Maternity Clothing- help needed!

MadameD517 · January 2011

Hopefully someone else here has been in my boat or has some advice....
I work in an office where I normally wear suits but can get away with a nice cardigan ensemble if necessary. I'm having a really hard time finding professional looking maternity clothes that don't cost more than I normallyy spend on work clothes. I'm 5'8 and normally wear a 6 or an 8 long and cannot find pants that look nice enough for my office. My first issue is that when I do find them, there is only black and they're $70+ and my second issue is that I can't find pants that are long enough (or sold in lengths).
Does anyone have any advice on where to find decently priced professional pants sold in lengths? I really didn't realize how much of an issue this would be! So far I've looked @ Motherhood, Gap, Target, destinationmaternity.com and a smattering of random web sites. Thanks in advance!

I would be willing to spend a little more if its something that will hold up to being worn for the next 4 months and look good....

MsPurple24 · January 2011

I had a LOT of luck at the Motherhood Maternity Outlet in Gilroy (I don't remember where you live, but there are Motherhood stores at most of the major outlet malls). They tended to have nicer looking clothes without having to pay a fortune. However, I don't know about sizing in lengths... I don't remember seeing their pants in different lengths, so I might not be able to help you there.

It's a pain, I know! I got lucky and had a couple of co-workers lend me their maternity clothes, so I wasn't buying too much... but it's hard to spend money on something you know you'll only need for a few months!

ETA: I just noticed that you're 5'8", and so am I. I didn't need to buy longer lengths from Motherhood, they tended to be long enough. Unless you're wearing a size small, which I'm not...

Lesley423 · January 2011

What about buying some on Ebay?

MadameD517 · January 2011

MsPurple24:
I had a LOT of luck at the Motherhood Maternity Outlet in Gilroy (I don't remember where you live, but there are Motherhood stores at most of the major outlet malls). They tended to have nicer looking clothes without having to pay a fortune. However, I don't know about sizing in lengths... I don't remember seeing their pants in different lengths, so I might not be able to help you there.
It's a pain, I know! I got lucky and had a couple of co-workers lend me their maternity clothes, so I wasn't buying too much... but it's hard to spend money on something you know you'll only need for a few months!
ETA: I just noticed that you're 5'8", and so am I. I didn't need to buy longer lengths from Motherhood, they tended to be long enough. Unless you're wearing a size small, which I'm not...

Thanks! I may need to trek to Gilroy (I live in Sonoma county) because the outlet in Petaluma was awful. I got one pair of pants in the regular lengt once they were washed they were an inch tooo short :-( the longs were fine.

Sorry about the typo's, I'm posting from a Droid which makes corrections a nightmare!

MadameD517 · January 2011

I haven't tried ebay yet, I will thank you!
I should mention I've tried LOFT on line but they're consistantly sold out of my size which is pretty annoying. Anyone know of any stores/outlets that carry LOFT maternity?

m&m818 · January 2011

Can you wear dresses or skirts? My go-to solution was to wear a dress with heels with a cardigan or blazer over it. I know its cold but you could find some maternity stockings. They do exist... I think I got mine at Motherhood.

Other places that might have more work appropriate clothes: A Pea in the Pod, Ann Taylor Loft Maternity.

m&m818 · January 2011

https://www.destinationmaternity.com/maternity/work-clothes.asp

m&m818 · January 2011

I also wore lots of these... https://www.momsthewordmaternity.com/_clothes/product_details.php?ID=12&CType=2&ID2=600

Looks like two layers but isn't.. sometimes it would get two hot with multiple layers. .

pink.dutch.tulips · January 2011

at 6'0" i had to stretch my wardrobe as much as humanly possible and my bella bands got me through it. i work for a law firm and i was able to use my bands for my bottoms w/ loose tops. they were a LIFESAVER !

KellyMRocks · January 2011

I was also going to suggest skirts. I wasn't in a professional setting while pregnant, but I was much more comfortable in skirts than in pants.

Have you tried going used? Maybe look on craigslist or ebay.

Also, you could always buy the expensive pants and then sell them on ebay when you are done with them.

Good luck!

p2p91507 · January 2011

Have you tried Old Navy? I got some maternity clothes I needed for nicer occasions there, and they worked.

EmmieB · January 2011

I like Kelly's suggestion of skirts.

Also, in case you haven't checked:

Top Shop Maternity

https://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208684&parent_categoryId=208580&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20

And I have no idea about the quality or fit because this came out after Bunny was born, but: Forever 21 maternity:

https://www.forever21.com/category.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=maternity_main&Page=all&promotype=2

And this is more spendy than you'd like, but I indulged in two of their ruched tanks when I was maybe 9 weeks pregnant and they lasted until my milk came in and my boobs were just too big. I will likely pull them out when we finish weaning and my boobs shrink.

https://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes

Good luck!

Celyn · January 2011

I have some I'm selling here, if you're interested. I'm 5'7" and grey and black trousers both worked with heels on me.

LoLoPanda · January 2011

Ann Taylor Loft has a maternity section. I don't know about the store itself, but I know you can find stuff online. The pants are a little pricey (approx $80/pair).

I've had good luck with Motherhood Maternity for work pants. I have black and gray for work and they're really comfy and have lasted pretty well. I get the Secret Fit Belly which is soooo nice. I don't think they have short/reg/long for the pants, but I'm 5'7" and they work well for me.

mrs.meteowrite · January 2011

I've had good luck at Motherhood, at the Gap, and at Old Navy, and I'm 5' 10". I only have to dress slightly profesh (I'm a kids librarian) but I have gotten a lot of mileage out of one pair each of navy, grey and black nice pants. My Gap pants were spendy to start with ($70 or $80 a pair) but I wear them each at least once a week and vary the tops. And now they are on their second go round with baby two...At least styles of work pants don't change too much from year to year.

MadameD517 · January 2011

Celyn:
I have some I'm selling here, if you're interested. I'm 5'7" and grey and black trousers both worked with heels on me.

Actually I would, how should I contact you?

MadameD517 · January 2011

EmmieB:
I like Kelly's suggestion of skirts.
Also, in case you haven't checked:
Top Shop Maternity
https://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208684&parent_categoryId=208580&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20
And I have no idea about the quality or fit because this came out after Bunny was born, but: Forever 21 maternity:
https://www.forever21.com/category.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=maternity_main&Page=all&promotype=2

And this is more spendy than you'd like, but I indulged in two of their ruched tanks when I was maybe 9 weeks pregnant and they lasted until my milk came in and my boobs were just too big. I will likely pull them out when we finish weaning and my boobs shrink.
https://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes

Good luck!

Those sites are lovely, thank you!

As for the dresses- I technically can wear dresses but it doesn't exactly give me the professional look I'm going for so I'm trying to avoid them for the longest time possible. I did order a skirt from gap today though so we'll see how that goes.

Thanks again everyone!

EmmieB · January 2011

MadameD517:
EmmieB:
I like Kelly's suggestion of skirts.
Also, in case you haven't checked:
Top Shop Maternity
https://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208684&parent_categoryId=208580&beginIndex=1&pageSize=20
And I have no idea about the quality or fit because this came out after Bunny was born, but: Forever 21 maternity:
https://www.forever21.com/category.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=maternity_main&Page=all&promotype=2

And this is more spendy than you'd like, but I indulged in two of their ruched tanks when I was maybe 9 weeks pregnant and they lasted until my milk came in and my boobs were just too big. I will likely pull them out when we finish weaning and my boobs shrink.
https://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes

Good luck!
Those sites are lovely, thank you!
As for the dresses- I technically can wear dresses but it doesn't exactly give me the professional look I'm going for so I'm trying to avoid them for the longest time possible. I did order a skirt from gap today though so we'll see how that goes.
Thanks again everyone!

Don't rule out the wrap dress. Or a tailored shirt dress. And you can always throw a blazer over one if need be. The possibilities are endless these days. Good luck!

Celyn · January 2011

teri at harmonydoula.com

luvbucket · January 2011

Nine Little Months - I found this online used maternity wear that carries everything! Prices are great and it's high quality.

https://pregnancyresources.thebump.com/bump_vendordetail.html?keyword=&vendorsearch=&id=340579&search_cache=&market=177&category=XBM

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