Maternity clothes

[Vishenka69]

I wanted to separate this from the belly band discussion. Any tips, ideas or suggestions are highly appreciated.

Some of my current issues:
1). How do I keep maternity pants (I have over the belly panel and under belly band) from sliding down to my knees?
2). Are there any decent looking maternity clothes out there?
3). What should I do for winter wear? Just borrow one of DH's jackets (he's almost twice my size)?

I've tried buying a size up in regular clothes but it only works about 10-20% of the time and only for tops/dresses. I have no idea how some women get away with not buying any maternity bottoms. I got a few nice sweaters that don't have close all the way down and I'll be able to keep afterwards as well. So the plan for now is to get a bunch of tanks/t's/etc. from places like Gap/Old Navy/Target and pair them with sweaters. Then I can trash the tanks/t's but keep the pretty sweaters.

[Urowife]

I had good luck with sweaters and jeans from the Gap. I got most of my shirts (tees) from Motherhood, but the rest of their stuff is not great IMO. I borrowed a coat from my mom so that I didn't have to purchase one. Also, I could still wear my wool pea coat in December for holiday parties - I could only button the top button.

As far as the pants sliding down - the belly band might help with that. Not sure since I didn't have one. But, it's one problem that will be fixed with time.

Good luck and congrats!!

[Pollyanna]

To answer your questions:
1. The under belly pants almost always slid down on me. I was far more comfortable with the over the belly fashion. Plus, over the belly creates a smooth line for fitted shirts and makes you look more pulled together.

2. Check out Isabella Oliver online. Beautiful, well made clothes. Yes, they are pricey but you get what you pay for. Also, you really only need a few items to mix and match. Take your time finding items you like and don't settle for feeling unattractive, you can and should feel beautiful while you are pregnant. Sometimes it just takes a while to find the right items.

3. For a coat I went with a trench (get one with an extra warm liner and it is good for cold or remove the liner and you have something nice for rain) one size up from what I normally wear. In the beginning you can use the belt tied in the back to create a waistline and as your belly grows you may eventually lose the belt completely. Best part is that you can still use it after pregnancy even having it altered a bit if need be since it is not too over sized.

4. You never have to stop wearing heels, even when you are pregnant.

Have fun shopping!!!

ETA: These are GREAT tips!! (Click on "Maternity No-No's at the top)

http://www.isabellaoliver.com/matern...FRMUagod6AjPIw

[Vishenka69]

Tara, that website is amazing. I just wish I could justify spending so much money, even in attendinghood I'm not comfortable paying retail. I might cave at some point, but I'm not sure I'm there yet.

I just realized that I do have a lined trench a size bigger that I got from Overstock a year ago and couldn't return. I'll have to go dig for it and see if it works.

[alison]

I'm starting to think I'm really lucky that I didn't need to purchase any winter items. I think the posts so far are really helpful. Make this a sticky?

I wouldn't try to buy everything you need all at once, but plan on adding pieces as you progress. Your body will change on an almost daily basis, and what is comfortable to you now, may simply not work later on.

I hate the big bows and floral prints. Why do designers think that just because we're pregnant, we want to wear that stuff?!

[Pollyanna]

I know it is pricey but two or three items will go a long way, instead of a push present consider it a puke present. And your hubby will greatly appreciate a happy wife. I hope the trench works out.

[MrsK]

Oh, I need a puke present! I've been sick 16 weeks! I even had to cancel a dentist appointment today.

Keep the maternity clothes tips coming. Love the Isabella Oliver site. I've been getting by with 1 pair of maternity jeans, 2 maxi dresses (that make me look like a cow), and mostly pre-pregnancy tops, pre-preggo wrap dresses, and yoga pants. But the pre-preggo stuff won't fit me much longer and I'll have to leave the house eventually. Besides, I need to make an appearance at the office soon. Also, since I know we are planning more pregnancies, I'm thinking it may be worth it to spend a little money on a good core wardrobe.

Question regarding Isabella Oliver: do they run small/large?

Also, any recommendations for petites? I'd hate to have maternity pants hemmed.

[alison]

Also, any recommendations for petites? I'd hate to have maternity pants hemmed.

Nellie once posted this store with the caveat that they're not good about returns. http://www.japaneseweekend.com/

I never did purchase anything from them, but may in the future.

Get your clothes hemmed. There's no reason to try to cut corners there. Maternity stuff is already dreadful enough that you don't need to be dragging your cuffs on the floor on top of that!

[alison]

And here's a boutique that Annie mentioned when I was hunting for some clothes: http://www.bellydancematernity.com/

[SuzySunshine]

Sometimes the designer sale sites will have maternity:

gilt.com

hautelook.com

ruelala.com

I also like the over the belly pants - the ones I posted in the other thread with the pantyhose type top are great IMO because the belly part is so thin. As for getting through the winter, I bought a handful of long sleeve or 3/4 sleeve tops and then a handful of sweaters both v-neck and cardigan and wore them in layers. I did not buy a coat, I wore my ski jacket which is big on me anyway but then again my babies are both November & December.

I wore my regular shoes, including heels until about 34 weeks with A when I had to give them up because my feet were swollen.

Keep an eye on eBay, once in a while there is a great lot of maternity clothes for CHEAP! I bought one big lot when I was pg and 90% of it was great.

[Pollyanna]

Their sizing is pretty accurate, follow their sizing guidelines. Also, customer service is very helpful so give them a call if you have any questions.

Also, LOFT maternity is great. If you like the way their clothes fit pre pregnancy you will like their maternity clothes. Their selection is small but you can find a few good items.

Oh, and there are very few dresses that look good on a pregnant body. Most are just too tent like. The ones that are fitted and hug your belly usually look pretty good. Megan Kelly on Fox news has some really cute Maternity dresses, sure she has a wardrobe department helping her but it might give you some ideas.

I don't have any good suggestions about petites. I just wore higher heals.

ETA: Japanese Weekend runs SUPER small (for me anyway).

[SuzySunshine]

ATL didn't have maternity when I was pg so they might have petites but the only places I found were Motherhood, Mimi and Pea In a Pod. JCPenney had them but you had to order them, at least my store didn't carry them.

[MrsK]

Get your clothes hemmed. There's no reason to try to cut corners there. Maternity stuff is already dreadful enough that you don't need to be dragging your cuffs on the floor on top of that!

It's not even a matter of dragging the cuffs. I'm afraid I'll fall on them! Also, I haven't found any that don't have really wide legs, which, combinded with extra long maternity tops make me look like a troll. So I haven't been buying maternity pants at all.

[JC76]

Earlier in the pregnancy I had the same problem with the over the belly pants still sliding down. I started wearing a bella band over the top of the elastic belly on the pants and it pretty much kept them up. Not to mention it helped smooth out my sillouette a bit. I was more of a "B" belly than a "D" belly until I hit 22/24 weeks.

My problem now... I thought my wardrobe was complete, that I had enough large, flow-y shirts to get me through to the end... but now at 34 weeks even my largest shirts are getting snug. I hate to spend money on something I'm only going to wear for 6 more weeks, but I think I have to pick up at least 2 more shirts. Thankfully I'm still able to wear all of my maternity pants.

The new invisible belly panel at Motherhood/Pea in the Pod is FABULOUS! I am 26 weeks with this pregnancy and have been in maternity clothes for far longer than I care to admit. But, I like Motherhood for the pants (because of the new panel), and Gap is great too (esp if they are on sale). Ann Taylor has some maternity stuff if you are working I think that might be good. Old Navy is Ok IMO--but their sizes are weird sometimes and I wouldn't rec buying online. Check for maternity consignment shops, they do exist and are great.

Good luck! And as another person said--the problem with the pants slipping will be a thing of the past before you know it!