Maternity Clothing

mkrel

I know that it may be a little early, but with holiday sales coming up I was hoping that the second time moms can give some advice on maternity clothing.  Feel free to answer some of these questions or just provide any advice you have!

Are there any stores that you can actually try on clothing vs ordering online?

Did you size up or just order your size in maternity?

Full panel vs side panel.... do I need both? Do you start with side panel and use full panel when you get bigger?

When did you start wearing maternity clothes with your first pregnancy?

How many pairs of pants/shirts/dresses did you buy?

hjphillips

I liked Motherhood Maternity with my first, and old navy is okay, but I've noticed their quality has gone down in he past few years. Target stores tend to have pretty good selections. 

Generally speaking, you should order the same size you wore pre-pregnancy. Some stores will have different guidelines and if ordering online they should tell you. I actually tended to have to size down in Old Navy maternity so it just depends. 

There isn't a right or wrong time to start wearing maternity clothes, I'd suggest to just start wearing them when your normal clothes start to get uncomfortable or fit poorly.

the full vs. side panel I think is mostly personal preference. I find side panel pants and skirts to be very uncomfortable, even when I'm barely showing. 

I had a LOT of pants, but that's because I had to wear black pants to work in a kitchen every day, and I don't like doing laundry daily. I had two pairs of jeans, khakis, white jeans, and various shirts and dresses. There isn't a right or wrong amount of clothes to buy. Just do what feels right for you. You know how you wear clothes, and so long as you don't buy anything super trendy you can probably use clothes for future pregnancies.

owensmom0807

When I was pregnant with my son I bought my size I was pre-pregnancy and couldn't wear the maternity clothes last 30 weeks. It just depends how and where you gain weight at. I like the full panel vs the side panel because they stay up and are way more comfortable.

I bought a few pairs of pants and capris. 10 shirts and tons of tank tops and one pair of shorts. I gave birth in August last time around. 

Some maternity clothes can get pricey but the comfort is total work the money. 

hjphillips

I will add that I bought most of my maternity clothes at a baby/maternity second hand shop. Look online and see if there are any in your area, because it's a great money saver. 

kfry22

Are there any stores that you can actually try on clothing vs ordering online? Target 

Did you size up or just order your size in maternity? I had to size up in shirts. I have a short frame so I was all belly and huge. The smaller maternity shirts didn't cut it. And I had to wear the ones that were gathered on the side to give me extra fabric. 

Full panel vs side panel.... do I need both? Do you start with side panel and use full panel when you get bigger? I have never had side panel only full. I did have two pairs of jeans with elastic waists that were maybe 5-8 of elastic that I liked instead of the itchy panel stuff. 

When did you start wearing maternity clothes with your first pregnancy? I don't really remember. Plus this will be specific to each person, their size, how they carry, etc. I would say when you are no longer comfortable and your regular clothes don't fit. 

How many pairs of pants/shirts/dresses did you buy? I have a lot of pants because I had some for work and some for outside of work. Plus I was pregnant in summer and fall so I have shorts and pants 


I bought most of mine second hand. I shopped goodwill and Salvation Army as well as garage sales. That's how I buy my regular clothes so it didn't bother me. I also tried to wear as much as of my regular clothes as possible. This included my regular excercise shorts, leggins, cardigans, zip up jackets, etc. 

delujm0

Most of my stuff was from gap/old Navy and I got a few maternity stitch fix boxes too for  variety.  I also borrowed from a friend that had mostly stuff from Motherhood Maternity.  but that was too expensive for me to buy myself.

I work in an office so I got a lot of plain dresses and a few different color cardigans so I could mix and match.  I had enough to go about 3 weeks without repeating outfits.  at home I wore mostly leggings and t shirts.  DD was also a June baby so luckily my maternity clothes are seasonally appropriate this time too.  I also worked out throughout my last pregnancy.  my normal stretchy yoga gear fit the whole time but I needed to buy a few cardio outfits to stay comfortable...got them at old Navy too.

I got my normal size but sized down in some shirts from old navy...their stuff is pretty big.  I got the half panel jeans (so all the way around the waist but only a few inches high, not all the way to my chest).  did this because I'm short waisted so I thought the full panel would go up too high and get bunchy.

I wore some non maternity dresses for the whole pregnancy.  moved into maternity jeans around 14 weeks and everything else around the half way point.  this time I'm so bloated I'll prob be in the jeans at 10 weeks.  I've also gained 5lbs already when last time at this point I'd gained 2lbs...even though I'm eating less.  thanks, constipation.  hopefully I otherwise gain the same way so my clothes all fit!

Ahutch428

I went to places like Motherhood maternity for basics like jeans, work pants, black and white shirts, black dress etc. that I would wear frequently so they would be more durable. Then I did old navy for other tops, skirts etc. that I wouldn't wear as much. 

naka92

Motherhood Maternity is a great store and I found them pretty affordable. Honestly, I just put my maternity pants on again this week. I have no bump, but its just comfortable. Full panel all the way in my opinion, just stays up better and when you get that bump going, it helps show it off  

ladylolly89

You can try on clothing at some Old Navy stores, Motherhood, a Pea in the Pod, and Target. There are probably more that I don't know about!
Most of my maternity clothing is from Gap, LOFT and Old Navy. I bought nearly everything online - just read a lot of reviews! 

I purchased my regular size and never had a problem. Finding pants/jeans/leggings that fit was very difficult for me, however. Everything was too big. I ended up buying the tiniest size of maternity jeans that Gap had, and even those were a little big in the butt/thighs all the way through my pregnancy. 

I carried very low and never used side panels. I was in full-panel as soon as I needed maternity pants (otherwise they just cut in or fell down!).

I needed a belly band starting around 10-11 weeks last time, and I started wearing some maternity tops around 14-15 weeks. My regular shirts fit until closer to 18 weeks though. This time around, I needed a belly band at 8 weeks, so who knows when I'll have to start changing the rest of my wardrobe! The good news is, it's only been 7 months since I last wore it, so I never fully packed it away. haha. 

DS was an April baby so most of my maternity clothing is for winter. I never bought any maternity cardigans though - just left them unbuttoned and cinched with a belt under the bust for some definition. 

helloaustin123

Motherhood maternity is pretty affordable and has good sales. If you have an outlet mall near you sometimes they have a store there. Target is good. I'm not a fan of old navy's maternity section. In my first pregnant, I was in maternity clothes by 10 weeks, same with this one. I preferred full panel around 15-20 weeks when I was bigger. This time around I have a bump already and the panel feels better than the side panel. It's all personal preference and what you are comfortable with. 

thankfully

I prefer full panels. Jeggings, leggings, dresses/tunics, jeans. Never sized up, true size or down a size.

I like h&m, old navy, target, thredup (used). Found a lot of the stuff at places like motherhood, kohls, J.C. Penney to be frumpy and overpriced.

ladylolly89

thankfully said:

I prefer full panels. Jeggings, leggings, dresses/tunics, jeans. Never sized up, true size or down a size.

I like h&m, old navy, target, thredup (used). Found a lot of the stuff at places like motherhood, kohls, J.C. Penney to be frumpy and overpriced.

Yes, I find Motherhood's clothing to be rather big and awkward fitting. I'm hoping to try more of H&M this time around! 

JessyKV

My first pregnancy I started wearing maternity clothes around 13 weeks.  

I really love Gap for quality and sizing.  They have number size pants and carry longs which I need.  I gain a lot in my legs so by the end I needed a size up.  I also liked a size up just for comfort.

I am a full panel girl! The other ones didn't stay up or cut into me.  

Maxi skirts and dresses were so comfortable my last pregnancy but I was pregnant during the summer.

I am always hot normally so extra hot while pregnant so I have a hard time wearing anything but short sleeves. I also made non maternity cardigans and jackets work and never bought a maternity coat.  

Other than Gap I like old navy, motherhood maternity and target.  

I also usually buy some Hanes cotton bikini underwear in a size or so up since I gain in my booty and these are great for post partum. It' saves your nicer undies from getting stretched or ruined and with the extra discharge and such I like some comfy cotton ones.  

shmarpler

I liked Motherhood and Pea in the Pod jeans, and Old Navy tops. You can wear you normal size, unless you gain or lose a lot of weight. Sometimes, I was even able to size down since maternity stuff is super forgiving. I was able to wear my scrub pants and maxi skirts through my whole pregnancy. I liked the pants that fit under my belly for early pregnancy, and liked the full panel in late pregnancy. That surprised me, as I think they are hideous, but they were much more comfy. When baby starts to drop, the under belly pants put a lot of pressure on that sore spot. 

mkrel

Thank you all, this is very helpful! 

NamelessAria

Zulily also offers maternity and nursing sizes at some pretty decent discounts so you might want to check there from time to time.

Stores like Marshal's and Ross carry some maternity and are a decent place to just buy some basics like t-shirts. Last time I looked their maternity t-shirts were around $5. I usually wear plain t-shirts (long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless, whatever) around the house and I have a really bad habit of getting things on my shirts when I'm cooking at night so I'm never willing to spend much on t-shirts. I don't need them to last me a long time or hold up especially well with use since they're mostly for bumming around the house.

Otherwise I'm just seconding what everyone else has said. I thought Motherhood maternity had a couple of cute options but a lot of their clothes were things I probably wouldn't really wear.

silliegirlie143

Price and Availability:
I found most of Pea in the Pod to be super expensive.
Macy's has a Motherhood Maternity section hidden next to the hosiery section. This was great for me because Macy's always has coupons and discounts.


Style:
Old Navy's maternity section (in-store) had plenty of casual clothes to keep me happy.
I'm another in the full panel camp but I fear I may have stretched the panel last time and now it won't fit. Any other Moms have or know about this issue?

Timing:
Last time I started wearing maternity pants right at the start of 2nd tri. This time I'm wearing 1/2 and 1/2 at 10 weeks. I will probably pull it all back out over the next couple of weeks because I'm so bloated (last time I was just fat! HA!!)

shmarpler

silliegirlie143 said:

Price and Availability:
I found most of Pea in the Pod to be super expensive.
Macy's has a Motherhood Maternity section hidden next to the hosiery section. This was great for me because Macy's always has coupons and discounts.


Style:
Old Navy's maternity section (in-store) had plenty of casual clothes to keep me happy.
I'm another in the full panel camp but I fear I may have stretched the panel last time and now it won't fit. Any other Moms have or know about this issue?

Timing:
Last time I started wearing maternity pants right at the start of 2nd tri. This time I'm wearing 1/2 and 1/2 at 10 weeks. I will probably pull it all back out over the next couple of weeks because I'm so bloated (last time I was just fat! HA!!)

 I think the holidays are there perfect time too bust out the maternity jeans.

Mashunya425

If anyone hasn't checked out Pink Blush before- I highly recommend it! They have good sales and their quality is very good.

BelhurstBride

Are there any stores that you can actually try on clothing vs ordering online?

Check online to see if your local Gap or ON carry items in store. I found Gap, Motherhood and JCrew to run pretty true to size and was comfortable ordering online. ON and Target were a little more hit or miss. 

Did you size up or just order your size in maternity?
I always wore my regular size. I never had a need to size up. 

Full panel vs side panel.... do I need both? Do you start with side panel and use full panel when you get bigger?
The full panel is always way too big for me until I'm huge. And even then I feel like I'm pulling them up non stop. 

When did you start wearing maternity clothes with your first pregnancy?
30+ weeks. I didn't even start to show until 27 or 28 weeks. I didn't buy much, it seem like a waste at that point. I stuck with easy to mix and match pieces. 

How many pairs of pants/shirts/dresses did you buy?
See above. Not much. I needed maternity clothes for such a short period of time I stuck with basics. I also bought a bunch off of eBay, in order to save money.

Designmamauk

I would suggest TopShop for maternity clothing. I think their cheap and stylist. You'll only be on them for a few months, so no use spending too much money on them. 

I really liked thr the front panel jeans and any leggings that went over the bump. Last pregnancy I found my bump got itchy if it wasn't covered by a fitted layer of clothing. 

I think I made the transition to maternity clothing starting about 12 weeks last pregnancy. Already have ordered new maternity jeans this time as think I'll need them around 10 weeks onwards on this go. 

I've never been a leggings person, but I late into my last pregnancy I bought a few pairs and basically didn't take them off till months after DS was born. So comfortable! 

doodleoodle

silliegirlie143 said:

Price and Availability:
I found most of Pea in the Pod to be super expensive.
Macy's has a Motherhood Maternity section hidden next to the hosiery section. This was great for me because Macy's always has coupons and discounts.


Style:
Old Navy's maternity section (in-store) had plenty of casual clothes to keep me happy.
I'm another in the full panel camp but I fear I may have stretched the panel last time and now it won't fit. Any other Moms have or know about this issue?

Timing:
Last time I started wearing maternity pants right at the start of 2nd tri. This time I'm wearing 1/2 and 1/2 at 10 weeks. I will probably pull it all back out over the next couple of weeks because I'm so bloated (last time I was just fat! HA!!)

I only wore full panel last time around and they are all kinds of stretched out. The panel for sure, but also in the thighs and butt. I'm only 5ft and did gain 40 lbs during pregnancy though so... I kind of feel like it's my fault lol I think I'm going to get some side panel jeans and wear them until I fit in my stretched out jeans. Hopefully I can spare the new jeans the full wrath of my pregnant thighs and have something to wear in the early months if I were to ever become pregnant again.

fionalouise007

I found H&M good this time around but only bought jeans.. They are possible the comfiest jeans I've ever owned though.. never going back. Haha. I got my current size as I know they will stretch with me. First pregnancy I didn't have anything maternity, I lived in Lululemon and flowy tops for 9 months. Oh and one dress which wasn't maternity but it was stretchy and gathered in all of the right places, I wore it to death. This time the H&M jeans will do me over autumn and winter (I'm in Australia) and this summer I'll wear dresses everywhere.

WorkingOnMyNightCheese

Thank you so much for sharing ladies. This is been super helpful for me to read through!

neludelu

shmarpler said:

silliegirlie143 said:

Price and Availability:
I found most of Pea in the Pod to be super expensive.
Macy's has a Motherhood Maternity section hidden next to the hosiery section. This was great for me because Macy's always has coupons and discounts.


Style:
Old Navy's maternity section (in-store) had plenty of casual clothes to keep me happy.
I'm another in the full panel camp but I fear I may have stretched the panel last time and now it won't fit. Any other Moms have or know about this issue?

Timing:
Last time I started wearing maternity pants right at the start of 2nd tri. This time I'm wearing 1/2 and 1/2 at 10 weeks. I will probably pull it all back out over the next couple of weeks because I'm so bloated (last time I was just fat! HA!!)

 I think the holidays are there perfect time too bust out the maternity jeans.

^this^ for preggies and non preggies alike.