While I was browsing Target the other day, I was reminded why I don't bother with actual maternity clothes. I'm no fashion blogger, but I know when something isn't cute.
Case in point:
Drapey ugliness.
There's nothing more unflattering to a pregnant woman's body than something that makes her look even bigger than she is/feels.
Throughout my two pregnancies, I have learned that less is truly more.
Body hugging=body slimming.
When I was first pregnant with B I went out and bought all of the obligatory (and expensive) maternity clothes that I thought I needed. For the most part they ended up being frumpy, unflattering and uncomfortable...not to mention severly lacking any style whatsoever.
The only piece of maternity clothing that may be necessary depending on your job and time of year you are pregnant are some maternity jeans. I've never found any that are that stylish, so I decided to skip the pants all together this time around
(besides the pair I already own)
and stick to leggings and tights for keeping my legs warm.
So far so good.
These are the things I think about when I'm buying clothes for an expanding belly:
-all must be made of mostly cotton
(preferably with some spandex/lycra to make it stretchy and to hold it's shape).
-3 things I consider:
breathable? Crazy hormones means you never know if you'll be hot or cold.
machine washable? A limited wardrobe means that stuff gets washed a lot, not just because there is less to choose from but because food gets on your giant belly all the time.
comfort? The most important factor when you're already uncomfortable.
Cotton it is.
These are the items I am currently living in:
(I have multiple colors in each of these things so I don't feel so limited in my choices...
mixing and matching and layering is where it's at when you are with child.)
super long cotton tanks:
cotton dresses that can play the roll of shirts once you are bigger:
cardigans:
(since closing a jacket over a giant belly isn't an option
(since closing a jacket over a giant belly isn't an option
unless you want to spend a fortune on a maternity coat)
simple tees :
leggings:
(these are my absolute fave. Expensive, but worth every penny since I wear leggings every day.)
These are a great, and more affordable alternative...
(these are my absolute fave. Expensive, but worth every penny since I wear leggings every day.)
These are a great, and more affordable alternative...
tights:
flat shoes that you can slip on:
(once you get a belly it's next to impossible to tie your shoes, if you can even fit into them)
(these ones are great because I can always loosen the ties if my feet happen to swell towards the end.)
(these ones are great because I can always loosen the ties if my feet happen to swell towards the end.)
Since you guys have seen my wardrobe this time around, I thought I would post some pictures of my essentials when I was pregnant with B since it was the complete opposite time of year.
It was pretty much the same clothing-wise, just with much less of it since it was the hottest summer ever.
cotton shirt and skirt:
tunic top:
(Good to know: American Apparel has great stuff for pregnancy!)
( I'm actually wearing this shirt in my latest belly photo here.)
( I'm actually wearing this shirt in my latest belly photo here.)
I lived in this versatile dress last time, doing the straps differently allowed me to feel like I had some variation in my wardrobe even when I didn't:
and once again, cotton tank tops:
(this picture was taken when I was 8 days overdue, 1 day before Bennett's birthday!)
Another great thing about buying non-maternity clothing is that you can still wear all of the items afterwards...even for subsequent pregnancies!
(especially if you stick to cotton basics while you are pregnant)
Say "no" to frumpiness ladies!
Love this! I'll be keeping all this in mind for the future!
p.s. Aritzia leggings are my fav! (Haven't tried Lulu's though.)
Agree 100% Can't believe how much some women spend on maternity clothes too! Sheesh. I didn't buy anything maternity...just things with lots of stretch/length:-) xoxo
definitely just pinned this!
I broke down and bought one pair of maternity jeans that were actually cute at Motherhood Maternity. Those were really the only maternity piece of clothing I needed. I agree, maternity stuff in general is unnecessary.
This is SO helpful! Whenever babe #2 comes along, I will be referencing this, thank you!
Love your pregnancy wardrobe advise becca! Where do u recommend getting those basics from? And since I dont live in Portland, are there any good online shops for these? Thanks!
hahaha-I love this!!!! I think I have spent $80 on maternity clothes total (there is a great pair of dark skinny jeans by Heidi Klum's line at motherhood that I broke down and bought 1.5 months ago). I was so sad by Target, too! Hallelujah for leggings! You are going to be so adorable again! xoxo, Anna
Wow thanks guys!...hot topic I guess?!
Amber-I would check out Old Navy and Target (I know you have those in Bend!) Target's long and lean tanks are great and cheap (those v necks are great too), just get a bigger size than normal. Old Navy's workout section has plenty of stuff that would work and I'm sure they have simple longer tanks in the pajama area. Just think out of the "maternity box" because most likely if it sais "maternity" on it it will be that much more expensive!
As far as online, I'd say check out GapBody (I think they have a lot of it in stores now), Lululemon, American Apparel and Alternative Apparel. Hope that helps! Maybe you should take a trip up to Portland (there is an H&M in pretty much every mall now) ;)