product spotlight: maternity clothes and pillows

mrosek91 · September 2020

I won't be online tomorrow, so I thought I would post this early.

Hello all! I know it's still early, but there has already been discussion of the best Maternity clothes, so I thought we would do that next.

Brands you love? Shopping hacks? Tips for strategizing different outfit coordinations? Questions about timing your maternity clothes purchases? How about questions or advice to accommodate different body types? Work-wear vs. formal-wear vs. workout clothes? As for pillows, J-shaped vs. U-shaped? Tips on avoiding maternity pillow purchase and instead constructing elaborate forts with regular pillows? Please share!

Prior and Upcoming Product Spotlights

mrosek91 · September 2020

For maternity stuff I would stalk motherhood.com for sales and stock up. I have also had success with StitchFix, they send really cute stuff but it tends to be pricey. Old Navy was good for casual stuff, since I don't need to dress business professional this time, I may go back there, and adjust my wardrobe.

As for body pillow I splurged and got the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow. It is amazing. For my second pregnancy I got the navy cover to replace the white one it came with because that one was looking gross, but otherwise it was still great. The one downside is that it is annoying if you want to turn over in the middle of the night, but since it was painful for me to lie on my right side it wasn't that big a deal. I can't wait to pull it out again, but I feel like my boys will realize what's up, once I do, so I have to wait until 12 weeks when we tell them.

mimser · September 2020

During my last pregnancy, we were still in a double bed (my 6'2" fiancé, our 40 pound dog and I), so a full body pregnancy pillow was out of the question. I started having hip pain around 15 weeks I think and my SO took one of our old comforter and rolled it up and I used that and it totally did the job for me (I can only speak about until 20 weeks). This time around, I plan on splurging on a U shape pillow as we just upgraded to a Queen bed.

gusgus14 · September 2020

+1 for the Snoogle! I shop Motherhood for most of my maternity stuff but I’m going to change my next StitchFix box to maternity to see what their stuff is like. Since my starting weight is a good bit higher this time and I’m having twins, my guess is that I’ll need to eventually get some bigger stuff but since the plan now is for this to be my last pregnancy I don’t want to spend/get too much.

texas_t · September 2020

My first pregnancy I enjoyed my body pillow. Last pregnancy it felt like it was trying to smother me so I ended up with a wedge pillow that I really liked. We'll see what happens this go around!

spartan4life · September 2020

I liked motherhood for pants but PinkBlush for tops.

queen_frostine · September 2020

Finding plus size tall maternity pants is a bitch. I think JC Penney was my main source. They actually listed the inseam so I could tell if something was going to fit or not even if it wasn't listed as tall. Since I wear button-up shirts and slacks to work, I got a couple of pairs of slacks to rotate in basic colors and a few maternity tanks. Then I just wore my regular shirts unbuttoned over the maternity tank tops.

JessKo08 · September 2020

For my first pregnancy I got some good staples from stitch fix, although generally more than I’d like to spend. So I didn’t subscribe my second pregnancy. I usually stalk the gap website for sales as I always have good luck there. Pinkblush for special occasions.

I’ve never used a pregnancy pillow, a body pillow has always been fine for me.

yellingbanana · September 2020

@queen_frostine I forgot about JC Penney! Thanks!!!

SkilledSailor · September 2020

I loved my Paige maternity jeans last time but got them on sale at Nordstrom Rack. I'm not finding them there this year and am not paying $200 for a pair of jeans I'll wear for 6 months. The Target maternity jeans were ok but slide down.

H&M is having a sale and there's some maternity clothes included. I'll be trying out those jeans and ordering a couple of tops.

texas_t · September 2020

@skilledsailor If they have any Conscious tops at H&M, they are soooo soft and comfortable and one of my favorite tops through both previous pregnancies.

mimser · September 2020

@SkilledSailor @texas_t Oh I didn't know H&M had maternity wear! That's great. Our main maternity brand here didn't survive COVID.

texas_t · September 2020

@mimser remind me where you are?

mimser · September 2020

@texas_t I'm in Montreal, Canada. We had a canadian store called Thyme Maternity until last July. They had great stuff at an average good price. I got a lot of stuff last Spring, but only got to where maybe half of it. They had a closing sale in July everything was like 5$ I think, but I wasn't in a good place to buy then.

SkilledSailor · September 2020

mimser said:

@SkilledSailor @texas_t Oh I didn't know H&M had maternity wear! That's great. Our main maternity brand here didn't survive COVID.

Yes! I've never tried their maternity clothes but I know their normal clothes fit me well so FX.

@texas_t Good to know! I did order a set of the long sleeves.

asf0613 · September 2020

@mimser they do have maternity but i would search online. every time i went to an H&M store i was severly underwhelmed by what they kept in stock...and that was even in a four-story store in manhattan!!!

mimser · September 2020

@asf0613 yes I looked online!

@SkilledSailor I have to say their regular clothes don't fit me well though... I'll have to only buy a few items to try.

yellingbanana · October 2020

@mimser mad jealous about your Canadian location. Just saying....

littlelibelula · October 2020

I just used pillows in my last pregnancy and will do the same for this one. Kind of drove my husband a little crazy with all the pillows on the bed, but I think I only ended up with three. 😄

@mimser My last pregnancy I picked up a couple of thyme from their store and a lot from the thrift store. I was sad to see them go, but I wasn't in Canada when they had their crazy clearance sales.

I found size 8 o 10 normal clothes worked for me so I don't think I'll have to pick anything up this time round. But I found dresses were great, you don't have to worry about the pressure on your belly and most maxis or stretchy dresses can accommodate a bump easily.

yellingbanana · October 2020

Just went to Ross, and they have a good sized maternity section. I got some jeans, leggings, and a couple of shirts and maternity tanks. Maternity tanks are a MUST for me. My babies are big, and I am petite, so my tummy ends up being exceptionally large. Especially because my littles have big heads, usually at or above 100th percentile at birth, so they never ‘drop’. On top of that, my second baby destroyed my belly button, she gave me a terrible herniated belly button. I need all the support I can get in the last 4 months. I will also be getting another maternity support belly tank, I had a great one last time. But gave it away.

Magheeta · October 2020

I have a love/hate relationship with the Snoogle. I tried it with both pregnancies, and it was too stiff for me. Maybe because I'm short? It gave me a headache and I couldn't get comfortable with it.

My old maternity clothes are too big right now, so I bought a band off Amazon to hopefully let me wear my regular pants for a while. I never found a pair of maternity pants I really liked. Full panel makes me claustrophobic and the Target ones just slid down.

I had some amazing pink blush pajama pants and dresses. They're so pretty and comfortable. Old Navy has some good stuff, too! I'll have to try H&M, too!

ec1212 · October 2020

Hi fam. Does anyone have a rec for favorite brand of maternity leggings to wear under dresses (more like tights than yoga pants)? I'm looking for a more sheer, lightweight material but I don't like feety tights.

I just got some leggings from Blanqi that are great for this, but the material is too thick to wear into next Spring.

Also, does anyone sleep in bras? I never have, but it's getting to the point where I'd like more support for the girls when I toss and turn. I'd like a soft bra but with cups to keep the girls separated - I get pretty sweaty when I sleep these days.

kiki047 · October 2020

@mimser another Canadian here, I'm in Toronto. As a FTM who's been TTC for 3 years I was SO sad that Thyme closed before I could even shop there.

@yellingbanana OMG Ross is my favourite store for any clothes, would love to be able to go raid their maternity/baby section! When we cross the border my 3 favourite places to stop are Trader Joe's, Target and Ross.

My friends tell me the Target maternity tops are awesome but again, not accessible here. I bought a few from the GAP and the material is nice and they're nice and stretchy so I'm going to use the tank tops for layering under my baggier shirts for now.

Although not specifically a maternity bra, these Bali bras from Amazon are incredibly comfortable. No underwire, and they fit fairly generously. I'm normally a 34DD and the medium fits nicely even with all the bloating/swelling.

alarelish · October 2020

I'm a thrifty gal, and I refuse to pay full retail for price literally anything. I've found all my maternity clothes in the past, and a few things this time around, at consignment and thrift stores. We have this fantastic one in my town that only accepts higher quality, freshly washed, "in style" and in season clothes. I was able to grab two pairs of pants, and 2 shirts for $20. Luckily I mainly work from home to accommodate my DD remote schooling, but go into the office for an hour or two a day. We're pretty casual (me especially oops) so I just wear leggings and a long sweatshirt or tunic to go into the office. Oh and I've completely swapped to wire-free bras because my boobies could NOT take regular cute bras anymore.

My birthday is this weekend and I already know my fiance is planning on getting me a body pillow because I'm a cranky, sleep deprived wench. I prefer the U shape, so hoping he reads the reviews and looks at the shape first lol

mimser · October 2020

@kiki047 They had all items for $5 in early July....🤦‍♀️

kiki047 · October 2020

@mimser uggghhh we've been TTC for so long, I knew I should've just stocked up lol.

Thankfully my mom just gave me a garbage bag full of shirts that are 1-2 sizes bigger than I usually wear and most of them will work for maternity because they're long and flowy. That oughta work for the next little while (I mean, other than the fact that I'm going to look like my Mom

I already get told that in a regular basis).

ec1212 · October 2020

Motherhood Maternity is having a 60% off sitewide sale now! (And I just got an additional % off with this code if you want to try: MH704855N)

https://www.motherhood.com/collections/maternity-nursing-sitewide-sale

asf0613 · October 2020

@ec1212 wow great sale! told myself i wasnt going to buy anything yet, but........

samd6 · October 2020

@ec1212 I love their soft nursing bras For sleeping. https://www.motherhood.com/collections/maternity-bras/products/wrap-maternity-and-nursing-sleep-bra-001-92229-006-001

ec1212 · October 2020

@samd6 I got one of their other wireless nursing bras!! Thanks for the rec. ☺️ I’m getting a bra from a few diff brands and seeing which I like best.

ec1212 · October 2020

@asf0613 I just started showing this week, so I started getting a few things. This is one time I’m so thankful I’m WFH - I can get away with all giant cozy things instead of my usual. I don’t want to see a waistband again until next summer haha!!

ec1212 · October 2020

Maternity clothes I'm liking so far!

Trying out lots of brands of maternity undies, and really love these. Wish they weren't so spendy per pair. I got one and now I want more.
Madewell over-belly skinny jeans - I ordered a size up from my regular size and I shouldn't have 'cause these run true to size, but they're super comfy. I'll wear a Bellaband over them until my hips/belly grow into them more. I tried some under-belly ones from Rent the Runway first and didn't like where they sat.
Spanx Mama Faux Leather leggings - a splurge item for sure, but will be great to have nicer leggings that don't look like yoga pants if we ever go back to the office.

ASOS is hit or miss...not super high-quality and the "model v. reality" pain is real, but for the price it's worth putting in an order and returning anything you don't like. Note that most of their stuff is hang-dry, not dryer safe. Here are ASOS faves:

Ribbed midi-dress - it's about to get real cold here in NYC, and this is so cute and cozy on
Long-sleeve tiered forest green dress - wanted something cute to wear at home for our first married Thanksgiving
Black button-side t-shirt - cute roomy shirt, can wear post-baby for nursing
Lilac oversized mock-neck lightweight sweatshirt - wanted a couple not-black things for work video calls

I'm waiting on a couple more things to come in from a couple other brands and will share those here. Shipping is taking forever for certain places (H&M in particular, but ASOS and Shopbop were pretty fast) - something to consider if you need maternity stuff and for holiday shopping.

brynn_mamaof4 · October 2020

@ec1212 I’ve been eyeing the faux leather maternity leggings from Spanx... are they comfy?!

ec1212 · October 2020

@brynn_mamaof4 they are! I just tried them on before I threw them in the wash but should be taking them out and about this weekend and can report back if you remind me. I was afraid, knowing Spanx, that they would suck me in too much but the leg parts are very stretchy and forgiving as well as the lycra bump material. And I saw a rec for their jeggings (LOL) so I may cave and get those too depending on if I like the other maternity jeans I got.

brynn_mamaof4 · October 2020

Awesome I will def check back in! I have a pair of non maternity spanx jeggings that I love. They are comfy but def hold you in (like I want when I’m not pregnant) so I was curious how the maternity leggings would be. Weird question.. and you can follow up... but let me know if they leggings are sweaty lol!!! I have always loved the look of faux leather leggings but I’ve never bought them bc I have a fear they won’t be breathable lol.

mimser · November 2020

Ladies in a cold state/province /country, what are you doing for your winter jacket? I think I'll make it to January, but I don't think my current jacket will fit in February.

kiki047 · November 2020

*lurking*

Blanqi is also having their Black Friday sale right now... I've heard good things.
*TW* have not personally tried them yet but it was on my list pre-MC so I'm going ahead and getting a few "faith" purchases, for next time.

https://www.blanqi.com/#

mimser · November 2020

Thanks @kiki047 😊 That's the spirit ❤

asf0613 · November 2020

@mimser i'm going to need to invest in a new winter jacket for sure. last year i literally went out and bought one that was snug because i didnt want a big bulky one. oh well!

littlelibelula · November 2020

My sister is due in February in Manitoba so I was brainstorming with my Mom. They decided to use a larger size of jacket but I found some great sites for diy jacket zipper inserts. You can buy them, but we don't like to spend on things we can diy.
Basically they are inserts for pregnancy that can be reversed, if sewn well, for babywearing. Ours will be summer babies so we probably don't need to worry about that.

http://www.morelikehome.net/2015/11/babywearing-maternity-jacket-insert.html?m=1

https://dineandtwine.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/baby-belly-maternitybabywearing-jacket-extension-panel/amp/

The first link probably has the best instructions. But this one has good insight.

https://ocah.typepad.com/carriers/2013/11/easy-to-sew-baby-wearing-coat-free-diy-instructions-.html

This is a baby wearing pattern. But it has great step by step instructions. The first is still good to follow if you want it to be multifunctional.

brynn_mamaof4 · November 2020

@mimser I actually got this coat last year and it will work through the winter I believe for me, and I’ve already started showing a surprising bit. It has a tie right above the belly area too which is nice. It’s not the heaviest of coats, but it was enough to get me through freezing Indiana winters comfortably with a hat and gloves. It’s a little roomier so you can wear thicker clothing items underneath and not feel too tight.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFCSN5Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EQhOFbEF6CP5S

Want a personalized experience?

product spotlight: maternity clothes and pillows

Re: product spotlight: maternity clothes and pillows

Choose Another Board

Search Boards