes sense that it's having a major moment as summer temperatures continue to climb. The only thing that's worse than clothing that makes you feel sticky and sweaty under the sun is feeling that way while pregnant and about to be photographed. Plus, the elasticized bodice makes for a flexible fit around the bust, and the ruffled frill along the neckline — well, that's just fun. If you've got a bump but remain undecided about how you want it to make its social media debut, then at least to scroll through the images posted in the review section of this Amazon item. Trust us, inspiration is endless.

This Amazon hidden gem has become so known for being THE maternity dress of all maternity dresses that some commenters have advised against getting it if you're not pregnant, due to the extra fabric and oversized shape. But some shoppers sans bun-in-the-oven have said that sizing down is enough to solve that issue, and they shared their own photographs as evidence. They're quick to pile on those stars, drawing comparisons to a Free People aesthetic and tossing in some styling tips to boot, such as adding a belt or opting for a strapless bra. Positive or negative, however, the critics overwhelmingly agree: You'll need to iron it first.

We'd like to conclude this report by sharing that whether you're looking to upgrade your maternity attire or you simply want to add a touch of whimsy to your everyday style, there's no right or wrong way to incorporate this dress into your summer-outfit rotation. But don't take it from us: According to Amazon reviewer Kristen, no matter who you are, "YOU NEED THIS DRESS."