Clothes questions

[countthestars]

When did you start showing? When did you need to buy new clothes? What clothes did you need first (shirts? pants?)

Bonus question: I am going to be ordering my bridesmaid dress soon for when I am ~36 weeks pregnant :-| Will the store help me pick a size? I won't be ready to tell my friend about the pg until after we order the dresses.

[alzi]

I started wearing the pants around 13 weeks, bc I didn't like the Bella band.

I started for real showing, like people noticed, like last week.

I'm still wearing normal shirts.

I'm curious to see people's answer about the dress. I have a wedding we were invited to when I'll be around 36 weeks and I don't know if I should wait till last minute to shop, or order something and hope for the best.

[joolz]

I started wearing maternity clothes for real around 20 weeks. Before that I could wear regular pants with the band and stretchy shirts.

I'd recommend not buying more than one pair of pants before you need them, because you just don't know what size your butt and legs will be when you need them.

As for the dress, I was a bridesmaid at 35 weeks in my best friend's wedding. Does the dress that you guys are buying come in maternity size? Some do, most don't. The dress I wore was not maternity but was empire waist. I ordered it the last week I could to make the cutoff (still about 4 months before the wedding) and I ordered it three sizes bigger than I was at that time. And it had to be altered, but fit.

The store was very helpful. I would DEFINITELY tell the bride asap about the baby, even though I know it is so early and you don't want to. But she needs to plan her dresses, and the fact you'll be super pregnant may alter her style and fabric choices and it's only fair to her to tell.

Since you're a bridesmaid, you must be pretty close to her and you can swear her to secrecy. I'd go to an appointment alone with her if you can, without the other 'maids so they don't have to know.

[emisi]

I started wearing pants pretty early, like 10 weeks. I hated the band, so I just got some Target pants. I can still wear regular jeans if I have to, with the top unbuttoned.

I'm done with regular shirts, though. None of my work shirts fit right, so I switched to maternity completely maybe two weeks ago? I can still wear regular t-shirts, though.

[jessuhmarie]

I had been gaining weight and refusing to buy new clothes for a while before I got pregnant. I started using the bella band pretty quickly, but mainly because my pants were already uncomfortable and once I got pregnant I didn't feel as bad using the band

I bought maternity pants maybe 4 weeks ago. They weren't necessary, but they were comfortable and I knew I'd need them eventually. I'd rather get use out of them and be comfortable than squeeze into my regular pants and keep adjusting the band all day.

I bought a few maternity shirts here and there, but only because they were on sale or I liked them. I still fit almost all of my regular shirts. A few of the shorter ones are way too short now. Maternity shirts are typically more flattering on me. Until this week, baggier shirts just made me look frumpy. Now everything is tighter on my belly and it's a little more obvious that I'm growing a child instead of drinking too much beer.

I started getting a little belly around 15 weeks. I noticed that my body was changing shape, but my husband didn't really think it was a bump until more recently. I just "popped" within the last couple days. I just looked down and all of a sudden I had a belly that actually looked like a pregnant belly. I still haven't had a stranger say anything.. even when I'm buying baby clothes or something, but my friends notice. My husband's best friend poked my belly the other night and asked where it came from so I guess others see I've popped too.

I thought I'd show quicker because I'm pretty short with a short torso, but I'd say I started showing around the middle of the pack when seeing bump day on my March fb group.

ETA I quit my job so I never needed to buy maternity dress shirts. I definitely would have had to get some at the end of 1st tri/beginning of 2nd because my button ups don't give like tshirts and tank tops and those are the bulk of my professional tops. I'd buy those first if you dress professionally and don't have shirts that have some stretch or flow to them.

[winofairy]

I started wearing maternity pants around 8-9 weeks. I looked preggo at around 12-13 weeks. I am 24 weeks now and just went out and bought shirts earlier in the week.

[joolz]

I just learned the new Topshop that opened here has some maternity clothes and I am very excited!