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December 2010 Moms
so uninspired with mat. clothes
I know it's not just me, but lately I'm feeling so uninspired (to the point of tears - which I'm sure is hormones) with my maternity clothing options. We don't have the funds for me to buy the cute stuff and what we can afford is so ugly.
Feeling like all my clothing options are ugly leaves me feeling ugly. And this is certainly not a good time for that as I'm way hormonal and easily hurt. I've checked into THE (there's only one) consignment shop for maternity wear but all they really offer is the same ugly crap I find in the stores. Up until now I've tried buying regular clothing with flattering cuts in a size larger than I normally wear and it's worked. But it's time for me to invest in a few more items as what fits is dwindling and I'm honestly heartbroken over how little I like.
I never thought I'd hate buying clothes. 
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Re: so uninspired with mat. clothes
I hear you! Try checking out some garage sales, look in the paper or on Craigslist, they might list mat clothes. I have seen some! Thrift stores are also a good option and have them mixed in sometimes, or you can just find some bigger stuff there.
My cheap wardrobe suggestion for endless outfits:
Also, just realize that this is all temporary and everyone looks like crap in Mat clothes. Except Heidi Klum, and that is because she is obviously the result of genetic experiments - or an alien - or both.
ha ha ha...I went to the Beach with the DH this past weekend and I told him that I hope people to confuse me with a whale on the beach and call PETA to rescue me! He didn't think it was funny, but I do feel like anything I wear makes me look huge and Maternity Clothes does not fit me well because I'm 5'4 and I just feel like a ball.
I totally thought that I looked good in my dresses, until DH pointed out that all the extra fabric made me look 2x the size that I actually am.
He has asked me to only wear tight things cause I look sooo hot in those!
I did buy a few pairs of designer maternity jeans but other than that I've been pretty frugal about my maternity clothes. Honestly I've been stalking Forever 21 - they have a TON of longer/tunic type tops that are long enough, and fitted enough to show off your belly. They don't cost much and I could probably even wear them after baby. Target also has nice basic tops and I've become addicted to cardigans. Cardigans seriously work with anything - dress pants, jeans, over a dress, etc. I can almost rotate the same 2 tank tops underneath with different cardigans for different outfits every day.
I have yet to buy a dress but you can bet when I do it will be fitted. I will not look like a tent.
Old Navy is having a sale on maternity (ends today) and free shipping I think. Maybe you could just get a couple of cute tops to match up with some black pants. I'm trying to not spend a ton on maternity clothes and its been hard because I do feel the reasonably priced stuff isn't that cute. I'm trying to get pieces I can switch up or add jewelry to. I've also gotten a few plain shirts that I'm going to dress up with cardigans and scarves as soon as it gets cooler. I did have some luck at a local resale shop but you may have to check back there quite a bit to see what comes in.
Good Luck!
I feel like maternity clothes are all so frumpy!
Like you, I am not spending $$ on maternity clothes, so I am currently relying on sweatpants (thank goodness I work from home) and handmedowns from my cousin.
I saw the other day that Old Navy has some cute looking stuff and they offer free shipping. Otherwise, I am just trying to accessorize.
Thanks for the suggestions - I'm just throwing myself a pity party because I can. haha! But I agree - there is something different about Heidi...
Our Kohls selection is from Motherhood and it isn't very cute. I did pick up a pair of shorts earlier this summer and they weren't great, but they were only $7. It's now too cold for shorts and last time I checked, our Kohls had only "tents."
A lot of what I bought in regular clothes, sized up, were from there though!
I think there are cute options out there, but I agree - way too much $$ for how little time you'll actually wear it. I'm trying to do things to "jazz" up my fugly stuff (jewelry, scarves, fancier than normal hair)... I'm just having an ugly day and I'm blaming my clothes... hahaha!
Can you invest in some cheap maternity tanks in all sorts of colors, then NON maternity cardigans in basic colors (like black, gray and white)? You will use the cardigans again forever, and by pairing the tanks and cardis all together with jeans, scarves and different jewelry, you can make many different looks.
I got a lot of clothes from my mom (who's a bit bigger), and while they're cute on her since they "fit" her... they're tent-like on me. I still wear some of them because I don't have much choice. I may have to try ON and just see what's there. I hate to spend any $$ if I don't love it, but unfortunately, "not fugly" is now the qualification to purchase instead of "loving it."
haha!
Oh, and to actually be helpful, here are my tips, haha... Aside from mat dresses, I have a few drape cardigans (non-mat), like this. You can wear them during pregnancy and after, so I think it's more worth the money. I've gotten them at Target and Forever 21. And I also wear non-mat tunics in one size up.
I may have to look more into this - it's a great suggestion! Thanks
I'm most concerned about pants as I do have to "dress up" for my job. I have a brown and a gray pair - I need to find a black pair and then I'll just have to deal with not having a week's worth of different clothing - haha!
JC Penney has some stuff too! I got black dress pants for $15 and a shirt and black jeans for $3 each. You could probably check with some of the Bumpies on the Babies: 0-3, etc boards, to see if any of them have clothes in your sizes that they want to sell for cheap!
ALSO: Old Navy's maternity sale (everything under $20) ends TODAY! Spend more than $50 and get free shipping too. I love their woven waistband skinny jeans and they have lots of cute shirts! Just be sure to look at the reviews about sizing... some stuff is true to size, other stuff is one size too big.
This! I bought several cute, tight maternity tanks that show my belly.. then I am just wearing my cardigans/wraps in my closet (non-maternity), open - so it doesn't matter. pair with chunky necklaces, scarves, no one will notice that you keep wearing the same things!
as for pants - leggings are awesome & cheap & always make me feel cute. also, do you have a bella band? i noticed that even though my normal size jeans don't fit AT ALL anymore, i can wear my 1-size-up jeans paired with the bella band still, and get more wear out of them..
just know we all feel this way
i keep staring in my closet at all my expensive, nice clothes that i can't wear and i wanna scream.. but i'm trying to enjoy my cute little bump while i can by showing it off.
DD #1 passed away in January 2011 at 14 days old due to congenital heart disease
DD#2 lost in January 2012 at 23 weeks due to anhydramnios caused by a placental abruption
I hate clothes shopping at my normal size, and I especially hate it now. So much effort (and $$) for things I won't wear for very long.
I have a few dresses, but the majority of my wardrobe is solid tanks (maternity, or even ON's "long and lean/tall" tanks are still working well) and dress pants (black and charcoal, from Motherhood by Kohl's). I layer them with my pre-pregnancy cardigans, unbuttoned (I have a collection to rival Mr. Roger's). Outside of work, I wear the tanks with maternity jeans and khakis. I try to make things less boring with big flower pins, chunky necklaces or dangly earrings. I'm lucky to live in FL and not have to worry too much about finding a winter wardrobe.
Ugh. I'm sorry you're experiencing so much negative (and even more challenges) in the shopping department. Maybe you *should* open your own store! You're certainly not the only person who's ever needed a store with more options for full-figures. i wish you luck on finding some comfy clothes that make you feel like the beautiful pregnant woman you are!