Maternity Clothing: Words of Wisdom

“My goal was to spend as little money as possible – who wants to buy clothes that you can only wear when you’re fat? All you need is a few interesting pieces. It’s good to shop in non-maternity departments too – the juniors section always has long tops and typically lots of tunics that can often cover a belly. And the plus size department is also good – or even just buying up a few sizes from you normally wear. As for pants, you have to decide whether you’re a below the belly, half-panel, or full-panel girl and buy pants accordingly. Sometimes this changes throughout pregnancy. “ – MAMA E

“Elastic waistband pants are absolutely the best part about being pregnant. All women should wear them at all times. They are comfortable and make your butt look great – especially in jeans. I suggest that you buy them and start wearing them the minute you get a positive pregnancy test if not sooner. Sometimes, when I daydream, I imagine a world where everyone, pregnant or not, wears elastic waistband clothing. I know that when that day comes there will be world peace. As for the timing of when to start wearing maternity clothing is a difficult one. There are pros and cons to wearing maternity clothing early. On the pro side, that the clothing makes you look like you are actually pregnant instead of just fat and that can be a good thing. The con to wearing the clothing early is that you will be wearing your maternity clothes for a long long time and – I promise – no matter how much you “LOVE” them when you first buy them, you will want to burn them by the time you are halfway through your second trimester.” – MAMA S

“Let's get something straight; there is nothing "cute" about maternity clothes. People say you look cute b/c they know you have a cute little baby inside, but generally there isn't cute maternity clothes. There are clothes than you can look normal-ish in and clothes you look big and pregnant. Try to get the ones you look normal in!” –MAMA R

“As far as the actual "maternity pants" definitely get some good ones and take the time to try on the different types of waistbands. I did not like the ones that were only half bands. Because I was carrying so low, it was not comfortable for me. I liked the "secret fit" brands from Motherhood Maternity...it is a real thin layer of fabric, almost like pantyhose, that is more stretchy so as you grow bigger it is more comfortable. I found the other kinds were uncomfortable, but everyone will have their own style. Most of my pregnancy, I rocked out in yoga-style pants and big t-shirts. But I work from home so I didn't have to worry about "dressup" clothes” – MAMA S

“By the end I fit nothing except one pair of jeans and a wrap around dress – so I had to go out and by a fall wardrobe. The large, over the belly stuff is so much more comfortable than the small waist band…once you have a belly, they’ll just start to fall off.” MAMA M

“Early on I bough 3 pairs of drawstring cotton pants from Old Navy (maybe 3-4 months) and I wore them the entire time. They were not maternity but they worked for me. It’s important to avoid buttons if you want to be able to wear something comfortably for a stretch of your pregnancy.” MAMA C

“BORROW BORROW BORROW – and wear your normal shirts unbuttoned with a pregnancy tank under then to save money” – MAMA A

Shoes while pregnant

There is no such thing as comfortable pregnancy shoes (especially if you are pregnant during the miserable months of winter). After 5-6 months, your feet will be swollen; therefore your shoes will be too small. If you are able to wear flip-flops, our Mamas recommend Crocs or Reefs – stay away from any high platform flip flop because they are too easy to trip and fall in. During the later months stay away from those fabulous killer heels in your closet even if you think can pull them off– your back and feet will thank you later! If you need comfortable form fitting shoes for work, and have the money to spend, one of our Mamas recommends Cole Haans.

The Belly Band

Oh the Belly Band! Our Mamas either LOVE it or LOATHE it. Some say it is “the best!!” while more than one of us calls it “the work of the devil.” Those that love the BB wore it all the time: to prolong the life of your normal jeans after you get to the point that you can’t button them, or when your shirts start getting too short, so it looks like you have on a tank underneath.

Those that hate the BB find that it is way too tight, and attempts holds your stomach in, when all you want to do is let it out. If you are especially gassy and bloated, it will do nothing but make you more uncomfortable as it pushes your tummy in. It is clearly a personal decision!

The Belly Bands can be found at most maternity stores, under many different names (i.e., BeBand at Target), and for many different prices ($16.99- $39.99). They also come in a cotton material in some stores, and a much less comfortable panty-hose-like material at others. Do some research before you purchase this necessity/torture device! You decide J

Japanese Weekend Maternity Clothing

While hard to find in stores, you can find Japanese Weekend on clothes online. Their clothing is a little pricey, but good for wrap around tops, stretchy pants and work shirts. They also have great pajamas for before and after baby.

Isabella Oliver Maternity Clothing

If only we had Angelina Jolie’s bank account (and bod) to buy Isabella Oliver maternity clothes. These VERY expensive clothes are made in London, but worth every penny (about $120 for a top). They are extremely well made, and very high quality. Most of their clothing can be worn before, during and after pregnancy. For example, their wrap tops come with about 10 feet of fabric on each side that you wrap around you, and the bigger your belly the less you wrap. Unless you have the extra money to spend, avoid this site at all cost, because you will want everything on there (or if a soon-to-be grandma wants to buy you something nice, point her in this direction). Save the money for when the baby comes, because you will need it!

Pea In A Pod/Mimi/Motherhood Maternity Clothing

This three-in-one maternity clothing stop (AKA Destination Maternity) is somewhat of an anomaly to us Mamas. It consists of the ridiculously expensive Pea in the Pod clothing in the front of the store, Mimi Maternity in the middle (which we were told runs slim fitting – and who wants that when they are pregnant), and the cheaper (both in price and quality) Motherhood Maternity clothing in the rear. Some of us spent a fortune in the Motherhood section, as they have trendy-ish clothing for a fraction of the cost of a shirt in the front of the store, BUT beware of their return policy, because it sucks. They do sell the very popular "secret fit belly" pants and skirts, that are a big favorite amongst the mamas.

The Pea in the Pod section is good for those Mamas that love their fancy designer jeans, or if you need a nicer dress to wear to a wedding/event. Most of us avoid it all together, as we can’t justify spending big bucks on clothes we will only wear for a few months of our lives. Pea in the Pod clothing comes closest to making you look like you actually have a “pea” in the pod, instead of a “planet” in the pod, but it is a vicious cycle because shopping here will also bankrupt you, which will in turn, make you depressed, which will in turn, make you eat more, which will in turn, force you to buy more (bigger) clothes.

NOTE: Maternity World at Wrentham Outlets sells all three of these lines, so be sure to check it out!

Old Navy Maternity Clothing

Ah, good Old Navy. Are there any in the Boston area that don’t look like a tornado just came through them? If you are lucky enough to find one that actually has maternity clothes in stock, they are good source for cheap duds. Great for basic lounge wear, and empire waist dresses (both maternity and non). You can usually find things on sale here for very cheap, but like Target, the sizes left are usually gigantic or tiny. For the few dollars you do spend, they seem to hold up nicely in the wash. If you can find a location that sells underwear, they are very comfy to wear during pregnancy.

Target Maternity Clothing

Target is a great source for less expensive (and lesser quality) maternity clothes. Their maternity line, created by Liz Lange (who also has a more expensive line of maternity clothes sold in her own store) consists of your basic t-shirts, lounge wear and tanks, as well as your basic work clothes. Depending on the Target you go to, you might find a good selection, but the ones we have been to in Boston tend to be picked through all the time, leaving only the mama jamma XXL and XS sizes (seriously, who wears XS maternity clothes?)! They also seem to carry a selection of maternity bathing suits, which are a lot more modern looking than the typical maternity bathing suit – you know, the one that looks like something your grandmother wore when you were a kid, with the giant pointy boobs and ruffled skirt to your knees. You will definitely get the best bang for your buck at Target – that is if you can find your size!

Gap Maternity Clothing

Much like the regular Gap store, Gap Maternity (found at most Baby Gap retailers) is a good place to get your wardrobe staples. The quality is typical Gap (good, but not great) and you will spend a bit more than places like Target, but the items will last you longer. They have a great selection of affordable jeans, with different size waistbands as well as a nice variety of basic tops (tanks, button downs, etc). Check out their online store for a great selection of nursing bras. If something isn’t on sale, come back in a few weeks, and it is sure to be!