February 2022 Moms

Product Spotlight: Maternity Clothes

Hello February mamas!  Most of the boards do some kind of Product Spotlight series, that an be as formal or informal as we like.  We can borrow ideas or a whole list from another board, or just discuss things as they come up.

I don't know about you, but the bloat is real.  One of my biggest takeaways with regard to this from my previous pregnancies, is there is no real reason to wait to start wearing maternity clothes, imho.  Why not be as comfortable as you can be throughout your pregnancy, right?  Plus, the sooner you start wearing them, the more wear you will get out of your purchases!

Let's talk about our favorite maternity clothes to stay comfy and feeling cute as our bumps grow. :)<div>
</div><div>FTMs - Any questions?  STM+ moms -Specific tips or tricks?  Brands you love (or not)?  Shopping hacks?  Tips for strategizing different outfits?  Questions about timing your maternity clothes purchases?  How about questions or advice to accommodate different body types?  Work-wear vs. formal-wear vs. loungewear or workout clothes?

Please share!
(Adapted from June 2021)</div>
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Re: Product Spotlight: Maternity Clothes

  • The bloat is VERY real! I am with you as far as being comfy goes, and the jeans no longer close or feel comfortable. As a FTM I don't have a lot of tips/tricks. I have been getting a lot of use out of my plain black athleisure leggings and wear them under shirts as pants (with a cardigan for work) or dresses for the support (and tbh, so I don't feel quite as bloated).

    If anyone has recommendations for a summer-appropriate black dress I can wear to a funeral, I'd love to hear them. Ideally this will be one of those maternity/nursing dresses. I'm going to try some on this weekend and can report back as well!
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  • I’m in the market for good maternity jeans. I had some that I loved while pregnant with DS1 and absolutely hated while pregnant with DS2. I usually just wore maternity leggings from Gap, but I had to wear jeans for customer visits. I’m lucky that my company doesn’t have a fancy dress code, so we can wear jeans with no holes and nice shirts. 

    I had really good luck with Old Navy, Gap, and Pink Blush last time. Old Navy shirts were comfortable, but they pilled decently fast. The majority of my wardrobe was Pink Blush. 

    I’m also in the market for a swimsuit still. We have a conference coming up at a water park, and the swimsuits I have don’t fit right. I could break out my maternity one, but it screams pregnant with all the extra belly space and ruching. I’d rather just seem a little plumper than usual vs letting it out of the bag yet. So any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated. 
  • @makingbacon are you comfortable in your normal bathing suit? Could you just buy something to go over it?

    I need any tips and tricks to cover up the bump as long as possible. I do not want to tell anyone at my work for as long as possible. If I could make it to the day before and not tell them I would lol but I know the bump will give me away especially since Im a petite person to start with.

    Also, any recommendations on maternity jeans with long inseams? Im 5'2" but all leg, I usually have to buy long jeans. I have no torso :/

    SInce this will be my last pregnancy I am hoping I can make do with what I had from my last pregnancy, which is a lot of plain maternity shirts, maternity sweaters and a few dresses.

    I love Thredup but didnt know about them for my first pregnancy so Im planning on snagging some things off of there :)
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • @livingoffpbjs cannot confirm whether these work for sure but: being in distracting stuff for as long as possible (chunky sweaters, loud patterns, baggy hoodies, etc) apparently works. the timing should work out well since fall will be here soon enough!
  • @livingoffpbjs It unfortunately doesn’t fit in the chest area anymore. I thought about throwing a shirt on over it, but it’s looking decently scandalous at this point lol. 
  • @makingbacon I have no sympathy for people with boobs lol 
    But maybe just a bigger normal bathing suit? Tankini? 
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Oh my gosh, the girls! 🤣

    First purchase I definitely recommend is a pack of bra extenders.  They help so much!

    <div class=" Spoiler">https://smile.amazon.com/Senkary-Pieces-Extenders-Elastic-Extension/dp/B072JQ3L62?pd_rd_w=qIR9b&pf_rd_p=e0d46bc2-436f-4db3-a26e-323523040b19&pf_rd_r=3PSENDZBYB0D0ZFTF3N5&pd_rd_r=03a76582-8236-438e-b434-6e965976eb77&pd_rd_wg=aWz1B&pd_rd_i=B072JQ3L62&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_m_rp_1_sc</div>
    I never really bought maternity bras, just used the extenders until I didn't need them anymore at some point PP with DD.  I tried a couple nursing bras, like the kindred bravely ones were cute, but I must have ordered a little too small, I think.  Or I just gained more than I realized. Lol They are basically just a soft cotton crossover sports bra, but I got mine on clearance, which I would recommend.  I know a lot of people like the hofish nursing bras, but they just didn't work for me.

    @makingbacon I believe you when you say it's already scandalous!  Lol Normally I was always the captain of the IBTC, but motherhood has changed all that. 😬
  • @makingbacon @livingoffpbjs I actually had really good luck with maternity jeans and pants from stitch fix!  You tell them all about out body type and what you're looking for, and it's been awesome.  I have a promo code for anyone who wants to try?  But those jeans ended my perfect maternity jeans search for good.  I think that says it all! Lol<div>
    I still need to find a nice either super stretchy waist or actual maternity linen pant.  Mostly everything I see does not have good reviews.  :/
    </div>
  • edited June 2021
    @chgilmore What kind of style dress are you looking for?  I found pink blush a bit hit and miss, but I bought three different styles to try, and I did find a black dress I ended up wearing for a concert from there.  I honestly have had a lot of luck with Amazon 😬 hate to say.  [ETA LaClef has some really pretty stuff that I have had good luck with!]  The Liu & Qu dresses are super cute, but most of the styles are pretty bodycon, I think.  Smallshow has been good for me and I have several of their solid colored nursing dresses.  Bearsland, I got a very pretty dress from them, and I hated to have to send it back, bc the fit was just a little too snug for me -- but it might work well for you!  Mother Bee maternity is another good brand, and Hello Miz, but they may not necessarily be true nursing dresses.  A lot of them are v-necks you can technically pull aside and nurse in, where the nursing styles are usually a bit more covered.  Not nursing feeindly at all, but I got a bodycon LBD from black cherry and I don't think I have ever been brave enough to wear it in public, (except for my silhouette pics). Lol which were taken in the nursery anyway.

    But you raise a good point, that I would try when looking at maternity clothes, to get as much as possible that are also nursing friendly tops / dresses because otherwise after the baby is here, it's tough.  If it's loose / stretchy enough, you can always layer a tank with your favorite top over, lift up the top, pull down the tank.  And it will be winter when our babies get here, too.  Dresses can be trickier though, because not like you can hike up your whole dress!  And if it's a V it might work, but you might not feel comfortable.  Just good to keep in mind before getting anything terribly spendy.  Pregnancy is short, compared to how long you could end up nursing.
  • @BusinessWife you have a good point! I'm looking at a local secondhand shop up here and a different local place to try and avoid the big A if I can...but I'm not totally ruling it out! I've never quite been blessed in the top department but maybe that'll change soon, so not ruling out a V neck. I'd prefer something kinda light/flowy (for eventual spring/summer wear) since the funeral is in southern CA, I like the idea of a wrap that I can dress up/down as needed. Definitely hoping for something versatile. Will definitely be checking out these brands you mentioned!

    Here's the dress I'm hoping to try on next Saturday (after first u/s):
  • That may work well! @chgilmore I struggle because I have to cover my knees and it can be so hard to find a true midi / tea length, kwim?  I wish I still lived closer to the city, there were so many places I could actually Go. Shopping. But here it's kinda the boonies.  All we have is TJMaxx lol even the kids consignment shop closed. :/ I would pretty much have to go to the mall or something, and even then, Motherhood closed! :( I have heard some of the HnMs have a small maternity section in store, but I did get some cute maternity and baby clothes from them online.  It must be so nice to be able to go in and try things on!
  • @chgilmore I loved this dress when I was pregnant with DD and purchased a bunch of different styles. It also transitioned well to a nursing dress! Not sure if it's great for a funeral but you could add accessories that would dress it up to make it work.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFYCCM3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_0ZEBXQ3NFP1MD24PVJNP?psc=1
  • @chgilmore @foodlovehappiness Yes!  That's the one I tried in the blue floral print and I loved it!  It just didn't quite fit my voluptuousness. 🤣 So sad.
  • With my last pregnancy I found a few maternity shirts at target that were cute and ended up being good nursing tops too! I don’t know what there selection is like now though. I haven’t looked yet! 
    But this website had a ton of cute dresses that you @BusinessWife might like especially. I had to find something work appropriate so they mostly had shoulders and were a good length. And the quality was super nice. I still have a couple of dresses from them and they look brand new. 
  • @photographerwife ah!  They have such cute stuff!  I actually tried to order a dress for Christmas pics from there and.... I can't remember why it didn't work for me.  There was something odd about the cut.  But I would totally try them again if I saw something I loved!
  • @BusinessWife yeah! They do have cute stuff! They might post more updates on their insta if that’s something you want to keep up with! 
  • Okay so go ahead and judge, but on a tip from someone on my last bmb I stocked up in the Walmart maternity tanks.  Let me tell you, best decision I ever made!  I have basically been living in those, plus my ecavus lounge pants (from A).  I also still have some basic black maternity yoga capris from Motherhood, and those are my other go-to bottoms.  I mixed in more like a navy true Capri pant (actually three, one from Motherhood with a weird decal stitching that I was like whatever, they fit, and two more from Old Navy), a favorite jean, another skinny dark pant, and a handful of maternity dresses.

    I also have black maternity work slacks and blouses since I was working in the office with DD, but honestly I will probably just go through and see which tops I would still wear, and probably not wear the slacks at all, (at least till winter, since they are just basic black pants.). I find the more basic I've kept my pregnancy wardrobe, the easier it is to get dressed on any given day, especially when you may not be feeling great.  I like not having to think about it too much.
  • edited June 2021
    Also!  Shapewear!  If you plan on wearing any kind of somewhat clingy dresses, or for a more formal event, definitely invest in one of those stretchy maternity slips, or at least the bump to thigh shaper short things.  Everything just looks so much nicer when the bump is smoothed out. ;)
  • Ooh!  You know who I recently actually fell in love with???  Latched Mama! 😍

    https://latchedmama.com/

    I loved one of their dresses so much I got it in two colors, a blue stripe and a rust stripe.  Similar to this:
    https://latchedmama.com/collections/nursing-dresses/products/latched-mama-classic-cotton-nursing-dress
  • kmw611kmw611 member
    Wow, I’m learning about so many places to shop this pregnancy😂. With the boys I was still working so needed semi nice office clothes.  I tend to avoid spending a ton of money on maternity clothes unless if can carry over to nursing because you never know how you “bounce back” my hips were definitely wider after DS1 was born so most of those pants didn’t fit for DS2. So I usually go for budget friendly shopping at target, old navy, Ross, online at motherhood maternity/latched mama if they have a good sale. H&M has my absolute FAV nursing tanks that also worked well during pregnancy because they had a lot of length. For bras when I couldn’t fit my normal(non nursing bras) I switch to nursing bras. It was getting close to the end of my pregnancies both times so I didn’t want to spend the money not knowing my size post nursing. After DS1 I went from a solid B to a DD, after DS2 idk. He only weaned in the last couple months and we aren’t allowed to try on bras yet here🙄 and since I like so far from town I refuse to drop a ton of money to take them home to try on and return when doesn’t work so I’m sticking to lounge and sports bras. I love cake nursing bras they are a little spendy at $50ish a bra but well worth it IMO.

    @photographerwife I had the opposite experience with stitch fix maternity jeans! They did do a great job finding me jeans PP though. 
  • @livingoffpbjs @BusinessWife I swear the first thing that grows during pregnancy is my boobs. I went up 3-ish sizes with each of my boys by the time I delivered. They deflate after nursing lol. I’ve been looking at tankinis from Athletica. I should just order a few and try them. 

    @fuscok88 I’ll have to look at the cake nursing bras. I splurged on a couple Kindred Bravely nursing/pumping bras, and while they were really convenient for pumping while driving, I never felt like that fit 100% right. The sides would gap a bit, but sizing down made the cup size too small. So I just ignored the gap. 
  • Another thought - Maternity pajamas.  I would be sure that anything new is nursing friendly, and you can plan to bring a couple nightgowns to the hospital to nurse in that way as well.  You really don't need the fancy pants nursing gown sets from Etsy lol  I would recommend bringing a comfy/pretty robe that's long enough for modesty's sake in the hospital.  But actually my hospital recommended not getting the fancy nursing gowns that have like a slit or something, because they just don't give you enough room when your baby is brand new and you are both just trying to figure it all out.  You just want a nightgown that completely unbuttons at the top.  That's like, all I wear now. lol

    <a rel="nofollow" href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IDYMUR0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1" title="Link: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IDYMUR0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IDYMUR0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1</a>
    <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Secret-Treasures-Women-s-and-Women-s-Plus-Traditional-Flutter-Sleeve-Knit-Sleepwear-Gown/525223700?selected=true" title="Link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Secret-Treasures-Women-s-and-Women-s-Plus-Traditional-Flutter-Sleeve-Knit-Sleepwear-Gown/525223700?selected=true">https://www.walmart.com/ip/Secret-Treasures-Women-s-and-Women-s-Plus-Traditional-Flutter-Sleeve-Knit-Sleepwear-Gown/525223700?selected=true</a>

    You just have to be careful shopping online, check reviews etc. that they are real buttons, because I have had that happen with that amazon listing, that with two different style prints from the same listing - one had functional buttons, the other did not.  So whatever, maybe not the most stylish haha, but I personally don't care.  I'm sure you could find some other cute styles with the button front if you wanted to keep searching...

    FD: I did have one that unsnaps all the way down the back, but I only used it for my first because when we got there, I was not in an active labor type of situation, so that was fine, and the nurses appreciated being able to get full access to my back.  For my second I got a pretty thing that the straps both unsnapped, but I never even got to wear it till I was home. lol  When you are really about to give birth tho, you are going to 1. not care what you are wearing and 2. prefer to get the hospital stuff all yucky, rather than your pretty new thing.  There will be time to change into that after the delivery, so it can really be whatever you want for pictures or whatever, but honestly, it's all about the baby really, so I think we probably waste a lot of energy / effort worrying about having the perfect cute little hospital set, when really, it completely doesn't matter, IMHO.  It's like a night or two you are in the hospital, but once you get home, you will need to be able to get comfy in your chair and just nurse as freely as possible.
  • kmw611kmw611 member
    @BusinessWife yesss! Don’t worry about having the super pretty bring your own labor gown because it will probably get messy during the birth. Use the hospital stuff, unless your at home. TMI? Personally I couldn’t stand things touching me in labor and ended up naked/down to a bra both times. I liked dark colored maternity yoga pants with a nursing tank pp because they weren’t going to stain. I love the idea of a nightgown that unsnaps at the top though! I’ll have to look for something like that! 
  • I LOVE these suggestions, will definitely be coming back to reference once I get a feel for what I need.

    Also question: athletic maternity leggings? right now my lululemon and fabletics ones are fitting perfectly but I know come winter they will not. Ideally the athletic leggings would be on the thicker side since I will need to wear them through, you know, winter.
  • edited June 2021
    @chgilmore
    <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.thebump.com/a/best-maternity-leggings">https://www.thebump.com/a/best-maternity-leggings</a> 

    I think this list says to try seraphine?
    ETA <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.seraphine.com/en-us/power-mesh-maternity-leggings/" title="Link: https://www.seraphine.com/en-us/power-mesh-maternity-leggings/">https://www.seraphine.com/en-us/power-mesh-maternity-leggings/</a>
  • edited June 2021
    @cait32 ooh!  Thanks!  Do they come in like a lighter beige / wheat color? 

    ETA I saw these but they are the cropped version, so I wasn't sure...
    <a rel="nofollow" href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7948620020004&cid=1171797#pdp-page-content" title="Link: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7948620020004&cid=1171797#pdp-page-content">https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=7948620020004&cid=1171797#pdp-page-content</a>
  • edited June 2021
    It's so weird how they don't even come up when I searched?  I don't know why they want to hide things!  lol @cait32 

    ETA Did you see these? <a rel="nofollow" href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=700509002&cid=8454&pcid=8454&vid=1&cpos=189&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D8454&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21061905708900272245006#pdp-page-content" title="Link: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=700509002&cid=8454&pcid=8454&vid=1&cpos=189&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D8454&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21061905708900272245006#pdp-page-content">https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=700509002&cid=8454&pcid=8454&vid=1&cpos=189&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D8454&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21061905708900272245006#pdp-page-content</a>
  • KatzaliaKatzalia member
    edited June 2021
    I have to get a bunch of new maternity stuff because I gave all of mine away. Trying to remember my faves. 

    I had some h&m jeans that I liked better than spendier ones. A couple of pairs of pants that were more like colored jeans, from Motherhood, though I found their stuff very hit or miss. I think I still have a leather wrap belt from Seraphine I liked a lot. Gap and h&m tanks and tees for casual. 

    I had a stretchy knit reversible midi skirt that was super versatile but of course I passed it on and can’t remember what brand it was. 

    I think I’m going to try the zella maternity leggings, I don’t think they had them last time but I love their regular leggings. 

    Ymmv, but I hated the dresses that were both nursing + maternity. I had a couple, and they were always last choice for either. 

    I loved the nursing + pumping bras from Dairy Fairy.  And Bamboobies nursing bra was awesome for the first few months. 

    I don’t know what any other 2+x moms noticed, but I had to size up a half size on shoes during my first pregnancy, and went back down after. I don’t think I did with my second but can’t remember?

    I’m sure I’ll think of more later. Looking forward to checking out other recs. 
  • kmw611kmw611 member
    @cait32 I have those from my last pregnancy! I lived in them when he started getting hot. @BusinessWife I definitely have a khaki pair but I don’t remember if it’s maternity or a sized up women’s pair. Since they’re a low belly and elastic waist I may have just gotten women’s. 
  • edited June 2021
    @cait32 @fuscok88 I found these!  Chambray version
    <a rel="nofollow" href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=737474002&pcid=999&vid=1&&searchText=linen-blend%20pants#pdp-page-content">https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=737474002&pcid=999&vid=1&&searchText=linen-blend%20pants#pdp-page-content</a>

    And then these, "Feather", not maternity, but maybe worth a try.  They have other high-waisted styles, but I think a midrise may be more bump-friendly?
    <a rel="nofollow" href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=338335022&pcid=999&vid=1&&searchText=linen-blend%20pants#pdp-page-content" title="Link: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=338335022&pcid=999&vid=1&&searchText=linen-blend%20pants#pdp-page-content">https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=338335022&pcid=999&vid=1&&searchText=linen-blend%20pants#pdp-page-content</a>

    ETA The trick was I had to search, "linen-blend."
  • I spoke about this in the weekly thread. I need opinions. I'm 5'8" and pants can be short on me. I like these maternity pants but am unsure about where they hit me. WDYT? Yay or nay? I won't be offended :)
    Any tall mommas out there that have found long enough pants?


  • @lexilougolden I don’t think they’re bad! Maybe put a cuff or two at the bottom and see how you like them. I’m your height too and usually have to buy longs. But I haven’t looked for maternity jeans yet! 
  • I got a pair of the Zella Maternity leggings in the Nordstrom sale and they’re just okay. I think at that price point (like 40ish on sale?) I’d rather either get two pairs of old navy leggings or splurge on a really nice pair of Beyond Yoga maternity leggings.
  • JWatt5JWatt5 member
    All my fav maternity stores closed in the last year. We had Thyme Maternity that was my fav. Motherhood is gone and Gap only sells online now. Thankfully all my maternity stuff seems to fit and I did buy a bit on clearance when Thyme was closing but I have to go looking for a few things again. 

    And a coat…last pregnancy I was due in August so I got away with no warm coat. This year being due in February, with a toddler, that’s not going to fly. Kinda hoping I can find one on Facebook Marketplace. 
    Me: 37 DH: 37 - Married 10.2015 ❤️ Canadian 
    DX: Endometriosis - Stage 4, DOR, RPL
    TTC #1 07.2015
    03.2016 - Natural BFP - MC 5w4d
    04.2016 - Natural BFP - Chemical
    10.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = IUI Cancelled (cyst/no mature follicle)
    11.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFP, EDD 08.2017 - It's a BOY!
    TTC #2 06.2019
    08.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = Chemical
    09.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFN
    10.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #3 = BFN
    01.2020 - IUI w/ Injections #4 = BFN
    08.2020 - Natural BFP - MC 9w5d
    11.2020 - IVF Retrieval - 3AB & 4BB
    05.2021 - FET #1 = BFP, EDD 02.2022 - It's a BOY!

           
  • @lexilougolden I would say yay on those pants, they hit about where capris hit on me. I agree with @photographerwife about adding a cuff or two at the bottom.

    I gave a way 90% of my maternity clothes this past year :( I did save my favorite pair of maternity jeans (Good American), they were a little pricey but sooo worth it, comfy and I wore them post partum for awhile as well. I think I'll try to buy mainly from thrift since it's the last pregnancy. Most of my old stuff was handed down to me anyway so I didn't spend too much on the other 2.

  • All of my maternity stuff with my son was summer stuff (dresses and business casual work stuff)  since he was born in November. With the exception of a few things. But I’ve gotten rid of most of it. So far our local stores haven’t really had anything cute enough for me to consider buying! So I’m definitely down for online recommendations! 
  • @photographerwife I bought some on ThredUp today. They have a code to get up to 60% off. The pants I bought were under $7! HOTSTUFF I think was the code, its on the site.

  • @angelob88 sweet! Thank you! 
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