Nike launches maternity collection after a year since facing allegations that the company discriminated against pregnant athletes.
Even when the company itself, allegedly, has not always supported women, this maternity collection designed to take women through all pregnancy stages proved the allegations wrong. It is part of Nike’s broader effort to appeal to female athletes.
The collection called Nike (M)
Nike (M), a four-piece collection priced between $45 to $85 will be available today, September 17, as reported by Glamour.
It includes four products designed to meet women’s bodies’ changing needs before, during, and after pregnancy.
The four-piece set, which includes a bra, tank top, cardigan, and tights, is made from stretchy fabrics meant to adapt to a woman’s body as it changes throughout pregnancy and continue to look flattering after she has given birth.
The designers tested 70 varying fabrics before arriving at the ones they used for these garments. They picked the stretchiest fabric in Nike’s portfolio for the tights and also ensured that the tank and bra could be stretched for extended periods and still spring back to their original form.
The tops are designed for easy nursing and pumping, with a “stealth evaporation fabric,” meant to reduce milk stains on the fabric.
The other items include support panels or options to change how the item is worn as the pregnancy progresses, meaning you can wear it no matter what size your bump is.
The leggings give you the options of wearing over your tummy or showing your stomach, and the maternity shirt has this extra material for the excess weight they carry.
Zolman, a senior design director, speaks up
It is important that women buy these pieces in their pre-pregnancy size, wear them throughout their pregnancy, and then continue to use them postpartum.
For instance, let us take the cardigan. It is designed to be worn in reverse during the pregnancy, with a split hem that creates space for a growing belly, while after birth, the sweater flips the other way for discreet nursing.
Zolman also said that the Nike M line is part of Nike’s broader effort to support women’s fitness goals throughout their life stages, from childhood to motherhood.
Nike surveyed why some female athletes abandoned sports and found out that women do not have clothes that fit comfortably as their bodies change throughout the pregnancy.
“Our goal was to make clothes that support women as they stay active during their pregnancy, but that they would want to wear these pieces long after their delivery date.”
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