Tips for Maternity Clothes Shopping (plus, share your favourite spots to shop!)

It’s impossible for me to believe that it’s now been over 3 years since I was pregnant. (My love of pregnancy, despite illness will be a different post one day. Oh I miss it some times! 😉

When I got pregnant with my son 6 years ago, it was my first and I was fortunate enough not to have to buy maternity clothes for many months in.  When I started to show it was late spring/early summer so even stretchy skirts and long tank tops did the job – maternity or not.

I hated the thought of spending $60 on pants or $40 on a top.  I was frugal enough to know that even though I needed the clothes (and much preferred proper fitting clothing to my changing body!) I also new that this state was temporary.

But investing in some of these pieces is a must.  I was still working during my first pregnancy so I had to dress for work.  And while I enjoyed wearing yoga pants a lot, I did learn over time the importance of buying a few key pieces.  It’s worth the investment (just like nursing pjs and tops are but that may be a another post too!).

Here are some tips (that I learned through trial and error) when shopping for maternity clothing:

1) Check out the sales

Short sleeves in the winter may seem foolish, but I was all about the layering.  Some cold winter days I felt incredible warm! It doesn’t hurt to have variety.

The sales racks may be hit and miss with sizing though so you may have to check often and compromise on the look.  Yes, I would have preferred blue to coral, but for $6.99 the coral wasn’t looking so bad!

2) Check Consignment Shops

There weren’t as many consignment shops selling maternity clothes 6  years ago but they are much easier to find now. Pants that I would have had to buy full price for ($49.99 maybe) can be found on consignment for $14.99.

3) Share!

I was lucky and had friends who were pregnant around the same time so I benefited from some hand me down clothing. This is especially helpful when you need a ‘fancy dress’ or blouse for special events that you may not need to wear more than once.

What to splurge on:

1) Undergarments

You want well fitted underwear and a proper bra.  I didn’t think I’d care about the bras, but as my breasts grew, I new that it was worth buying something that looked and felt good. (keep an eye on the sales!)

2) Tank Tops

These you can usually find for a reasonable price, but what I liked about maternity tank tops was that I could layer.  At first they covered the belly.  Then they could go underneath other tops that were getting a bit short.

3) Pants

As much as I loved my yoga pants and skirts, every so often I needed a great pair of jeans or nice pants to go out for dinner, appear at a meeting,  or to look like I wasn’t dressing for the gym.  I didn’t need too many, but the ones I liked best were the ones that grew with my belly (and that I could wear after the baby was born!)

Now, it’s been many years since I’ve been shopping for maternity clothes, but with 2 sisters both expecting near the end of the year, I suspect I’ll get to browse some shops soon.

Tell me: What are you tips for maternity clothes shopping? And where do you shop for maternity clothes (note: there were about 2 stores in 2006 that I could shop in! Now, I know there are many more!)