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August 2015 Moms
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Body image and fitting maternity clothes

stephanienjerstephanienjer member
in August 2015 Moms
Has anyone else had frustrations with this? First, as a plus-size girl, I know that I won't have this tiny little body with a cute little baby bump when I get farther along.  I've never had body issues before, and yet for some reason, I feel sad about this. I have been wondering why I've struggled so much with this, and I think I've come to a realization about something. 

Maternity clothes are less plus-friendly than regular clothes! As an adult, I've always been larger than misses sizes, but I've been able to find cute things in specialty retailers. Not anymore.

At 14 weeks, I'm not sporting a huge change in my body. In fact, if you look at me, I look no different. If you look very closely when I don't have any clothes on, you can see that the area right in front of my bladder/uterus is puffy, but that's it. They don't make maternity clothes to accommodate this, for some reason! All of my regular clothes almost button, so I got myself a belly band. The problem is that I've expanded lower than the zipper line. I also feel like when I have it on, I'm wearing my underwear over my pants, since it has to be pulled so low to do any good.
The other issue is that my chest was already quite large. I find it very interesting that I go to Target, and even though the bottom half of shirts/dresses fit, even the XXL is too small in the bust. At DDD, I know I've got big girls, but I am in no way the minority here. What am I supposed to do at 20 weeks, or 30? I hear suggestions to go online and shop, and even found some recommendations on where to shop. I don't want to look like I've given up on how I look. I still have to work in an office, around other people, and looking like I'm wearing pajamas and muumuus are not going to fly with my bosses. 
So far, I've been getting by with the empire-waisted dresses I already owned--in addition to some yoga pants I was able to buy a size up. 
I don't think I'm looking for solutions. I just want to know that other people share my problem. 
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Re: Body image and fitting maternity clothes

  • WeringWering member
    I was bigger with my first pregnancy (size 16/18) - it sucks, but your best bet is to go to Motherhood Maternity/boutique brands rather than shop Target/Old Navy. The clothes are higher quality (mostly) and seem to fit better. 

    Secondly, I assume you're a FTM? At 14 weeks, most FTMs are still in their normal clothes. Maybe just venturing into maternity clothes, but none of us really "show" at 14 weeks. Give yourself time.
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  • deleted22152218deleted22152218 member
    Sounds to me like shopping in-store with the help of a retail assistant whom you've voiced your concerns to might be beneficial. Some maternity stores even have fake bellies you can try on with the clothing to get a sneak peek of how you might look when you're further along. Best of luck to you.
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  • cseley321cseley321 member
    Maternity clothes have been a nightmare for me since they are all sleeveless or strapless. I hate not wearing sleeves. It seems like if something looks nice on my torso and belly, it looks terrible on my arms. The only decent looking and reasonably priced maternity clothes I have found were at motherhood and target was a close second. I hope that helps.
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  • Thj417Thj417 member
    I've never felt good in any clothing, pre and post pregnancy. I was very surprised at how helpful the clerk was at Motherhood maternity store. (Closest store for me besides old navy and target for maternity clothes.) I took a couple hours away from work after a doctor appointment and she helped me find some options that worked. By no means did I have a huge selection of clothing to wear but I did feel more put together after going there.

    And, if you're regular clothes fit better than maternity clothes, by all means get the next size up as necessary. You may have to layer but wear what works for you and don't worry about what the tag says. Don't beat yourself up emotionally for not being the cute prego model. Focus on taking care of you and your baby :)
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  • cosplaymomcosplaymom member
    I was a 14/XL going into this pregnancy and maternity clothes were great at the beginning, like they were designed correctly for my size (as long as I got stretchy clothes for a D/DD bust), but now that I've hit the last month I'm struggling because none of the shirts cover my bump anymore! My torso is too long apparently.

    I have found that stretchy maxi dresses and tunics (even non-maternity) are STILL wearable, whereas maternity shirts are not! I just have to get the kind that is loose and voluminous at the bottom but gathered at the top (or empire waist with a stretchy bust big enough). A lot of the hippie bohemian and Indian or tie-dyed stuff with crocheted applique on top is like that, and I can cinch it at the waist with a belt.
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  • mrsb30mrsb30 member
    I'm really tall and started this pregnancy at a 14/16. I could not get maternity clothes at target or old navy. It was odd because I fit into regular clothes at target. Motherhood is more expensive, but their clothes fit much better! I bought maternity clothes around 20 weeks and they have lasted me the whole pregnancy. The customer service at motherhood is the best I have ever experienced. I had one lady who helped me the whole time, set up a dressing room, would bring me clothes she thought would fit well. I highly recommend them.
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  • ssmith2006ssmith2006 member
    Maxi dresses and skirts are your best friend!!!!

    BabyFetus Ticker 
    BabyGaga
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  • stephanienjerstephanienjer member
    Yes, and it would be nice if they realized that almost none of us are 6 feet tall. I like the idea of a maxi skirt, but after paying all that money, I don't want to have to hem 6 inches of it off!

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  • kelseyrayaykelseyrayay member
    Confession time I take long maxi skirts and make them dresses. Just get the stretchy kind of maxi and pull it up. I'm only 5'3 so nothing maternity fits the right way. It's all to long.
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