Maternity clothes shopping can be one of the biggest concerns for new moms. On the one hand you want to be comfortable and look fashionable. On the other hand, you don’t want to spend a fortune on clothes that you’re only going to wear for a few months.
When my husband and I were surprised with our first pregnancy, having a child was closer to the end of our five year plan. We had to make major cuts in our budget to be able to afford a new member in the family. “Shopping for fun” became a distant memory for me. One of the side benefits to my expanding belly was that I finally had a legitimate excuse to go shopping.
What I found out is that, although maternity clothes can be expensive, there is a way to come up with a new wardrobe without breaking your budget. I spent around $200 on my entire wardrobe including jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, shirts, and even a swimsuit.
You can enjoy guilt-free shopping if you:
- Decide how much you are going to spend, before you go out.
- Don’t over-buy. You do not need to replace your entire wardrobe with maternity clothes. Buy clothes that you can wear through your entire pregnancy and also afterwards.
- Shop around for the best deals. Some great places to shop for maternity clothes are: Target, Old Navy, GAP, Motherhood Maternity, and outlet stores.
While you may not be able to keep your figure, here are some tips that will help you keep your style and a little cash in your wallet:
The Right Shape
Currently, there are many styles that look flattering on pregnant women. It may be possible to get away with wearing these styles all throughout your pregnancy without having to buy any maternity clothes. The trapeze shape is great because it flows and does not have a fitted shape. Empire waist shirts and tunics are also great choices for pregnant women since they are fitted at the top and then flare through the belly area. Tunics are especially great because they are wide and long, which helps to hide tight or unbuttoned pants.
Bella Band
The Bella Band is similar to a belt that can be worn over pants or skirts to hold them in place. It costs around $20 and comes in an assortment of colors to match any outfit. The band allows you to get more use out of our non-maternity clothes during pregnancy. It can also be worn post partum to hold up loose fitting maternity pants.
Stretch
Skirts and pants with elastic or stretch bands are a must during and after pregnancy. Shirts made from stretchy fabrics are also great picks. These items will grow with you and last through your entire pregnancy, preventing you from having to go shopping every time your body changes.
Size Up
Although most women will not begin to show until the middle of their second trimester, pants start to feel snug at around the end of month two.
You have a few choices:
1. You can continue to wear your pre-pregnancy pants, unbuttoned.
2. You can buy maternity pants.
3. You can buy bigger non-maternity pants.
Maternity pants are very comfortable, but they can only be worn during pregnancy. To get the best value for your money, purchase pants one size over what you normally wear. Non-maternity pants one size larger will fit comfortably and look stylish during the first two trimesters. Post-partum, these are the pants that you will go for, since your body will take a while to settle back to its average size.
Tank Tops
Tank tops are wonderful because they are stretchy enough to go through your entire pregnancy with you. After the baby is here, tanks tops worn under your regular clothes will enable you to nurse in public without showing your belly.
Clearance
Not only should you scout clearance racks, you should search for stores that sell maternity clothes on line but do not carry maternity items at the store. Old Navy and Ann Taylor Loft are some of those stores that offer a maternity line on their web site but not all locations carry the clothes. If someone purchases an item on line and then returns it to the store, the item automatically goes on sale for an average discount of thirty percent off because the store does not have a maternity department.
Your lifestyle and personal preference will determine what you buy. Keep in mind that each pregnancy is different. You may be able to wear your regular clothes until month seven or you may have to go on a shopping spree during month two. Regardless, of what you do, remember that the only thing better than buying beautiful clothes is knowing that you got a great deal.
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