Can we talk about maternity clothes for a minute?

[lillaguma]

First, why is everything covered in horizontal stripes?? Am I the only pregnant woman who doesn't want to wear horizontal stripes every day? Will this change once I have more of a bump and less of an all-over blumpy feeling?

Anyhow, I have two main questions - where should I be looking for work wear? It seems that so many places I look (that are more affordable) have such casual clothes, and I'm going to need a few pairs of slacks.

Any recommendations on which maternity tights will hold up the best?

[motzie]

I found a few good work pieces last time around at Motherhood. I also really pushed it at work and wore black skinny maternity jeans 90% of the time and just rotated a few tops.

[spankswife]

I like the Gap pants as well.

Loft has a lot of pieces that are good for work, and everything is 40% off right now.

I even have some sweaters from Old Navy that are business casual appropriate.

[jorja]

Totally agree about the damn stripes.

100% of my maternity wardrobe is Old Navy and I wear scrubs to work, so I'm no help there, sorry.

[Deleted]

I found good slacks at JC Penney. My other pants are from Motherhood.

I like Old Navy's shirts. Most are more casual, but they have some sweaters and enough tops that I can wear with my non maternity blazers and sweaters.

[bluelikejazz]

I found good pants at a motherhood outlet store, and a pair at the thrift store.

As for horizontal stripes, I agreed with you when I was 3-6 months. However, I think as you get more obviously pregnant, they show off your belly and don't look as bad. I'm currently wearing a white/brown striped shirt from Old Navy that was a hand me down from a friend.

[azurely]

I found good pants at Kohl's and I love the maternity leggings from Gap and A Pea in the Pod. I have a lot of tops and dresses from Target, and have some cute shirts from Kohl's too.

I love horizontal stripes so I don't mind that, but I do hate that most maternity clothes are black or grey. Finding colorful tops is hard!

[Deleted]

Do you have a tailor or know of a place that does alterations? I had regualr jeans altered into maternity jeans with my first pregnancy because I couldn't find any maternity jeans long enough for me.

You could do the same for formal trousers. I'd suggest buying a size up and then having them done. I was working in a formal office for my first pregnancy and got away with dresses and a few formal-ish shirts from H&M maternity plus one pair of maternity office trousers from a maternity store.

[motzie]

Oh, and the J Crew maternity jeans are awesome. So awesome. Where the pockets would be are stretchy panels. I find them super comfortable. They also have some dress type pants I believe.

[hainesherway]

I was thinking the same thing. Horizontal stripes everywhere!

I got my first batch of maternity clothes- a cowlneck top, sweater, and jeans the other day from Old Navy. Funny thing, the pants fit me already and I'm only a bit over 7 weeks, lol.

[genet313]

I wear the maternity JCrew pixie pants almost 4 days a week (and jeans on friday) to work.   2 pairs of black, 1 navy 1 gray.  I literally bought them in every color and fully intend to wear them throughout the rest of pregnancy.   Just rotate tops.

Also, I've been buying a lot of cardigan/open sweaters and just wearing a cheap maternity t shirt and a necklace with the pants (target liz lang have been good, i also like the gap body ones).  I figure at least I'll be able to wear the sweaters post-pregnancy, so don't feel that bad about spending more money on them.   

[mlvmd]

I don't wear a lot of maternity tops. I have some medium shirts that I have been belting above the bump and some flowy JCrew tops that I pair under a cardigan with a belt.

I predominantly wear dresses though, black ones. I think I have five.

[flamingeaux]

Depending on where you live you may have to do a lot of online shopping. The only stores that carry maternity near me are motherhood and target. Motherhood is more expensive, but I love the way they fit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using proboards

[formerlyllizzyb]

I have shopped almost exclusively online at gap maternity for both pregnancies. They have promo codes so often.

[Deleted]

I WFH fairly exclusively, but have had 3 or 4 week - long trips to our home office. My home office recently went 100% casual, but wasn't before. I always have enough pairings for a week at business casual work (mix and match). My staples this summer were white skinny jeans, regular jeans, 2 dresses, and a skirt (plus tops). I can still wear some of my blazers (unbuttoned of course) and I'm at 37w.

For WFH, I wear yoga pants or jeans (now, most yoga pants). I got those from a consignment shop but they are motherhood brand (indigo blue). I usually wear tshirts (long or short sleeve) and those are a mix of Liz Lang from target, and Oh Baby from Kohl's.

For work, my dressed have come from Motherhood, Liz Lang from Target, and 1 splurge from Seraphine (a long sleeve version of the dress worn by Princess Kate in her first pic with Will and George). Whatever

I have 2 pairs of non - jean or yoga pants: black dress pants (Destination Maternity outlet) and khaki cords from Kohls.

One of my most used items has been this black open cardigan that I got on clearance from Seraphine for $25. It's 3/4 sleeve and it works with tanks, dresses, etc.

I can't seem to have enough tank tops - pupurchased at Kohl's and target. I wear them all the time. They're long and soft and comfy.

I also have a couple of dressier sweaters and tops that are Destination Maternity outlet.

Hth!

[carolinagirl831]

Jcrew maternity pants are awesome. My gap maternity jeans stretch out so bad they are falling off half way through the day

[estrellita]

I only have one pair of maternity dress pants from Old Navy and I don't like them that much, but they work. I am lucky that I'm able to wear jeans every day. Mine are from Kohls, Sears and Target (not a huge fan of the Target ones because the elastic on the top likes to fold or not stay in place).

For shirts, I got a few at Old Navy that I'm not wearing yet. I'm still wearing regular shirts but some are out now since they aren't long enough anymore. I'm waiting to buy too much until I know what all I need!

[lillaguma]

Update - I just placed an order at Destination Maternity, because their clearance is buy one get one free. So I'm trying a pair of pants, a skirt, and two dresses. Hoping they all work - it would be a great deal if they do!

[blueberry10]

I haaaate my maternity jeans from the Gap, but I have two pairs of black ponte-type material pants from there and I love them - they're a bit stretchy but don't get the stretched-out saggy butt that my jeans get. I'm allowed to wear jeans to work but I have been choosing the pants more often because they're really comfortable.