Product Spotlight: Maternity Clothes

iiirene · September 2022

S+TMs:
-Are there any maternity clothes you can’t live without?
-Do you have a favorite store/brand/website to buy from?

nsk489 · September 2022

Ok I am NO help here so just gonna follow along for everyone else's recommendations 😆
I really like wearing "real" pants/jeans and struggled a lot with maternity pants. I do not like maternity pants with the band that goes all the way up over your belly, it always felt so uncomfortable and suffocating to me....but all other pants fell down on me and I felt like I was constantly hiking them up so my butt didn't hang out

etnyah · September 2022

Looks like the mat clothes game has changed since last time I was pregnant! I need to get my old stuff out of storage soon, but I already bought a few more things. Motherhood Maternity was my go-to last time but I just went on their website and literally nothing looks good currently so I dunno! Bought joggers and leggings from GAP and they seem fine.

I’m a fan of clothes that work both preg and pp. Flowy tops that are nursing tops after birth, jackets with a triangle maternity panel that flips upside down so you can wear a baby carrier underneath, etc.

General tips since I don’t have a brand I love: buy from ThredUP, since it’s second hand it’s way cheaper. Some expensive brands don’t live up to their price tag, Blanqi comes to mind. Bought a pair of pp leggings from them last time around and while comfy, they pilled like crazy, stretched and looked horrible after just a couple washes.

nsk489 · September 2022

@etnyah I definitely second buying secondhand!! I got 95% of my maternity wardrobe secondhand last time---either hand me downs from my sister and SIL, from a local consignment store, FB marketplace and Mercari

iiirene · September 2022

I didn’t buy too many maternity clothes last time. Most of what I bought was from Old Navy. I did get a maternity stitch fix and liked the pants. I also used the Bella Band over my regular jeans/pants for work. I have a pair of non maternity pants with an elastic waist that I think will be great from UpWest. All of their clothes are already sooo comfortable. My favorite maternity item I had was a pair of modal pajama pants from Gap. I let my best friend borrow them during her last pregnancy so I’ll be needing to get them back soon.

etnyah · September 2022

Oh also adding: depending on your pre-preg wardrobe, you’ll be surprised at how many things might fit all pregnancy! If you’re into skin tight clothes probably not, but roomy sweaters and dresses? Probably! I have one dress in particular I wore all the time for years, it’s loose fitting and stretchy and I actually wore it all the way up until birth. Literally, I wore it when we went to the hospital. Here it is with a 6 month bump.

And borrow your husband’s hoodies. You need them more than he does.

acleverusername · September 2022

I signed up for thredUP! I'd looked into it before, but never pulled the trigger.
I have been buying a bunch of stuff on Poshmark (I like designer stuff at a fraction of the cost), and a few things from some of the designer brands I'd discovered that way (mostly dresses that'll work post-partum). Plus, I loaded up on Kindred Bravely bras and I cannot recommend them enough. My boobies are so big and heavy now...

etnyah · September 2022

@acleverusername I think I have a couple kindred bravely bras from last time, they’re solid! Just got my Aerie bras as well, haven’t tried them on yet because I’m still sick as a dog, but once I feel better I will. I was just happy to get them for fairly cheap.

Nursing bras and camis, while I know those are more pp and not mat, do splurge. Or get the expensive brands on sale. Cheap stuff like gap do not hold up. There is SO much movement with the boob flaps being pulled up and down multiple times a day, you need something that won’t stretch or break. I bought a mix of pricey and cheap ones last time and all the gap camis stretched so much, and the plastic clasp broke. Not worth trying to save money there.

nsk489 · September 2022

H&M has some decent maternity/nursing clothes. The only bras I ended up liking were from there https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1074166002.html
Also their nursing camis held up well, IMO https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1039096001.html

yelaklu13 · September 2022

This is not a maternity clothing line, but I am plus size with most of my weight in my stomach, and like to dress fashionably with updated trends and free people has some great options because a lot of it is oversized. I will be shopping there for some looser clothes until I have a very prominent bump. My first pregnancy 9 years ago I was obsessed with motherhood maternity’s leggings and just bought some from motherhood maternity leggings straight from Amazon for this one, and they are still just as comfortable

gingerbunny23 · September 2022

Any advice on bras for someone who's already up to a 34F (or a little more) by 11 weeks? I know I'm not going to be lucky enough for them to quit this early, and it's proving super difficult to find anything that fits and provides support....help!

nsk489 · September 2022

@gingerbunny23 I am small chested so I can't personally vouch for any of these, but Karrie Locher has an awesome write up on bras. https://www.karingforpostpartum.com/blog/the-best-nursingpumping-bras?rq=Bra
If you scroll towards the bottom, there are pumping bras, nursing bras, and tank tops for busty ladies. She gets input from her IG community when doing these write ups, so those are all bras that women with big boobs have said actually work for them

trubaby411 · September 2022

When is the best time to buy nursing/maternity bras? Get some now in my current size and more later if I outgrow them? What did you all do/ what are you doing this time?

etnyah · September 2022

@trubaby411 I just got some and plan on wearing them right away! Nursing bras are made for boobs that change sizes, so you’ll likely be fine with the same ones for both now and later.

nsk489 · September 2022

@trubaby411 I preferred something like this during pregnancy when my boobs started getting bigger and my regular bras were no longer comfortable Caramel Cantina 4 Pack Nursing Maternity Women’s Sleep Comfort Bralette Bra https://a.co/j7wLD66
(Also, it says nursing and maternity bra, but I did not like these for actually nursing).
Then when those started getting too snug at the end, I started wearing the nursing bras (the kind that clip down).

iiirene · September 2022

@trubaby411 I love the type of bra @nsk489 suggested above. They’re so comfortable.

etnyah · September 2022

Ha I hated that type of bra! Both for nursing and not. Just means you have to try everything and find what works for you.

returning_bump_member · September 2022

@gingerbunny23 I'm 13 weeks and a 34G/H right now. I am swearing by kindred bravely bras. I bought medium busty in the sublime nursing bra and with all the adjustments you can make, I don't see needing to buy a bigger size until breastfeeding maybe.

I bought seraphine maternity jeans and wore them the first time yesterday. I loved the under belly ones but since I'm not so big yet, I needed to pull them up after sitting down or bending over. I also have their maternity/combo baby wearing zip up hoodie that I'm excited to wear.

I love going through Target and seeing what's on clearance. I also bought a couple amazon maternity leggings that had good reviews for tall women, but we'll see how those do.

ladyofarlington · September 2022

@returning_bump_member oh which jeans did you get from Seraphine? I have a few in my cart (in addition to other clothes) and can’t decide!

I’m going to need entirely different maternity clothes this time with an April baby than I had with my October baby!

Last time I had a ton of hand me downs from friends and bought a bunch of flowy summer dresses. This time I’ll need to start from scratch, especially since denim styles have changed a bit. 😉

gingerbunny23 · September 2022

@returning_bump_member - this is amazing! you just made my day. I've been going back and forth on ordering that exact bra and size in both the bra and tank top to try.....it's great to hear it's worked well for someone else in a similar situation. I'll have to give them a shot!

shoogapoff · September 2022

Honestly, I think most maternity clothes are overrated. To be fair, I didn't get very big with my last pregnancy, but I wore my normal shirts the entire time.

I got a couple pairs of jeans and leggings, and 1 pair of shorts, since I was due in July in Texas. But that was plenty for me. I don't like those ruched tops at all, and relied more on loose things.

I agree that breastfeeding-friendly clothes are a much better investment, if you're planning on nursing for any length of time.

MsBeachNJ · September 2022

@shoogapoff when I was pregnant over the summer, I never really wore maternity clothes... just lots of maxi dresses & skirts... but winter (pants!) I definitely need maternity.

Has anyone heard of Nuuly rent before? It was advertised to me today & looks like a pretty great idea, $88/month you get 6 pieces per month to wear, keep them as long as you like, once you return, you can get 6 new pieces. I may try it!

acleverusername · September 2022

Okay, so send me links for good quality maternity leggings with pockets. Please and TIA!

etnyah · September 2022

@acleverusername a few of my friends swear by Beyond Yoga mat leggings, they have pockets. I kind of want a pair but I’m stalling because of the price tag.

returning_bump_member · September 2022

@ladyofarlington I added a picture of the 2 I ordered.

wigglyicecream · September 2022

*lurking*

@acleverusername I want to say congratulations and I’m rooting you and all the 4/23 moms on and sending you all good vibes and healthy pregnancies and babies.

As for the maternity leggings with pockets, https://www.kindredbravely.com/products/louisa-maternity-postpartum-support-leggings-pocket-style?variant=32568058052704 the only “downside”
is the belly panel is a tiny bit longer than I would like. I still wear them now and I’m almost 4 months PP, and wore them after my c section and they were comfortable, oh and I bought their high waisted undies and like them as well.

gingerbunny23 · September 2022

@wigglyicecream - I've been looking at those lately, but I've been hesitant to pay almost $100 per pair of leggings.....while also getting more desperate to find clothes that don't make me miserable. Do you have any experience with the bras or tanks by the same company? Is the leggings material similar by chance?

wigglyicecream · September 2022

@gingerbunny23 I personally do not but I have a close friend who swears by their bras. I am currently nursing and have some cheap target bralettes that work well and are comfy enough to sleep in. I also in a different pregnancy bought motherhood maternity nursing bras which worked really well for pregnancy and then nursing. I know it’s a steep price tag. I would suggest looking at poshmark if you’re ok with preowned clothes. Just for reference as far as comfortability, I also have Lululemon align leggings with pockets (bc I had to see what the hype was about) and the KB ones are more supportive and comfortable than the Lulus. A cheaper option that also worked for me were the old navy cotton maternity leggings but they pilled where my thighs touched and I only wore them a couple of months.

acleverusername · October 2022

@gingerbunny23 I have the Kindred Bravely bras and they have been godsend since my tatas have like doubled in size (I’m normally 34C/32D). Worth every penny. I also went and got the Beyond Yoga leggings and - if you don’t mind signing up for their marketing texts (which you cam promptly unsubscribe from - they send you a 20% off your first purchase. I figured it was worth it.

@wigglyicecream 🙏 TY!

gingerbunny23 · October 2022

I just wanted to circle back to all the wonderful advice shared in this thread and say thank you! Ya'll are amazing, 1000%. It's taken more back and forth with returns to figure out my Kindred Bravely sizing (for leggings, bras, and tanks), but I think I've finally figured it out.....just grateful to have a couple things I can wear without feeling miserable!

scaredunprepared · October 2022

I try to make my non maternity clothes work as long as possible. Lots of leggings, flowy tops, drsses, and I use the hairband trick on my jeans.

The only maternity jeans I have really liked were old navy and one random pair from isabel at target. And I have tried A LOT of maternity jeans!

In terms of tops, I try to go for maternity/nursing combo because I hate having to think about spending more money after buying maternity clothes, so I go for multipurpose.

Bras I am all about comfort these days! Since I'm currently nursing, the are mostly nursing bras or non underwire bras that I can easily pull down for boob access. I don't have one specific brand or style I love, though. Just try them all and keep what works.

etnyah · October 2022

Just grabbed this sweater off Amazon and it fits really well! Plenty of room and a bit of stretch, it’ll fit all through pregnancy. And it’s not a maternity sweater so it’ll look good as a normal oversized sweater like it’s intended afterwards too. Can’t speak to wear yet, but based on first impression I recommend it!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KP4VNBW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

acleverusername · November 2022

After a lot of hand wringing, I went all in on maternity clothes, rationalizing that a) this is my first child, but not the only one I will have; 2) I need to be comfortable and NONE of my regular clothes are comfortable; once I got a pair of pregnancy tights (Addidas), I was sold with over-the-belly support; 3) there aren't a lot of things that make me look / feel good during pregnancy, but pregnancy clothes are that one thing so I will spoil myself.

Favorite brands so far are:
- Kindred Bravely for bras and oh-so-soft tanks
- Seraphine Maternity... so so so soft
- Beyond Yoga workout stuff / around-the-house lounge wear

gingerbunny23 · November 2022

@acleverusername...I get it, 100%. I'm trying not to go overboard, but the things I've found so far that have been comfortable and supportive I've gone back for multiples LOL. Also just wanted to second the Kindred Bravely suggestion.....their bras are the only thing keeping my G-cups even remotely contained without making me miserable, and their leggings have been a lifesaver! Aside from that I've had good luck finding a few soft and cheap-ish sweaters at Target...

returning_bump_member · November 2022

@gingerbunny23 did you see their new "super busty" sizes?! I bought one and LOVE it. It makes the busty ones seem small.

enw1028 · November 2022

I didn't buy too many clothes for my first pregnancy because a) we were in a pandemic and not going anywhere and b) I was due in July, so I was able to wear most of my flow dresses, etc.

This time around I have no choice but to purchase some maternity things since I'm pregnant in a different season. So far I have purchased the Spanx maternity faux leather leggings, 2 pair of maternity jeans, and plan on getting another pair of Align leggings!
-Are there any maternity clothes you can’t live without?
The Lululemon Align leggings. I had them pre-first pregnancy and wore them all the way to my due date. I even wore them to my induction at 40w1d! They really do stretch well with the bump. I have worn them all through pregnancy & after and they still hold up well and haven't stretched out!
-Do you have a favorite store/brand/website to buy from?
I ordered Abercrombie maternity jeans and so far I have been happy with them. They're still a bit big with the otb panel, but I think they will be great! I've also gotten a few things from PinkBlush Maternity.

I looked on Poshmark and likely will order a pair of jeans from there because they're so affordable and know they were only worn a hand full of times!

gingerbunny23 · November 2022

@returning_bump_member I did! though, I haven't tried any of those (and I tried a lot of sizes in the leggings, sublime bras, and sublime tanks with about a million returns before I found what worked. So far, I've been wearing the M-Busty Sublime bras and a L-Busty Sublime tank for a few weeks and they're all still pretty comfortable despite the fact my boobs don't wanna stop LOL. I feel like I'm wider than I am tall though (if that makes sense?) so I have some room at the top of the bras, but fill out the width. Luckily they seem plenty soft and stretchy, so fingers crossed maybe they'll last for this pregnancy....

Product Spotlight: Maternity Clothes

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