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This weekend, I was shopping for maternity clothes for my sister-in-law. I was disappointed as I strolled through the maternity section at my local department store--few selections, dull colors and whoa, talk about pricey! Well, you DO have other options as you shop for maternity clothing.
Borrow from a friend or family member
Karen and I have swapped maternity clothes before. Some of my maternity clothes once belonged to friends who were done with having children and more than happy to give them away. My colleagues and I will also swap maternity clothes amongst ourselves.
Try Plus Size Clothing
A co-worker recommended to me with my first pregnancy that I go to Lane Bryant and shop for BIG clothes there. This worked for a while but I then found that they didn't fit as well as clothing made specifically for expectant moms.
Ask your hubby for help
Is your mate a few sizes larger than you? If so, maybe you could borrow a few of his more comfortable garments.
Find it on sale
Some of my best maternity clothing finds have been at yard sales and consignment shops. Scan your local newspaper for yard sales offering maternity clothing. Peruse your local outlet store. I hit the stores in March during the winter sales for my December baby and saved a bundle.
Leasing maternity clothes
You can lease maternity clothes and save money. Some types of clothing for lease include business wear, formal wear, plus sizes, Levi's and Overalls, and bathing suits. Working women are no longer at the mercy of high priced mall shops, now they can lease the business clothes they need. The Maternity Closet leases quality business maternity clothes at affordable prices. They have the largest selection of business maternity fashions in North America to help working women select the maternity wear that meets their needs. Here is how it works: A new wardrobe is leased as necessary to meet the needs of the changing body and changing season. The Maternity Closet takes care of all the cleaning. Expectant mothers can check out details and shop on-line at their website.
Make your own. I tried making my own maternity clothes during my first pregnancy and it became, well, a disaster! I decided I was not a seamstress. If you are good at sewing or even so-so, you can sew yourself some nifty threads. Check out your local Wal-Mart or sewing store for maternity patterns.
Other Shopping Tips
As you shop for maternity clothes, keep in mind that you will start the same size you wore before you were pregnant. Generally, as you progress in your pregnancy, you will go up one size or more. Also, be sure to buy things that match what you normally wear. You may be able to wear some of your pre-pregnancy clothing for a while as well as your shoes and accessories.
Maternity Underwear
What about maternity bras and panties? Well, don't expect to find them at Frederick's of Hollywood or Victoria's Secret (I already looked!). With my first pregnancy, I absolutely refused to buy maternity panties because they were so ugly. However, I found that they were also the most comfortable. Lots of moms will also wear cotton bikinis about a size larger than usual and are quite comfortable. As my baby (and tummy) grew, I still had to go back to the comfort of those big maternity panties. No, not pretty to look at but worth their price in comfort.
The importance of a good bra...
As for maternity bras, I found I was happier in these as breast tenderness was the first pregnancy symptom I had with all of my babies. If your breasts are very tender in your first trimester, a maternity bra is stretchy and expands with your increasing bustline and keeps you comfortable. Shop for a bra that not only supports the changing breast size but promotes healthy functioning of the lymphatic and milk producing systems in the breast. Ideal times for purchasing a maternity/nursing bra are in the fourth and eighth months of pregnancy...or whenever the current bra is no longer comfortable
With careful shopping and some creativity, you can find some great looking, comfortable clothes for creating your baby shrine-YOU!
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