PSA: poor quality maternity clothes at Motherhood Maternity

kay anthony · March 2014

I have been extremely disappointed by the quality of most maternity clothes that I have been able to find in the US. In the first place, it seems that no matter what store you go into, the clothes are made made by Destination Maternity Corp. (Motherhood Maternity is one of their brands that you see everywhere). This means that there is very little selection amongst the different stores. Secondly the quality of the clothing is very poor. I purchased, from a Motherhood Maternity store, 3 shirts and two pairs of jeans in mid-January. It is now only mid-March. Two of the shirts shrunk significantly after the first wash, so much so that they do not cover the elastic "belly band" of the jeans. I am not an overly large person (size M before pregnancy, and at 23 weeks have gained only 14 lbs), and so I am certain that it is the shirts which have shrunk. The 3rd shirt, has developed a large hole in the front after about the 5th wash. I followed the washing directions on all three. The jeans are fine, though they tend to slide down and need to be hiked back up several times a day. Overall, I am very disappointed with all of the clothes that I purchased from Motherhood and will not shop there again.

For my work clothes, I ordered from a company in the UK called Seraphine. I have been very happy with their quality and design.

katnipeverclean · March 2014

Their quality must've gone downhill dramatically since 2010 that's when I purchased a whole new maternity wardrobe from MM (gift from my father) and it lasted that entire pregnancy, the pants lasted for about six months after due to c section and I'm still wearing most of it now for this baby. The only thing I threw out was a shirt that I got bleach on. There is some wear, but for the most part I've been very pleased.

ETA: My father has also gifted me with another shopping spree (as he calls it) for this baby due to me being pregnant in two totally opposite seasons and that is where my mom and I plan to do the majority of the shopping!

runrinserepeat · March 2014

Yeah, I'm upset with them this morning, after trying on a shirt that I've worn and washed once, only to realize that it's now way too tiny. Feeling like a cow first thing in the morning was not exactly the greatest way to start my day. The shirt fit fine 5 days ago, so I doubt it's a problem with my growth.

zellatrix · March 2014

The few things I have gotten there I have been very happy with. Let's see... I have two pairs of jeans, two pairs of leggings, and two dressier shirts. But, I didn't buy anything with a fabric that would shrink. I am disappointed in their lack of selection in the plus sizes, but I am happy that they have a selection at all as most stores just ignore the larger people.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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tourqeyes · March 2014

It's going to be hit and miss like with any clothing store, plus depend on the person.

tealowl · March 2014

That sucks!

I have some Motherhood pieces, but I bought them all secondhand, so not sure how old they are. But they are my favorite pieces, the quality feels the best to me.

I also have black work pants from Kohl's that fit nice, and the maternity tanks from Target I really like.

I HATE Old Navy maternity with a passion. My leggings are see through, my tanks I just got there slide down weird on one side and show my bra, and the shirts feel 'waxy' and are kinda sheer. Cheapest shit I've ever bought.

So far I've been able to wear alot of my regular shirts that are tunic style or stretchy, and some regular leggings on the weekends.

JayBzo · March 2014

I always hang dry anything that I am unsure about from MM - especially t-shirts or stretchy material. No issues so far but definitely have the pants problem. I did go to the Gap Outlet this weekend and scored big - $60 for yoga pants, skinny black pants, dress pants, 2 dresses, 2 shirts (one nursing) and a hoodie. If you have one close to you, you should check there!

TG07 · March 2014

I bought a bunch of used clothes that are all Motherhood Maternity brand (jeans, shirts, etc) and I love everything. Especially the jeans, though I do pull them up all day, I'm assuming it's due to my lack of a round belly. I'm sorry you had a poor experience

shamyfowler · March 2014

I've been hit and miss with them. I haven't bought anything this pregnancy yet but the first time I had a terrible time with the jeans. I've had two or three pair that just unraveled, fell apart. Had a few shirts shrink, unravel. But I do have a few shirts that are my absolute favorite that came from MM. I guess it's just like any place else, you'll get good stuff, you'll get bad stuff.

kay anthony · March 2014

tealowl said:

That sucks!

I have some Motherhood pieces, but I bought them all secondhand, so not sure how old they are. But they are my favorite pieces, the quality feels the best to me.

STUCK IN THE GREY
My sister has several older pieces that she bought c. 2007 when she was pregnant with her first child. They have held up great and she is still wearing them with this pregnancy (she is due with her second 2 weeks after me). The ones I bought from Motherhood in January are, as I said above, already falling apart.
I take tundrabunny's point about saggy maternity jeans being a problem across brands, I just meant to express my overall dissatisfaction with my whole Motherhood store experience. Even the clothes that I'm not having a problem with from there (the jeans) are still not really satisfactory.
Anyway, thanks for listening all. The hole in that 3rd shirt nearly sent me over the edge this morning.
EDIT: spelling error.

yurmom · March 2014

They're definitely not my fave and I've never tried on a pair of pants there I like, but I think most of their stuff does the job for the time you need it. I have some tops from there I like. My favorite is Gap although I haven't really been impressed with their selection this time. I have two pairs of dress pants from them that I switch back and forth between M-F. Hope no one notices, actually nevermind who cares.

honeybee434 · March 2014

I've been happy with my Motherhood shirts and jeans (still have the sliding down factor, but all of my friends have said that's how all of their brands have been across the board), but I haven't purchased any fabrics from them are cotton. I don't dry most of my maternity shirts just to help them last a little longer. I also have found that the shirts from Kohls, which is a motherhood brand, just seem to be much better made than the ones I've purchased from the actual Motherhood store.

My work maternity pants, however, I'm not a huge fan of. I'm really disappointed with how worn they are considering I've only worn them like a month. They definitely should be holding up better than they are. I'm wishing I would have spend the extra $30 to get the Gap brand on those, since I don't even know if these will last another 3 1/2 months.

beff12 · March 2014

I'm sorry you had a bad experience! I have two pairs of pants (jeans and a pair of dress pants) both from Motherhood Maternity and I love them, especially now that my bump is holding them up a little better. I wash them one to two times a week and they've held up fine. I have some shirts from there that are nice too, although I think the sleeves on one did get a little shorter after the first wash.

On the other hand, a pair of leggings I bought at Sears had a hole in them after the first wash

AutumnBonfire · March 2014

I think the only thing I bought from Motherhood from my last pregnancy was a bathing suit, which I love, so I'm glad I'll be pregnant for part of the summer again.

Overall, I think maternity clothes are totally shit quality. Its really a crap shoot to find something. I have a few pieces I like from Old Navy (khakis and a maxi dress), Walmart (casual tees and pants, nursing camis, nursing night gowns), and Burlington Coat Factory (last pregnancy I got a few nice shirts and this time I found the most comfortable black pants ever). Some stuff I've had to return because sizing isn't consistent at all. I'm not impressed with Target. There is not much selection and I think my jeans that I bought last time shrink more and more with each wash. When I bought them they were so long I had to wear heels and now they fit fine with flats and I'm having a hard time pulling them over my ass. Plus then they fall down.

jnnfrrose6 · March 2014

Does anyone else think this is just a long winded way to advertise for that UK company? Isn't that against the TOU (also going by the title of the post)?

kay anthony · March 2014

jnnfrrose6 said:

Does anyone else think this is just a long winded way to advertise for that UK company? Isn't that against the TOU (also going by the title of the post)?

I was suggesting an alternate place to buy clothes that I found to be much better quality. I am not affiliated with either company in anyway.

Also, I have no idea what TOU means.

Edit: I made a rash judgement about the spirit of the above comment.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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kay anthony · March 2014

LiteraChick said:

TOU - Terms of Use. I don't really know jnnfrrose6 to be nasty, so I'm sure she was making light of the post. You don't post very often so it did seem a bit random. It's all good!

(peacemaking)

Sorry, I made a rash judgement. Comment above amended.

I comment often, but I don't post a lot of discussions.

hgtvmom · March 2014

I have the same fall down/baggy ass issue with all my maternity jeans. I was seriously contemplating coming up with an internal suspension system that used button on suspenders. That's how irritated I was. But, over the weekend, I added a shapewear type tank top under my shirts and it is snug enough to hold my damn pants up.

I think it's a fundamental issue with maternity jeans. Jeans are heavy and the elastic band is built for growth and comfort. I just don't think the normal elastic bands have enough structure to hold up the weight of the jeans. (I came to this conclusion because I have zero issues with my cargo type and slacks type pants)

jnnfrrose6 · March 2014

kay anthony said:

jnnfrrose6 said:

Does anyone else think this is just a long winded way to advertise for that UK company? Isn't that against the TOU (also going by the title of the post)?

I was suggesting an alternate place to buy clothes that I found to be much better quality. I am not affiliated with either company in anyway.

Also, I have no idea what TOU means.

Edit: I made a rash judgement about the spirit of the above comment.

No problem OP. Just didn't recognize your name, so it made me weary with a "PSA" about the quality of one company followed immediately by a plug for another.

FWIW, I've never had a problem with motherhood maternity branded stuff shrinking, though the jeans do tend to slide down. I figure that's just because it's essentially a big piece of elastic trying to hold heavy denim up and gravity is working against it. That, or it is a less expensive option (I know my less expensive regular jeans don't fit nearly as well as my pricier ones and I would assume that'd be the same for maternity, but I'm not about to spend +$100 on maternity jeans).

iris427 · March 2014

I have things from there that have held up fine through 2 pregnancies and are now on the third. Maternity clothes are temporary anyway in my view--overpriced things you wear for 6 months, end up hating, and throw in a box at the end.

TricksyPixie · March 2014

I actually really like my maternity clothes, and they were all bought from motherhood maternity because I'm fat and they are the only store I've found that even has a section for it. The only problem I have is the black stuff accumulates lint like crazy, but that is more a washer issue. And the jeans slide down, but that's just a gravity thing. It's gonna happen.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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abrazz · March 2014

I think the quality is okay with the jeans. I did get yoga pants and they are pretty thin and the seams are unraveling.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

I've not been impressed with any of the maternity clothes I bought this time other than a couple plain long-sleeved tees from Kohl's. The rest is just crapola.

hcsmiley417 · March 2014

I think that it's the regular clothes are aren't holding up but plus size are! I had too many problems when I was smaller with the clothes but you are limited on plus size things and I have not been disappointed and everything has held up! Ps I'm rough on clothes as well.

MrsWallick · March 2014

I haven't been happy with the quality of MM either. But.... I'm an extremely small person and unfortunately haven't found any other petite maternity pants that fit me right, so I just bought a few and will suck it up for the next few months. I do love the Jessica Simpson brand sold at MM. Their quality has held up nicely this far.

shanaynerz · March 2014

Like others have said it's really hit and miss. What I've bought from them has been great so far. I'm in Canada so I shop a lot at Thyme Maternity. Much of what I wore last pregnancy still works from them. I've had stuff from them come undone a few times, like stitches come undone and whatnot. I can exchange the defective product no problem though and their other items have been great. A bit pricey like most maternity clothes. Don't know if they ship to the US, but I like them! Could you complain to the store about what happened to you?

SuperTinkerham · March 2014

As a fat lady, motherhood has the only stuff that consistently fits me. I ordered some 3x stuff at JC Penney and it was super tiny.

aimeepigott · March 2014

I've personally never had an issue with clothes from there. I can say that I always hang dry maternity clothes except my workout gear. Also, gap/old navy and target's maternity clothing is not made by destination maternity and I've also had great luck there. Maybe you should try one or all of those.

SuperTinkerham · March 2014

I'm religious about hanging everything maternity to dry. And I don't like old gravy. Their clothes seem flimsy to me for their cost.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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Nichole8787 · March 2014

I haven't bought a whole lot of maternity clothing but I will say that Jessica Simpson maternity pants are amazing! tundrabunny try the Jessica Simpson pants...Seriously they are great!

TexasGirl81 · March 2014

shanicenicolle said:
I've never bought anything from there because the prices were high. I'm cheap usually so spending that much on clothes I'll only wear for about a year wasn't happening.

This! I get all my mat clothes from Ross and Burlington coat factory.

Dream123456778 · March 2014

I've only bought a few pieces from destination maternity and motherhood, but so far like what I have bought. I feel like a lot of maternity isn't great quality because of the fabrics that companies use to give stretch to make things work to accommodate a small and big pregnant belly.

BCakes83 · March 2014

I couldn't agree with you more! Their clothing is pretty terrible especially considering how much they charge for it! Personally I really LOVE Figure 8 Maternity and Zulily. Zulily actually sells luxury brands for up to 90% off retail. I started shopping there for me and now shop Zulily for my baby as well.

kay anthony · March 2014

PP - I really like some of the stuff I've seen on zulily, too. I will have to check out the other company you mention. I'm waiting for real spring before I buy any other clothes. I can't wait for the weather to warm up!

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