Product spotlight maternity clothes

meatballs37

Too early for a product spotlight? 

Where do you plan on getting most of your maternity clothes from? Where have you purchased them in the past and what are your faves? 

Deal posts would be great here too. 

jhems776

Start stalking your local FB mom groups/ bst/ and marketplace.  When people let go they usually sell it for real cheap. 

srscott3

Not too early at all! I’ve already bought some stuff 😂

Favorite for basics (tees, camis): Old Navy, Target, H&M

Jeans: I had a favorite pair last pregnancy from Destination Maternity. They were ridiculously expensive (I think AG brand). But they were worth it in my opinion. I had one pair and those are the only jeans I ever wore. This time I think I’m going to try the H&M ones, a pair from Nordstrom, Loft, and maybe Gap. I’m a full panel girl, no matter how far along I am. 

Sweaters: I really like some Gap ones, and maybe Old Navy. Honestly, I don’t buy maternity in most sweaters..I just wear regular ones since they’re never super fitted anyway. 

The one one thing I really need this time is a winter coat. I already bought a Columbia vest in a size too big and I think I’m going to get a north face jacket and zip it up for as long as I can, but when I can’t, I’ll just wear the vest under it. 

sparklingdiamond

My favorites were Old Navy, Target, and Kohls.  But Kohls doesn't have a huge selection anymore.  Also, I am a Stitch Fix user and have really liked their maternity stuff!

prpl11butterfly

I usually do Target because it's the only local store. Old Navy doesn't have maternity in house anymore but I did go there a lot when preg with DS. I hate maternity pants so I'll be living in dresses w/tights all fing winter.

Anyone whose gone through pregnancy in the winter, what did you use for shoes? DS was an Aug babe so by the time my shoes didnt fit I could wear sandles. No such luck this time.....

srscott3

Forgot about leggings..I like Blanqi, Zella, and Old Navy 

nmbrcrnchr1

FFWC...I already purchased some maternity clothes! Motherhood maternity was having a sale so I got 3 pairs of jeans for like $20/25 each! 

I need to dig out my stuff from last time but I got most of mine either 2nd hand (FB groups are a great place to start), Old Navy, Target, and I actually got a few shirts from Ross and Gordmans. The gordmans here sells motherhood maternity brand for cheaper (unless MM is having a sale)

for FTMs I would really hold off on buying a winter coat. Depending on your pre-pregnancy size you may be able to use your current coat. I gave birth in January and never bought a maternity coat, I just didn’t button my coat all the way down 😂

nmbrcrnchr1

@sparklingdiamond at what point in your pregnancy did you get a fix? I thought about doing that once this pregnancy just to spoil myself.

also I’ve looked into le tote as they have a maternity line as well

sparklingdiamond

@nmbrcrnchr1 Well I was getting a fix about once a month, so for the first tri I just asked for transition pieces.  I actually just got a fix yesterday where I asked for transition pieces.  She sent some fleece leggings, a longer dress that I LOVE, and then three tunic style tops.  I wasn't doing Stitch Fix with my first pregnancy, so when I did it with my second I started showing sooner.  So about 2nd tri I was getting full on maternity stuff.

prpl11butterfly

@sparklingdiamond do you find it overly pricey for the maternity? I get 1 quarterly but sometimes the cost is just way to much even though I love the pieces. 

sparklingdiamond

@prpl11butterfly Not really.  I ask for my stuff to be on the cheaper end too.  Plus I found that I wore a lot of them PP as well, so got more use out of them.  I bought a pair of maternity pants last pregnancy that was a bit pricier, but still wear them now.  I still haven't lost my baby weight from the last pregnancy and maternity pants are easier!

amaren-2

I got a lot of my stuff from Gap last time. If you need to dress professionally they had a lot of nice dresses and skirts that were affordable. I'd buy online on clearance. Worked great because Florida only has one season. Lol

Old Navy was good more casual stuff. Shirts and sundressees.

I'd do Pea in the Pod/motherhood maternity for jeans. Because they fit the best and the always ran deals.

chikin_mama_3

I’ve never purchased a single piece of maternity clothing, and this being my third time, I doubt I ever will. They’re just so expensive, and not worth the price imho. 

Of course, if you want to, go right ahead and buy them, but for FTM’s that think they “need” maternity clothes, I hope that they know that they don’t have to buy any special clothes at all. It’s so easy to work with what you have, or just get dresses or long/tunic style shirts that you would wear after you have your baby. Wear them alone, or with leggings if you want (no, you don’t need maternity leggings), or even some flowey shorts with a super stretchy waistband, and you’re set for all nine months. 

Hope that helps for anyone that might need it. 

kjr9519

I love the Gap maternity clothes I have. Their jeans are fantastic. When they have their big sale, it’s a perfect time to buy. I got two pairs of jeans for about $20 a peice. 

I’m glad to see all of the other suggestions because I need to find some more pieces. 

runyogamom

I really liked all of the stuff I got from Pink Blush last time.  A lot of the sweaters/long sleeves transitioned well for postpartum wear too. 
I have the blanqi postpartum leggings and plan on getting a pair of the belly support ones this time.  I got my postpartum ones on a black friday sale so I'm hoping to do the same thing this year. 

The one thing I didn't invest in last time, and plan on it this time, was a really nice pair of jeans.  I love nice jeans and usually have 1 or 2 nice pairs I rotate. I'm going to get a nice maternity pair this time too. Probably from Nordstrom. Hopefully on black friday.

Does anyone know if stores usually put maternity clothes on sale during black friday? Or they just don't run sales on them? I've never checked before. 

jmvander

The last few days I have been wondering about the winter coat thing. I hate the idea of spending a lot on myself for something I will use for a couple months. We will see how big I actually get in the winter and if I can just pick up something cheap at Old Navy or Target.

I keep a minimal wardrobe as it is and I generally don't wear tunics or flowy things that will transition well into maternity, but props to those that don't need to buy new clothes! I have been eyeing some basics from H&M.

meatballs37

@chikin_mama_3
Yeah...my regular clothes did not work for my entire pregnancy. especially my last twin pregnancy. I do agree you can get away with more flowy non-maternity and wear it postpartum, but I also don’t won’t to wear huge clothes after either. 

You can get some really great deals on maternity item sif you hit it right, so that’s why I figured this thread might be nice to help us get those. 

I purchased some jessica Simpson full panel jeans last year for 11 bucks a piece. I never thought I would wear a full panel maternity jean, but ladies, in the third tri, they are glorious! 

ncm1919

@srscott3 amen on the AG Jeans. I got two pairs last time right after Christmas for 70% off. They are the only ones I wore. I’ll be hunting them down and will let you know when I find them on sale

srscott3

@ncm1919 yessss. Thank you! I’ll do the same!

emeraldcity603

@chikin_mama_3, I'm glad your regular clothes work for you. For me, that would be the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Especially during 3rd trimester. I'm already so uncomfortable by then so my clothes don't need to add to that. 

I bought some new stuff this time because all mine were getting old and ragged. I found an awesome bra at motherhood maternity. I'm planning to go back for more of those. Plus I splurged on some nice jeans. 

nmbrcrnchr1

@ncm1919 @srscott3 dumb question prob but what are these AG jeans you speak of? 

srscott3

@nmbrcrnchr1 not dumb! AG is just an expensive brand of jeans. Like $200/pair. But they’re expensive for good reason. You can wash them a ton of times and they never lose shape or stretch out or fade. I would never buy them if I wasn’t pregnant, but I love their maternity line and splurged on some last time. They sell them at Destination Maternity

dntstpbelieveing

I also wore 90% of my regular wardrobe with my son. But mostly because I had a few hand me down maternity items and I bought 2 pairs of maternity pants from old navy and I couldnt get them to stay up. No matter what I did within 3 steps they were around my ankles. I sized up I sized down all the same. That being said I am a big girl to being with both in height and weight so I didnt show for a long time plus I gave birth early. My son was due in July I did not get a new winter coat with his pregnancy because I ran warm at that point and was fine either not wearing a coat or leaving it open (and yes I am in Chicago so it gets cold here). I will probably play it by ear this time and shop resale/ sales if needed. 

Though my biggest suggestion is ftms if you are buying maternity clothes also try to get some that are nursing friendly so that they can be worn PP as well. I was unable to nurse with my son so I may have to get some nursing tops if it works this time. 

TJtheGoat

I’m so happy to see this thread. I will for sure need maternity clothes at some point because I have to wear a suit daily for work, but can’t wear skirts/dresses. Are there any cute mat pants suits? Lol 

for well-endowed ladies, when is a good time to buy bras? I’m normally a 32F, but I’m already busting out of all mine. I’ve been wearing sports bras, but I need something better for work. Any recommendations?

runyogamom

@TJtheGoat, when I was nursing last time I got quite large, and I got a bra from ThirdLove that I was obsessed with. I really wanted something with underwire and a lot of support but also something that didn't cut into my armpits etc. and they have a bra that fit all of that.  It was kind of pricey but it was 100% worth it.  I'm going to get another one this time too.

TJtheGoat

@runyogamom Thank you! I will look into them. Bras are already so expensive in my size; I don’t want to waste money on something uncomfortable. 

nmbrcrnchr1

@TJtheGoat if you are planning on breastfeeding I would recommend getting nursing bras for even during your pregnancy. When your milk comes in your boobs most likely won’t get smaller so you can use them for longer. I’m a D so I have found some are target I like, but I think I’m at the biggest size they have in stores so that won’t help you

ncm1919

TJtheGoat said:

I’m so happy to see this thread. I will for sure need maternity clothes at some point because I have to wear a suit daily for work, but can’t wear skirts/dresses. Are there any cute mat pants suits? Lol 

for well-endowed ladies, when is a good time to buy bras? I’m normally a 32F, but I’m already busting out of all mine. I’ve been wearing sports bras, but I need something better for work. Any recommendations?

We are in the same boat almost exactly. I had to go to a specialty store to find anything that would fit. For me, things started to get out of hand in the 3rd tri and then after I had my daughter. Despite not nursing I live in nursing bras. Let me check when I get home and I’ll tell you the brand. 

klmcguire

Never to early for this post, as I pull on my maternity jeans! 

I usually stick with Target and Old Navy, because thats what I have near me. I got a couple of specialty items both other times, but only for shower/special occasion. 

Other than that I just stick with big flowy sweaters and oversized regular shirts!

chikin_mama_3

I will say, even though I don’t plan on getting maternity clothes, I will need to restock my nursing wardrobe. It’s been almost 8 years 😳 😂 

emeraldcity603

chikin_mama_3 said: n-o

I will say, even though I don’t plan on getting maternity clothes, I will need to restock my nursing wardrobe. It’s been almost 8 years 😳 😂 

I have either been pregnant or nursing since 2013 and I have worn a regular bra a handful of times in that time period. I need to stock up on some nice tanks and more bras. 

bakerstreetboys

I'm all about Old Navy maternity.  It's cheap, and I I order most of it online.  I get my bras from Motherhood maternity.  I already have giant boobs, so it gets hard to find anything that fits.  I don't plan on buying a winter jacket.  I'll just layer and leave my zipper open if need be.  I might look into one of those extenders that zips in if I really need it. 

ruby696

I'm am all about Joe's maternity Jean's and AG's. But I've been able to find the on Poshmark for like half the price or less. I'll splurge a little on jean's, but for tops and sweaters I stick to Gap and Old Navy. I also love Soma nursing bras.

For 1st timers who are not large chested -hold off on maternity tops until you see how big you get. I couldn't fill out the chest of a lot of cute maternity shirts.

TJtheGoat

Thanks for the feedback ladies. Looks like I’ll be keeping an eye out for some sexy new nursing bras lol. 

jessica4141

Has anyone used the Bellaband (bellyband?) and does it work? At almost 8 weeks, my pants are starting to get uncomfortable, so I was thinking that could be a way to hold me over and save some $$$ but I'm not sure if actually works or looks good. 

prpl11butterfly

@jessica4141 I have one (not sure brand name or not but from target). I love it and admittedly have already used it...bloat.

ETA I think it's very inconspicuous and can post a pic tomorrow since I'll likely be wearing it w/my work pants 😂

ruby696

@jessica4141 it didn't work for me. I think I just used a hair tie and a long shirt for my first until i bought maternity pants. With my second, I went right to maternity pants, which I plan to do again.

dntstpbelieveing

@jessica4141 I could never use it solely to hold up my pants. I used the hairband trick and put it over it to smooth that section out. 

amaren-2

@jessica4141 I used a Bella band last pregnancy. So worth it. I got a white one and a black one.  I used it throughout my pregnancy and several months PP. 

Honestly, I'm about to go get my maternity clothes down from the attic just to get those out. Lol

ncm1919

@TJtheGoat the nursing bras are Bravado. 

jessica4141

@prpl11butterfly @ruby696 @amaren-2
@dntstpbelieveing

Thanks for the info! I think I’m going to try the band (probably also with the hair tie trick) and hope that helps me get through this bloat period!