I'm 21 weeks and haven't bought any maternity clothes yet. I'm hoping I can get away with maxi dresses/skirts and leggings and tunics and buying tank tops in larger sizes with a cardigan when it gets cooler. Did anyone else do this? If so, did it work for you? Maternity clothes are just so much more expensive than regular clothes!
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@whenoceansrise: I think it could possibly work, as long as you don't mind some things being stretched out (beyond return). My belly got HUGE by the end and any non maternity item I tried to wear got bent out of shape.
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Are you ok looking like this? If so, then no you don't need them
I used a lot of non-maternity tops that were empire waist but once you get to the end you really need maternity tops or REALLY long tops to cover the bump
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@Mamaof2: This is how I look even in "maternity" stuff. So I can't imagine trying to find tops that weren't maternity.
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Definitely possible! I didn't wear maternity until probably 25 weeks and I underestimated how large I would get! haha. Even some maternity clothes were too small after awhile.
Target has Liz Lange tanks that are like 11/12 dollars - you could wear sweaters and blazers over top of those.
Any non maternity items you get at the end will probably be too stretched out or just too big to wear again - keep that in mind.
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larger tops may fit over a big 7-9 month pregnant belly, but they will be larger overall, not just in the belly. i resisted getting maternity clothes because of the cost and because i wouldn't be wearing them that long. try ebay or craigslist. i definitely transitioned my maternity summer/fall tops to winter by pairing them with a cardigan.
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I tried, but the waistbands of regular leggings started to REALLY hurt! Do you have a Clothes Mentor or maternity consignment Facebook page locally? They might have some good stuff. I also caught some things at Gap on super sale - I got a pair of maternity khakis for $12!
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If you're going to buy stuff in larger sizes, just get maternity! It really is wayyyy more flattering and comfortable! You'll wonder why you didn't sooner. I tried buying bigger shirts and 1) they just made me look awkward and 2) EVERYTHING is bigger, so the necks were too big, the sleeves/straps were falling off my shoulders, etc. Just give in to the maternity clothes, girl! You don't have to buy a lot, but you will thank yourself later!
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If you really don't want to do maternity tops, you might be able to get away with something like a Bella Band underneath your tops.
Maternity stuff isn't all super expensive and you don't need a lot, especially if you plan to do cardigans over tees, for example. Just wear them a lot!
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I outgrew maternity stuff by the end. There was no way I could get away without maternity clothes. Maternity clothes are tailored to fit a bump, larger clothes look larger overall and sloppy in my opinion.
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I hunt for deals so far in Target.. I've gotten 2 tshirts, 1 tunic, 1 tank, 1 belly band, all under $10 and I got maternity jeans for under $20.
I got 2 maternity dresses at Asos for under $20 each also, and just wear any other dresses that work.
I got some hand me down leggings/sweaters but I might need to buy a few more things for fall/winter... I would def just look out for sales, bargains, use coupons, etc! I bought more than I wanted to so far, but at least I didn't spend much on them!
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@Emsmems: yes! I remember the 1st time I slipped on a pair of maternity pants - I was in heaven and wished I had bought them sooner!!
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Ha! At the end no way just bigger shirts would have covered my bump.
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I agree, invest in a couple pieces, you won't regret it. Regular pants/leggings will start to rub into your big belly and you will hate it. Target clearance, Walmart, H&M all have cheaper pieces you can make work. But I think a couple pants, and shirts for 7-9 months is really necessary to be flattering. Otherwise you will stretch all your stuff out and you won't want to wear them after pregnancy because they look weird, my BFF did this and regretted it.
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@cmomma17: Thanks! So far I have been able to wear my normal clothes without many problems. I feel like I am finally starting to get a baby bump!
@Mamaof2: hahaha I love that episode!
@Kelley_lovelikecrazy: Thank you!
@edelweiss: I definitely will keep that in mind! Thanks!
@grizz: I've tried finding things like that in my area and have went to every resale shop in my area but at this point everything I have tried has been too big. Also, I am SUPER picky!
@Emsmems: Haha, thanks! I know it's probably a good idea!
@looch: Thanks! Can you recommend places where I can find inexpensive maternity items? -
Find clearance stuff. I bought all my stuff at kohl's off the clearance rack.
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i tried to go without buying any maternity clothes... but all of my bigger shirts had me looking like that Rachel picture too. I picked up some cheap/on sale items from Old Navy and Gap Maternity.. I was surprised at how good quality they ended up being! I'd recommend picking up a few staple items.. like a few tanks in different colors to wear under existing cardigans, and at least a pair of maternity jeans. Similar to previous posters, my maternity jeans that I got from Motherhood Maternity (again on sale) are SO comfortable that I'm hoping to keep wearing them long after I give birth!
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I bought almost all of my maternity clothes at Target and Old Navy. If I got it somewhere else, it was only because of a good deal! If you sign up for Old Navy emails, they always send out coupons and sales!
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I bought almost everything online, I had a few tees from Old Navy and a few long sleeved tops from Motherhood. I preferred the more fitted tops, with the ruching at the sides, so I bought two on clearance.
Was my stuff gorgeous? No...but I spent about $250 and I wore so long that I felt I got my money's worth easily!
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@snowjewelz: ahh, I've tried several times trying to find something at Target and I guess our Target sucks because I NEVER can find anything there.
@Smurfette: Darn! My mom said that she never got very big and never bought maternity clothes with all three of her pregnancies. I was kind of hoping I would be like that too, but I know that's pretty unusual! -
I managed with very few actual "maternity" pieces. The key for me was having a couple maternity jeans and maternity work pants. For tops, I used stretchy tops under open jackets for work, and large t-shirts or loose styles of tops for non-work. However, I ended up having a relatively compact bump. There's no harm in trying to do without maternity clothes - you can always pick up a few pieces if you find yourself growing out of the other stuff!
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@whenoceansrise: Ugh that's annoying! They really don't have much, but over the course of a few months I usually find a few things on clearance here & there, and I look out for maternity coupons from their mobile cartwheel app.
I've heard good things about Old Navy and H&M for cheaper clothes too. You'd think there's a much bigger market for affordable maternity clothes!
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I am only 11 weeks but I have been slowly picking up a few items here and there. Gap has 35% off and free shipping over $50, I find I have to size up in some things, but it have found several shirts I like a lot for less than $10. I just sent 3 pairs of older pants into belly-jeans.com to have converted for $20 each (I'll write a little review for y'all when I have used them). I also plan on investing in one pair of Paige maternity jeans. I figure 4 pants, 1-2 dresses, 8-10 tops, lots of leggings and an oversized pea coat my sister gave me from her last pregnancy will serve me just fine and make me feel as good as I can. I found this dress on ebay last night for $23 including shipping, it will be so cute with leggings. Minus the designer denim I have spent about $200 and feel pretty well set up.
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@whenoceansrise: Aren't you due in Dec? Do you live some place where it is warm? And you don't need pants every day?
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@Mamaof2: Hahaha! I'm even looking like that in maternity stuff and I still have 5ish weeks to go!
@whenoceansrise: You should check the classifieds here, there are a ton of great deals on clothes. If you're going to have to buy new stuff anyway, might as well be comfortable.
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@smurfette ha! Don't need pants everyday, loved that comment. I wish I did not need pants everyday.
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I was about a month ahead of you last year- December 1 due date. I needed maternity pants- I paid $45 for Pea in the pod leggings but they were so soft and I wore them so much that it was worth it. I would have gotten another pair if I went back there. I think you should at least get basics to make your life easier. I didn't want to worry about being uncomfortable or not knowing what to dress myself in. I'm sure some women get away with little or no maternity clothes but I think it's more comfortable to have some.
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@Amurray: ha! I didn't mean it that way. But no way in Nov and Dec I could just wear a maxi dress or skirt and it isn't that cold here.
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@smurfette Oregon is the same that's why I had a little chuckle over it.
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i only bought one pair of mat jeans and 3 mat tanks for my first pregnancy... it was fine, but i did get tired of wearing the same things every day!
i wore a lot of leggings and empire waist dresses and leggings with mat tank and open cardigan.i kinda wish i bought more though, those last months seem to stretch forever!
i think you will need a few maternity tanks, and perhaps mat leggings. i never got them, but i bet they would be really comfy. i would also invest in one pair of mat jeans you love, if you like wearing jeans :). for me, those are the bare necessities!
enjoy your pregnancy! wear lots of scarves! hehe
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I couldn't, but i'm 5'11" and already wear an XL in tops...and even the maternity XL tops weren't long enough for me by the end!!! The dresses all got shorter and shorter on me, ha.
But yessss to the dresses! I wore a lot of leggings/non maternity stretchy skirts, etc, even in the winter. I was just so hot by myself!
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@Smurfette: I hate wearing pants anyway
Yes, I'm due in December. Our winters are unpredictable, but I've always just worn leggings and boots in the winter anyway. Also I can wear yoga pants to work
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35.4 weeks here, but I didn't start getting a for sure noticeable belly until around 28 weeks. I started wearing maternity pants (the underbelly soft waistband kind) after the 1st trimester for comfort, but I hated the belly band so perhaps that's why. If you can get away with non-maternity clothes, go for it, but you will probably want a few stretchy/comfy pieces towards the end (after 30 weeks), so just keep an eye out for sales on jersey/stretchy essential pieces from Old Navy or Gap to get you through.
If I had to cull it down to my maternity must-haves, I would say:
- The non-ruched Liz Lange for Target tank tops
- The Gap maternity maxi skirt
- Old Navy maternity short jersey skirt, yoga pants, leggings, underbelly black pants, and jeans. And any shirt in their "slub" material is SO soft and comfy.
- A few long open cardigans (non-maternity is fine)
- The camisole 2-packs they sell at Costco (with or without shelf bra). I love them because they are thin and long and great for layering.
- Comfy adjustable shoes for foot swelling. A lot of women swear by the Sanuk yoga slings. I wear adjustable strap Danskos to work and Crocs at home now that my feet swell.
- MATERNITY PANTIES.
- Soft stretchy bras like Coobies. At this point baby is up in my ribs, so I've taken to wearing camis with shelf bras and tucking thin foam cutlets into them to cover up my nips. -
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!
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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.
I did also buy a dress to wear for my maternity shoot and a bathing suit since I went to Mexico for a babymoon.
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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).
I wear a lot of leggings and skirts, but my leggings I already had were full panel because that's what I find comfortable.
If you're patient you can find some great prices on maternity bottoms at Kohl's - that's where I got all mine. -
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!
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I don't think I could have survived without maternity clothes...
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.
But wow I don't think I could have worn regular clothes those last few months... you would look like that picture above.
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.
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.
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@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.
Because I bought so little I wasn't able to reuse any this pregnancy and bought a few more items off the classifieds.
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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!
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