What's a reasonable budget for maternity clothes?

tch81 · May 2010

This is my first kid and right now H & I are focusing on the financials such as how much we want to spend on baby items, how much to expect in hospital bills, what we'll do for cash while I'm out on leave, etc. I'm starting to burst out of my clothes & I have to dress business casual for work. So I think within the next 3-4 weeks I'm going to need some mat clothes. What's a reasonable amount to spend? I'm thinking $200-$300, but again I don't have a clue! Any suggestions on where to get the best deals?

Britty685 · May 2010

I am not going to buy maternity clothes until I have to. I went to a thrift store and bought some maternity jeans and khakis (they have a pretty good selection). I would check there before I bought new, also they dont show much wear and tear cuz you only wear them for like 6 months.

Tink0910 · May 2010

I have bought some things at Kohls and some at Motherhood. And I have already spent at least $200. And I really do not have all that much. I have 1 pair of khakis, 2 jeans, 1 capri, 2 t-shirts, 2 tanks, and a couple shirts that tie in the back. I will need more IMO.

missthick · May 2010

I've gotten most of my clothes from Ross and Bealls Outlets. So far I've only needed to buy pants/jeans, and the most I have spend so far was $15 each.

TheBuddha · May 2010

I've bought most of my work clothes from Gap and waited until they went on sale. Along with those I purchased one pair of jeans from Pea in a Pod that fit me really well. I've probably easily spent $600 on maternity clothes, but I won't need any more (well I hope I won't need any more!)

madhatter2003 · May 2010

Check out ebay, craigslist, and consignment shops in your area. Also check with friends that have had kids, etc. My SILs and I share a bin of clothes that just rotates between us depending on who is pg at the time, I've borrowed dresses of friends rather than buy them for one-off occasions, etc.

DaniLovesPink · May 2010

My friend just got done with a surrogacy, and fair value for her maternity wardrobe budget was $500.

stephanieroyer · May 2010

i've bought all my maternity clothes at motherhood (outlet) and still spent about $300 so far.. which burns me. I just went today and bought a pair of shorts for $44.99..i hated spending $50 on shorts, but there is nothing i can do.. i need them. i'd say $200-300 is a good budget, but i would look at thrift stores first or online sites like Kijiji or craigslist.

shelbell1028 · May 2010

I've spent about $300 so far. I'm lucky b/c I dont really have a dress code at work. I'm hoping to not spend any more!

Edit: I've done most of my shopping at Old Navy (only when there are sales or I have a coupon), Walmart and Kohls. I did all my shopping online.

eflynn1215 · May 2010

My mom and MIL have been buying me some things. I have about $250 worth of mat. clothes right now (3 tanks, 2 capris, 1 pair of jeans, 3 tops, and 3 pairs of shorts) It'll get me by for a while, but I know I will need more shirts. Kohl's has awesome sales and you can try thrift stores for some good deals. You don't need to spend a ton of money, but you'll probably go over $200.

Good luck!

wearenutts · May 2010

I would go to consignment stores first. The clothes they usually have are not that worn. I would also look into stores like Ross or Burlington. I have bought several things from both places. EX: Pair of shorts $7, 4 shirts $8 each. etc.

You don't need that many different pieces just enough to get you through the week then you can do laundry on the weekends.

AIDAN · May 2010

I bought a few good maternity work pants from Motherhood for about $130 total. They have the pants that go over belly that will last you throughout your pregnancy. That was well worth it because if you go to stores like Old Navy for pants, you'll have to buy in 2 different sizes...i.e. medium for 2nd trimester then large for 3rd trimester. So make sure to buy pants that will last.

Since this baby is due in august, I went to Ross and bought a ton of cheap non-maternity dresses...just 1 size bigger than my normal size with enough belly room.

bkr1180 · May 2010

I've spent about $200.00, I'm actually not even in maternity clothes yet but I bought some for emergency reasons! right now I'm still in my regular pants, some I have to use a bella band and a long shirt.

I found great deals at Old Navy.com I bought alot of casual sleeveless tops I can wear casually and cardigans to wear over for work.

Motherhood is also a good place for stylish deals, and Target.com I didnt see much instore at Target.

FLgirlinCA · May 2010

Try Target. I usually don't buy clothes there, but for maternity stuff that does not have to last very long, they have a pretty good selection. I have gotten actual maternity clothes, and also just things in a bigger size. Don't buy too much at once, as your size will be changing so much.

I do have a few nice pants, dresses, and shirts I got at Pea in the Pod, which are great and really worth the $$$, especially if you know you want to have more children and will keep the clothes.

Lastly, I noticed that I need pants much sooner than shirts. I am 20 weeks along w/my second pregnancy, and still wearing my regular t-shirts, just w/maternity pants.

Good luck!

brideatbeach · May 2010

I would say $300 is definitely doable if you buy things that you can wear with others and you won't get to tired of wearing. I have 3 pairs of shorts, two pairs of jeans, 3 tank tops, and a few shirts and two dresses and I have also bought underwear. All depends on what you need. If you don't need it try and get by on what you must have.

mlc92404 · May 2010

Keep in mind too, you give up quality when you buy cheap clothes. The biggest thing I notice is the cheaper pants/shorts that have the full panel stretch out after wearing for a couple hours. Ive just started looking at nicer stuff and everyone tells me the quality is SO much better. Your biggest problem is going to be you'll be wearing nice pants/skirts for work but you are going to want shorts/tank tops for home/casual so there wont be much you can use for both. You can try and save money by buying tops for work that you dont mind pairing with shorts/capris at home/weekends.

TheSkimmy · May 2010

First pregnancy... $300. (Walmart actually has some cute shirts and tanks!!!) 2nd pregnancy... $150 if a different season.

str8ota · May 2010

I have probably spent between $300-400, I think I'm spending more because it's summer. The things I want to wear in the summer I can't wear at work and the work stuff I have bought is business casual, not what I want to be in after work. I have bought stuff from all the stores mentioned, I just wait until there are sales then I pick stuff up. Next weekend I'm driving by a MM Outlet and hoping to find a few more items and then I'm done spending money.

triplea1819 · May 2010

last time I spent no more than 100. I found I could wear pants over and over again, then wash them and be ok.

This time, not so much because DS gets them dirty quicker because he likes to wipe his dirty hands on me!!

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