Sneaky & cheap ways to stretch maternity clothes?

The Bump Editors · April 2011

We're writing an article on maternity clothes and want to hear your thoughts...

Do you have any sneaky tips on how you can get away with wearing your regular (non-maternity) clothing as long as possible? Or any cheap tips (i.e.) going to a consignment store?

Thanks!

kewltif · April 2011

I wear long tanktops under just about everything.

muttpups · April 2011

Throughout the 2nd trimester and the beginning of the 3rd trimester, I'd always wear a long or maternity cami/tank under my pre-pregnancy shirts to get the most out of them. The layered look definitely helps get the most out of what you already have. Also, the belly band is a great way to continue wearing your pre-pregnancy pants!

catherine225 · April 2011

Two words: Maxi dress.

croberts22 · April 2011

Button up sweaters and long tanks. You can wear the sweaters pregnant or not.

lilmommalcw · April 2011

I am on a tight budget & what saved me was getting a flowing longer (long enough to cover my butt) sweater like the one below

I layer this with all different ribbed tank tops (which are super cheap & you don't have to buy in maternity) for work. They have been lifesavers for me because you can wear this combo with leggings, dress pants, or jeans.

Another trick was wearing tight/strechy (with some sort of spandex) camisoles. I couldn't afford to buy maternity ones, but I would pull the top down under my bra & it would make it extra long to cover up my tummy. Then I could wear non maternity shirts over the top of it! This trick is even working in the last month of my pregnancy when my maternity tops are getting to short.

Serruhhx2 · April 2011

The first time around, I didn't buy a single piece of maternity clothing. Toward the end I only had one pair of jeans that fit and it was only because they lost a button, but... it worked. And I just wore larger shirts. This time I got everything from Goodwill, and it's really nice stuff. I couldn't have spent much more than $20-$30 on everything, and I have 3 pairs of jeans, a pair of dress pants, and 6-7 shirts. I had to search high and low to find stuff that was actually in style, but I did find it.

g00dg0llymsm0lly · April 2011

I wear my fiance's shirts! They're big and roomy and I loved wearing his clothes even pre-pregnancy lol.

Chicwed · April 2011

Fortunately, women's fashion these days (longer, looser tops) allows us to get away with not buying any maternity clothing. I only have a few maternity tops, but am able to wear most of my non-maternity tops under a cardigan. I also wear a lot of empire waist dresses with a cardigan, tights and boots. One thing I can't go without are maternity pants/ jeans.

jazzyag · April 2011

I cut of the tops of old tanks that were worn beyond using, or had broken straps, and used them like belly bands. I also bought a bella band and loved how it extended my wardrobe as well as the support that it offered.

RGWalsh · April 2011

Maternity tank tops underneath helps. Longer sweaters and long sleeved shirts as well. I have a long torso (and big boobs) without being pregnant so most of my shirts still fit even now. I did give in a by myself some cute tops and pants, but most of my maternity clothes came from friends (yeah sharing).

vigurl · April 2011

kewltif:
I wear long tanktops under just about everything.

This! The ones with the lace at the bottoms and tops are really cute too!

LA777 · April 2011

long cardigans, long tanks, and i have lived in my leggings the past 7 months! Oh and cheap jersey dresses. Trying to avoid breaking out the maternity jeans until the absolute last minute!

chocoholicchick · April 2011

I wear regular dresses all the time. Anything in cotton is perfect for my growing belly since the material grows with me.

Lizbethie · April 2011

I barely spent 40 dollars on maternity clothes because my friend donated all of her old clothes to me! Accept all donations!

Swimfly35 · April 2011

I wore jeggings for a majority of my pregnancy. The ones that actually look like jeans, like from Target, are cute and really stretchy. The non-maternity longer shirts and sweaters that are in style these days only really look good with skinny jeans anyway. If I didn't carry so darn low, I'd still be wearing them!

Pookie's_Girl · April 2011

I got a few stretchy pre-maternity cami's that I'm still wearing fine in my 3rd tri. And, any pants with an elastic waistband, or any tops with an empire waist can go a long way during a pregnancy. Shrugs, and some cardigans usually can too.

MarinesPrincess88 · April 2011

just wear a bigger size. I still fit in most of my t-shirts and im 6 months along :] The Belly Band works great for jeans too.

hvonbevern · April 2011

I went to garage sales as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I got some pretty good stuff for cheap.

antsymom · April 2011

I was able to use my skinny jeans throughout my entire pregnancy using the rubber band trick! Slip the elastic band halfway through the buttonhole of your jeans. Place the elastic through the other end's loop hole then pull. Fasten by simply slipping the rubber band loop over the button.

Mamawillis · April 2011

I lost 50 lbs over a year before I got pregnant, but hadn't gotten rid of all my "fat clothes". Most of my shirts are extra large or bigger so they were plenty long enough. Just bought two pairs of maternity pants, one jeans and one khaki.

CanaryIsland629 · April 2011

I got so frustrated one morning cause I realized my maternity black slacks we're too small all of a sudden so I went to the kitchen and grabbed a scissor and cut a vertical cut right through the elastic all the way down so my belly would fit! Probably not the smartest thing to do but I'm still wearing them and no one can tell!

))

MidwestTexan · April 2011

kewltif:
I wear long tanktops under just about everything.

That's been my secret!

CMM4828 · April 2011

I purchased a few long-sleeved maternity t-shirts in basic colors and then purchased a LOT of cute--non-maternity cardigans, open sweaters, etc. that allowed me to layer the items and look like I had a much more extensive wardrobe than I did.

I also used a hairband to close my non-maternity pants for quite some time in the beginning. Although...now having a belly band...I would definitely suggest investing in one of those instead. A friend of mine purchased an expensive one by Amon maternity and lent it to me. I have worn it EVERYDAY since she gave it to me. Definitely would have been worth the $40 investment...especially since it helped me wear my pre-pregnancy pants a while longer and was definitely more comfortable than the hairband.

krystal+kyle · April 2011

Luckily the fashion these days has been longer shirts or super short dresses with leggings, so most of my short dresses became pregnancy shirts! And there perfect!

colorschemer · April 2011

catherine225:
Two words: Maxi dress.

This. I'm too short of most maxi dresses, but there are a lot of similar casual dress styles that work for me. Casual skirts work great too.

And a Bella Band on low rise jeans are great. I have one pair of maternity jeans, but my other pair of go-to jeans are just low rise Charlotte Russe's with a Bella Band.

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