When you’re dealing with a constantly expanding waistline there’s no choice but to adjust your wardrobe to accommodate your new shape!
This is such an exciting time but can also be overwhelming for so many reasons…so scratch one worry off your list because we’ve got you covered when it comes to your maternity wardrobe.
Before you get carried away and unnecessarily shop up a storm for your new 40 week role, consider these alternatives and build your maternity wardrobe more sustainably.
Photo by Mickael Tournier on Unsplash
Shop Your Wardrobe
Start with what you have…always the best place to start! There will for sure be certain pieces in your current wardrobe that have stretch, from jersey dresses to oversized sweaters, and elastic, like those faithful track pants or comfy leggings. These pieces will easily grow with your belly for at least part, if not all, of your pregnancy. And don’t forget to pop on over to the other side of the wardrobe and check out what your partner might have that works for your new shape! I’ve discovered the most comfortable hoodie and some outerwear pieces that will fit me a little longer than my own. Make sure you separate out what still fits in your wardrobe as you grow and put the rest out of sight to avoid being disheartened about the clothes you can’t wear, for now!!
Borrow From Friends
If you have any friends that have recently been pregnant then hit them up for any pieces they might be looking to get rid of or are happy to loan you for the next few months. The Mum community is a very inclusive and all embracing one so make the most of being part of the club! Being able to borrow a few items from friends can significantly reduce the number of items you need to purchase or at the very least delay the need for a new purchase which buys you extra time to research. I found this super helpful at the beginning of my pregnancy when my jeans were just that little bit too tight but I hadn’t got my head around maternity shopping yet! Just be sure to take good care of any borrowed items, I’m sure your friends will appreciate getting more wear out of their maternity clothes during any future pregnancies.
Buy Second Hand
While there may not be an abundance of second hand stores that specialise in maternity wear you will easily find a huge selection online at sites like Ebay. Anyone who’s been pregnant, as we know, only had a need for maternity specific pieces for a short amount of time so you can imagine how many women are keen to make a bit of extra cash getting rid of clothes they’re likely glad to be done with…and you get clothing that has only been used for a matter of months for a bargain price! I was trying on a pair of maternity jeans in store and checked Ebay before making a purchase only to find them for half the price and they’d never even been worn. Plus if you’ve borrowed from a friend you’ve got that extra time up your sleeve to create alerts and wait for your perfect maternity piece to present itself before you’re in desperate need of pants that fit!
Buy Beyond Pregnancy Pieces
If you do invest in a few maternity styles, because let’s face it we all need to make new purchases sometimes and it’s exciting as a Mum-to-be to shop for your bump, then think to the future and focus on beyond maternity pieces. So many maternity friendly styles are just as wearable post pregnancy, think side gathering details or loose and oversized fits. Plus consider your needs post babies arrival, like if you’ll be breastfeeding, if you’ll want to flaunt or disguise your post baby bod, and whether you have enough easy wash items for the spit up that’s headed your way, and make purchases that accommodate these needs as well. If you buy pieces you absolutely love then you’ll be so happy to have them last you more than a few months and you’ll give yourself much more of a chance of reaching 30 wears!
Embrace your new curves and remember that although this is a temporary state you can plan your wardrobe to accommodate your short term and long term clothing requirements. Stay comfy and maternally chic my friends!
Look out for an upcoming post to find out my tips on the essentials worth investing in to make your maternity wardrobe work for you
