2/3 of my pregnancies were in the dead of summer so I wore dresses all the time. Idk what to wear this time lol. I think I need some leggings... anyone try blanqi?! I'm debating! My h&m and target maternity leggings got holes in them way too fast.
I have tons of stuff from motherhood, gap, old navy and H&M that has all held up well. However, I’m on the hunt for some new stretchy full panel jeans. My old motherhood ones are wearing out where my thighs rub together (always a problem for me anyway, even when not pregnant). Suggestions?
Sometimes pink blush maternity has cute stuff on sale. I check there regularly.
I had an August baby first so the May baby was totally different seasonally for the most part. I got so sick of my sweaters. I wish I was having a summer baby again (but obviously wouldn't change it). Maternity dresses are the best.
Consider nursing tank tops instead of maternity tank tops for basics since they're layering pieces anyways
H&M, gap, and motherhood we're my go tos.
Depending on your style, some of your wardrobe might work as maternity OR you could buy for pregnancy and wear afterwards. I have a couple of flannel "boyfriend" shirts from Athleta that I wore 9 months pregnant and worked for BFing, too, since they have buttons.
I have far too much maternity clothing, honestly, but you don't need very much. I just figured I was planning to have 3-4 kids.
I am team dont-waste-money-on-a-belly-band and just invested in maternity pants early. If you don't have to go into an office or other work environment, you don't need very many pairs of real pants
@runsoncoffee I have blanqi leggings. They pill in the dryer so need to air dry. The material is very spandexy so I like it for wearing out (and I have workout ones too) but not for evening/lounging/sleeping.
For those who are expecting snow / colder temperatures, a maternity panel that is used to widen your coat is a great idea. It connect to the zipper to allow for your growing bump (I can’t remember the official name?).
I bought a coat from Thyme that has a removable piece. You can actually flip the piece upside down to make the chest area larger to baby - wear under your winter coat. This was super helpful with my December baby, as it snowed in October when I was pretty far along, and I could convert it to wear him after he was born. I have also just worn it without the panel so it fits normally.
(I would be hesitant to recommend Thyme as we realized the coat was ripped on the inside soon after buying it. A relative fixed it for me, as we purchased it out of town. It has served me well though!).
Hubby & Me: Born 1993 Married: August 2013 Son: December 2018 Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
I agree, this would be easier if it were during the summer! I have a reasonable amount of fluff, so idk when I will start to show. I am having some issues with my pre-pregnancy wardrobe; a lot of dresses don't fit/pull/gap in the chest nowadays. I broke down and bought a pair of maternity leggings to try working out in to see if they are more comfy with the bloat.
@kelseyyh hahahahaha! I wore this dress last week, and I went to wear it again today (no judgement, I'm limited) and I SWEAR it is tighter across the chest. Now, my boobs are not small at baseline (38H) but they are now straining at my oldest, most relaxed bras. I am excited for some clothes with a little more give in them.
I need all the comfy maternity leggings. My non-materity ones are sooo uncomfortable with all this bloat, so I need something with some more belly room. Any suggestions for good work-out type leggings (not ones that are see-through if you bend over too far.) Extra bonus points if they have pockets!
This isn’t technically maternity, but I’ll put my question here.
I never did belly bands / wraps with my son & wish I did. Does anyone have one they recommend? I may hire a doula to do bellybinding, as we have access to that here.
Hubby & Me: Born 1993 Married: August 2013 Son: December 2018 Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
@mamabee1113 Senita has pockets and they're reasonably priced considering! My gap ones are just okay (no pockets) but I got them for super cheap and my beyond the bump (beyond yoga) ones are amazing but $$$ and still no pockets. Fabletics also has ones with pockets but I haven't tried their maternity ones and they're more expensive than Senita.
I don't know if anyone knows, but Old Navy is currently having a 30% off sale on some maternity items, and Motherhood has leggings for $15 for full length and crop.
@mamabee1113 blanqi are the ones I've been considering.... I think they are pretty workout friendly? @kelseyyh do you have a ring sling? If so, you can wrap your belly with one. If that's not what you mean than sorry lol!
@rexnie I live in the lululemon Align leggings, they are ridiculously soft. I also am not ready for maternity leggings quite yet, and I've been super comfy in my Align leggings. I actually just bought two more pairs in the next size up so I can wear them for longer into the pregnancy haha.
I'm taking notes on all these maternity brands though because I know I'll need them sooner or later!
@rexnie I like gap or old Navy underbump leggings for cheap AND comfortable lounging. I have nicer leggings that are for leaving the house but they're more that spandexy material that I HATE for just being home.
Last week's FFFC was that I never stopped wearing them since second tri with my first 3.5 years ago b/c they're so comfortable.
I got this ad on fb today. All I can think of is, when I’m that size, how exhausted I’d be as I unbutton and re-button this as I pee 15 times a day because a tiny baby is dancing on my bladder 😂
@rexnie I love my “leggings depot” leggings from amazon. I was super skeptical at first because they are only like $12 but I LOVE them. Super soft, super stretchy, really comfy. They are not maternity but I’ve been comfortably yanking them up high over my bloat and it’s just fine for me right now. I have two pairs of the “one size” and I think these will likely get me through most of first tri. I haven’t tried the plus size ones, but those might even be an option for later in 2nd and 3rd tri, depending on how high you can pull them up (or your preference for over/under belly I guess).
Okay here are some of my absolute favorite things. Apologies ahead of time..this turned out LONG!!!
CakeMaternity My absolute favorite nursing bra for the early days (hospital and probably first 2 months): https://www.cakematernity.com/products/cotton-candy-nursing-bra I have a few of their other nursing bras (more like a normal bra but with clips) and they're all great. This brand pops up on Zullily occasionally and sometimes on sale at Nordstrom.
Storq Ah storq. How I love you! Everything from Storq is a splurge but goondness the buttery softness is incredible and all my pieces have held up fantastically: Their leggings...OMG. So soft. So wonderful. I wear them pregnant and then fold them down and wear them not pregnant lol. Unlike blanqi, they're buttery and less constricting. Super long for any of you tall gals (haaayy!): https://storq.com/products/signature-maternity-leggings It's crazy to me how many products they have now because when I bought my stuff they had 4. Literally. Leggings, tank, dress and skirt. Now they've exploded! The tanks are fantastic, tho I found mine did pill (my leggings never pilled). I tried their "everyday" bra (as a sleep bra) and didn't love it. I think I try the t-shirt dress this go 'round.
Pink Blush I want to love this brand but don't. I placed 1 order with like 5 things when I was pregnant with #1 and returned all except these pj bottoms: https://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/p-24997-navy-floral-drawstring-maternity-pajama-pants.aspx Aaaand these are absolutely one of my favorite pieces of clothing and I have not stopped wearing them since I bought them haha! I cinch them tighter when I'm not pregnant but the wide leg is so flattering and they're so comfortable. Everyone needs a pair. Seriously!
Old Navy I've had moderate success here. I think my takeaway is that if you fit into ON well not pregnant then you probably will be just fine in their maternity line. I'm tall and thin so pants from here have always been a no go for me. Their tops work okay. I had THE best pair of navy linen shorts from here (given to me by a friend!) and I so wish I still had them...so I guess we'll mainly be winter dressing with these April babies.
Target I have great luck finding tops/sweaters and even 1 pair of maternity yoga pants (tho they're too short). Jeans form here are a no for me (but again, they don't usually fit me not-pregnant so no surprise).
Gap Moderate success here. If you can hit a sale the prices aren't bad. Their "pure body" tanks are the best ever and I am completely kicking myself for selling mine over the summer. I will 100% be getting more.
Macys Oddly enough you can find some great deals here (if you know, you go into a store haha). I really liked the Jessica Simpson brand - and I was always able to find stuff on sale.
Misc. I tend to cycle through Poshmark, ThreadUp, Ebay, etc. if I'm looking for something in general...never know what you'll find!!
@goldpolkadot I'll have to check out storq... and also been looking at mercari but should check poshmark and threadup too! This is for sure my last pregnancy so I don't want to spend a ton, but also my maternity clothes are mostly summer clothes and I'm kinda tired of them by now. I so agree with you on pinkblush and old navy. Not huge fans of either one.
Can anyone offer insight into inset panel jeans vs. full panel? Last time I only had full panel because 90% of my maternity wear was given to me by a coworker, but I'm eyeballing these inset panel jeans and wondering how they'll feel. I'm thinking they might be good until my belly gets huge, and then for postpartum.
@kvh22@rexnie thanks ladies! I guess it also depends on how you carry - I know with DD, my bump was super high so I think I might be able to get away with wearing inset jeans, since they sit under your belly.
@riff323 I carried high too with both but I'm only 5'4" so at a certain point there was nowhere else for the bump go go lol. But if you're tall, I could totally see that. I was also higher with my first which is normal (not to be as high with subsequent babies for the same reasons you show earlier).
@kvh22 I'm also 5'4" (actually, 5'3&3/4" hahaha) so I had the same problem! It was super funny standing next to my friend who was due at the same time as me but is 5'9". We looked so different!
I forgot to suggest Wren and Ivory! Love their bump friendly dresses and planning to try a couple tops this time. I think I saw they have maternity pants now too.
@riff323 🤣🤣🤣 I feel same with multiple pregnancies. Like with #1 I could have told you exactly 9 weeks and 2 days but with #3 (and definitely this #4) I’m like uhmmmmm first trimester? Due in April? You do the math 🤣
@goldpolkadot oh gosh, I’m the same way! Any time a post in here asks how many weeks/days we are, I have to go look at my home bump page 😂 I have finally figured out that my new week starts on Wednesday so at least there’s that, haha!
Re: Maternity Clothes Thread
Consider nursing tank tops instead of maternity tank tops for basics since they're layering pieces anyways
H&M, gap, and motherhood we're my go tos.
Depending on your style, some of your wardrobe might work as maternity OR you could buy for pregnancy and wear afterwards. I have a couple of flannel "boyfriend" shirts from Athleta that I wore 9 months pregnant and worked for BFing, too, since they have buttons.
I have far too much maternity clothing, honestly, but you don't need very much. I just figured I was planning to have 3-4 kids.
I am team dont-waste-money-on-a-belly-band and just invested in maternity pants early. If you don't have to go into an office or other work environment, you don't need very many pairs of real pants
@runsoncoffee I have blanqi leggings. They pill in the dryer so need to air dry. The material is very spandexy so I like it for wearing out (and I have workout ones too) but not for evening/lounging/sleeping.
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
I never did belly bands / wraps with my son & wish I did. Does anyone have one they recommend? I may hire a doula to do bellybinding, as we have access to that here.
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
@kelseyyh do you have a ring sling? If so, you can wrap your belly with one. If that's not what you mean than sorry lol!
Last week's FFFC was that I never stopped wearing them since second tri with my first 3.5 years ago b/c they're so comfortable.
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
The reviews were questionable on the sport ones but I tried them on and they seem just fine to me. I think in general you do have to be a little careful with how you wash them so they don't pill, but my first two pairs have been fantastic. Thick, stretchy, not see-through.
Apologies ahead of time..this turned out LONG!!!
CakeMaternity
My absolute favorite nursing bra for the early days (hospital and probably first 2 months):
https://www.cakematernity.com/products/cotton-candy-nursing-bra
I have a few of their other nursing bras (more like a normal bra but with clips) and they're all great. This brand pops up on Zullily occasionally and sometimes on sale at Nordstrom.
Blanqi
Love these leggings! I have these:
https://www.blanqi.com/collections/maternity/products/blanqi-everyday-maternity-belly-support-leggings?variant=4072514879501&bf=0
And these leggings for postpartum:
https://www.blanqi.com/collections/postpartum/products/blanqi-everyday-hipster-support-leggings?variant=31404730089542&bf=0
And their postpartum tanks are fantastic:
https://www.blanqi.com/collections/postpartum/products/pull-down-postpartum-nursing-support-tanktop?variant=40903684237&bf=0
(I desperately needed to feel like buttoned up and like everything was being held in place so that's why I liked these - if you don't like that idea and want loose things then these are not for you haha)
I got their belly band when I was pregnant with #2 and we were traveling around Europe - it was great! I've since sold it unfortunately, but it was a worthwhile purchase:
https://www.blanqi.com/collections/maternity/products/blanqi-maternity-support-bellyband?variant=1114741341&bf=0
Storq
Ah storq. How I love you! Everything from Storq is a splurge but goondness the buttery softness is incredible and all my pieces have held up fantastically:
Their leggings...OMG. So soft. So wonderful. I wear them pregnant and then fold them down and wear them not pregnant lol. Unlike blanqi, they're buttery and less constricting. Super long for any of you tall gals (haaayy!):
https://storq.com/products/signature-maternity-leggings
It's crazy to me how many products they have now because when I bought my stuff they had 4. Literally. Leggings, tank, dress and skirt. Now they've exploded! The tanks are fantastic, tho I found mine did pill (my leggings never pilled). I tried their "everyday" bra (as a sleep bra) and didn't love it. I think I try the t-shirt dress this go 'round.
Pink Blush
I want to love this brand but don't. I placed 1 order with like 5 things when I was pregnant with #1 and returned all except these pj bottoms:
https://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/p-24997-navy-floral-drawstring-maternity-pajama-pants.aspx
Aaaand these are absolutely one of my favorite pieces of clothing and I have not stopped wearing them since I bought them haha! I cinch them tighter when I'm not pregnant but the wide leg is so flattering and they're so comfortable. Everyone needs a pair. Seriously!
Old Navy
I've had moderate success here. I think my takeaway is that if you fit into ON well not pregnant then you probably will be just fine in their maternity line. I'm tall and thin so pants from here have always been a no go for me. Their tops work okay. I had THE best pair of navy linen shorts from here (given to me by a friend!) and I so wish I still had them...so I guess we'll mainly be winter dressing with these April babies.
Target
I have great luck finding tops/sweaters and even 1 pair of maternity yoga pants (tho they're too short). Jeans form here are a no for me (but again, they don't usually fit me not-pregnant so no surprise).
Gap
Moderate success here. If you can hit a sale the prices aren't bad. Their "pure body" tanks are the best ever and I am completely kicking myself for selling mine over the summer. I will 100% be getting more.
Macys
Oddly enough you can find some great deals here (if you know, you go into a store haha). I really liked the Jessica Simpson brand - and I was always able to find stuff on sale.
Misc.
I tend to cycle through Poshmark, ThreadUp, Ebay, etc. if I'm looking for something in general...never know what you'll find!!
The final two months were only maxi dresses, loose shorts, and leggings for me.
Married: August 2013
Son: December 2018
Baby in heaven: February 2020, was due Sept
and I’m over here in the 5’9” club 😆 (or 5’8 1/2” to be exact @riff323 🤪)
@theblondebump you’re going to love them!!