Going maternity clothes shopping tonight! ...Advice??

LittleLocks · May 2012

(Also posted on the Nov 2012 board but I figured some of you being further along could maybe help a little more!)

This is baby # 1 and I'm not sure what to buy! I'm 15 weeks now and things are not fitting the way they used to! Before getting pregnant I lost just over 30 lbs so I still have some tops that fit and will further into the pregnancy. Unfortunately pants aren't the same! I have one pair of dressy (stretchy) pants that fit and will for a little while longer but that's it.

Obviously everyone is different. Different body shape, size, etc.. and babies/bellies all grow different as well but I want to know what you were most comfortable in and what you could have done without. I don't have a ton of money to spend so I want to buy things that will last throughout pregnancy, if possible.
Since we're heading into summer and the heat.. I'm thinking about getting some flowy dresses but I'm not usually a dress person so I don't know! I don't want to feel more uncomfortable then I have to being 5,6,7 months pregnant plus it being summer! I also don't want to look bigger than I am! Also.. what do you want UNDER those dresses? I dont feel like it'd be enough support further into pregnancy!

I was thinking maternity capris with some cute tops but w/ maternity clothes being so expensive I don't know if it's worth it. Either way I have to buy bottoms so..?
For those of you that already have kids.. or those just further along.. Did you buy actual maternity clothes or did you stick to regular clothes that would work with a bellaband or something along those lines? Any suggestions/opinions are welcome!!!

garnet10 · May 2012

Get a good pair or jeans or capris. Stick to basic boring colors that you can wear with everything. Most maternity clothes are not that well made and you usually wear the same things over and over, so I had a lot of things wear out by the end of my first pregnancy. Then buy a couple tops or dresses that make you feel pretty and pulled together.

MonkeyLips · May 2012

Some of my must-haves were leggings, longer tops, maxi dresses, and comfy shoes. I found some cute stuff at Ross and ended up getting a bunch of cute maxi dresses at Ross and Wal Mart. Also, got a pair of super cute jeans and jean capris at JcPenny for $50! I personally didn't care to spend a ton of $$$ either. I did get a few nicer items to go out in off the clearance rack at Motherhood and sprung for a cute bathing suit from there too. Happy shopping to you!

Ohhh and I have to get maternity panties with softer bands around the legs and tops because mine were digging into me like crazy! I got some cute cofy ones from Motherhood too.

heathermc26 · May 2012

I have been having good luck with Old Navy. Not too expensive, and I keep getting emails from them about 20% off, 15% off, and the shipping is free if you buy online (it might have to be over $50 though) I have been sticking to the basic T's and a pair of jeans and some summer dresses and 1 pair of shorts.

My friend has been using a rubberband for her jeans and then using the belly band to cover up with, and she is over 30 weeks and can still wear some of her old pants! Could be worth a shot.

sycheh · May 2012

I am trying to keep it to minimal "maternity" clothes, so I have a pair of maternity jeans, a pair of black work pants, and then I've been wearing some old work pants with the bellaband (it's great, although for me, I'm always really aware that my pants are just totally unzipped in the front).

Then I got some empire-waist shirts that I figure I can always wear after pregnancy as well...and I'm pretty much still wearing most of my pre-pregnancy shirts anyway. (Well, not the button-ups.) My wardrobe for work usually involves a slightly dressy shirt under a cardigan, so very bump-friendly.

I have a couple shirts that I never wore pre-pregnancy because I always felt like they made me look pregnant...now I'm totally happy to throw them on and I think they're adorable.

I really didn't want to blow a ton of money as soon as my jeans started getting too tight...I would recommend buying a couple pieces now (like pants and a couple tops) and then buying more as it goes on if you need more. Spreading out the spending also makes it feel like less.

BeebopandBuddy · May 2012

You don't want to have to deal with the belly bands the whole time, they become harder to keep in the right place the bigger that you get. Get jeans, capris or shorts in neutral tones (denim, khaki). I bought 3 pairs of jeans at Old Navy with my first pregnancy and I wear them all the time. Then I try to stick with cheaper tops like t-shirts that I find at Old Navy or Target. I also bought some sweater cardigans with no buttons in my last pregnancy and some cotton 3/4 sleeve cardigans for this pregnancy in regular clothes so that I can use them now, since they don't button, and they won't be wasted afterwards since they aren't maternity clothes.

m3l0d1 · May 2012

I just stick with maternity clothes. You might get away with tops, but for pants, it might be a bit difficult wearing a regular pants.

Check out Macy's, they carry Motherhood maternity.

Shade clothing has maternity clothes, they offer free shipping and I think free returntoo. Sometimes they have 30% off coupon, you can use it on their sale items, google it.

numb3rMel · May 2012

I've bought a couple of stuff but if you're more into the fashion plus comfort, I'd advise to go with "natural" waist bottoms or under the belly. Those full panel stuff is SO uncomfortable (at least for me). Fitted clothes don't make you look bulky. The hair tie thing does work but this being my first time, I'm not sure how long that will last. Dresses are comfortable but can look like tents the bigger you get. Some chick on the board (tinybride?, has a picture of her sitting on a couch with her two daughters) has a blog where she shows off her different pregnancy looks. I took after her blog and others for how to dress the bump. If I'm going to be bigger, I still would like to feel normal.

Oh! And Ebay has great stuff too.

tamaratoday · May 2012

Everyone's given you great ideas. I actually just received this dress from Target online yesterday and can't recomend it enough.

https://www.target.com/p/Mossimo-Womens-Kimono-Sleeve-Maxi-Dress-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13565009

It's sooo comfortable. I have the shorter version which I was able to wear it right to the end during my second pregnancy and I was by no means small.

jenaliat · May 2012

I got some cute maternity capris at Belk for about $20! I love them, they have a low stretchy waistband. I also got Maternity shorts from Ross for $13. I would stick to places that have sales or are discount stores like Ross if you don't want to spend too much. I love dresses (cooler in this hot weather) so I wear a lot of flowy dresses.

tami&chase · May 2012

I would buy maternity clothes rather than bigger regular clothes. You will be much more comfortable. Also the full waist panel is the best. The pants with the inch waist pannel fold over every time you sit down. I would get a few pairs of pants- whichever kind you wear most now- I wear a lot of jeans and capris so that's what I buy. Also, the shirts are something you can add as you go, but new pants will make you so much more comfortable now. I am not sure where you are but target, most old navy's and motherhood maternity are really great places to shop. Sometimes you can also find gently used clothes at children's resale shops. I hope you have fun shopping!!

LittleLocks · June 2012

Thanks to everyone who replied!! All great ideas..

I ended up getting 2 pairs of capri's from motherhood for now. They have the full panel and are so comfy I may never take them off!! They were on half price and will get me through a while, I hope.
I tried on some dressed from other stores but everything was either WAY too long (like dragging on the ground! sales lady said "they're ment to be warn with heals!" in a half snarky tone! No thanks! lol) or so short that they would only last another few weeks. I passed on those for now. I'll see what I can find a little later.

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Going maternity clothes shopping tonight! ...Advice??

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