What the JACK is up with maternity clothing?

fromMaddockstoMccandless

Obviously, maternity clothing is designed by men.  Obviously, no one who designs maternity clothing has EVER been pregnant. 

*If I need shorts because it is hot, then I probably don't want a panel that comes up to my boobs to make me hotter.  Especially a panel that won't stay up.

*I've found that I like shorts and pants with a back panel, meaning that the front waist band just fits under my belly and kinda looks like a regular waistband.  I have a couple pairs of pants that work like this that are hand-me-downs, but when I go to the store to find more - they do not exist.  Apparently, they only sell the kind of pants that SUCK!

* Also, why are so many maternity shirts see-through.  Obviously, I want something cool, but it is no longer cool if I have to wear a tank top underneath it to be decent.  Plus, then I just look stupid!

*Apparently, designer all think that we want to minimize HOW pregnant we look.  As if we can or should hide it.  So they make all these tops with HUGE necklines (to draw the eye away from the belly).  I don't really care if people look at my belly - I DO, however, care if they can look down my top.  Especially, since my boobs are three times their normal size, I feel like I want something that makes me feel a little more secure.

I know that I am just ranting, but I find myself in tears getting dressed 3 or 4 times a week easily.   Is anyone else as frustrated as I with the maternity choices?  I don't live in a huge city and basically, I can only choose from Motherhood or Target.  But even when I traveled to Chicago and spent a day shopping there, I ended up frustrated and disappointed.  Why can't they do something practical and simple?  A t-shirt that just fits like a regular t-shirt, but with room for a bump?  I'm a simple girl, I don't want something to make me feel sexy or trendy or stylish.  I just want something that will stay in place, not make me hot and not show a lot of skin (boob especially).  Please tell me that I am not the only one feeling this way!

SNBelland

I'm with you on all fronts. I am so sweaty all the time anyway and now since I can't find any maternity pants I like, I wear black yoga pants. 

My tops seem to show off my boobs too much. I have just ended up buying regular shirts in a size up.  

akating

I am guessing you aren't very far along in your 2nd tri and aren't that big yet. The short panel stuff is amazing when you are smaller but when you are 7,8&9 months they become awkward. The band rolls down when you lean forward and never stays flat. You'll learn to love the big panel when you get bigger. That is if you are anything lime I was or like most people I know were. As for the shirts. I wore non maternity but maternity fitting clothing from express and guess. Way cuter.

 

christinasullie37

I have very thick thighs and all the pants are the fit and flair style so they are all way too tight for me.  And don't even get me started on the shorts.  I can't get my thighs in to any of them.  They are so short and so fitted. I do like the full panel for support and smoothing but I hate all the tops.  What bugs me the most is how expensive maternity clothing is.  In my area there are only two places to do, Penny's and Motherhood. 

fromMaddockstoMccandless

I prefer the full panel to the short panel - I hate those too for just the reason you said.  The elastic rolls forward and folds down and is incredibly irritating.  But I don't like the full panel either.  The pants that I like have no panel in the front at all.  They simple sit under the belly, just above the pubic line and they have adjustable elastic in the back.  My sis gave me a pair from her pregnancy, but she got them years ago and I can't find any now.  I've asked at Motherhood , A Pea in the Pod, Target, Gap and Old Navy and had no luck thus far.  Although, A Pea in the Pod and Gap both had one pair of dress pants that were designed the way I like.  I'm looking either for jeans or shorts.  The best I've found so far is non-maternity gaucho pants, which are not in style this season and therefore difficult to come by.  They also won't work in the winter.  I think maybe I'm just un-pleasable.

HAFranklin

akating:

I am guessing you aren't very far along in your 2nd tri and aren't that big yet. The short panel stuff is amazing when you are smaller but when you are 7,8&9 months they become awkward. The band rolls down when you lean forward and never stays flat. You'll learn to love the big panel when you get bigger. That is if you are anything lime I was or like most people I know were. As for the shirts. I wore non maternity but maternity fitting clothing from express and guess. Way cuter.

 

I agree with this. And I, personally, don't find the material on the full panel to be very hot. I do, however, wish the full panel didn't come down so low (like, to or past my crotch...and I am 5'9" with a long torso) so I didn't have to wear a super long shirt all the time. 

As for the tops, I have been wearing mostly maternity tanks with shelf bras (They aren't cut too low on the top, and they are nice and long in the torso), and a regular tank or a more sheer shirt over it. I can't stand all of the giant babydoll style tops either. Have you tried Old Navy? They have some really cute, fitted tops that have roushing (sp?) down the sides.

aylafsu88

akating:

I am guessing you aren't very far along in your 2nd tri and aren't that big yet. The short panel stuff is amazing when you are smaller but when you are 7,8&9 months they become awkward. The band rolls down when you lean forward and never stays flat. You'll learn to love the big panel when you get bigger. That is if you are anything lime I was or like most people I know were. As for the shirts. I wore non maternity but maternity fitting clothing from express and guess. Way cuter.

 

This!!  I loved the short panel when I was in the 2nd tri.  Now they are so uncomfortable that I cannot stand to wear them.  I only wear shorts/pants with the full panel and have since about 29 weeks.  Plus the maternity shirts will fit alot different the further along you are!  I bought several shirts when I was in the 2nd tri and wasn't to thrilled with them.  Now that I am much further along they fit alot better and look better to.  I think the issue with maternity clothes is that they are all made for someone who is 32+ weeks.  So they fit awkwardly until you hit that point!

xoexpat

Fashionjunkee.com has some gaucho/palazzo pants if that's what you dig.  I like things from Old Navy but prefer to wear dresses to shorts and pants, especially because my legs look all cellulitey and gross.  So shorts are a no for me.  I have a pair of linen capris, a pair of black leggings, and one pair of jeans with the short waist band from Old Navy.  Also a bunch of tank tops and t-shirts.  The rest of my things are dresses.

carrotsoup70

I'm right there with you.I just spent about 3 hours online this morning looking for shorts. I only have 2 pair and live in TX. That's just not going to cut it. My next thought is to take the two drawstring maternity cargo pants I bought from Old Navy and chop the legs off...just a thought.

I don't mind the full panel pants but wish they would make something that breathes! Nylon/spandex makes me sweaty and itchy. One of my pairs of shorts actually has a cotton panel...I love them.

I won't wear skirts because now my thighs rub together. Can I find a simple pair of workout shorts that I could wear under skirts? NOOOOOO...that would make sense! I don't want a "shaper" or Spanx...just shorts...simple, spandex (for lack of a better term) workout shorts.

:rant over:

JenniatONU

My complaint is that plus sized maternity tops are too fricking low.

Even the ones with the built in "cami" are ridiculous on me. Why can't they accept that some women have HUGE boobs and don't want to be flashing people? None of the "work appropriate" clothing I've tried on is anywhere near being appropriate. 

I bought one the other day, and throughout the day it kept dropping. My DH even said something about it. 

Fat+pregnant =/= HERE'S MY BOOBIES!  

 

firewife1982

I'm 16 weeks and not showing much, but at least half of my wardrobe doesn't work anymore.  I went to Macys and bought some capri pants with an elastic band and then I wear shirts that are designed to be loose in the midsection.  This effectively is both comfortable and hides my belly that doesn't quite look pregnant.  Plus, because the pants are elastic waisted, I can get a lot of use out of them.  Most people are shocked when I tell them I'm 4 months along - they couldn't even tell I was pregnant.

jg1011

I couldn't agree more! I was just shopping for clothes today. I have a few pairs of capri pants that have worked for when I was teaching, but now that I am on summer vacation, I just want to be more comfortable. I found yoga type pants with a wide leg at Motherhood. I had already had a pair of black ones so I went back to get more. They only had dark gray and brown.

 I don't mind the full panel. I don't find it hot at all. I do however find the low below the belly band annoying at this point. At 18 weeks I have quite a little bump going and while the low band worked intially, now it is annoying me.

 My complaint is with shirts! Who in their right mind thought horizontal stripes would be good for maternity tops! So many of them have these! I look big enough already, I don't need anything to draw any more attention to it!

I did find some good T-shirts today at Motherhood that I can mix and match with things. I need tank tops and cannot find anything other than those ribbed ones which I don't care for. I do agree that the t-shirts seem to be either very low cut OR see through!     

 I think we all found a way to make A LOT of money! We need to develop a realistic maternity line! : )

uromys

aylafsu88:

akating:

I am guessing you aren't very far along in your 2nd tri and aren't that big yet. The short panel stuff is amazing when you are smaller but when you are 7,8&9 months they become awkward. The band rolls down when you lean forward and never stays flat. You'll learn to love the big panel when you get bigger. That is if you are anything lime I was or like most people I know were. As for the shirts. I wore non maternity but maternity fitting clothing from express and guess. Way cuter.

 

This!!  I loved the short panel when I was in the 2nd tri.  Now they are so uncomfortable that I cannot stand to wear them.  I only wear shorts/pants with the full panel and have since about 29 weeks.  Plus the maternity shirts will fit alot different the further along you are!  I bought several shirts when I was in the 2nd tri and wasn't to thrilled with them.  Now that I am much further along they fit alot better and look better to.  I think the issue with maternity clothes is that they are all made for someone who is 32+ weeks.  So they fit awkwardly until you hit that point!

That has to be be true becuase even the things that I do have in an XS still fit funny. I'm sure I'll fill them out eventually, but as of right now they make me feel like I have a pouch.

However the panel thing I'm not sure I'll ever like. If it was acceptable to walk around topless I would so do it! I just want nothing to do with anything extra touching my belly. I'm not super pregnant yet, but my low rise American Eagle jean/shorts have been doing just fine and see to have room to spare. Maybe if it was winter and not so warm out I might change my mind about them.

sillyrocky

Oh, I think tops are the worst!  What's going on with all the shirts that have the ties or elastic that goes right under your breasts!  I mean, that's if you're lucky.  If I put them on that band seems to go right across my breasts. I don't need anything to accentuate them!  Ughh. 

discobush

I'm with you, OP.  I disliked full-panel pants/shorts throughout my entire first pregnancy (and I got pretty big, too; my daughter weighed over nine pounds at birth).  Not only are those panels hot in the summer, they constantly showed underneath the bottom hem of whatever shirt I was wearing.  Give me an under-the-belly stretchy waistband any day.  And, ugh, low-cut maternity shirts.  I feel like I'm constantly adjusting my shirts at work to make sure my bra isn't hanging out in front.

Target does have some decent maternity T-shirts, though.  They fit pretty much like a regular tee, but are several inches longer.  The V-neck isn't too deep, either, and they're thick enough that they're totally non-see-through. 

mommybear77

I feel your pain, I am plus size so there are zero options.  I have given up and just wear stretch capri's and tops that are a couple sizes bigger than what I normally wear.  I look a mess but I figure soon I will be moving into cotton moo moo's so I better enjoy that fact that I look semi decent for another month or so...lol.

cautionwillburneyes

I hear you, I'm hating maternity clothing choices this time around.  I did find some regular looking maternity t-shirts though at Target and that's all I've been wearing.  I found some cargo type pants at JC Penney's that work for me.  I don't fit in the skinny leg styles and that type of jean looks terrible on me, but that seems to be what everyone is carrying.  Gahh!

toddandleah

Reading what you said about wanting simple tees that just have some extra room...I still have and LOVE a few I bought at Motherhood back in 07 when our DD was on her way.  They still sell them there, at least at my local Motherhood Maternity, normally folded on a table at the front of the store.  They are very simple, v-neck or crew cotton tees that are slightly longer than regular and have room in the belly for baby bumps without adding any other detailing like rushing or panels.  They are very comfy and great as a staple in the closet.

Hope that helps...I looked them up online to see if they were there and found: https://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=98200Z10011&MasterCategory_Id=MC2

 

angibr

carrotsoup70:

I'm right there with you.I just spent about 3 hours online this morning looking for shorts. I only have 2 pair and live in TX. That's just not going to cut it. My next thought is to take the two drawstring maternity cargo pants I bought from Old Navy and chop the legs off...just a thought.

I don't mind the full panel pants but wish they would make something that breathes! Nylon/spandex makes me sweaty and itchy. One of my pairs of shorts actually has a cotton panel...I love them.

I won't wear skirts because now my thighs rub together. Can I find a simple pair of workout shorts that I could wear under skirts? NOOOOOO...that would make sense! I don't want a "shaper" or Spanx...just shorts...simple, spandex (for lack of a better term) workout shorts.

:rant over:

 Best product ever made that will help with the chafing when your thighs rub together.....Monistat Chafing relief powder Gel. You can find it by the feminine products at Walmart or Walgreens. It will allow you to wear skirts and dresses again! 

jlr1988

I TOTALLY feel you on the tops thing!!! They are soooo transparent and low cut!  And what is really off are the sizes!! I am an extra small bottom and a medium top?!  But then the top is so low it could literally almost go UNDER my boobs.  No one ever needs to see that or dress that way.  And no pregnant woman wants to have serious cleavage! We already know our boobs are massive, no need to call more attention to them.

I also understand the hassle of shopping for maternity in a small community.  The Target where I live has one, seriously ONE, rack of maternity clothing.  What the what?!  

I was told to try generic plus sizes for things, but I am petite, and though the t-shirts are way more comfortable and soft than my normal size t-shirts, I just look overweight.  (no offense to bigger mommas meant!) Seriously, there is a serious gap in maternity wares for petite and plus size mommas to be.  It is just like normal fashion, we are all supposed to be this "perfect" height, weight, and general size whilst pregnant.  I don't know about you all but I am certainly no supermodel!  OR you have to break the bank to get decent stuff!!! You are not pregnant for ever!  And I get that you don't go right back to your normal clothes but still!! It's highway robbery.  OK my small rant over! 

Kissty

GRRRRR on the shirts.  I'm not like the rest of you momma's to be.  My breasts have not grown at all.  All the shirts I seem to find have extra room in the breast area which in turn means they are too big for me.  Way toooo low cut.  I don't like shorts, never have.  I have large thighs and hail damage soooo.  Also wtf when it comes to shorts in general, why are they so short?  I am not a teenager, I am 33 freaking yrs old and want to dress like an adult not a 17 yr old!  I hate maternity clothing and the cost.  Why does it have to cost so much.  I bought some pants cause I can't go without and couldn't believe how much they wanted.  I don't pay that price when I'm not pregnant.  Money is tight when you pregnant and we all need to save but we are being ripped off!  Sorry got on a soap box.  I'll step down now.

LeighPA

jg1011:

  My complaint is with shirts! Who in their right mind thought horizontal stripes would be good for maternity tops! So many of them have these! I look big enough already, I don't need anything to draw any more attention to it!

Actually, there have been quite a few studies that show horizontal stripes make one look thinner.