Since becoming pregnant, I’ve tried to choose carefully when it comes to spending and saving on my maternity wardrobe. You can usually get up to the 5 or 6-month mark without having to buy much, but after that bump really pops, you’ll be happier having at least a few maternity pieces in your closet because let’s face it—they’re made to accommodate a growing belly! I focused on buying basic items that I could mix and match for maximum versatility and I’ll be sharing some of my best tips in this post.
Spend
While it’s always good to be budget-conscious when it comes to a maternity wardrobe, there are a few things it’s worth spending more money on during pregnancy. These pieces can build confidence and make you feel good as you get bigger, plus it’s likely you’ll use them again if you’re planning another pregnancy. I made sure to buy high-quality when it came to the items below and I haven’t had any regrets.
Quality Denim
I’m a huge fan of designer denim and had to have a few maternity pairs to get me through my pregnancy (in fact, this pair was the first maternity item I bought). There’s nothing worse than a pair of jeans that aren’t flattering, ESPECIALLY when you’re pregnant, so it’s worth it to me to spend a little extra so I feel good in them (while always purchasing on sale, of course!)
Shop Maternity Denim
Shapewear & Support
As your belly grows and your back starts to ache, you’ll realize it’s time to shop for shapewear and support bands. I bought a Bellaband to continue wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans and I love having this support belt for extra back support during activities like working out.
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Accessories
While accessories aren’t considered ‘maternity’, carrying a beautiful handbag or adding a scarf can make all the difference for changing up those basic maternity pieces you’ll have on repeat (speaking from experience!)
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Comfortable Footwear
Your feet have to take a lot of extra pressure with the additional weight you carry during pregnancy. Comfortable footwear doesn’t necessarily mean ‘frumpy’ but it’s a good idea to have a few pairs of supportive flats, sneakers and chunkier-heel styles. They’re definitely pricey, but I practically lived in my Gucci slides this summer, and I also had a pair of these Birkenstocks for running around. Now that it’s fall, I’m wearing these moto boots and my Stan Smith sneakers nonstop.
Shop Footwear
Save
Although I’m all about quality over quantity, there are some things I refuse to spend a lot of money on when it comes to maternity clothing. I’ll go into more detail below and make sure to check out my favorite maternity shopping sources at the bottom of this post!
Layering Basics (tees & tanks)
Basic items of clothing like tees and tanks are something I saved my money on during pregnancy because most of the time, I only use them for layering. It’s easy to dress up a maternity tee with something like a cashmere wrap or a leather jacket and who will ever know you only spent $10 on the tee? Here are a few of the best ones I’ve found during pregnancy:
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Season-Specific Pieces (coats, sweaters, etc.)
Most of the time, I’ve gotten around having to buy season-specific clothing during pregnancy by simply sizing up one from my regular size. I don’t want to spend much money on a maternity-size summer dress or thick sweater I may never wear again. For example, unless you live somewhere very cold and happen to be pregnant during that time, there’s really no need to invest in a pricey maternity jacket. That said, I did find some great options for the current fall season which you can shop below (all under $100!)
Shop Seasonal
Activewear
I haven’t found it necessary to spend much on activewear for my workouts—stores like Target, Amazon and GAP all offer great maternity options, most of which are well under $50.
Shop Activewear
My Favorite Shopping Sources for Maternity Clothing
H&M – I probably shop here more than any other site; they have a great selection of layering basics and their basic tee/tank maternity dresses are my favorite
Shopbop – so many choices here for designer maternity jeans
Ingrid & Isabel – whether it’s leggings or a bump-friendly dress, this company is the expert on flattering maternity clothing!
A Pea in the Pod – frequently offers great sales like 30 or 40% off your purchase, so this is when I’ve snagged a few pairs of designer jeans
ASOS – shop here for on-trend and budget-friendly maternity styles
Nordstrom – a wide selection of maternity brands at all price points
GAP – their Pure Body tees are my favorite—I’ve purchased black, gray and white!
