Weight gain and maternity clothes.

cmasters77 · November 2015

I just started my 17th week and I am really struggling with clothes at this point. I've gained 7 lbs, just enough that my clothes are snug but not big enough for maternity clothes! I'm curious how much weight others have gained and how you are dealing with the clothes situation. I have a formal event to attend in 2 weeks and those cute black cocktail dresses are not so cute anymore! And I've yet to find a good maternity store! HELP!

JMarie1291 · November 2015

I love h&m for maternity clothes....all so cute! I cant stand motherhood or destination maternity all the same and borrrrring. But im 25 almost 26 weeks and barely fit in maternity clothes yet and my other clothes stopped fitting me around 18 weeks I bought some extra yoga pants (from target a size up) so i dont ruin by stretching out my good ones. I've had a few events come up were i needed formal cocktail dresses the past few weeks. I found my last one at h&m maternity it was tight and black but snug my bumb perfectly so i looked pregnant and felt really good in the dress. The other times i found dresses at nordstroms I could still fit into but went up a size. I have gained 25 lbs but I work out 5x a week so its frustrating gaining that weight. My doctor says not to worry but I still do. Also gap has some cute maternity clothes as well as target.

DrillSergeantCat · November 2015

Low weight gain doesn't mean you don't need maternity clothes. I'm 24 weeks and I've gained 5 pounds, but I have a big bump like a basketball. H&M does have cute stuff, so does Pink Blush (online), Motherhood and Destination Maternity are good. Destination has a wide variety of brands including Pea In the Pod.

sarahufl · November 2015

The day I decided I was open to maternity pants, I felt like a different person. I like the side-panel ones from Old Navy. I don't feel big enough for the full panel, but the side panels are super comfy and add a bit of stretch.

I did go to a wedding at about 14 weeks and I was having a fit in my closet because nothing fit. I ended up squeezing into a dress, but I know where you are coming from.

Also, if this event is in 2 weeks, there is a good chance you will have a more pronounced bump by then. Most of my friends have popped around 18-20 weeks, so you may look more pregnant by that point.

satuttle1014 · November 2015

I was in maternity work pants at 12-13 weeks because my normal work pants became uncomfortable. I can still wear some of my shirts but I have had to put aside a bunch because they are getting more snug. I would say once things start getting uncomfortable is when you buy larger sizes or maternity clothes.

Zulily (online), Motherhood (in-store and online) and Destination Maternity (in-store and online) is where I do my shopping when I need something. I love love Zulily since it is not super expensive.

saladflambe · November 2015

I'm 13 weeks tomorrow and have gained 7 pounds.

I am wearing jeggings and leggings that are a size larger than what I wore pre pregnancy.

I use a bellaband to hold up my suit pants when I travel for work.

I just look like a puffy potato sack in most clingy dresses :P I can pull off flowy dresses still.

I wear shrugs/sweaters/blazers to help.

I have given in to being puffy.

2-Step · November 2015

At about your stage I purchased an adorable black shift dress in one size bigger for a formal event and it worked great! I will also wear it after the baby to an event about three weeks postpartum and it will totally cover my pooch, but I think its still stylish and cute! I think I actually got it at Kohls for a great deal!

My favorite place for maternity jeans is by far H&M, order like 2 sizes up though. I am normally a 10 in maternity jeans, sometimes an 8 in Old Navy and I wear at 14 in H&M! They are super comfy and great quality and have enough stretch to last all the way through. I actually went online and ordered like 5 styles in different sizes and then picked the best two and sent the rest back. I like the Mama straight leg, the girlfriend and the skinny. They have really easy online returns.

Target is good for basics. I like to buy the Liz Lange tanks at Target that are super long and then pair them with size large non-maternity chunky cardigans from H&M or Nordstrom that cover my butt. The cardigans are more versatile than maternity tops and I can wear them all three trimesters over leggings or skinny jeans. The sweater cardigans are also things I can wear post baby for quite awhile and not look like I am still in maternity clothes, just put nursing tanks under them and they also make great nursing covers if they are oversized, in a pinch just wrap them around you while you nurse. They also cover that postpartum muffin top.

For pajamas, yoga pants and lounge wear I just buy a size or two up at TJ Maxx or somewhere similar because I know I will need bigger sizes after baby for awhile anyway and I don't like the way maternity pants fit past about 2 weeks postpartum. Those have always lasted me until the end and I gained 40-55 pounds with each kid. Also, I would personally skip the side stretch or low belly pants and go for the full panel and if they are a little too big use a bella band to keep them up for a little while or stick to leggings until you can fit in them. The low and side never last the whole pregnancy and also cut into you and look unattractive toward the end IMO. I have yet to meet someone who wore them the entire pregnancy.

Good luck, you are in the awkward stage, but if you get yourself a few comfy things that will last till then end you won't be sorry! I recommend staying away from super fitted stuff besides shirts that go under things (tanks, tees) because I have always gone through at least 2 sizes of tight shirts while pregnant and it sucks to buy one and then have it not fit 2 months later.

The shift dress was a lot like this, but a tad longer and fuller because I went a size up. It was nice because you could see the bump but I could still wear heels and feel cute and not worry about awkward bulges around my middle from weight gain. Now at this point and beyond I probably won't be wearing anymore heels! You could also pair it with black tights and tall boots or ankle boots.

https://www.lulus.com/products/perfect-situation-black-long-sleeve-shift-dress/205058.html?gclid=CLe-tdns98gCFU1hfgodO7sBrg

ammnam14 · November 2015

Try sizing up.

desertheart · November 2015

I wear a stretchy leggings from Target a lot (not maternity, just have the wide stretch waistband) and long, loose shirts or long sweaters. It's the most comfy. I wear nice shoes, so it's appropriate for work.

Old Navy had some cute maternity jeans and sweaters.

But I'm so bummed that I can't zip my puffy vests up anymore because my bloat-bump is too big.

adifrog · November 2015

I had to attend a military ball a few weeks ago and ordered a formal gown (empire waist) on EBay. It worked perfectly, especially because the back laced up!

sarahufl · November 2015

desertheart said:

I wear a stretchy leggings from Target a lot (not maternity, just have the wide stretch waistband) and long, loose shirts or long sweaters. It's the most comfy. I wear nice shoes, so it's appropriate for work.

Old Navy had some cute maternity jeans and sweaters.

But I'm so bummed that I can't zip my puffy vests up anymore because my bloat-bump is too big.

Old Navy has some cute maternity puffy vests on sale right now.

Mean1 · November 2015

If you haven't gained enuf weight to buy maternity clothes just yet, many places carry a belly band. You wear your normal slacks/jeans and leave them undone and place the band over your hips and waist. It keeps your pants in place without the discomfort of being buttoned. They come in beige, black or white. As for the dress, I would do as one reader suggested, go for the empire waist dress. It will place emphasis on your chest area rather than a growing bump. Best of luck.

DrillSergeantCat · November 2015

Mean1 said: If you haven't gained enuf weight to buy maternity clothes just yet, many places carry a belly band. You wear your normal slacks/jeans and leave them undone and place the band over your hips and waist. It keeps your pants in place without the discomfort of being buttoned. They come in beige, black or white. As for the dress, I would do as one reader suggested, go for the empire waist dress. It will place emphasis on your chest area rather than a growing bump. Best of luck.

--------------------------------edit qbf-------------------------------By your logic, I shouldn't have to wear maternity clothes because I've only gained 5 pounds in 24 weeks. It's not about weight, it's about bump size.

fourtsixand2 · November 2015

How do H&M's maternity clothes fit? I'm very large chested - I've never fit into their regular clothes well - is maternity any different?

paytonpedro · November 2015

Just suck it up and buy maternity clothes! I promise you it will be your best purchase in a long time! I held out and wore uncomfortable pre-pregnancy clothes for was too long. When i tried on my first pair of maternity jeans, I was in heaven! It was so worth it. I like old navy, and a lot of their stuff is on discount right now. Also, target isn't terrible, but doesn't have a huge selection in store, just basics. And also before you know it stuff that is too big right now will fit you perfect! (In a matter of days or weeks, and without you even realizing!)

kitkat2731 · November 2015

Anyone have any luck with different color leggings? I found some wonderful maternity ones at target but they only seem to carry them in black...

melanieabh18 · November 2015

Also the site ASOS has really nice and stylish maternity clothes!! Love their stuff. I'm 21 weeks right now and I love my maternity jeans from Motherhood by Jessica Simpson. They fit perfect and are very stylish. I have like 5 pairs...I love them so much!

sarahufl · November 2015

kitkat8713 said:

Anyone have any luck with different color leggings? I found some wonderful maternity ones at target but they only seem to carry them in black...

I bought grey ones at Old Navy

ladylolly89 · November 2015

kitkat8713 said:
Anyone have any luck with different color leggings? I found some wonderful maternity ones at target but they only seem to carry them in black...

I second Old Navy! I also bought grey ones there. The nice, thick kind that aren't see-through.

jonesl12 · November 2015

fourtsixand2 said:
How do H&M's maternity clothes fit? I'm very large chested - I've never fit into their regular clothes well - is maternity any different?

Obsessed! I loveeeeeee h&m maternity. It's a lot of stretchy stuff so it fits my 34DD not sure how big you are but I really do love their tops. Their &denim brand skinny maternity pants are the BOMB! Sizing is pretty true. I wear a 27 now so a size 6 fits perfect.

sarahufl · November 2015

jonesl12 said:

How do H&M's maternity clothes fit? I'm very large chested - I've never fit into their regular clothes well - is maternity any different?
Obsessed! I loveeeeeee h&m maternity. It's a lot of stretchy stuff so it fits my 34DD not sure how big you are but I really do love their tops. Their &denim brand skinny maternity pants are the BOMB! Sizing is pretty true. I wear a 27 now so a size 6 fits perfect.

That is good to know. Their maternity "section" in their store was literally 1 rack. And I live in New York City. Lame.

hhamm12 · November 2015

I am 17 weeks pregnant and just bought maternity clothes this past weekend. I have gained about 7 pounds as well. None of my work pants or jeans will fit anymore. I went to Motherhood Maternity.

mthoomom · November 2015

I bought two pairs of maternity jeans from a baby/maternity resale store. $13.00 each! I was wearing the bella band, but it was starting to dig in to my bump too much.

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