Dressing your bump without maternity clothes

[persa]

I think I'd like to do less maternity stuff this pregnancy. It will be my last and I don't feel like spending a lot of money of maternity. I'm 12 weeks, due in late Dec though I'm most likely to only go till Thanksgiving or just after and I live in Texas.

I'm thinking high waist belted maxi dresses, stretchy tunics and dresses, drapey tops. Might have to spring for some maternity shorts and a pair of ankle pants.

For those who have made non-maternity clothes work for them, share your tips and tricks. aqualuv, I'm talking to you!

[Odonata]

I've been living in dresses. High waist maxi dresses like you said. My biggest hassle has been tops. Unless they are very long they just don't cover my bump very well and I tried going a size up but then the boob area (which has grown somewhat) is too big. I've had to resign to buying maternity specific tops. I have two pairs of maternity jeans and two maternity shorts but wearing them means I need a top.

So to avoid any new maternity purchases, it's been dresses dresses dresses.

[bowies]

I'm still wearing some non-maternity things in my final weeks. Yes to maxi dresses, yes to wrap dresses, yes to stretchy tops that run long, yes to blousy/drapey tops. Maternity pants are pretty unavoidable though. My typical work outfit is maternity pants, a top (sometimes maternity, sometimes not), and an open blazer (not maternity).

[cuccaro]

I have only bought 2 maternity shirts and one maternity dress, the rest has all been maxi dresses or dresses I already had that work with the bump. I've had great luck at TJ Maxx finding good quality and inexpensive ones. I didn't really start showing until after 20 weeks, so I was able to wear my normal clothes until then and use the rubber band trick on any pants I wore. One trick I've tried with the maxi dresses to give them a new look is to wear a tight shirt layered over it and it makes it look like a skirt. I'm 34 weeks now and I don't think I will need to buy anything else, thank goodness!

[mrssandro]

I wear a lot of stretchy dresses that are not maternity.

I only bought a few maternity maxi skirts. I think so far this time I only spent $100 dollars on maternity clothes. Like under shirts and a some weekend/house pants.

[anna7602]

I'm going to be a jerk and not answer your question. I didn't buy much stuff this time around except for a few maternity-to-nursing work dresses during a particularly good Japanese Weekend sale and a bathing suit for my water aerobics class. However, I received so many hand-me-downs from friends and strangers. Do you belong to any kind of neighborhood mom list serves or local Facebook groups where you could get second-hand maternity clothes? People really couldn't get rid of this stuff fast enough and I ended up with some very nice items. 

[Deleted]

I needed to pick up maternity shorts already, because all of my regular shorts have zero stretch and are kind of on the short side. I got a pair in denim and a pair in white, both of which have the full band, and they should get me though the summer. My jeans are pretty stretchy, so the rubber band trick is working well, especially when paired with a Bellyband from Target. I'm sure I will need a pair of jeans at one point, but I am going to post pone that as long as possible. I have picked up a few non-maternity maxi dresses in my regular size from Old Navy, and have been cinching them above the waist/bump with a little girls belt. I've also picked up a couple of empire waist dresses from the Loft one size up. I mostly wear dresses to work with a regular cardigan. This should get me though the summer, plus I will still be able to re-wear the dresses after I have the baby.

[narockshard]

I'm also living in non-maternity maxi dresses and skirts even in my last days of pregnancy. Regular empire waisted stuff didn't work for me because I'm short and there wasn't enough space between belly and boobs for the waistline to fall properly on me. I also had to buy LONG maternity shirts because even sizing up in regular shirts did not offer enough belly coverage in these last few weeks.

However, also because I'm short, I have been able to wear maxi skirts pulled over my belly (one I fold under), and these dresses, which have been amazing:


www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-junior-s-maxi-t-shirt-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-15010888#prodSlot=medium_1_12&term=t+shirt+dress

I actually got mine when they were super on sale though, like $11.

I have several of these too that you can pair with leggings:


www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-junior-s-t-shirt-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-15158214#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=t+shirt+dress

I did find that with my body shape and likely my height, I couldn't get away with non-maternity stuff without it hanging off me like a weird tent. I look so much better with fitted, ruched clothing.

[Odonata]

Oh, I want to second the TJMaxx and also Ross for an inexpensive way to up your dress collection. Tons of stretchy and high waist dresses there. I got a few under $15 the last time I went!

[persa]

Thanks y'all, keep it coming.

I'm in that weird stage where I'm not showing and though I haven't really gained any weight, the slightly expanded ute that contains 2 babies is pushing my belly pudge up and out so I don't want to do clingy stuff yet. I'm looking forward to being a little further along and having a proper bump and then wear stuff that's more fitted and stretchy.

[linz]

I feel the same. I'm kind of showing but I dont feel like I look pg when I wear dresses. I'm still squeezing into work pants for now and can wear most tops fine. Maxi skirts I do love.

[teeah22]

Jun 20, 2014 10:17:49 GMT -5 narockshard said:

I'm also living in non-maternity maxi dresses and skirts even in my last days of pregnancy. Regular empire waisted stuff didn't work for me because I'm short and there wasn't enough space between belly and boobs for the waistline to fall properly on me. I also had to buy LONG maternity shirts because even sizing up in regular shirts did not offer enough belly coverage in these last few weeks.

However, also because I'm short, I have been able to wear maxi skirts pulled over my belly (one I fold under), and these dresses, which have been amazing:


www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-junior-s-maxi-t-shirt-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-15010888#prodSlot=medium_1_12&term=t+shirt+dress

I actually got mine when they were super on sale though, like $11.

I have several of these too that you can pair with leggings:


www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-junior-s-t-shirt-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-15158214#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=t+shirt+dress

I did find that with my body shape and likely my height, I couldn't get away with non-maternity stuff without it hanging off me like a weird tent. I look so much better with fitted, ruched clothing.

I've been wearing those Mossimo short dresses too, but damn did they ever shrink!  I have one color that I can still wear as a dress, the rest require leggings. 

Am I the only one that looks horrible in maxi dresses?  

[statlerwaldorf]

I am still wearing my maxi dresses and skirts. Regular dresses are hit and miss because some are becoming too short in the front. I was able to get a lot of use out of long shirts and tunics.

I was able to find cheap maternity clothes on a Facebook selling wall and a baby consignment shop. You might be able to find summer clearance online soon too.

[aqualuv]

I want to say around the 10th or so week I had to invest in maternity pants. I could no longer wear my pre-pregnancy pants. I purchased two pair of slacks from Gap, and two pair of pants from J. Crew. Those pants have lasted me my entire pregnancy so far and were a great investment to me. I also bought a few maternity tops from Macy's for work, then Old Navy as well. But thankfully I have been able to wear a good portion of my pre-pregnancy stuff.

I created a pregnancy style board on Pinterest that helped to give me some ideas. For any tops or dresses that were kinda of loose, I added a belt to help shape the top or dress.

I honestly haven't really changed my style from pre-prenancy to maternity. I wear the same type of outfits I wore before, now I just have a belly. Lol

I hope that helps! And I didn't buy anything that wasn't already on sale.

ETA: I would wear a tank top under my pre-pregnancy tops so my belly wouldn't show underneath, that has helped me with a number of tops.

[persa]

aqualuv, I had no idea J Crew had maternity. I'll have to look to see if they have the Winnie/Minnie pants.

Good idea about tank tops. Funny thing, I still wear my thin Liz Lange stretchy camisoles 4 yrs after my last pregnancy. They're nice and long, they're my favorites.

Can I follow your pregnancy board? Pm me if you want.

[aqualuv]

persa they sure do. I love them, I did have a size up though because I've gained weight in my legs, but they have been the best purchase for me. I also bought a pair of their maternity white jeans as well.

Ooopps ok pregnancy brain at its finest, I haven't created my own pregnancy board, but I pinned a few maternity styles on Pinterest. A poster on S&B suggested I create a pregnancy board and I think I might since I have taken OOTD photos at least M-F. I'll PM you that, when I create it.

I have bought two Liz Lange tank tops and I love them.

[Blue Moon]

I've had a lot of luck with non-maternity skirts and dresses. I have a couple of skirts like this from Old Navy oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1011459&vid=1&pid=898555302 that have been great folded down under my belly.

I also shopped the clearance rack at Gap Maternity and got a couple of essential maternity tanks for like $4.99. I love them and since they're not ruched or anything, they don't scream maternity. They could easily work post pregnancy as well.

[hillarywhitney]

I've been able to wear non-maternity maxi skirts and dresses. And some of my longer tank tops (for layering).

[bluelikejazz]

I've been putting those costco camisoles under everything! They are super long (on me at least), and I feel like I'll be able to wear them for most of my pregnancy.

I had to invest in pants, but for tops I've been mostly wearing a longer pre-pregnancy top (or layers) and an open cardigan (with or without buttons, I just don't button it)

[flgirl]

I get so huge in the belly the last month that I just buy maternity. But, I have found long tanks make some of my non pregnancy tops work. I also find I can wear dress that are not maternity. I can't pull off maxi dresses. I am tall but chubby so I look like a wall of fabtic. I just buy basics in bottoms, jeans, black and khaki pants that roll up to capris, a denim skirt, shorts. Then, I buy shirts because I can get 20 of those on sale and just mix them up with the bottoms.