Product Spotlight: Maternity Clothes

juliebeannn · August 2020

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/1IrF0iah5XaJFdFTHzNVcIEq4ujZTwq_j1bG9W-bovNs/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!)

finnflan · August 2020

I didn’t wear a lot of maternity clothes first time around as most of my work dresses still fit. I did buy a pair of black maternity work pants and a pair of maternity jeans, and I typically paired them with a looser top and a blazer if needed. The blazers obviously didn’t button up anymore haha.

I found wearing a belly band really useful before I was big enough to properly fit into maternity stuff. Something like this:

https://www.westcoastkids.ca/bella-band-everyday-collection?utm_source=google_shopping#183=145&186=329&gclid=CjwKCAjw1ej5BRBhEiwAfHyh1FGgzz3Gr_A8a2NjvqwFxuMVAru3zfQrVpbHyfakPrI7cUhatmPXHhoCZKYQAvD_BwE

I think you can get them at any maternity store and see online. You can wear your normal pants with the top button undone and this hides it, plus provides extra coverage as some shirts may start to get too short with growing boobs/stomachs. Extra bonus was it helps hold your pants up 🤣

becca07024411 · August 2020

I really liked my Target Maternity jeans with the inserts instead of the panels. It was the only place I could find bootcut jeans like this and ended up getting 4 pairs and liked them above any others (even the ones I got from Nordstrom). I bought quite a few fitted long sleeve shirts from A Pea in the Pod that seemed to fit better than most other places because they were super soft and were slimmer and longer which is nice because I am tall. Zella leggings are pretty awesome. Target's Auden bras were pretty nice especially because they have one where the cups are sewn in place and apparently that is pretgy hard to find. Maybe I am the only person, but I have zero time to deal with cup pads that move around/get folded up. I got the most use out or nursing tanks and still wear them today. I never wore specific nursing clothes because I hated the look of them alland would usually just wear a nursing tank under whatever regular shirt I had on that day.

mvt2003 · August 2020

I'm thinking of trying the Zella maternity leggings - I have a Nordstrom gc and they're part of the anniversary sale! Has anyone tried them before?

jenotontx · August 2020

I got most of my maternity clothes from Motherhood Maternity, Target, Gap, Pea in a Pod, and Pinkblush.com. I also bought a few cheap tops from Burlington.

I would say the majority of my clothes were from Motherhood, especially my work clothes. I also really like the bounce back leggings they sell which were nice post-partum as well. We had a store in my local mall at the time and it was one of the only places that sold maternity clothes in person. So I kind of shopped there more by default. It also had a Pea in a Pod section where I never bought a lot because it's $$$ but I did impulse buy a pair of maternity pajama pants and they are literally THE BEST. So worth the money in the end.

I really like the maternity tank tops from GAP.

Pinkblush has really cute trendy clothing. So if you have a special event that's a great place to shop.

juliebeannn · August 2020

All of my maternity clothes last time was from Target, Old Navy, Gap, H&M and Loft. I loved the Loft tops for work but wasn't a fan of their full panel pants. They were a little too thick and restrictive.

My favorite maternity workout leggings are from Gap. A friend of mine sold me 3 pairs and I've already started wearing them. They are SO comfortable.

I ended up having a few full panel pants and a few that were below the belly side panel ones. During pregnancy I liked the full panel better but I did find the side panel ones to be useful and super comfortable for postpartum life.

gatorkj · August 2020

Thank you everyone for sharing!

I specifically am limited to black dress pants (no jeans) for work, and I’m struggling. I went to two stores today and bought bigger sizes thinking I’m not ready for maternity pants at 9 weeks, but when I got home nothing fits. It’s rough. So now I’m not sure if I should just buy five pairs of maternity pants or what. I’ve always been curvy, so pants shopping has always sucked. Lol And now I don’t know where to start.

sorry if this is whiny - I have to let it out somewhere!

manillabar · August 2020

@gatorkj I think you should just go for the maternity pants. Unless you think the regular ones would work with a belly band? But I ended up getting maternity slacks for work because I couldn’t deal otherwise. I got some from JC Penney but didn’t love the fit, and my sister gave me some of hers that I think were either from Gap or Old Navy that I liked a lot better.

I ordered some pants and leggings from old navy that I have to try on, hopefully they won’t be too bad so I can add some variety to my wardrobe lol

I like pink blush, and I think they have great variety in sizing but it was kind of pricey for me last time around so I bought one dress only that I used for my baby shower (and also my residency graduation a few weeks later lol). I still love that dress, though not sure I’ll get a chance to wear it this time around.

From motherhood maternity I got my sleep bras, and I bought some camis that I love because they’re longer than the regular ones, and I do like some of their tops as well.

juliebeannn · August 2020

@gatorkj I'd say just make the plunge and buy some maternity pants. That way you get more mileage out of the cost of them! I also recommend Gap maternity for work pants. Maybe H&M! I'm curvy also, so buying pants has always been the worst, but I found maternity pants are more forgiving.

manillabar · August 2020

confession: i wore maternity pants to work for a looong time after giving birth to my daughter because they're so much more comfortable than real pants. I had to tuck the belly panel under my bra at one point haha

kloe818 · August 2020

I have a friend with Endometriosis who still wears her pregnancy pants and shorts during a flare up.

I'm plus size and still wearing my stretchy leggings I got on Amazon. At 11 weeks pregnant I'm not yet seeing any kind of difference other than my pre-pregnancy jeans that were, admittedly, tight before. I can still wear my jean shorts and most of my other pants. I am working from home so I will not really need to do much by way of work clothes. I have a few cute tops I bought earlier this year on swap.com that are maternity (I was pregnant in Feb and hit the store hard for cute winter tops). I think my regular sweaters will be fine on a regular basis.

gatorkj · August 2020

Thank you all! I think I’m gonna go the maternity route, but work is providing me a required polo. As long as I don’t have to tuck it in, I should be good.

Again, the suggestions and support are much appreciated!

FYI, I learned today that Old Navy has more maternity wear online than in the store.

jemjed · August 2020

I wear xl in tops but tend to need plus size bottoms so I really struggled a bit to find stuff during my first pregnancy. Kohl’s does have a section and I got a few pieces there. I got maternity dresses and tops from old navy online, tops from motherhood maternity (Macy’s and some department stores also sell their line so check to see where the best deal is depending on sales). My favorite maternity leggings and jeggings (both jeans and black) I actually found at Walmart. Their maternity and nursing tanks were great too. The amount in store varies, my local store only has jeggings, jeans, leggings, tanks, and a few tops and they are kinda hidden in the underwear/pajamas area. The store by where my mom lives has a whole maternity section, she got me Dress work pants and some sweaters at her location.

swbecca528 · August 2020

I have always gotten most of my maternity clothes at Old Navy or Target. I have been living in dresses all summer from ON since it has been so hot and I just ordered a few more for the fall. Even when I'm not pregnant I still wear a ton of my maternity clothes juts due to how comfortable they are.
I just got a new pair of black work pants from Lane Bryant. I went a size up and so far so good. I am hoping I can at least wear them for a few weeks.

jenotontx · August 2020

@manillabar I refused to buy pants larger then my pre-pregnancy size because I was determined to lose the weight. So I ended up wearing maternity pants for 6 months after having my daughter!

travandas · August 2020

*Rant* Is Anyone else frustrated that most stores shut down their fitting rooms! The only store in my area that allows you to try clothes on is Old Navy. Are your stores allowing you to try clothes on?

travandas · August 2020

becca07024411 said:

I really liked my Target Maternity jeans with the inserts instead of the panels. It was the only place I could find bootcut jeans like this and ended up getting 4 pairs and liked them above any others (even the ones I got from Nordstrom). I bought quite a few fitted long sleeve shirts from A Pea in the Pod that seemed to fit better than most other places because they were super soft and were slimmer and longer which is nice because I am tall. Zella leggings are pretty awesome. Target's Auden bras were pretty nice especially because they have one where the cups are sewn in place and apparently that is pretgy hard to find. Maybe I am the only person, but I have zero time to deal with cup pads that move around/get folded up. I got the most use out or nursing tanks and still wear them today. I never wore specific nursing clothes because I hated the look of them alland would usually just wear a nursing tank under whatever regular shirt I had on that day.

I absolutely love the Target maternity insert jeans / shorts. I was never a fan of the full panel...they always fall down!

manillabar · August 2020

@travandas none of the stores near me are allowing use of their fitting rooms, either! So I just order online lol

travandas · August 2020

@manillabar I think what’s what I’m going to do. I just hate having to return stuff lol

princessjenney · August 2020

Does anyone have a recommendation on those pretty maternity photoshoot dresses? All I keep seeing some that are very underpriced (which makes me suspicious).

redselig · August 2020

@travandas Went to a mall today and wasn't able to use any of the fitting rooms. I haven't used a fitting room for quite some time because clothes shopping with a child isn't so enjoyable.

manillabar · August 2020

@princessjenney pinkblush has wonderful dresses that would look great in a maternity shoot!

https://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/n-52-midi-maxi.aspx

princessjenney · August 2020

@manillabar thank you! This is exactly the price-point I had in mind. 😊

bumblebee0210 · August 2020

I got a lot of my maternity clothes (esp dresses for work) on Thredup. I wore mostly Seraphine and Isabella Oliver, which I love but can get really expensive! On Thredup, I got a lot of high quality pieces that were still in really good shape for like $30, rather than $120.

I also loved Blanqi leggings and shorts for underneath-- they make your bump look great! And storq leggings are expensive but unbelievably comfortable.

For tee shirts/tank tops I bought the Isabella ones from target and they were fine. I'm buying new ones for this pregnancy because I sort of wore them out but they are like $10 each so I think that's reasonable.

Does anyone have good recs for full-panel jeans? I have a pair from Articles of Society from Pea in the Pod from last time and they are... fine. I just want ones that don't need to be hitched up all the time. Is that an impossible dream?

cmortmain · August 2020

@bumblebee0210 Great tip on ThredUp, thanks! I am normally an enthusiastic thrifter but my enthusiasm has waned in the midst of the pandemic, plus the thought of that classic thrift shop smell makes me a bit queasy right now. I ventured to my local Old Navy yesterday and they had NO maternity clothes, and the selection at Target was tiny. I bought a clearance pair of side panel jeggings and some capri-length leggings, but I am a little underwhelmed and not sure what will end up working for me since this is my first viable pregnancy.

travandas · August 2020

@redselig Oh, I never go clothes shopping with my kids. It's stressful and they complain too much. lol

kloe818 · October 2020

Resurrecting this one. I found maternity undies that basically have a belly band attached to them. Almost feel like a grampy in these but they're comfy. I found them on Amazon - Belevation Maternity Underwear, High-Waisted Pregnancy Underwear - Belly Support Maternity Briefs. I wear a size 18 normally as I'm 5'6" and weigh 265 lb and picked up the extra large and they fit perfectly.

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