Sometimes…I feel like retailers have it out for preggos. I mean…all the clothes are (a) tents or (b) so expensive it makes me cringe. Why, oh why, would I ever want to spend over $50 on a piece of clothing that I will only wear for what–six months?! Tack on how expensive nursing bras are and well…we haven’t even started about the baby. Pregnancy is no small expense!
Last time around I was still enjoying the novelty of maternity clothes. I wanted to wear them because I WAS PREGNANT. Wahoo! This time around…I refuse to buy anything maternity. Even though I am a completely different size & shape as I was last time, with different challenges and exactly 6 months off season. It’s make-it-work time. Yes, Tim Gunn, it is. ;)
So…I thought maybe it’d be a good idea to show you how I am managing to make a non-maternity wardrobe work for a very pregnant (albeit pretty much all belly) gal. It hasn’t been that hard. My biggest challenge has been that I am having some vein issues and I absolutely HAVE to wear tights from morning to night. You think maternity pants were tough to keep up on your hips without tights? Add spandex to the equation & pants are pretty much out of the question right now. Good thing I like leggings & boots. ;)
When I got pregnant, I was about 15 lbs less than I was when I started my last pregnancy. & Right now, at 34 weeks–I am sitting a good 20 lbs under what I was the last time I delivered–but somehow WAY more uncomfortable–go figure! For those of you who may have missed it, here’s my baby weight story: 33 days | Losing the weight, BABY!
The Start: 6 weeks
- non maternity dress by BCBG Max Azria (Marshalls)
Stripe Obsessed:
- non-maternity top, juniors department, complete with ruching…ha! (Marshalls)
- scarf (Steinmart)
- maternity pants– skinny cropped jeans, dark wash, demi panel (Gap Maternity, $20 on sale!)
- flats: Franco Sarto (Nordstrom Rack)
Staying Cozy:
- non-maternity sweater: Kenar (Marshalls)
- long maternity top (Gap Maternity)
- non-maternity leggings (Marshalls)
- boot socks (Target)
- boots (Steve Madden Intyce) I’ve been living in them!
All Dressed Up:
- non-maternity dress by Maggy London (TJ Maxx)
- double skinny belt (Target)
- non-maternity tights by Assets –same designer as Spanx, half the price. I can still wear the regular tights while pregnant (Target)
- boots (Via Spiga)
Comfy:
- maternity sweater from last pregnancy (Motherhood)
- dress by Calvin Klein (Costco)
- belt by Steve Madden (TJ Maxx)
- non maternity leggings (TJ Maxx)
Weekend Casual:
- stripy maternity top (Gap Maternity)
- hoodie by Lucky Jeans (Costco)
- last pregnancy’s splurge: Paige Premium Denim Maternity Jeans (most uncomfortable jeans on the planet)
- flats by Me Too (Nordstrom)
Cozy & Warm:
- maternity sweater from last pregnancy (Motherhood)
- stripy non-maternity tank (Marshalls)
- BE seamless maternity leggings (Target)
- uggs
Warm & Put Together:
- non-maternity sweater (Gap)
- maternity cowl neck tunic (Old Navy Maternity)
- non maternity leggings (TJ Maxx)
So there’s a peek at my make-it-work maternity wardrobe! There are a couple of things not pictured that I could not live without right now:
- Assets Lucky Leggings: NOT leggings–definitely tights, but footless & no seam down the belly. The smallest size is a little big on me–I wish they were tighter–but that’s because of my vein issues.
- Tanks by Miss Juli, found at ROSS–I never shop there, except for these fabulous $5 tanks. I wear them well beyond pregnancy. I haven’t found ANY better! I wear them daily.
- Long, tight dresses by Rue 21–I’ve only found them at Marshalls but they are my FAVORITE dresses to wear under a sweater right now! I pair them with leggings/tights & boots + a sweater & they are super cute. & nice & tight. I think tight is cuter than baggy when you have a big bump. :) Why hide it?
& If I could give you TWO pieces of maternity clothing advice they would be: (1) NIP/BELT/TIE THE WAIST & (2) KEEP IT TIGHT UNDER THE BELLY. These two things help you avoid the “I’m wearing a tent” problem! :)
I think that’s it! What was your wear-every-day item during pregnancy? Did you throw it away after you delivered because you were so sick of it?! Haha…I am soooo donating everything maternity in February! ;)
