POLL: How did you rig up your clothes?

Erin W

I have to admit I have two reasons for asking this:

1) I've just now started growing out of my clothes, and I could use some tips myself. I feel like I can't wear anything but my yoga pants. Maternity stuff looks ridiculous on me still, but my "regular" clothes have just about had it.

2) I'm writing an article on "clothing quick-fixes" for a growing belly

So I know about the rubber band trick, and I got a bella band...what other ideas are out there? What have you been doing? Any interesting ways to rig things up? Or tips for finding cheap stuff for this in-between phase??

TIA!

MidwestTexan

I started wearing maternity pants at 13 weeks. I still use a BellaBand to keep them up since they are still big on me. I don't see the point in "rigging" your pre-pregnancy pants into fitting longer...elastic waistbands are a girl's best friend and this is one time in your life you can get away with it!

Neudorfer

leggings and sweater dresses got me through christmas time.

Erin W

MidwestTexan:

I started wearing maternity pants at 13 weeks. I still use a BellaBand to keep them up since they are still big on me. I don't see the point in "rigging" your pre-pregnancy pants into fitting longer...elastic waistbands are a girl's best friend and this is one time in your life you can get away with it!

I've been trying this too, but I feel ridiculous going in public b/c at this point the bella band makes the mat. pants bunch up all weird on my butt...maybe I just need smaller maternity pants...?

cabana1

MidwestTexan:

I started wearing maternity pants at 13 weeks. I still use a BellaBand to keep them up since they are still big on me. I don't see the point in "rigging" your pre-pregnancy pants into fitting longer...elastic waistbands are a girl's best friend and this is one time in your life you can get away with it!

Ditto! Just use the bellaband with the maternity pants. As for tops, I know what you mean when you are in that in-between stage. I went out and bought a few longer shirts (that stretched) and some that were more of an empire waist (check out junior sections, they seems to have a bunch of stuff that can work). I didn't start to fill out the actual maternity style shirts until about week 21. They do make maternity shirts though that aren't baggy in front so look for more form fitting styles.

mooninlv

i started wearing mat pants at about 18wks. i did not like the bella band at all. i did the rubber band trick for a bit- but it only worked with some jeans (without being all bunchy and crap) and only for a short time. mat pants are so much easier and comfier. i got a few cheap pairs and a couple really nice pairs of jeans so worth it.

rademann

I've been buying a size up on clearance at local department stores.  I got a TON of tops for $5 or less last weekend for President's Day.  Becuase I'm a sewer, I also made some items myself and plan to convert long sleeve tops to 3/4 or short sleeves for the summer.

Another idea would be go to Goodwill if you're so inclined.  You can find tops, jeans, and even maternity wear for around the same price.

The best thing is to be as comfortable as you can be

CrazyCurls

I had a couple stretchy yoga pants that looked a little more dressy so I used those with some nicer tops

nicoleg1982

I had a bunch of fat pants in the closet that are a size 12.  Except now they're getting tight.  I'm graduating to maternity pants this weekend though.  My formerly suck-in-able fat now has nowhere to go and the bump won't be getting any smaller.

emaria

Erin W:

MidwestTexan:

I started wearing maternity pants at 13 weeks. I still use a BellaBand to keep them up since they are still big on me. I don't see the point in "rigging" your pre-pregnancy pants into fitting longer...elastic waistbands are a girl's best friend and this is one time in your life you can get away with it!

I've been trying this too, but I feel ridiculous going in public b/c at this point the bella band makes the mat. pants bunch up all weird on my butt...maybe I just need smaller maternity pants... 

have you tried old navy?  they have XS and sizes 1 and 2.  that place is the only reason i haven't gone loony yet, at least not loony when it comes to maternity clothes.  

tyarbrough

I'm still not in mat clothes, so I may not be much help, but as my jeans are getting a little more snug- I've been hoping to make it to a little bit more springlike weather so I can do the whole jersey dress thing. A lot of the styles will easily accomodate a bump and those things are super comfy to me!

nicolehoppe

CrazyCurls:

I had a couple stretchy yoga pants that looked a little more dressy so I used those with some nicer tops

 

Ditto the yoga pants.  I wear mine with a long stretchy cardigan and a long sweater and no one has noticed that I am weraing gym pants to work!

mrspac

Up until yesterday I was doing the rubber band thing... but I had to officially buy maternity pants and they are soooo comfy. The GAP is awesome!

jolis_petits_bijoux

Sweater dresses and low-rise leggings, OR opaque tights (with a 2" vertical slit along the front and back seam)

Pants... ugh.  I can't recommend anything you haven't tried.  I used the hair elastic or safety pin (for pants with a hook and eye) for as long as I could.  You have a bella band, so there isn't much else you can do.  I never got a bella band, but I wish I had.

madonnadouwanna

You live in a warmer climate than I do (upstate NY) but I bought some skirts that I plan to wear below my bump.  There are a few that I might have to hem if they are a little long, but it will seem to work for the spring/summer.  Also lots of longer shirts and tanks.  I'm still comfortable in most of my clothes, but I'm sure soon enough I'll have slim pickings for work attire...

DarcyLongfellow

I see no reason to rig pre-pregnancy clothing.  I wore my old clothes until they didn't fit, then I transitioned into maternity (last week -- at 17 weeks).  Your maternity clothes should fit you just fine even if you don't really have a bump yet.  The only reason they wouldn't is if maybe you have only full panel styles?  I didn't really have much of a bump last week (slight one this week), but the maternity pants that sit below the belly (the roll panel and the demi panel) worked just fine.