Maternity clothes v. Larger sizes of regular clothes

Vickig121 · October 2011

I was just wondering if anyone has foregone maternity tops (definitely NOT maternity pants) for larger sizes of regular clothes. I have some maternity tops that work, but most of them are just too long on my body. Do you buy one size up from your normal size?

MLS0630 · October 2011

I definitely have a mix in my closet. In first/second try I usually end up buying larger sizes of regular clothes or layer longer tanks (Buckle has really long tanks and I've actually had really good luck at Ann Taylor Loft with both tanks and cargo capris with a more forgiving expandable waistband). By the third trimester I am usually condemned to just maternity clothes because the belly is just so big and starts dropping so regular shirts just don't cut it.

courtneyklv · October 2011

I like to wear snug tops..I feel like I look larger and heavier if I dress in 'balloony' baggy maternity shirts. The maternity tops I have gotten are longer..but that is because our belly will grow and they will need to be. If they are too long..like some basic ribbed tanks, I just scrunch up the bottom. I am still wearing regular tops I have too. I usually wear an xs but am buying 'normal' tops in medium or so

westerngirl91 · October 2011

I am the complete opposite. I will get maternity tops, but I wore regular American Eagle jeans throughout my pregnancy. No rubber band needed. I also carry extremely high since I'm tall.

Melzig76 · October 2011

I mostly just wear my normal jeans. either American Eagle or Silvers and longer tops. I have a few pairs of maternity slacks for work and a few liz lange long sleeved tanks I picked up at target. I layer most of my tops anyways with a long tank underneath....that helps me a lot. I couldn't do maternity tops that are baggy and huge feeling

Shawnee11507 · October 2011

I am mostly all in maternity wear. Bigger regular clothes mostly just make me look fat, not pregnant. I find maternity clothes to be much more flattering.

corbinsmine · October 2011

My bigger regular clothes are just starting to not fit me, they are just tight in all the wrong places. I have always been small but have a large chest, a C cup regular. Now that my boobs are so big, seems like I have to resort to maternity bc of my small frame. Plus, matternity clothes are more flattering if you find the right styles and if you are buying bigger clothes anyways you might as well pay the same for maternity bc you can find maternity resonably priced. I bought a pair of kakis at burlington to 8 bucks lol, def. could find regualr kakis for the same price. Good luck.

greengirl0909 · October 2011

I know some women who use this strategy to deal with their pregnancy, but it doesn't work for me. I think it ends up just looking sloppy. Plus, I'm built much smaller on top than I am through the hips anyway, so to go with a larger size, it just swims on me. Particularly if it's a v-neck top or anything, it hangs to low on me and I try to be modest as I teach in the middle school.

raceyrae · October 2011

Shawnee11507:
I am mostly all in maternity wear. Bigger regular clothes mostly just make me look fat, not pregnant. I find maternity clothes to be much more flattering.

Same here.

shouldbworkin · October 2011

bigger or longer cut clothes will last for awhile, but eventually you need the extra fabric in front and it won't hang as low as you think it does, especially with a maternity panel to cover up. For the in between time, I really like to wear tanks (maternity or regular stretchy ones) under regular open cardigan sweaters. I see no reason to buy maternity cardigans unless you want to wear them closed/buttoned.

xxmiyaxx · October 2011

I've been mixing it up - definitely bought maternity work slacks and such because those are the most comfortable....but I am able to get away with buying regular jeggings and leggings, just sizing up (for now).

All summer I wore regular maxi dresses (sized up) and all the tank tops and tshirts I bought have just been sized up. I have maybe 3-4 actual maternity tops (liz lange cuz they're cute and comfy!)...but other than that my wardrobe is a big mix right now. I just find it better on my wallet to size up on brands I already wear and love, rather than to buy some pricey maternity brands I can only wear during pregnancy/recovery.

I do hear great things about GAP and ON maternity clothes, but I haven't been able to bring myself to purchase any because I also keep hearing issues about the sizing. My local stores don't carry the maternity lines so I can only order that online and I just don't want the hassle of having to return a bunch of oversized clothing.

EllasMommy2010 · October 2011

It is a mixture for me. Now that I am over 20 wks, some of the larger shirts technically fit, but I like the maternity styles for the length. My non-maternity clothes I feel like I am always tugging down.

dancingmatilda · October 2011

I was able to wear regular clothes up until about 20 weeks. Now I'm almost exclusively in maternity clothes, for work especially. They just look nicer on me than my normal clothes. I was trying to wear jeans/pants either unbuttoned or with a belly band and I'd end up pulling on them and being uncomfortable all day. I feel much more comfortable in maternity clothes, and I feel like I look nicer. Around the house I still wear tshirts and drawstring shorts or yoga pants. I have a few tops that were particularly "blousey" that I can still wear, but I think that may last another week or two tops.