Old clothes too small maternity clothes WAY too big...

kaylee612

Hey! Just wondering what any of you have done in that awkward transition stage when your old clothes were too small but maternity clothes were too big. I've tried buying pants/shorts 1 size bigger than normal but they just make me look like I'm swimming in jeans.

bj1987

There is a belly band they sell at target that is wonderful you can leave your pants unbuttoned and just slip it on over your mid section to hold the pants up really helped me last pregnancy not so lucky this time as I was in maternity by 12 weeks lol

voldem0rt

Were you buying maternity clothes a size up? You don't have to do that... all my maternity stuff is the same size as my normal clothes and they have fit fine for several months now.

benmel31

Some maternity clothes fit me, some are too big. In terms of pants, buy your pre-pregnancy size. Look for pants with a Demi panel or insert panel instead of the full belly coverage panel. For shirts, try to find more fitted ones instead of the tunic or flowy ones. Some websites give suggestions by trimester which may also help.

louiseambrose

I second the belly band-- it helped me stay in my pre-preg work pants an extra few weeks. I've bought a few longer, blousier non-mat tops that I wear untucked over pants or tucked into non-mat, size-up skirts. Throw on a blazer or cardigan and it works. Some of my roomier sheath dresses and wrap dresses still fit too. I was just complaining to DH last night that getting dressed for work is getting harder by the day!! I also second the recommendation for demi-panel and side-panel jeans and shorts. My jeans are Liz Lange (from Target) demi-panel and I love them. My shorts are Old Navy side-panel and the waist is a little big but that's true of all Old Navy stuff, maternity or not!

dkizz82

I went through this and it lasted about 2 weeks then one day I woke up and had to have the maternity clothes. I wore dresses and tunic style tips a lot during that time.

gladdyola

I just went and bought a whole bunch of maxi dresses! Super comfy and you can basically where them anywhere
Maternity clothes were too big as well

kaylee612

I meant I've tried buying regular clothes 1 size up. Sorry for my being clear.

ittybittybaker09

The only thing I can wear one size up is shirts. I am definitely in maternity pants. Bigger sizes don't fit the same unfortunately

babywhaley17

I am in the same situation! Mostly I have been rocking the maxi skirts. I purchased a couple long stretchy tanks 1 size bigger and pair them with cardigans. I tried the belly band, but it kept rolling up on me and was uncomfortable. I have been using the hair tie trick on my regular jeans to keep them unbuttoned. Good luck!

Perfect Sonnet

I have heard people on here say they are just buying larger versions of regular clothing and I really don't get it.  Just buy your regular size in maternity clothes.  If they're bigger now, you will grow into them.  I am all about buying things that will stretch to the end of my pregnancy. 

PixelPosy

I agree stretchy maxi skirts or dresses are the way to go right now. Maternity tanks like from old navy fit me well too, since they are stretchy.

jesicabrennan

I had this problem through my entire first pregnancy, it felt like my bump just never got big enough for the vast majority of maternity clothes. You have to find the right store/brand for your body type. Macy's pea in a pod worked well for me and Target. But I've also found a lot of things like maxi dresses fit me much better if I buy non maternity because maternity maxi dresses are HUGE! Old navy was awful, way too big, but their perfect tanks work well because they're nice and long! It's a lot of buying online and trying on and sending back, just keep trying, you'll find the right brand for you!

mommyofX

Two words. Yoga pants!!

kjandericka

I prefer the belly belt to the belly band, especially if you wear jeans or dress pants. You can get them at most Targets or Motherhood Maternity. I have attached a picture of the pack that I bought. It has 2 different sized "belts" that go with buttoned pants (4 lengths total) and 2 that work with pants that have the hook thing. I tried mine out for the first time last night and they're so easy to use. They even come with fabric that you can attach when you get bigger to cover the gap.

Here's a picture of the ones I got. The pack was $20.

aschexn

I am dealing with the same problem! I bought the Ingrid Isabel belly band and have been using that to get by for the last couple weeks.  I like it b/c the bottom has a sticky band in it that keeps it from moving around too much.  At work I wear scrubs and those are still fitting for now, though my patients probably thing I've put on some weight

I bought a little bit of maternity clothes but all of it is too big as of now. It's definitely an awkward stage to be in and Sunday my hormones go the best of me and I had a breakdown when I couldn't fit into anything to wear to a bday party we were going to. 

I like the idea of maxis and sundresses...I may go to Target soon to check out their selection.

bbymartin15

Definitely second the belly band. I'm 21 weeks and still wearing my normal shorts and pants with the band from target.(I actually found that if you wear it upside down ((large elastic at the bottom instead)) it works way better and doesn't rise) also maxi dresses and skirts for sure.

KMBC2552

Flowy shirts, belly band or hair tie trick to keep pants up, lots of leggings, tunics and dresses. 

KMBC2552

Also underbelly jeans and maternity leggings are good for this in between stage. I would recommend going and trying some on at destination maternity or something. Some brands run big, but some will be perfect right now.

laineyjewel

I've had the same problem. Maternity leggings, maxi skirts and dresses, and yoga pants/capris have been my wardrobe for a few weeks now

missmarissa711

I am 22 weeks 4 days, I am pretty petite on my upper half of my body and I tend to have some fitting issues with maternity shirts the most. The cotton shirts are very baggy on the chest area which makes it uncomfortable for me to wear, but I found that the stretchy shirts that are more form fitting, in a size small fit me perfectly. They are a little on the long side, but I know that soon enough my belly will be bigger The maternity jeans, honestly fit me perfectly. I am a size 6 in normal jeans and I tried on the 6 maternity jeans and they fit wonderfully. My regular shirts and jeans are just not comfortable anymore, so they are tucked away until after the baby The only thing I wear now that isn't maternity is sweat pants and hoodies.

tarheelgirl8

I also purchased the pant extender @kjandericka mentioned.  It was awesome when I was first starting to get bigger but not really showing yet.  Even now when I am firmly in maternity shirts, I can still wear my pre-pregnancy pants with this extender.  It has really helped me to stagger out buying real maternity clothes.  I don't need enough work pants/skirts to make it through the entire week because I can still wear my pre-pregnancy pants too.  

I also got the belly band to go over it, just to make myself feel more comfortable.  I will say that it does make me a little "lumpy" when I wear tight tops.   I don't think anyone else notices though.  

myrandaagee

Can you only get the belly belt or band online from target? I've looked in stores and haven't seen any

piperpenguin

I feel like I am in the same boat. Maternity tops too big. Pre maternity too small. I went thru my closet this week and did a major cleanout. Put things that didn't fit in a Tupperware for after baby so I stop trying them on and getting frustrated. The volume of clothes that will work is WAY down but I'm happy to have a closet of things I can actually wear!

kjandericka

myrandaagee said:

Can you only get the belly belt or band online from target? I've looked in stores and haven't seen any

I know you can order the belly belt for $19.99 online from Target. They also have both products at Motherhood Maternity if you have one close to you.

benmel31

I am surprised so many people like the belly band.  I hate it!  

Perfect Sonnet

benmel31 said:

I am surprised so many people like the belly band.  I hate it!  

Me too!  That thing was also sliding up and down.  I didn't even try using it this time. 

e1223

Ha, I feel like I could wear maternity clothes 100% of the time and they'd still fit. I guess that's what happens when this is my 3rd kid and I'm 33 years old. Sigh...

tarheelgirl8

kjandericka said:

myrandaagee said:

I know you can order the belly belt for $19.99 online from Target. They also have both products at Motherhood Maternity if you have one close to you.

I purchased my belt extender in a Motherhood Maternity store, and bought the belly band in store at Target.

Perfect Sonnet said:

benmel31 said:

Me too!  That thing was also sliding up and down.  I didn't even try using it this time. 

My sister felt like her belly band slide around too much too, but I have never had a problem with that.  It may depend on the brand or your body type?