Maternity clothes?

I have a question about maternity clothes and I feel a little silly asking. But how does it work exactly? I am 10 weeks and my clothes are starting to get tight. However, I doubt i am ready for full-fledged maternity clothing. And I imagine I will be getting bigger every week, or at least every other week. Does that mean I have to buy new clothes every other week? I can't imagine.

Is it time to start shopping in a maternity store? I know about Bella Bands, so I will give that a try, but what about shirts?

I guess I am just a little lost about what to do about clothing, so if anyone can shed some light, I would appreciate it.

TIA

Re: Maternity clothes?

I was never a fan of maternity shirts and owned very few. I found going up a size was suficient for shirts, and now that everything is empire waist, you probably don't need many maternity tops. As for the bottoms, I used a bella band at first and bought a couple of cheap pants a size up from my regular size and one pair of maternity pants that were elastic, not with the full belly. You will shop as you go because you don't really know when you're going to hit a growth spurt. Don't go crazy buying too much right now., Just get some essentials to take you for the next month or so.

Re: Maternity clothes?

Maternity clothes are made to stretch & grow with you so you certainly should not have to buy new clothes every couple of weeks. I never used a Bella Band, so I'm not much help there, but the ladies on here have said they are very helpful in the "in between" stages when regular clothes are too tight and maternity is too loose.

Try checking out a maternity store and trying somethings on. I recommend the secret fit pants from Motherhood. I bought them around 10 weeks and at 18 weeks I still have plenty of room to grow, which is good because you never know how big you'll be. As for shirts, you may have to hold out slightly longer. Try some things on, but I found that any shirts that fix me comfortably before 16 weeks (meaning they weren't so loose & falling off) certainly wouldn't have fit me later on.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I used a Bella Band during the first trimester. I also bought a few cheaper pairs of pants one size bigger than I normally wear. I bought a bunch of loose tops in a larger size, which lasted for a while.

I started buying maternity clothes around 14 or 15 weeks. I bought a majority of my clothes then and they still fit me at 32.5 weeks. I highly recommend Secret Fit Belly pants. They're very comfortable and should fit you throughout the pregnancy. Be careful about buying no panel maternity pants b/c you may outgrow them somewhat quickly.

Many maternity stores have a pregnancy pillow, which is supposed to add about 3 months onto your belly. It can give you a pretty good idea as to whether the clothes will still fit you several months from now.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I am almost 10 weeks and only wearing maternity pants. I was just too uncomforatable and I tried the bella band and hated it. It rode up inthe back and exposed my butt and underwear . I didn't try the rubberband thing because even opened the pants put pressure on my tummy and made my IBS bad. So yeah.

The pants are a teeny bit baggy in the front but they really look fine. The pants they make are so cute now that your really can't tell the difference at all.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I am 23 weeks and I just started wearing maternity clothes. I used a Bella Band for a while and I bought bigger size tops from Target that were empire waist or flowy. That got me along so far, but I just got to the point where I need maternity shirts too. It's frustrating when you're in between! Good luck!

Re: Maternity clothes?

Posted by sfp0701

I am almost 10 weeks and only wearing maternity pants. I was just too uncomforatable and I tried the bella band and hated it. It rode up inthe back and exposed my butt and underwear . I didn't try the rubberband thing because even opened the pants put pressure on my tummy and made my IBS bad. So yeah.

The pants are a teeny bit baggy in the front but they really look fine. The pants they make are so cute now that your really can't tell the difference at all.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I started wearing maternity jeans around 16 weeks. Until then, I usedmy regular jeans with a rubber band around the button and buttonhole and babydoll tops. By 20 weeks I was pretty much in maternity all the way.

I do have to say that since I am off in the summer, the transition from "regular" clothes to maternity was much easier for me. I could wear sweats and a tank.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I started to buy maternity clothes at 8-9 weeks. You can get away with non pregnancy shirts but I found that I had to buy maternity pants. Never tried the band. I am still wearing the pants. They do grow with you.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I found that I only bought a couple of maternity shirts this time around. I did have a few from my DD but shirts are so loose on the bottom now you don't need maternity. My favorite store for cheap, but fashionable shirts that cover you but AREN'T maternity is Forever 21. I also love Target Maternity clothes. Leggings with dresses and flowly shirts are great too.

Re: Maternity clothes?

I had clothing from my first pregnancy but then bought more (due to being preggo during the winter this time around). I actually opt to buy maternity shirts---not because I love the style or any of that---but I like the extra material in the front. I don't like wearing non-maternity shirts and even though they still fit, they ride up in the front. I need the extra few inches that they have in the front of shirts to compensate for my ever growing belly.

Message edited 11/2/2008 2:01:04 PM.

Re: Maternity clothes?

The pants will definitely grow with you...I found them to be a bit loose at the beginning and had to keep pulling them up but eventually they fit well. I'm still wearing the same ones at almost 38w. I have very few maternity shirts. I bought one size up in reglar tops and have not had a problem...the biggest issue has been length to make sure the shirt covers the panel of the pants. That has been my only pet peeve. I feel I was lucky that flowy shirts were popular this summer because I got away with regular sizes and didn't invest in much maternity stuff. Now that fall is here, I've been doing the layered look. For example, I will wear a maternity tank (again for the length) and then one of my regular cardigans or blazers over it that doesn't need to be buttoned.