Maternity clothes on a major budget?

[SweaterInJune]

The only maternity clothes I bought and liked were from H&M. Very affordable on our minuscule budget and somewhat fashionable. I was teaching at the time, so everything had to be suitable...

 

[Lamping3]

My favorites with my DD 7 were from Target, Old Navy and Gap. I kept most of my clothes but some were well worn or I couldn't stand to look at them anymore one I was done so I did have to buy a few items once I got pregnant with DD3. In 4 short years the options really decreased I had a hard time finding much I really liked. I will echo the thought of second hand stores an JC Penney. JC Penney has an excellent sale rack. Invest in some high quality yoga type pants (Nike).....I even wore them to work with a longer dressy top. I probably wore them 5 days a week near the end. Then they come in very handy after baby while you can't fit your regular clothes. I kept up the same clothing mantra I use now....spend money on a good quality pair of pants (that will last) and go cheep on shirts...buy plain and accessorize with scarves/jewelry.

 

[albarellic]

I looked on eBay for sellers who were bundling their old maternity clothes together and picked up clothes by the lot. Like $30 for a couple pairs of pants and a few shirts. Since the clothes aren't worn for very long, they don't look used or worn out. I supplemented with a couple of nice tops to wear for church, work, etc. from Motherhood Maternity.

 

[tina.tina]

I just used plus size clothing with elastic waists during both pregnancies. I did buy a couple of tops and jeans for my second pregnancy when I was about 6.5 months. My local Sears carried Motherhood Maternity and had some things on clearance. Unfortunately, I only got a few weeks of wear out of them because my DS was born 7 weeks early. Another girl in my office was pregnant and I gave them to her.

 

[texasroni75]

When I had my first baby (wow, almost 20 years ago LOL), maternity clothing was Ugly and expensive. Now, you can find them at decent prices all over the place and really cute styles.

If you want new items - check Old Navy, Target, Walmart and Motherhood Maternity online.

If you don't mind used items - check Craigslist, Facebook garage sales, and local garage sales. My last pregnancy (3 years ago now), I bought nearly every item from my maternity wardrobe from garage sales, nothing more than $3 an item. The only thing I ended up paying "full price" for were jeans because I'm tall and needed long-length maternity pants so I had to order them online.

Best of luck to you!

 

[smadath]

When a friend of mine was Pregnant on a Budget, she borrowed DH's clothes to wear around the house. Jogging pants, shorts, etc worked fine for her. For going out, she went to second hand stores. Family also pitched in with hand me downs that they either didn't need, or gave her on loan!

 

[missbrooke06]

I also suggest buying some maternity tanks or really long tanks/camis. Wearing those under your regular clothes can help stretch your wardrobe.

 

[elgerber]

Congratulations!! For me it's been 22 years since my first pregnancy, but I want to echo the belly band. Wonderful invention!!!

 

[Dashzap]

Congrats!

I used plus sized clothes instead of maternity because they were cheaper. Even though I got really big, i never liked a belly band or other support. In fact I couldn't stand the feel of anything restrictive on my abdomen.

You don't need maternity underwear. Get low cut string bikinis to go under the belly. Nothing cheaper than an 8 pack of Hanes on sale.

Fabric stores like Joanns carry bra extenders to give you a little more time in your bras. You could try altering them, too, since you are unlikely to go back to the same size after. (I never did with either of my pregnancies. Same with shoes, unfortunately.)

Good luck! Don't buy too much in anticipation. You may find your needs/desires to be different than you anticipated.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Congratulations!!!!

I agree to shop cosign or thrift, thrift being much cheaper. Larger thrift stores will have a section of maternity clothes but smaller ones may be mixed in. You can certainly use some over-sized pieces as well. Do however try to purchase a few basic pieces that you really love and feel comfortable in and that you will really enjoy wearing. Black leggings, a over-sized white shirt, and a pair of maternity jeans that feel great will be worth it.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Congratulations!!!!

I agree to shop cosign or thrift, thrift being much cheaper. Larger thrift stores will have a section of maternity clothes but smaller ones may be mixed in. You can certainly use some over-sized pieces as well. Do however try to purchase a few basic pieces that you really love and feel comfortable in and that you will really enjoy wearing. Black leggings, a over-sized white shirt, and a pair of maternity jeans that feel great will be worth it.

 

[disneymom2003]

Asos.com. Afordable and really cute. Free shipping too!

 

[LovesTimone]

Congratulations on the new additions to your family

My DD is due in less than 4 weeks, So excitied...

I bought all of her maternity clothes for her. We went to the outlet mall were there was a motherhood or other maternity clothing stores, and hit the clearance racks. We got a lot of good deals, we pick up shirts for 3 to 6 dollars and some shorts for 10 bucks and jeans for 15 to 20 dollars. Later on once I knew what size she needed when I was out I would always check around. Old Navy has a pretty good selection of jeans, shorts, and tops, at really great price's, I paid 19.99 for jeans, check retailmenot.com for coupons. Kohl's has a small selection but what they do have its good, basic items, Make sure to check the clearance rack, don't forget your coupons. The Penny's close to her did not have any maternity items. I don't know how you feel about it but eBay has a lot of options on maternity items for sale, I suggest eBay as a friend DIL lives way out in the woods, and she bought all her maternity clothes on eBay some that were new with the tags still on them, also consignment shops might be another options for you.

 

[tnd]

Congratulations! I am about a size larger than you are and just had my third baby 2 months ago. I agree with you on the tight maternity clothes trend, it is really not flattering on everyone (I am having the same issue with nursing tops right now). I wore a lot of my normal longer, loose cardigans over the tighter maternity tops throughout my pregnancy. Most of my maternity clothes were saved from my past two pregnancies. but I got a lot of casual stuff from Old Navy and Target. I have also used maternity resale shops in the past, but did not have great luck finding stuff in my size.

Good luck with your pregnancy! I hope it is a very healthy and easy one.

 

[EllieBride]

Congratulations! I'm a mom of twins, too, and know all too well what you've been through just getting to this point.

I carried my twins to 38 weeks, so I was pretty darn big by the end. Fortunately, it was summer time and I wore a lot of maternity capri pants and sleeveless cotton dresses from Target. I outgrew my dressy work clothes at around 6 months. In addition to Target and JCPenney, I would suggest Kohl's (if you have them where you live). They had good prices and it wasn't just tight-fitting stuff.

Also, see if there is a Parents of Multiples group in your area. I joined a group after my twins were born and we hold Mom-to-Mom sales each spring and fall. I wish I had known about the group before they were born because the other moms sell their maternity clothes at great prices.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm doing a little preliminary browsing everywhere...

I just came back from another ultrasound and DH and I are floored...there's a THIRD baby in there. I'm actually having triplets.

Looks like EVERYTHING is going to be on a budget for the next 18 years or so!

 

[njmom47]

I just read this thread to see if anyone had suggested Freecycle....and read your news! Congratulations!!

 

[soccerchick]

How exciting!

I bought a lot at Ross - super cheap.

Starting in March there should be lots of kids consignment sales. They will have a maternity section.

Also try the FB sale pages!

Best wishes!

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi,
Congratulations!

Has anyone suggested Burlington Coat Factory yet? I don't know if they still sell maternity clothes but it's worth a try.

I would check out local thrift stores and sign up for your local, online, Facebook, yard sale group. I am on a Mom's group and people donate/sell all types of baby/maternity items. It wouldn't hurt to put a request out there.

Michelle

 

[minnie1012]

I had the same issue of not liking many things. I wound up just getting a shirt here a shirt there etc. Store websites sometimes have more options but then you have to pay shipping.
Also Try Poshmark, it's a website where people sell their clothes. I have seen maternity on there & people sell from all over the country so you may see something. You should be able to type in "maternity" & it will bring up listings. People take pictures but the website protects you if you get something that didn't look like the picture.
Congratulations!