Product Spotlight Series: Maternity Clothes

galactickates · May 2018

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... Maternity Clothes!

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.

For S+TMs:

Lifestyle/body factors that might influence your choice:
Favorite [Maternity clothes]:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
What you like about it:
What you don't like about it, if anything:
Is there a [Maternity clothes brand/ item] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Is there a [maternity clothes brand/ item] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [maternity clothes]?:

For FTMs

[Maternity clothes] you're interested in:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:

To view past Product Spotlights or view the upcoming schedule, see here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VpirQLqoWOgVefTUVQLuh0wcdlL3kKfjcp2_aaZd6Bk/edit#gid=0

(Also just a reminder that if anyone wants to revive old threads to ask questions as we get further along and it becomes more likely everyone is doing further research, please feel free!)

nononorman · May 2018

I’m not going to be good about trying to stick to the template. But I liked Gap for pants and jeans, asos for pants and dresses (esp nursing dresses), Old Navy and motherhood for nursing tanks, target for nursing nightgowns (which I still live in) and for denizen drawstring jean shorts. Motherhood was decent for some business type stuff but can be pricey if it’s not sale time. Pink blush is decent for maybe a semi fancy dress here or there but I got most of My fancy stuff last time from Le Tote or asos. I think pink blush is overrated.

all reasonably priced, and I’m a “professional” during the day but dress like a schmuck on the nights and weekends. I had a July baby last time so I’ll be looking forward to recommendations for cold weather clothes.

catlady2015 · May 2018

STMs, talk to me about side panel vs. full panel vs. foldover style maternity pants. Do you have a preference? Does one type stay up better or last longer?

emmaaa · May 2018

@catlady2015 I LOATHED full panel maternity pants/shorts. They never stayed up and always were sagging off my butt. I much preferred side panel or even half panel if I had to.

pttomato · May 2018

I found full panel stayed up better for me but were itchy. I didn’t carry low so I was able to wear my regular low rise pants unbuttoned for a long time though so I mostly did that.

saltedcaramel518 · May 2018

@catlady2015 I was a huge fan of full panel, but it seems like that preference varies from woman to woman. I felt like the full panel gave me a little extra lift on the big belly

pttomato · May 2018

I got most of my maternity clothes at Macy's because I wanted to try them on before I bought them and there aren't that many stores that carry them in store. I also did a Stitch Fix box and got a few things I really liked from that, it was little more expensive though. I rarely wore dresses because I had to give myself insulin shots in my stomach before every meal and I didn't like having to go to the bathroom and pull my whole dress up to do it. But I needed a few for nicer occasions (I had a wedding, SIL's college graduation, and DH's MBA graduation all around 6-7 months) and I found a couple dresses in the regular, non-maternity section that worked well. I wasn't a fan of the maternity dresses at Macy's.

CoastieGirl79 · May 2018

Anyone try Le Tote? It's a subscription service and you return the clothes after you wear them. Since this will be our last, I don't want to have a pile of maternity clothes taking up space.

catlady2015 · May 2018

@pttomato - i have a stitchfix box coming soon. we'll have to see what they send! glad you found some good stuff in there!

MrsDho11 · May 2018

@catlady2015 I loved foldover for the most part-- especially Old Navy foldover yoga pants/capris/shorts.

Full panel didn't work well for me until the bump got bigger, but once it did, I really liked it for jeans.

All that said, I mostly lived in dresses and flip-flops because they were the best.

I also have a somewhat large chest that got very large during pregnancy, and I loved these bras for pregnancy and nursing:
https://www.motherhood.com/seamless-clip-down-nursing-bra/006-98422-006-001.html?cgid=nursing-bras&dwvar_006-98422-006-001_color=006-98422-78

They don't do a ton for shape, but they're very comfy.

MrsDho11 · May 2018

Oh I forgot to say that side-panel were fine, but I didn't like that they didn't have pockets! (or at least the ones I found did not.)

eleven_ · May 2018

H&M has really cute maternity clothes and they have really great sales. Also, I really like the Target full panel maternity leggings. I basically wore leggings, maternity shirt, and a cardigan the entire time I was pregnant.

catlady2015 · May 2018

@MrsDho11 - omg, thank you for the bra recommendation! I was a 40d pre-pregnancy (now 42dd at 7+3 - eeks) and I'm scared how big they'll actually get. I'll definitely check that out.

MrsDho11 · May 2018

catlady2015 said:

@MrsDho11 - omg, thank you for the bra recommendation! I was a 40d pre-pregnancy (now 42dd at 7+3 - eeks) and I'm scared how big they'll actually get. I'll definitely check that out.

That's about where I was pre-pregnancy last time!

nononorman · May 2018

@MrsDho11 I’m wearing that right now actually. Also some sort of horrifyingly large EE or something I don’t want to know.

@CoastieGirl79 I did Le Tote and it was decent. I did find a half off code that worked for three months when I did it though and that helped. I’ll say some stuff still didn’t fit right and you have to send it all back at the same time (and there’s a 4-5 day lag between) but it was very helpful to have a rotation of clothes I didn’t have to buy. Also Le Tote has sales every season where u can buy used dresses etc for $10 or even less sometimes. I’ve done that a couple times.

As for the pants debate... it differs based on the pants. Sometimes i wanted full panel to hold everything up as I got more pregnant and I mostly wore side panel postpartum because the button still digs in. I liked fake pants/jeggings for work wherever the panel was... fake meaning no buttons or zippers

Duckie678 · May 2018

I was due with my ds in January, and I found that the fold over skirts and pants from old navy were perfect for the first few months. Oversized sweaters were my favorite, and I'm gonna admit I wore yoga pants to my law office job the last month of my pregnancy. With a long enough top they looked like black dress pants. Slip on shoes were easy to put on, like ballet flats.

saltedcaramel518 · May 2018

2 clothing items that I LOVED:
-Jessica Simpson Maternity jeans (worth the splurge)
-Target brand maternity tanks (they are long, stretchy, and soft, and I still wear mine occasionally)

olivemomma · May 2018

I also had Jessica Simpson maternity jeans and they saw me through both of my pregnancies. I’m a fan of the full panel jeans - especially with a winter baby coming. I also didn’t always wear maternity tops (I found stretchy fabric on tops a size up to get me through and then I could keep wearing afterwards) and never felt my tummy would pop out that way.
Anyone have a brand of basic black maternity leggings they have loved?? A brand called Blanqui keeps popping up on my social media accounts and I’m considering it. I think a pair or two of good leggings would be worth a splurge!

luckymay2x · May 2018

My due date with DD was Feb 7, so I'm glad I can reuse my mat clothes. That summer and fall I lived in high waisted dresses. I was sick most my pregnancy and didn't gain much weight, so I didn't have a belly until probably after 20 weeks. Maternity pants didn't stay on, but I found regular pants too irritating around the waist. Dresses were really comfortable.

Once I had a belly, I much preferred full panel over half panel pants.

I loved the target maternity tanks and target nursing tanks.

I also loved motherhood maternity snap bras. I went from a size C pre preg to an H while nursing.... I called myself tits McGee for a while, the boobs were just ridiculous. They are DD now and I pray to God I do not get bigger than H at any point.

I may have more comments after I go thru my stored clothes.

luckymay2x · May 2018

Oh, word to the FTM

As your belly gets bigger, full panels pull your pants higher. I didnt plan for that and by the end all my pants were like this super awkward anklet length but I refused to buy more

Jackiemxoxo · May 2018

I liked full panel the best. Especially when I hit that 20 week mark and the bump is growing. I like Motherhood during sales and I liked their nursing bras the best, H&M had great work tops, Target is good for tanks, and Ross also had the occasional cute maternity shirts. Old Navy is great when there is a sale, especially for jeans or shorts.

nononorman · May 2018

@olivemomma don’t do blanqui leggings. I think they are reworking them but I have a couple pairs and they’re just footless tights. So so tight and revealing. I am usually ok w that but these were like wearing pantyhose. And they pill bad. The new ones they’re working on might be better but the ones I have were def not worth the money.

greenhillgirl · May 2018

Thanks MrsDho11 I just got one of those bras at motherhood for home and sleep. I was a 36 FF and just outgrew my new regular bras. If anyone has suggestions for supportive but comfortable bras for huge boobs, much appreciated!

kiwieloping · May 2018

Q - what about panties and bikini bottoms? Will I actually need to buy maternity for these items or will my low rise suits and undies be ok?

lmfs90 · May 2018

greenhillgirl said:

Thanks MrsDho11 I just got one of those bras at motherhood for home and sleep. I was a 36 FF and just outgrew my new regular bras. If anyone has suggestions for supportive but comfortable bras for huge boobs, much appreciated!

I had a Freya Mayernity bra from
Nordstrom. It was sooo comfortable and very supportive. When I was BFing I was a 38G.

kaf1788 · May 2018

@greenhillgirl I'm the same size as you and just starting to bust out of my bras

I'll be doing a giant amazon order soon I'll let you know what I find that works well!

MrsDho11 · May 2018

kiwieloping said:

Q - what about panties and bikini bottoms? Will I actually need to buy maternity for these items or will my low rise suits and undies be ok?

I think it kinda ends up depending on where you carry and how your body decides to gain weight. I just found some cheap ones on Amazon and really liked them. Let me see if I can find them...

ETA: hmm. Not as cheap as I remember, but here you go:
Intimate Portal Under The Bump Cotton Maternity Pregnancy Panties Pack 5-PK Black Soft Gray Beige Heather Gray Purple L https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074V8H5KR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VIlbBbMV4NM3Y

FFC: the name “intimate portal” for underwear makes me giggle like a child.

Duckie678 · May 2018

@kiwieloping I just went to Walmart and got a couple cheap packs of fruit of the loom underwear. I used them post partum too, so I didn't worry about ruining them. They have different types, like thongs and briefs and such. But like @MrsDho11 said, it could depend on how you carry.

pttomato · May 2018

@kiwieloping I agree it really depends on how you carry. I was able to wear my regular underwear the whole pregnancy.

emmaaa · May 2018

@kiwieloping Same as PPs...depending on how you carried. I was able to wear my normal underwear through pregnant (I mainly wear thongs) but bought a pack of ones like @MrsDho11 linked above to sleep in and just because.

For bikini bottoms, I bought 1 pair of maternity bottoms but with DD I was due in October so much larger during the summer than I will be this time around. I think this time, regular will be fine for me.

Also, you didn't ask, but towards the end of my pregnancy when my boobs just got too big for my normal bras, I went ahead and bought maternity/nursing bras that fit comfortably at the time so I could use them PP as well since bras are expensive. I like underwire bras so that's what I went with but obviously there's a lot out there.

dragonette505 · May 2018

MrsDho11 totally getting these bras... I'm normally 32FF and everything is SUPER uncomfortable already. today I'm literally just wearing a tight crop top instead of a bra

MeggieLynne · May 2018

Heat was an end of August Baby and I always wore a lot of sundresses anyway so I didn’t have to buy a lot. I think it will be different this time with winter. I like gap and old navy last time. I also got a couple things at target, but since I live in Canada, that won’t be an option this time (I bought months ahead as three were closing out. Got a lot of cheap baby stuff early that way).

I liked the full panel. I just don’t understand how side panels, half panels or fold overs are supposed to stay up. I imagine them just rolling down. Plus I think it’s more comfortable to have something coming up and over the bump that having it practically folding over something (again, that’s just what it seems like to me. I only used full panel. I did try on 2 other styles before choosing though).

Not excited about bout figuring out what to do to stay warm in December and January. I live Alberta and it’s not uncommon to have -25 to -30 C days and sometimes colder. Plus crazy ice. But I’m obviously not the first Canadian to be due this time of year so there must be some options

MrsPyrowiz · May 2018

I have a September baby and a July baby, I'm not prepared to wear pants at 9 months pregnant. That being said, I'm getting these ones from target. I had the shorts version with when i was pregnant with my daughter last year and they were SO comfortavlr. And I felt like a human wearing real pants. I did all full panel with my oldest and they're so sweaty and itchy.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/f1/wj2zqwyy2qxc.png

Eta: all the leggings. Wear all the leggings.

AliKay20 · May 2018

MrsPyrowiz said:

I have a September baby and a July baby, I'm not prepared to wear pants at 9 months pregnant. That being said, I'm getting these ones from target. I had the shorts version with when i was pregnant with my daughter last year and they were SO comfortavlr. And I felt like a human wearing real pants. I did all full panel with my oldest and they're so sweaty and itchy.
Eta: all the leggings. Wear all the leggings.

Uhhh I had a July baby and didn’t realize I need to be wearing maternity pants for this long until your post, lol.

Screw the jeans. Leggings and maternity dresses? Oh man, I am going to try and get away w that as much as possible.

MrsPyrowiz · May 2018

@AliKay20 I'm saving the jeans strictly for days where I need them for warmth. I'm in Michigan, it gets really cold.

luckymay2x · May 2018

Joining the underwear convo - it really is interesting to hear other people weigh in. I didn't show for a very long time with DD but I had to buy new underwear early on because my belly button region was so sensitive.

kiwieloping · May 2018

@MeggieLynne I am in the same boat for winter. We are in northern Ontario and definitely worried about the good old -30c days in January. Not just while preggers but also that it will limit walks and outdoor trips PP and I might go stir crazy. I know there are great winter coats for maternity that friends have then used while wearing baby but they are crazy expensive. Not sure what I will do.

nononorman · May 2018

Hey @cait32

definitely considered some of the winter v summer issues ... like coats. But didnt think at all about maybe having to wear PANTS. Yuck.

luckymay2x · May 2018

I was in wks 35-39 during Jan2015 and my "uniform" was yoga pants, tank top or mat tee, zip up hoodie. I was lucky enough to work from home from 36 wks onward, so that was basically all I wore.

MeggieLynne · May 2018

@kiwieloping I think I might look to buy a used one because how many people need to keep those? Right? I’m hoping? A quick kijiji search turned one up in my area for $50, but it seems too early.

Im also worried about walking and snow and ice. Especially since I have a now two and a half then almost three and half year old. Who loves playing in the snow and walking the dog. Haha.

AliKay20 · May 2018

MeggieLynne said:

@kiwieloping I think I might look to buy a used one because how many people need to keep those? Right? I’m hoping? A quick kijiji search turned one up in my area for $50, but it seems too early.

Im also worried about walking and snow and ice. Especially since I have a now two and a half then almost three and half year old. Who loves playing in the snow and walking the dog. Haha.

I didn’t think about this either!!! Ok total hibernation it is.

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