Tell me about shopping for maternity clothes

[sent]

I am 15 weeks.  Right now I'm getting by with 4 dresses I picked up at Kohls/JC Penneys and 1 pair of scrubs that I wear every single day.  (I don't see patients every day and it's not like I'm a heart surgeon and they are getting all bloody and gross so I get away with 1 pair for now.)

The scrub shop had told me they make maternity scrubs so I think I will just get 2 pairs of those and make them last the whole prenancy.  That takes care of Monday - Friday.

But my 4 summer dresses won't last me for fall and winter.  I'm going to need a winter coat as well since the baby is due at the end of Jan and it gets cold here.

Where am I supposed to go for 1) average-priced regular maternity clothes and 2) stylish stuff that Princess Kate would've worn.

[Yankees21]

I don't know about Princess Kate worthy stuff, but for regular maternity clothes I am planning on shopping a lot at Old Navy and Target, and am hoping one of them will have a winter coat as well.

[simpsongal]

I'm almost as far along as you and thinking the same thing. I'm still wearing normal clothes for now, but I get bloated by the end of the day.

Old Navy has decent quality and reasonably priced maternity wear - wait for their 30% off sales. It's a lot of flowy knits, but that's what you get at that price point. I would like to wear tailored pieces like Kate Middleton, but who has the money?   I think it's smart to buy pieces you can layer - you'll get hot when you're bigger anyway and you can reuse the pieces if you have another baby at another time of year.  Plus, if you switch cardingans it won't look like you're in repeats all the time.

I'm holding off on buying a winter coat. If I need to get one, I'll probably check Burlington Coat factory or somewhere cheap for an oversized coat (non-materinty). I might just borrow one of my dad's coats (he's a pretty big guy).

[sent]

Yeah I don't see myself actually wearing Princess Kate stuff, but I'm just curious what places sell those types of outfits.

Target, I'll go check them out.  I don't think there is an Old Navy near me.

Good idea for borrowing your dad's coat.  My husband has like a million coats.  I'll just swipe one of his and he'll never even notice.  

[simpsongal]

Pea in the Pod has higher end stuff that's probably more tailored. You can try your luck at TJMaxx type stores too. I got a really cute eyelet dress there last weekend. It has an empire waist but no rouching - it's A-line and a more tailored look. I think the shape will allow me to wear the dress through second trimester.

Good luck!

[sweetminnesnowtan]

I've had good luck with Target shirts. Motherhood Maternity for pants because my ass and legs are larger before pregnancy and Target pants didn't do it, lol. Old Navy I hear good things about, but the only ON in my area that sells maternity is at the Mall of America and I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork than go there.

[trafficgirl]

I second Old Navy and Target. I agree with swizz that Old Navy is pretty cheapy, but at least for the summer it works, and I figure I'm not buying pieces I want to last long term.

I will say I've had better luck in store at Target than Old Navy, though both have very minimal maternity collections. Your best bet for Old Navy, IMO, is online. They have a ton more available on their website than in their stores.

And I have no idea where Kate gets cute maternity stuff. I'm like you - I've got 6 or so outfits that I keep on regular rotation. And as simpsongal suggested, I just change which cardigan I wear with each so it doesn't look like I wear the exact same thing all the time.

[VillainV]

Loft has some cute maternity stuff if you're looking to splurge a little bit. Otherwise Old Navy, Gap, Target....

As for coats, I would recommend just getting a cheap-ish fleece jacket from Old Navy or whatever (they go on sale all the time) in a bigger size. You may not be able to close it/zip it all the way. Also, Target has reasonably priced outer-wear (non-maternity) that's pretty cute, so maybe you can find a cute trench coat, get a size or two bigger than you normally wear, maybe move a button or two, and make it work.

[jennifertx]

Aug 1, 2013 11:55:49 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Loft has some cute maternity stuff if you're looking to splurge a little bit. Otherwise Old Navy, Gap, Target....

As for coats, I would recommend just getting a cheap-ish fleece jacket from Old Navy or whatever (they go on sale all the time) in a bigger size. You may not be able to close it/zip it all the way. Also, Target has reasonably priced outer-wear (non-maternity) that's pretty cute, so maybe you can find a cute trench coat, get a size or two bigger than you normally wear, maybe move a button or two, and make it work.

Oooh.  I didn't even know Loft had maternity.  It seems like they always have 40% of something too.

[rex]

h&m has cute stuff and you can order online now!

[winecheery]

I def second most of the stores the ladies are suggesting.

For me, I bought two pairs of jeans (demi panel for second tri, and full panel for third tri) from GAP and Old Navy. I also had one pair of sassy black cigarette pants (demi panel) that I wore through the second trimester as well, and one pair of mat shorts from Target. Since I'm at my biggest pregnant in the summer, I have been lucky enough to get away with non-maternity dress and skirts and most of my tops too. I have maybe three legit maternity tops??

At any rate, I say GAP and Old Navy are best for basics, and these two boutiques have nicer items for dressier pieces.

Not sure where they ship to, but this is a local boutique near me, and it's where I got the black pants and they were verrry soft and handy when it was still chilly weather.
momsthewordmaternity.com

www.pinkblushmaternity.com/c-65-maternity-new-releases.aspx

In general, if I could use what I had, and make it more flattering on a pregnant figure, i.e. belt a loose shirt to show off the bump, wear a tailored jacket but just not close it, I have done so, and saved a shitton of money. I also think it is worth it to invest in a few pieces that are meant to be worn while pregnant so you can feel your best...even when you don't!

[littlemisschatty]

All of above, plus pinkblushmaternity dot com. The stuff I got from there were my favorite pieces - cute and trendy. Not at all boring and frumpy like the stuff I found elsewhere.

[Yankees21]

Aug 1, 2013 13:27:28 GMT -5 littlemisschatty said:

All of above, plus pinkblushmaternity dot com. The stuff I got from there were my favorite pieces - cute and trendy. Not at all boring and frumpy like the stuff I found elsewhere.

This is a really cute site, thanks for posting!

[mellimel19]

I just placed my first order on pinkblushmaternity.com because they have a lot on sale at the moment. They definitely had some cute items, and were pretty reasonably priced.

[littlemisschatty]

Aug 1, 2013 13:31:12 GMT -5 Yankees21 said:

Aug 1, 2013 13:27:28 GMT -5 littlemisschatty said:

All of above, plus pinkblushmaternity dot com. The stuff I got from there were my favorite pieces - cute and trendy. Not at all boring and frumpy like the stuff I found elsewhere.

This is a really cute site, thanks for posting!

No problem. I had a return also that was wayyy over the 30 day window but they still gave me a store credit. Very very easy to deal with. I ordered a sweater that would be perfect for the fall with my PP bod. Happy shopping!

[Yankees21]

Aug 1, 2013 13:33:16 GMT -5 mellimel19 said:

I just placed my first order on pinkblushmaternity.com because they have a lot on sale at the moment. They definitely had some cute items, and were pretty reasonably priced.

Someone needs to rein me in, I'm only six weeks pregnant but am considering ordering a sweater that would be really cute for Christmas cards..

[littlemisschatty]

Don't look at me, Yankees. I am the bad influence friend who would tell you BUY IT!!!!

[mellimel19]

Aug 1, 2013 13:35:45 GMT -5 Yankees21 said:

Aug 1, 2013 13:33:16 GMT -5 mellimel19 said:

I just placed my first order on pinkblushmaternity.com because they have a lot on sale at the moment. They definitely had some cute items, and were pretty reasonably priced.

Someone needs to rein me in, I'm only six weeks pregnant but am considering ordering a sweater that would be really cute for Christmas cards..

Hahaha I would definitely be the wrong person for that! I would have placed my first order with them around 6 weeks or so, but the dress I really wanted was out of stock. I justified part of my purchase by saying that the sweater I bought was one of those open front sweaters that I could wear when I'm no longer pregnant so it was multifunctional. H just laughs at me when I try to rationalize my purchases.

[halfpint]

My maternity wardrobe is almost exclusively Old Navy for basics, and then some pieces from Destination Maternity. I bought some non-maternity things that worked all the way through, flowy tops and empire waist maxi dresses. I can still wear some non-maternity tops if I wear a maternity tank underneath.

I have a few pieces from Target (Liz Lange), and while I like the style, the quality isn't amazing. A dress and two tanks are already falling apart, and it's not like I'm wearing them that often.

[sent]

I went to the mall earlier today for something office related and noticed there is an Old Navy in the back hiding behind the Lord and Taylor! It must have a separate outdoor entrance because I have not seen it when I've been in the mall. Then again I haven't shopped in the mall since last summer so who knows, I may just be oblivious. But I didn't have time to go in so I'll swing by another day.

I also noticed a Motherhood Maternity store near the mall so I will visit that place too.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[snickers]

I stuck to old navy, gap, and motherhood/Thyme but I only purchased things that were on sale because I only starting wearing ti from 16 weeks on and hopefully I won't need it after pregnancy lol

[BaliHai]

I can't help with Princess Kate attire, but for basic/work maternity clothes, I've been having some success with www.thredup.com. It's basically online consignment, but they have really high standards for which clothing they accept. So far I've gotten two dressy shirts for $7.50/each, and just yesterday I ordered a pair of brand new (with tags) jeans for $9.50, and another shirt for $7.50.

[Cricket0619]

I had a friend tell me that Loft has nice tailored maternity clothes. I probably won't end up buying a lot from there, but we have 3 weddings this fall and I would like to see what they have.