https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:12:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1817485 Fri, 15 Aug 2014 03:09:13 +0000 erinpye 1817485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't need maternity stuff until 24 weeks with my first, and just bought a few things: 2 pairs of jeans, a couple dresses, a couple of skirts, a few tops and tanks. I wore a lot of leggings, big sweaters, yoga pants, and tunics that weren't maternity, too (being mostly pregnant during the Winter both times was helpful!). I'd definitely recommend a couple of maternity things for at least your bottom half, like some jeans or skirts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1817446 Fri, 15 Aug 2014 01:18:29 +0000 daniellemybelle 1817446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not carry much in my belly - I just got fatter all over :) So I was able to wear my old maxi dresses &amp; empire waist tops until nearly the end. I did get maternity jeans/pants and I still wear them because COMFORTABLE. I also got maternity stretchy tanktops &amp; I definitely still wear those too.</p> <p>I agree with everyone else saying that you can thrift maternity clothes for very cheap, but there's nothing wrong with playing it by ear. I got a few things here and there as I went and never paid full price except for shower dresses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1817424 Fri, 15 Aug 2014 00:15:27 +0000 Honeygold89 1817424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's exactly what I did I wore lots of maxi dresses and leggings and big tops and it worked well for me. I brought only one dress that was maternity so I could wear to my baby shower and maternity shoot. I also wore a lot of skirts with an elastic waist. I went all the way until 40 weeks doing that </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815880 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:49:41 +0000 mdf106 1815880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I needed maternity clothes, and even outgrew some of my maternity clothes. They are more comfortable and flattering. Ross had some inexpensive stuff, like $10 for jeans. Also, Motherhood Maternity has great sales - I recommend getting on the mailing list. I spent much less on maternity clothes than I do on normal clothes. I was not worried about quality, because they do not have to last. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815603 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:37:55 +0000 KayKay 1815603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it really just depends on how big you get and how you carry -- and unfortunately there's no way of knowing until the end! :) </p> <p>With my first, I bought some maternity clothes around 20 weeks because I felt like I wanted some tighter things to accentuate my belly and was worried about stretching out all of my non-maternity sweaters &amp; tops. I also bought two pairs of maternity jeans. I could still wear my regular yoga pants throughout (I carried really high; they were low-rise), and even one pair of non-maternity jeans fit through about 7 months. But I was happy that I had the maternity stuff and got good use of it for 4-ish months...instead of wishing I had it at the very end and not getting my money's worth!</p> <p>In addition to 2 maternity jeans and a handful of maternity sweaters, I bought some non-maternity things one size up -- a couple long layering tanks, a couple long layering long-sleeve shirts, and a really cute winter jacket that I could tie above the belly instead of buttoning once the belly got too big. I still wear all of those non-maternity things all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815531 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:11:23 +0000 Bubbles 1815531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am another who tried not to buy any but eventually gave in - tops I mostly got away with just larger sizes, but all my leggings and skirt waistbands (no matter how much I rolled them down) started to dig in so badly it was unbearable! DH came home one day with some maternity joggers and I hardly took them off from then til delivery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815506 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:05:31 +0000 cheert16 1815506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First pregnancy I didn't buy many- a couple pairs of pants and like 3 shirts. ( I didn't want to spend the $$) But I was not super comfortable most of the time- this pregnancy- I am like- its worth it to be comfortable!!! The first time you slip on those pregnancy jeans/ pants - its like magic happens! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815463 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:53:16 +0000 alohaorchid 1815463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A couple of my friends were able to just wear bigger sizes of regular clothes and never had to venture into a maternity clothing store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815218 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 06:38:45 +0000 winniebee 1815218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: me too! I outgrew all of my maternity pants and many tops. </p> <p>from pics I know you are a super slim person so you really might not need them until the end (and you live somewhere warm) I would suggest getting a few basic pieces (tops and leggings and dresses or pants) and then layering with open cardigans. My girlfriend did this because she never got that big (super long torso). However I started out small before my first (5'2 and 112 lbs) but was a big old round pregnant person in the third tri. And outgrew even maternity clothes by the end. </p> <p>You could get some stuff off HB classifieds for cheap too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815211 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 06:31:34 +0000 bpcmarj 1815211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@whenoceansrise: I got probably 70% of stuff at Savers thrift store. Do you have any thrift stores around? Other places I bought things from were Old Navy, Target, and JC Penny on clearance. I am tall and worked in a office with a business professional dress code so there were some things I had to buy regardless of cost, but I did not spend much on my maternity clothes. Then, I sold them consignment when I was done and made up most of the cost</p> <p>To answer your question, there is absolutely no way I could have gone without maternity clothes. . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815110 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 23:40:06 +0000 StbHisMrs 1815110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I outgrew my maternity stuff at the end! There were a few things that I was able to wear all throughout that weren't maternity, but not many.</p> <p>It's garage sale season here, search your local craigslist garage sale section for maternity, and EBay!</p> <p>@Amurray: Oregon here too https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1815004 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:59:27 +0000 shopaholic 1815004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I could have gotten away without buying any maternity tops besides camis. I wore those the most with regular tops and regular tops in a larger size. I actually didn't end up wearing most of my maternity clothes besides a couple of pairs of jeans, leggings and camis. I think if I ended the pregnancy in the warmer months, I wouldn't even need the jeans. Next time I will buy even less, if any. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814695 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:03:22 +0000 Meridian 1814695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 26 weeks and have only bought one pair of maternity white jeans. I hate wearing pants in the summer, so I've collected a bunch of empire waist (non-maternity) dresses. I'm sure once it gets cooler in Chicago, I'll need to start getting some, argh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814361 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:52:36 +0000 mrsjyw 1814361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did for work, but most of the time I bought regular clothes in larger sizes and worked well. I had a Nov baby and lasted without a single pair of maternity jeans. I got by with leggings, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814348 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:47:57 +0000 kes18 1814348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh yeah, I will also add my maternity tanks are EXCELLENT for post partum. They are not nursing specific but they work great for nursing and I like that they're longer (I am quite long-waisted). My baby is 4 months and I still wear them all the time, I am thinking about going to pick some more up cause I can see myself wearing them until I wean her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814282 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:30:23 +0000 Raindrop 1814282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with a lot of PPers, I only bought bottoms but my normal tops are very tummy friendly and I like shirts that run long. Good luck! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814267 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:24:54 +0000 whenoceansrise 1814267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTiz: Awesome! Thanks! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814172 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:50:56 +0000 MrsTiz 1814172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@whenoceansrise: The only maternity clothes I absolutley *had* to buy were bottoms! I was able to wear my shirts up until 35 weeks when I delivered. I bought a few maternity tops but wore my regular clothes more often. </p> <p>Soo, it's def. possible considering you didn't wear fitted clothes pre-pregnancy! </p> <p>Pants/shorts/leggings however, theres no getting around that! And maybe a new bra and undies!</p> <p>For a visual - long sleeve blue shirt at 21 weeks and yellow shirt at 14 weeks are the only maternity shirts that I bought</p> <p>[attach=2456/14/na9dvf.411x600.Untitled.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814171 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:50:44 +0000 Turd Ferguson 1814171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dude, no. This was 19 ETA:18, oops! weeks (at the end of the day after eating a ton) and 38 weeks (didn't have LO until 39+5). </p> <p>Thrift/eBay/borrow. It can easily happen for cheap.</p> <p>[attach=2591/14/na9dol.600x600.image.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814053 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:08:41 +0000 immabeetoo 1814053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I carried huge and it would've been impossible. I buy mine all second hand or on sale for $2-5 a piece including jeans :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814045 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:07:27 +0000 whenoceansrise 1814045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! You have all been very helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814040 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:02:45 +0000 spaniellove 1814040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, the right pieces will last you longer than you think! At 10 weeks pp I'm still wearing my Target/Liz Lange tanks (love the fabric), under belly leggings, and any long cardigans. They're perfect for lounging with baby and would make a great pp outfit in a mild winter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes/page/2#post-1814010 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:47:40 +0000 lamariniere 1814010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bought maternity jeans and one pair of maternity pants. The rest was normal clothes a size or two bigger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813943 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:16:25 +0000 Pirouette 1813943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i bought a few maternity tops and just never grew into them so never wore them. i wore nonmaternity tops the whole way through. i usually wear petite xs, so i just bought regular xs instead and they were perfect in the 3rd tri. pants though, no way. i wouldn't have been able to button my pants in the 3rd tri! so i got maternity work pants. i did have nonmaternity foldover waist leggings (victorias secret) that fit all the way through. it just depends on your body type! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813935 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:15:20 +0000 regberadaisy 1813935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@whenoceansrise: With my first I was pregnant through the Fall/Winter and spring. I bought just a maternity tank top, pair of jeans, 1 pair of work pants and maternity leggings? And maybe one other article? I got through by wearing leggings, empire waisted dresses.</p> <p>Because I bought so little I wasn't able to reuse any this pregnancy and bought a few more items off the classifieds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813920 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:10:00 +0000 kes18 1813920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think I could have survived without maternity clothes... </p> <p>at 21 weeks I didn't wear much maternity clothes other than pants (2nd and 3rd trimester over the winter here). I could still wear normal shirts if I wanted.</p> <p>But wow I don't think I could have worn regular clothes those last few months... you would look like that picture above.</p> <p>I bought some cheap (and awesome!) maternity tanks from Old Navy and layered those with 3 or 4 oversized cardigans from Express (love them so much I am wearing them still). But yes, definitely needed maternity pants (jeans, work, exercise, leggings). Maternity leggings were the BEST THING EVER.</p> <p>I could see working the maxi dress or high waisted dress but my last months were in Jan/Feb..so it didn't exactly work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813888 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:56:51 +0000 spaniellove 1813888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's hard to gauge at 21 weeks what things will be looking like in a few months! Around 21 weeks my boobs were still bigger than my belly; at the end I could only wear maxi dresses because waistbands dug into my belly so badly. And even then there was no way I could wear nonmaternity dresses because the cut is so awkward. You'd get really uncomfortable having too-small clothes pulling at your belly, trust me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813864 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:46:40 +0000 swurlygurl 1813864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only bought 1 pair of maternity jeans, 1 pair of maternity work pants, and 1 pair of maternity shorts (and only because it was summer). I used all my regular shirts, but they were easily accommodating my growing belly because I have to buy them a little larger to fit my chest. A couple long undershirts extended my normal shirts once my belly got HUGE (somewhere around 34 weeks I started *needing* an undershirt).</p> <p>I wear a lot of leggings and skirts, but my leggings I already had were full panel because that's what I find comfortable.<br /> If you're patient you can find some great prices on maternity bottoms at Kohl's - that's where I got all mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813832 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:37:18 +0000 pui 1813832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't buy much maternity clothes. Just a few shirts, a pair of maternity jeans and some dresses. I bought most of it cheaply at Old Navy. Worked fine for me for this whole pregnancy.</p> <p>I did also buy a dress to wear for my maternity shoot and a bathing suit since I went to Mexico for a babymoon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-not-buy-maternity-clothes#post-1813827 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 11:36:48 +0000 jape14 1813827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've worn a decent mix of maternity and non-maternity clothes (especially dresses - most of the ones I've been wearing are not maternity) throughout my pregnancy, but I definitely couldn't have managed without maternity altogether. In my non-maternity wardrobe, I have a lot of loose-fitting, blousy, tunic-y type tops that would accommodate a pretty good-size bump (some would probably even fit me now at 38 weeks), but I didn't count on my boobs being the reason I grew out of most of my shirts earlier than I'd anticipated! </p>