Just the thought of shopping for clothes when you are pregnant can send the sanest of women into a panic attack. In the beginning, it’s all bows and ribbons as you imagine how cute you’ll look in those star-studded maternity outfits. The little A-line dresses that reveal your still slender legs and the sleeveless tops that flow just right, showcasing that perfectly round basketball of a belly growing by the minute—sounds great, right? Then reality sets in, and you realize that maternity clothes are no different from other styles: they are often sized too small and don’t consider that few people are a size 6 regularly or during pregnancy. When you find yourself purchasing XL pregnancy gear that doesn’t fit, your partner needs to prepare for the overwhelming emotions that result from feeling like a beached whale doomed to wear men’s clothes for the rest of her life (or at least until delivery).
Seasoned moms will tell you they started out exactly the same way—browsing the maternity aisle, eager to buy tons of maternity clothes, once you pass the first trimester, of course. After all, even women who aren’t superstitious become so during pregnancy; we all know that buying maternity clothes too early is bad news! Sadly, many of us need them already. At week 13, you might grab some adorable cropped jeans with an adjustable elastic waistline that will hide under a flirty floral top. In the dressing room, it fits, but you realize it won’t fit for long, especially if you continue to grow. You check and recheck the size. Medium? No way!
Maybe this is why the plus-size department is situated so close to the maternity section; when the cute outfits no longer cut it, you can find a moo-moo instead. Realize, too, that designers and stores know you’ll spend more on maternity clothes than you did on your regular wardrobe, thus the higher price for jeans. It seems to make sense that a zipper, button, belt loops, and back pockets would cost more to make than the jeans sold for pregnant women, so why they suddenly cost so much more is clear evidence that you are being taken advantage of during this moment of vulnerability. This trend doesn’t end until your child starts school, so get used to it!
Shopping for clothes while you are pregnant can be hazardous to your health. The last thing you want to hear is practical advice; after all, you are still convinced you will look adorable. Once your nose spreads, your feet flatten, and your arms and legs swell, you will look back on this advice and realize it was right. However, if you are one of those women who look incredibly “modelicious” while pregnant, go ahead and skip to the last paragraph—or better yet, stay far away from the rest of us normal and bloated pregnant women.
- Find at least one pair of jeans you are comfortable in and buy them larger than you need. These will be your “wear-out” pants because they WILL bother you around the belly and will make you have to pee more often due to the binding fabric. All you need is one pair.
- Decide that men’s sweatpants are far more comfortable than women’s and buy some in every color, along with matching sweatshirts. You can wear sweatshirts without a bra, and after delivery, you can give them to your husband (no wasted money here).
- Don’t buy shirts with arrows pointing toward your belly or those that say silly little things like “bread in the oven.” Not cute.
- Make sure you keep up with your hair. This is one thing that gets better during pregnancy, and most doctors consider it safe to highlight, etc.
- Don’t try to wear heels or ridiculous sandals. If you fall, you can get hurt, and comfortable shoes can save your back.
- Don’t count out plus-size clothing instead of maternity clothes. They are often less expensive and feel better when you are pregnant.
- Avoid spending a fortune. Buy a few practical pieces that you can wear when you need to look good.
- If you are a working mom-to-be, buy stretch pants and nice tops that you can mix and match. Don’t overindulge your wardrobe thinking about “next time”; chances are, you’ll need bigger maternity clothes during subsequent pregnancies.
- While shopping for clothes when pregnant, FORGET SIZES. Go with what fits and cut out tags if you need to.
- Buy second-hand. You can find great bargains on maternity clothes in thrift shops or second-hand stores.
- Don’t ask your husband if something looks good.
- As for bras and panties, go for cotton and comfort. Once the baby is born, you will need to rethink your bra sizes, so don’t spend a fortune stocking your lingerie drawer, especially if you are nursing.
- Speaking of lingerie, YOU MUST HAVE ONE FANTASTIC PIECE OF MATERNITY LINGERIE just to remind yourself—and your dad-to-be—how hot you are!
- Last but not least, enjoy these changes and embrace your new body and the clothes that fit it.
There comes a point in the third trimester where shopping for maternity clothes becomes boring and frustrating. This is a wonderful time in your life, and you’ll quickly find that it’s more fun to buy cute outfits and adorable clothes for your newborn. Remember, after you give birth, wearing flowing tops or other “maternity-like” clothes can lead to awkward questions about when you are due, making you feel bad. You will bounce back to regular clothes at some point, and the real accomplishment is realizing how amazing your body is, no matter what size you are, and finding clothes that make you feel good.
