Is it too early to buy maternity clothes?

[krystee]

I will be nine weeks this weekend. I am plus size, so I basically have to order online. I was going to place an order now so I'd have time to return and rebuy as needed before I actually NEED them. Is that too early? I have nine tops and two dresses in an Old Navy cart ready to go. I have no clue what to do for pants, so I'm hoping a bella band will take care of those for awhile.

[Bonita]

I only have two maternity shirts at 28 weeks - although I did start wearing some of my larger pre-preg shirts and I wear Costco tank tops with my work shirts.

I did buy pants very early though (8-9 weeks) and have gotten tons of use from them...I also started wearing them pretty early too!

It's definitely not too early to start buying stuff though - I figure the longer you can get use out of wearing it, the better

[linz]

I ordered a lot right when I got pregnant from Oldnavy.com. They were having a 30% off sale. I got basic t's, tanks, dresses, and maxi skirts. Then once I start to show I bought shorts and tanks.

[krystee]

Aug 27, 2014 20:30:53 GMT -5 linz said:

I ordered a lot right when I got pregnant from Oldnavy.com. They were having a 30% off sale. I got basic t's, tanks, dresses, and maxi skirts. Then once I start to show I bought shorts and tanks.

That's the sale going on right now. I have eight basic tops I can add cardigans or scarves to, a sweater, and two relatively basic dresses I can dress up or down. I think I'm going to pull the trigger since all the tops I own are relatively short (long tops are NOT flattering on me because my butt is emphasized in them). Also, since I'm already heavy, I like the idea of wearing maternity tops so it becomes more obvious that I'm pregnant and less like I've just gained weight.

[Deleted]

I ordered a bunch of stuff and I think almost all of it is going back except the pants.

The Old Navy XXL maternity tops seems smaller than their regular XXL stuff.

And the JC Penney tanks I ordered are tiny. I literally have a large tank from JCP that is bigger than the 2X.

[bk1]

I say go for it.

I have bought a few things but I'm not wearing any of them yet. I will be soon though.

[estrellita]

I say go for it! I'm 14 weeks now and having trouble with my pants, haha. I've tried the hair band trick and a belly band, but at this point it would be easier to wear maternity pants. I'm going to look again tomorrow!

[krystee]

Aug 27, 2014 20:46:07 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

I ordered a bunch of stuff and I think almost all of it is going back except the pants.

The Old Navy XXL maternity tops seems smaller than their regular XXL stuff.

And the JC Penney tanks I ordered are tiny. I literally have a large tank from JCP that is bigger than the 2X.

This is depressing. I am beginning to think retailers don't think large women should get married (I found very few wedding dresses that were flattering to plus-size bodies) or have kids (crappy selection and sizing of maternity clothes).

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2014 20:55:14 GMT -5 krystee said:

Aug 27, 2014 20:46:07 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

I ordered a bunch of stuff and I think almost all of it is going back except the pants.

The Old Navy XXL maternity tops seems smaller than their regular XXL stuff.

And the JC Penney tanks I ordered are tiny. I literally have a large tank from JCP that is bigger than the 2X.

This is depressing. I am beginning to think retailers don't think large women should get married (I found very few wedding dresses that were flattering to plus-size bodies) or have kids (crappy selection and sizing of maternity clothes).

No joke. At least I'm allowed to look good at work, ha.

The pants I got fit well at least:). And some girls said the regular old navy tanks--I think that Tami ones are pretty good, so I might get a couple of those.

[mrspost08]

I started buying some stuff around then. I had to order, try it on & return lots lol. I also bought some stuff on clearance on Jcpennys.com.

[krystee]

@kcpokergal which pants did you get? I am larger in pants than I am in tops (in a 20 right now, though some 18s work), so I think those are going to be really hard for me to find.

[rainorshine]

Buy them now. Especially if you want free shipping (longer wait). I ordered a ton of clothes at 17 weeks, and I just received the last order today, at almost 19 weeks. I have to return a lot, due to the poor sizing. I'm kicking myself for not ordering sooner. I'm barely fitting in my pants now.

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2014 20:59:29 GMT -5 krystee said:

@kcpokergal which pants did you get? I am larger in pants than I am in tops (in a 20 right now, though some 18s work), so I think those are going to be really hard for me to find.

Duo brand from JC Penney. I'm a 22 in pants and the 2X fits now and I'm keeping one of those. I got 2 pair of 3X I'm keeping to wear longer term.

[jennistarr1]

I am buying some just when I see a great deal, another gbcner zaneyzoo just sold me a bunch and I won't turn down hand me downs from anyone.

[vtdiamond]

I say go for it, I bought a few things early on, and am also plus size. You can definitely wear the tops now, and I kind of liked that they were a little roomy. I got a bunch of tanks and tees from ON that have been perfect.
I have 2 pairs of maternity pants, both are from Motherhood. I got a pair of jeans and black pants as I was able to get through summer wearing a bunch of non-maternity dresses and work in a casual office where I don't need to dress up too often.

[jorja]

It's never too early for maternity clothes

[zarapipe]

Aug 28, 2014 8:11:09 GMT -5 jorja said:

It's never too early for maternity clothes

This was my answer too

Never. Never. Never

[rachelgreen]

I say go for it. I bought from Old Navy online for my first bigger batch of maternity clothes. Like you, I am plus sized. And yes, retailers skip over the larger women who are pregnant in their sizing. I was just lamenting this fact to DH last week. I said I was going to somehow learn how to make cute plus sized maternity clothing and sell it, lol.

As for where I've also found items, Target (runs small but I've been able to wear certain dresses), Motherhood Maternity plus (more on the $$ side but I've been most comfortable in their items), and I'm waiting on an order from Kohl's that should be here today.

ETA: krystee - I just got my Kohl's order and tried them all on. I will be keeping most of them. I bought leggings in a 1x and those fit. I bought a pair of black dress pants in XL and while they fit...they are tight. Those will be going back. I bought a cute blue and black long plaid button down dress shirt but that is too tight in the boobs (XL) so that will go back. Two other sweaters in XL are keepers. Now will they last me until December when I'm super huge?? Probably not but at least maybe this might help you with sizing because I believe we are similar in size/height.

[bluelikejazz]

Not too early. I was in maternity pants full-time around 13 weeks. Around 16 weeks I got asked when I was going to start wearing maternity clothes - so while I was way more comfortable, apparently no one noticed!

[smiledamnit]

Oh lord, I hope not! I'm only 7.5 weeks and am already struggling because of the bloat. I'm sitting here with my pants unbuttoned as I type this! Definitely shopping this weekend.

[MamaMaui24]

Never too early to be comfortable!

[626]

I'm glad this was posted here. I posted about this in the randoms thread yesterday.

My friend wants to take me maternity shopping this weekend, but I feel like I don't need them quite yet. I'm afraid to drop a bunch of cash on stuff that I may not need since I have no idea how big I'll get.

RexManningDay - what you mentioned is one of my concerns too. If I buy something now when I don't really need it just yet, is it going to fit when I'm further along (I'm almost 21 weeks now).

[ringstrue]

DOO EEEETT!

[busterpup]

I bought a ton of stuff when I was only 6ish weeks because Gap/ON had a friends and family sale that I didn't want to miss. I figured if something bad happens I'll just return them.

I'll be 9w this weekend, too! We must be due date buddies