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Set Aside All Restrictive Clothing Early On
Seems obvious, but the point here is to leave you with all the oversized, adjustable, and super stretchy items you already own. These will be the most comfortable clothes for the longest amount of time.
I found in my first pregnancy that clothing that is marketed as maternity is actually ill-fitting until you get to the third trimester, leaving most of your pregnancy to be dealt with in your regular clothes. The good thing about this is that in your non-pregnancy clothes, it will take no effort to make your pregnancy style feel like its just your style and feel like yourself.
I am 34 weeks pregnant and almost 30 lbs heavier than I was pre-pregnancy and I am just now having my regular leggings start to roll down off my baby bump. So I promise, with the right clothes, this can be done.
Once you see what you already own that will work for a while, you can start filling in gaps with what you might need in larger or looser silhouettes than normal. Which brings me to shopping:
Primarily Shop For Your Non-Maternity Body
I know this sounds insane, right?
Let’s be clear: I’m not suggesting you buy jeans in your normal size and be completely delusional.
What I am saying is focus the sizing on parts of you that aren’t going to change, and choose the cut and fabric to accommodate any areas that grow or change during pregnancy.
A great example was when I bought this tie-front shirt at American Eagle in a medium, my regular size, knowing its cropped length and ties would allow me to wear it for a while into my pregnancy. This shirt is also something that reflects my personal style, making it perfect to incorporate in my pregnancy style.
Things to look for are stretchy fabrics, adjustable styles like wrap or tie front tops, cropped lengths or peplum cuts.
When shopping, ask yourself:
Does the size of this item in some way reflect what I normally wear?
For example, I bought wide-leg trousers that had a stretchy waistband but in my normal size, which still fit me at 34 weeks.
Does the style of this piece still represent me, or my style?
You will have items that fit both your pregnant and non-pregnant body
You might think outside the box about trying new silhouettes in pregnancy that can help you adopt new ways to wear your personal style when not pregnant.
Use Maternity Items to Make Your Favorite Things Work
The point here is that you do not buy a whole new maternity wardrobe that you can only wear while pregnant. If you can help it, only buy maternity items when they help your pregnancy style reflect your regular style.
For example, if you love jeans, buy some maternity ones and rock a sweater you already own and love. Or if your beloved sweater is showing unwanted skin at the bottom of your bump (which is actually quite stylish at the moment), invest in a few maternity tank tops or camisoles to make it last!
A Word About Undies and Shoes…
Bras
Do not throw out bras as your size changes. It’s tempting when you’re breastfeeding and see the cute tiny bras you used to wear. They will likely fit again when you’re not breastfeeding. It’s worth finding some very comfortable nursing-friendly bras with no underwire for during pregnancy and early postpartum. These are my some of my favorites.
Shoes
Some women’s feet grow and stay larger. They say this is from your hormones (the ones that relax your joints). Some of us only have temporary shoe size changes from gaining a bunch of water weight.
Don’t get rid of your old shoes because you won’t know which camp you’re in until after baby is born and your swelling is gone. Just grab a pair or two in a larger size that you can slip on (I promise you don’t want to embarrass yourself being as out of breath as you would be trying to tie them at 8 months pregnant).
Bonus Frugal Tip:
Start a Maternity Clothing Sisterhood
If you’re lucky like me, you may have a friend or a few close friends who have babies around the same time and wear a similar size to you! Bag up what you’re not using for your bestie when she breaks the news!
I am currently borrowing maternity leggings from my sister in law, and my best friend returned some maternity jeans and shirts to me when she found out my second is on the way!
Share your pregnancy wardrobe tips in the comments!
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