Maternity Clothes

satuttle1014

I have searched some other boards but haven't really found what I needed. I am on my last week of my 1st tri.

I don't have a big bump, the only time I notice my bump is when I wear my work pants. I can zip and button my work pants until I want to sit down then I have to unbutton and unzip or else it will pop open. I was thinking of getting a bella band? Everywhere else on my pants still fit, just the waist is tight when I sit. Has anyone used a bella band and worth getting 1 or 2?

Also, I have heard that a rule of thumb for buying maternity clothes is to use your pre-pregnancy size and if you are unsure, get a larger size in that item of clothing? Is this something that is good to go off of? I don't want to be trying on so many different sizes and of course I know brands may vary so I will have to try on some things. I don't want to be buying millions of clothes but over the next 2 or 3 weeks I want to get a couple of items like maybe some work pants and some tops that I can wear eventually when it will start to get cooler. I will pretty much be living in leggings which is what I live in anyways. 

hailees

I have a Bella band and I found that it just didn't work well for me. My job involves a lot of movement and the band kept getting out of place. If you want to try it, I'd suggest buying one and keeping the receipt. If it doesn't work after a test run- return it!

Personally, my pre pregnancy size in maternity tops has worked perfectly. Most come in S/M/L. I was in a M/L pre preg, but can typically do a M in maternity.. Everything tends to be more stretchy and roomier than non maternity clothes.

Pants are another story. My hips have already gotten slightly wider. I have yet to buy any pants (it's to hot and I can get away with dresses/skirts).

My best advice is to get out there and try some stuff on!

satuttle1014

Thanks for the advice. I just had no idea where to start. I have been wearing dresses and skirts because it is hot and it is just easier. 

hailees

I don't really love shopping but once you have a bump going it is pretty fun! I've loved target and Pink Blush Maternity (online).

nackie

I've mostly just been wearing dresses since my pants stopped fitting, but I finally got a Bella band this weekend. So far it seems to be working out well.

susanb15

Pants need to be tried on for me. S/M/L/XL just has been difficult, and the cut at knees and ankles has been odd for me. I have never been good at online shopping, but I am willing now (most of my fave stores have 0-little options in store, but a bit more/tons online). My hope is to go in store to get a best size, even if I dislike the particular clothing item, but use that for online sizing. Also, I have been most successful @ Clothes Mentor (branch of Plato's closet / once upon a child) buying 2nd hand dress pants. They're in great condition because some people wear them for maybe 6 months max. Good luck.

teachmegs817

@susanb15 you are the 3rd or 4th person that has mentioned Clothes Mentor for maternity wear.  I need to go to mine and check it out.  What I really think I'm going to have a hard time finding is pants that are comfortable, manageable for my job, and that I will actually like.  Does Clothes Mentor have a specific maternity section in their stores? It'll give me an idea of where I should be looking instead of just wandering in and rummaging through the racks.

Beverly0628

I haven't tried the bella band because it seems like kind of a pain, but I used the hair tie trick for a while. I have found that my pre-pregnancy size generally works fine for buying maternity clothes. Try Old Navy. I got a pair of low panel maternity boyfriend jeans and some maternity linen pants that are wonderful. I'm just way more comfortable now that I made the switch to actual maternity wear.

teachmegs817

satuttle1014 said:

Thanks for the advice. I just had no idea where to start. I have been wearing dresses and skirts because it is hot and it is just easier. 

I can speak for Target because I have gotten all of my maternity stuff from there so far, that their sizes have ran true to my pre-pregnancy sizes so far.  I wear size medium for shirts, and I wear a 6/8 pant size, depending on the store. I've bought a pair of jeggings in a medium and jeans in a 6.  Both fit really well.  The jeggings are actually a little big in the stomach and hip area and are not a pair of pants that go over the belly like many maternity pants do.  They have elastic in the hip area so that they will stretch and accommodate for a growing bump.  I hope they hold up well, (literally) as my bump starts growing and I don't spend my whole day hiking up my pants so I'm not flashing the world. Otherwise, down the road, I'll be a little bummed I bought them. The shirts, other than running a little long, which I think will change once I start growing more outward are comfy fits with room to grow.

satuttle1014

Thanks for all the options. Today I bought 2 pairs of maternity work pants with the stretch waistband because my current ones are just not working. I was thinking of the bella band but wanted to see if I could get pants that actually fit better lol So I will try those out and see how they are. 

celainev

I only have had to purchase maternity pants as I find maternity shirts to be ridiculous most of the time. I just have bought a couple shirts that are a size up (I'm small and I now get medium shirts) so that they are long enough to cover my bump (20w4d.) I went a size up with my maternity pants (black skinnies from h&m with the extra high waist band) and I have really liked them. I bought them at 10 weeks. My hips have been expanding so the extra room was welcome, however I am now finding the band is getting tight just above my belly button. I will probably have to purchase another pair of black skinnies with a short waist band before this pregnancy is over. I only wear the skinnies to work and on my days off I only wear leggings.

sjohnson1052

I've found some great deals on eBay for maternity clothing. I've also bought a couple dress shirts, they were the stretchy worthington brand (jcpenney). In a large( I would usually wear a small in that brand)