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April 2012 Moms
2nd+ time mamas maternity clothes tips?
Hi ladies!
Do ya'll have any tips for purchasing maternity clothes? Any secrets learned? Any fave brand or style recommendations? General advice? The one item you got the most use out of?
I haven't purchased anything yet. My pants still fit but I bought a couple tops for work today not in maternity but one size bigger than I usually get.
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Re: 2nd+ time mamas maternity clothes tips?
It's so smart to buy a few things one size larger--you'll definitely use them during the first couple months PP. Other than that, my advice is:
- Wait as long as possible to buy maternity. I know it's exciting, but if it fits you well at 4 months, it ain't going on your giant bloated 40-42 week body...
- Buy basics. Black or khaki pants. Jeans. Solid colored shirts.
- Buy layering pieces. You get really hot at the end, and it's nice to be able to go from tank top, to tank top + short sleeved shirt, to tank top + short sleeved shirt + cardigan.
- Splurge on one nice holiday dress. You'll love the pictures forever.
That's about all I've got--HTH!
Thanks so much!
That's a good point about the holiday dress!
Hopefully I won't have an issue with too short maternity tops in the 3rd tri since I'm only 5'0!
It might be even worse for that reason. I've seen many shorter women post this problem- the baby has no where to go except straight out front. This might mean some tops will not fit all the way over the bump.
Shirts from Kohl's are garbage.
Nothing fits in your last 5 weeks.
Target stuff seems to be the best fit throughout because the tops are generally fitted and long.
Oh man
Look for second hand shops in your area.
Old Navy/Gap online clearance.
When in Pea in the Pod, go straight to the back for the clearance racks.
I LOVE my Old Navy jersey skirts with the fold-over/roll down sort of waists. They're stretchy and comfortable during pregnancy AND after you deliver when you aren't pregnant anymore, but your belly hasn't caught on yet.
Also, some lounge type pants I'd just buy in a larger size rather than try to look for a maternity version. It doesn't work for all styles of clothing, but you don't realize how little maternity clothing is out there until you try to look. (At least that was my experience.)
BF help & support * My Charts
I actually wore the same clothes from 9 weeks-delivery at 40 weeks 3 days! I am 4'11" too and had a gigantic bump. I liked the "Indigo Blue" brand of jeans at Motherhood. They were more fitted in the butt and thighs and I never had problems with them falling down. I didn't gain a whole lot in the butt/thighs though. For tops I layered like crazy. I wore mostly the Gap Pure Body shirts by themselves or under a cardigan/sweater. Especially for short people they are great. They are insanely stretchy and covered the huge bump. Even if the cardigans, sweaters, or top layers were a little shorter if you have a lot of long basics you don't have to worry.
https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1da08b3127ccefcaeaaeeb56f00000040O01AYtGjRm1bMwe3nwc/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=550/ry=400/
I agree, hold off buying maternity clothes if possible. After you give birth you don't want to be in maternity clothes, but you hate to buy a size bigger. If you already have a few size bigger clothes it comes in really handy. Plus maternity clothes are expensive! I also agree with the layering comment. I had my daughter at the end of January, but I was still wearing short sleeves and a cardigan to work every day. The only time I wore anything more was when I was shoveling the 12"+ of snow off my drive-way and that was just because DH made me wear it. Those little human heaters work better than any space heater = )
Buy as you go along. Don't stock up early b/c your body will change!
I really like to layer so that clothes are good for multiple seasons. I bought a couple more long, open cardigans in my normal size that I will be able to wear through April and beyond with tanks underneath.
Check out if you have a maternity consignment store in your area. They're great for things like jackets, blazers and out of season items that you really need b/c seasons in your area don't match those in the stores. I have also found some adorable high end maternity pieces there that I never came across in my regular shopping and the prices were great. I was last PG 5 years ago and these shirts are still in style!
I love Motherhood's miracle pants for work, which they don't make anymore. =( If I see anything like them, I'll post about it b/c they are great for work. The panel is on the side vs the front so you never suffer from "short shirt" syndrome at the end of your PG.
Don't buy too much at once. I felt like things never fit me for more than 3 months. My shape changed too much.
Look for a consignment or resale shop. I found things with tags or that looked brand new for less than half the price.
Buy layering tanks. I layered every day when I was pregnant, I just felt more comfortable that way. I didn't switch to full panel pants until I was 7 months but with half panel pants my belly felt exposed.
Make sure you have at least two outfits you absolutely love. Especially near the end when I was huge and uncomfortable it made things better when I could at least put on something I really liked.
Thanks for all of the amazing tips ladies! I really appreciate it.
I am one of the first of my close girlfriends to be pregnant and my family lives in another country so it is really nice to get tips from you ladies.