When did you buy maternity clothes?

buddy83 · March 2011

I'm 15 weeks and I'm starting to come to grips with the possibility of having to buy maternity pants. I was a size 12 pre-preg and now they're just too tight. However, 14's don't seem to fit right.

When and why did you finally wave the white flag and go maternity shopping?

ashleytyler7 · March 2011

When I hurt myself trying to get in my jeans... I knew it was time. I was about 17 weeks.

MCapler · March 2011

I actually bought a whole collection of maternity clothes on Craigslist for a really good price. I also bought a few tank tops, a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts from Motherhood Maternity, a pair of jeans from Target, and a few cute tops on Ebay. You don't have to pay a ton of maternity clothes if you can help it. I have a lot now and didn't spend a ton.

Craigslist might be worth checking out though! I think I spent $75 for an entire lot of maybe 40 pcs or so.

SugarQueen101 · March 2011

When I was tired of struggling with my belly band, having to constantly re-adjust my falling/too tight pants, my shirts looking too short, daily muffin top...just plain tired of feeling frumpy & uncomfortable. This is what made me cave in to get some maternity clothing at 16 weeks. And it was SO worth it.

MCapler · March 2011

Oh sorry! I thought you were asking "Where" did you buy maternity clothes, lol. I think by 16 weeks it was no longer avoidable : )

NYChick · March 2011

I started very early- 9 or 10 wees I think. My regular pants were starting to not fit quite right, so it seemed like a good excuse to go shopping, and I figured I would get more wear out of them that way. Also, I was horrified by the idea that I would get dressed for work one morning and not find anything that fit.

DawnJM25 · March 2011

I'm 15 weeks and 1 day, and I am in the same boat as you! I'm just now starting to have trouble buttoning my pants, and I'm showing a little in the mornings, but by nighttime I'm so bloated, I'm convinced the bloating is why my tops are too tight, not so much the actual baby bump! Anyway, I bought some maternity jeans from Motherhood and 1 maternity top last weekend, but I still feel like they look a little too big on me. Right now I'm getting by on loose-fitting t-shirts and workout shorts and casual dresses. Can't wait until this awkward stage is over and I have a real bump!

cozylittlecave · March 2011

When someone gave me a giftcard lol...

Really though, I'd get a pair of pants or two now. Getting to the point where you're trying to get dressed to go somewhere and realizing NOTHING fits really sucks. Plus, if you wait until you NEED them asap, you won't be able to take advantage of sales as easily. Everything I've gotten has been on clearance or with a giftcard.

laurel-poppy · March 2011

I tried on a pair of maternity jeans at 12 weeks just to see if it was more comfortable than using the belly band. I bought 2 pairs that day. (people also think I'm having twins so I'm obviously showing more than normal.

Try a belly band either with the 12 with fly down or the 14 (it'll help keep them up if they're too loose)

Skibunny07 · March 2011

I really think it depends for everyone. I had to buy a couple of pants at around 12 weeks. I wasn't really showing yet or anything but I did have a tiny bump that was really low, right where my pants button and it was way too uncomfortable to try to button and I was annoyed by the belly band. I didn't have to start buying tops until like a week or so ago. I still don't really need tops, I can fit into most of my pre-pregnancy tops becuase most are stretchy but I liked the flowiness of some of the maternity tops I got.

jaredandjenny · March 2011

I wore a 14 to start with, but I had lost some weight (about 12 pounds) in the first 3 months. However, around 12 weeks I did break down and buy a pair of work pants (in my normal size, but maternity). They were huge, but nothing felt comfortable around the waist so those are what I wore. I ended up fitting into 12's now for maternity pants and am hoping I don't gain too much in the hips/butt so I can keep wearing them!

Around 19 weeks my SIL gave me all of her maternity clothes (probably a couple hundred shirts/pants/etc..) She got them from others as well, so just hand-me-down hand-me-downs. Everything is in really good shape, except one pair of pants that had a few rips. She is a little smaller than me, so I was surprised how well everything fits me right now even. As I get bigger I may have to buy a few more outfits, but this is savings me tons of money!

See if you can find someone close to your size who is done having kids and find what you like before spending tons of money!

JenWhite123 · March 2011

I started buying around 15-16 weeks. Many of mine have come from Kohl's and I've kept the tags on w/ receipts in case I don't wear them - I'll take them back. So far I have only worn 1 pr of jeans and 1 pr of cropped pants and a few of the shirts. I only need the shirts for the length to cover the maternity panel.

I tried on my summer clothes (skirts, dresses - I hate shorts) and they all fit. I've gained less than 3 lbs so far, and warm weather will be here in NC in a few weeks. So, hopefully, I won't need to buy any summer maternity clothes until much later in the summer.

sandj7152010 · March 2011

I am almost 18 weeks and have been needing to go and buy some for a couple of weeks because nothing fits anymore. I ended up being lucky enough to get some capris and shorts from one of my friends, but I know I will need to go and buy more soon, since I can't wear shorts to work. Good Luck!!

cynth1 · March 2011

I was due last November so I went and bought my maternity clothes in July. I did so because they were having really good end of the season summer sales. Maternity clothes can be so expensive and I was not paying full price for something that was only going to be worn for like 3 months. At destination maternity they have these bellys that you can put on to see what you may need at 7 months and 9 months. Plus all of the pants stretch so they will adjust to your size.

alliapistor · March 2011

My hips started to spread before I started to gain anywhere else. So the belly band was no help for me. I bought a wardrobe off of CraigsList when I was around 8 or 9 weeks. 70 pieces for $125. I've added some pieces since then - a few dresses, a few pair of pants, and a suit for work. I also bought some maternity tights to wear under my non-maternity dresses that still fit because the regular tights were too tight.

mplesset23 · March 2011

When I was getting more nauseous just by sitting in my pants that were too tight. I got them around 16 or 17 weeks.

meg211 · March 2011

I started shopping for items when I got tired of trying on 6 pairs of pants before finding one that fit in the morning. But there aren't many maternity stores nearby (they are all WAY out in the burbs), so the selection is pretty slim & grim. I've been holding onto my regular wardrobe with belly bands until now. I'm now at the point that even with the button & fly wide open, the belly band doesn't work as well anymore and my pants start to sag, or worse, the band presses the button or metal hook into my belly skin - ouch! And regular tops/sweaters just aren't all long enough. Time for some online shopping at ON and Gap! Just wish returns were easier.

I am LOVING me some knit dresses right now though! Some maternity, and some just regular jersey dresses I already owned that still work for now. The stretchiness is delightfully comfortable!

Cherbear013 · March 2011

I'm still able to fit into a few pairs of jean! Not for much longer though. I have been wearing my VS Pink pants and other lounge pants. Once it gets warmer here I plan on wearing dresses and skirts with leggings. I've been looking at maternity clothes but they are all not my style, so I think I'll just work with what I have!

ally2011 · March 2011

I am in the same boat. We are going to the mountains with friends this weekend and if I don't find something after work today I am going to be wearing dresses all weekend. I have a pair of jeans that fit this past weekend, but I am not sure if they still will. I am short so it is hard to find something that won't have to be hemmed. Maybe I'll just give up and wear a moo-moo for 6 months. Joking.

In all seriousness, this body image stuff is a little harder than I thought it would be. I suffered from bulimia in high school and college/post-college, then over-indulged for a few years but was finally getting things under control with WW before I found out. I lost 14 total, but really wanted to lose 10-20 more before getting pg, but not bad enough to put it on hold until then. I just want to cry because I feel HUGE though I have only gained 5 pounds. Now that I have my energy back I am going to start working out again. That will help I think. But man, it is tough even knowing I am growing a baby.

Pearly609 · March 2011

I'm 27 weeks and I still use my old clothes and refuse to purchase maternity clothes. This being my 4th child and knowing how expensive and useless after the baby they are, I'll just stick to leggins and yoga pants. My shirts for the most part still fit and all the clothes I will use after the baby is born.

chargermama · March 2011

I gave in about 3 days ago! SIGH!

I highly recommend the Old Navy gauchos - MOST comfy things EVER!!!

I am also a big fan of the under belly capris from Mothermood. Since it is spring and will be summer while I am pregnant I will be living in my gauchos and flowy sun dresses.

meg211 · March 2011

PSA: Gap Maternity had 40% off all regularly priced dresses and skirts today, and their sale section offered and extra 25% off the sale prices. This might have been in-store only, and may not be offered everywhere. You may want to call to check first. There's a tiny tiny Maternity section in the Baby Gap near my office, but it had a decent selection today. I just loaded up on 2 dresses, a skirt, a pair of work pants and jeans (neither of those 2 on sale, but staples I needed), and a bunch of t-shirts. I was so frustrated getting dressed yesterday that I knew it was time for me to go bite the bullet and pick up a bunch of clothes that fit comfortably!

tjmtjm · March 2011

I was a size 8 pre-pregnancy and bought 3 pairs of maternity pants/jeans around 18 weeks. Before that I wore looser fitting regular pants.

I haven't bought any maternity tops yet. I can still use a lot of my "normal" tops and plan to as long as possible. I'm trying to buy as little maternity as possible!

krissywags · March 2011

Just this week... Sunday I wore my favorite jeans and they were a little snug, Monday I was in sweats all day but by Tuesday (just happened to be the day that my BFF and I planned a shopping trip) I absolutely could not wear my jeans around my belly! I will say that I like the jeans that I got that had only the elastic band (about 2 inches) a lot better than the full panel jeans. I think in a month or so when belly gets bigger the full panel jeans will feel like they fit a lot better. Oh, and for shirts... I didn't think I would need them either as I tend to wear t-shirts more often than not but if you get the pants with panels you may want to get longer maternity shirts to cover it up.

buddy83 · April 2011

ally2011:
I am in the same boat. We are going to the mountains with friends this weekend and if I don't find something after work today I am going to be wearing dresses all weekend. I have a pair of jeans that fit this past weekend, but I am not sure if they still will. I am short so it is hard to find something that won't have to be hemmed. Maybe I'll just give up and wear a moo-moo for 6 months. Joking.

In all seriousness, this body image stuff is a little harder than I thought it would be. I suffered from bulimia in high school and college/post-college, then over-indulged for a few years but was finally getting things under control with WW before I found out. I lost 14 total, but really wanted to lose 10-20 more before getting pg, but not bad enough to put it on hold until then. I just want to cry because I feel HUGE though I have only gained 5 pounds. Now that I have my energy back I am going to start working out again. That will help I think. But man, it is tough even knowing I am growing a baby.

You must be my pregnancy twin! I've dealt with an eating disorder for 14 years and it's hard to watch my body change and know that it's medically ok and necessary. I lost 25 pounds before I became pregnant and had hoped to lose more. I about died when I saw that I'd gained 5 pounds at my last dr.'s visit. I'm only 5'2" so gaining weight shows easily on me. I finally had the energy to hit the gym this week and it was great but weird because I can't run without getting cramps and getting on the stationary bike made me have to pee. It's been raining like crazy in GA lately, but once it clears up I hope to start going to the park with my chubby dog to keep active and help him lose some weight.

It's still hard for me to believe that I'm pregnant despite hearing the heartbeat and the ult photos. Maybe it will sink in once the baby arrives. Big Smile

buddy83 · April 2011

Thank you all for the great advice and tips! I never thought about craigslist or ebay. Awesome ideas!

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