VENT: Does anyone else hate maternity clothes as much as me???

maiatene · August 2012

Is it too much to ask for a company to sell a top that doesnt have an empire waist or some sort of bow/tie detail or blouson??? I dont want everything tight and fitted but I dont want to look like Wilma Flintstone either. I also dont want to look like I'm going to a picnic everyday... any suggestions?

HeyJune · August 2012

I've been pregnant twice and I only have 2 maternity items in my wardrobe. Just look for tops that are longer (I buy one size larger) and dresses with a non fitted waist. I also buy shorts and pants one size larger and wear them below my belly. For anything that is loose fitting, I add a little belt above my belly to give me a waistline. You can add elastic to the tops of your pants/shorts like our moms generation did if buying a size up doesn't work well for you.

nuzzin · August 2012

Have you tried h&m they have some nice stuff?

LoveIsOwlYouNeed · August 2012

Have you tried shirts with ruching on the sides? I have found those tend to "hug" the bump more and are snug, as opposed to loose and flowy with the ties. Old Navy has some nice, basic stuff that isn't too expensive and isn't all blousy, flowy, etc.

SummerOH · August 2012

LOL too funny - I was just having this conversation with a co-worker! Tops aren't my pet peeve because, like a PP said, ruching makes for cute tops. My gripe is with the pants. I've looked in several stores and hate the material. It's either heavy twill or almost like t-shirt material. Neither are work appropriate for me. I just want a good work pant made of nice material! Is that too much to ask? I've been wearing flowy dresses all summer but fall is going to be here soon and I need pants. I'm checking Old Navy tonight.

lew0509 · August 2012

I was so excited to be able to wear them the first time I was PG, and now I'm holding off as long as possible. I hate all the stuff I bought last time, so I'm still in my regular clothes and just kind of making it work. Every time I try and shop for new stuff I just get frustrated and come home with nothing.

this decaf life · August 2012

I love my maternity pants from Old Navy. They look just like the pants I was wearing before they got too tight. I haven't bought any maternity shirts but you're right... for they most part they aren't very cute.

myskyegirl · August 2012

Hahaha, the top I'm wearing now has a bow, it took me forever to tie it in the back.

You may want to try Burlington Coat Factory online and I got a few great tops at Target.

bklynbmp · August 2012

For those that need work pants, GAP makes great ones that look just like regular pants (except for the stretchy waist) and are super comfortable. Im not sure I'll ever go back to normal buttons again!

Im struggling with tops. So far I can still fit into my normal ones but once I bust out I have no clue what Ill be wearing. I refuse to wear cloths with bows on them - Im not 4.

Wild_flower25 · August 2012

I hate shirts like that also. But I'm not having any trouble finding normal looking maternity shirts. For winter, I plan to do a lot of cardigans and cami's.

nachocheeze · August 2012

Old Navy has a big selection of regular basic T's and tank tops in long torso. I live in these anyway since I'm long waisted but I also wore them throughout my 1st pregnancy. The fit is like a regular shirt but are long enough to cover the belly. I paired them with regular sweaters, jackets and cardigans left unbuttoned in the winter.

MamaG1231 · August 2012

I've actually gotten a ton of comments from people saying they wished there was maternity clothes like mine when they were pregnant.

I've gotten a bunch of shirts from Motherhood and they all look like regular shirts besides the bunching on the sides to keep them stretchy.

I also have some "tall" shirts from Old Navy that I wear and work fine around my belly even though they aren't maternity.

My problem with maternity shirts is they are too short. I ordered one Maternity shirt from ON and its too short. I'll just stick with buying long in my regular size.

bandwife · August 2012

Buy a few things a size up, pants, work skirt, and then take them to a tailor and have elastic or a maternity waste band put on them.

I had that done to a pair of jeans last time.

Meagan0528 · August 2012

I have bought some really cute stuff at Gordman's, that is Motherhood Maternity. It's very "regular clothes" like. I have two pairs of cute shorts that are a really lightweight material for summer, and one pair of denim shorts and one pair of capris. They don't bother me at all, in fact, one of the pairs of shorts might be my favorite pair of shorts I have ever owned. I also have lots of tanks tops, and a few "cute shirts" that I wear. I only have one top that has a tie, but no bows.

anneimal98 · August 2012

2 words: online shopping.

82Sonia · August 2012

Yes! Why do I have to dress like a little girl because I'm pregnant? I found a few okay things from Gap but mostly I'm in empire waist shirts.

ktweedt · August 2012

Has anyone tried LOFT maternity clothes? They're only online, and they don't have much, but the dresses at least are pretty cute. What I don't get is all the shirts (GAP, anyone?) with stripes. It's not like pregnant bellies aren't the most adorable thing ever, but I'm not sure vertical stripes are the way to flatter the bump.

Wild_flower25 · August 2012

yeah, I love Loft. Kohls had some normal looking tops too.

SummerOH · August 2012

anneimal98:
2 words: online shopping.

Online shopping can be tricky. I ordered two pairs of Motherhood jeans in medium. One pair was super tight and the other was baggy. WTF? Top sizing is a lot more forgiving - I've had great luck with Kohl's maternity. A lot of fall and winter things from last year are on clearance right now, which is perfect for those of us currently in our second tri. Stack a 20% coupon with it and they're ridiculously cheap - we're talking $8!

BBN2012 · August 2012

ktweedt:
Has anyone tried LOFT maternity clothes?

The LOFT stuff has been the best fitting, most fashionable stuff I've bought (compared to Old Navy, which is hit or miss, and Gap, which has weird sizing). As you mentioned it's online only, but at least you can return it in-store. I wish they did free shipping on the maternity line since you have no other way to try it on, but I just make sure to buy at least $125 worth of stuff so I get free shipping and then return whatever I don't want in store. It's a bit of a pain, but I've gotten some great stuff super cheap from LOFT.

tiffmatt · August 2012

I bought some shirts from Old Navy that I love. In fact, your post just inspired me to hop online and get some more. They are my favorite to wear.

ellephunt · August 2012

Yes! Everyone is saying oh there's such cute maternity clothing now and I want to scream "WHERE!!???" I hate it all.

lcrun · August 2012

I also have a hard time finding maternity clothes that I like. Target has some decent basics like t shirts, tank tops shorts/pants and dresses that are pretty cute. I also bought a bunch of nonmaternity clothes from Target, just up one or two sizes.I wear scrubs to work so I didn't have to worry about dress pants but Gap and Old Navy have the best fitting jeans/shorts that I have found. H&M also has some cute things too. Good luck!

MouseInLux · August 2012

Just be glad you don't live here! All the tshirts have baby footprints on the stomach! You can get those or something horrible a mumuish or nice clothes that cost more than what I spend at J Crew for my non maternity clothes!

wells2010 · August 2012

style-wise I don't really have a problem. I hate the pants. The ones that come up high make me sick and the low ones are just plain uncomfortable. I don't know what to do other than wear low-rise yoga pants for the next 6 months!

maiatene · August 2012

Whoever suggested tall woven (button down) shirts is a genius! I went to gap online and got a few of their boyfreind shirts and got an extra suprise bc they are having a friends and family event so I got 30% off which made me very happy.

I guess my beef with maternity clothes is everything is so casual/weekend wear-ish. I'm a retail buyer so I dont have to wear suits, but I also cant come to work in khaki shorts and tank tops either. Non pregnant I wore denim with oxford or trendy shirt on my casual days and JCrew/Contemporary brands when I wanted to "dress up". Almost everything is black white grey or a muted shade (mint green,blush pink) and the few prints I have in my wardrobe are either stripes, dots or extremely small with no more than 3 colors. Most maternity stores carry the things that I hate on me - bright colors, loud (to me) prints, bows!!!! lol

Is it to much to ask to be pregnant and still dress/look like myself? Should I have to sacrifice my personal style just because I'm sharing my body?? Isnt it bad enough I dont shave my legs or wax as frequently lol

maiatene · August 2012

nuzzin:
Have you tried h&m they have some nice stuff?

I have been literally everywhere - Gap, Old Navy, Target, H&M, Zara, JCrew, Saks, Bloomingdales, small boutiques, outlet centers... all the places I would shop for reg clothes and either I didnt like the selection at the time or I didnt like the way the larger sizes looked on me. Since those stores turn inventory quickly I will def try again bc Im sure there has to be something out there

maiatene · August 2012

ktweedt:
Has anyone tried LOFT maternity clothes? They're only online, and they don't have much, but the dresses at least are pretty cute. What I don't get is all the shirts (GAP, anyone?) with stripes. It's not like pregnant bellies aren't the most adorable thing ever, but I'm not sure vertical stripes are the way to flatter the bump.

Loft is 40% off this weekend (Friends & Family Event)

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VENT: Does anyone else hate maternity clothes as much as me???

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