Like many women who work in an office environment, I had a hard time finding chic, budget-friendly pieces while pregnant with my son. I wanted to look put-together without spending a fortune.
So I put my penny-pinching instincts to work, andmanaged to assemble a wardrobe for under $200: 27 tops, 16 dresses, four blazers, five cardigans, four pairs of jeans, three pairs of slacks, and more. Here’s how I pulled it off.
1. Shop Your Closet First
Before you hunt for bargains, start at home.
Rummage through your wardrobe to see what could fit a growing belly — you might already own pieces that work. For me, jersey dresses, blazers I wear open, cardigans, drawstring pants and shorts, and long loose or stretchy tops stayed useful. Some items lasted until month five, and others worked for the entire pregnancy.
If friends or family are amenable, “shop” their closets too. I borrowed a few tops, a jacket and a dress from my mom, sister and grandma that were either larger than my usual size or made of a slinky, stretchy fabric. My husband’s hoodies and jackets were great for dog walks or casual strolls. And I slept in his T-shirts — as usual.
2. Extend the Life of Your Pre-Pregnancy Clothes
Like many women, your bra size may shift during pregnancy and again while nursing.
You could buy new bras ($20-$100+ each depending on brand and quality), or you could grab a pack of bra hook extenders forunder $3 on Amazon.
When you first need a larger band, these clever extenders lengthen the band so you can keep wearing your usual bra a bit longer. You may need a bigger cup later, so avoid stocking up on multiple band sizes. The extenders fasten to your bra hooks just like the regular clasps and can remain on during washing; if machine washing, close clasps to prevent snagging.
Check whether your bras have two or three hooks so you buy the right extenders; I had both types and needed one pack of each. If you end up requiring a larger cup, consider keeping your pre-pregnancy band size and using extenders so you can wear the bra again later.
Another product many women recommend is the belly band or tummy sleeve. It can let you keep wearing your old jeans unbuttoned while staying covered. You can also use the old elastic trick if your top is long enough — a free solution if, like many of us, you have a stash of hair ties.
One more way to stretch pre-pregnancy pieces: give your accessories extra attention! A bold scarf or statement necklace can elevate a plain dress or jeans-and-tank combo.
3. Look for Maternity-Friendly Styles
When shopping — new or used — think ahead, choosing pieces that will work throughout pregnancy, double as easy nursing garments and still look great after baby.
Start with basics. My purchase list (in addition to what I already had) included a black pencil skirt, two pairs of slacks and three dresses, which set my professional wardrobe on the right track. A pair of skinny jeans, tanks, yoga pants and leggings covered evenings and weekends.
Plenty of posts like this one show how to get by wearing regular clothes while pregnant. Whether you have a similar item at home or spot one on sale, watch for these flattering non-maternity options.
Stretchy Fabrics With Ruching
A stretch dress or tunic with side or tummy ruching is a flattering office option. Aim for knee-length pieces with a higher neckline. Pair with black tights and an open blazer for chilly days or air-conditioned offices.
I hit a Ralph Lauren family-and-friends sale around four months pregnant and snagged three discounted, knee-length stretchy dresses with ruching. The black dress was perfect for meetings, and the navy and light blue ones were great for parties and pre-baby date nights with my husband.
Long T-Shirts
Stretchy or cotton tees with extra room in the midsection fit a bump nicely — especially those gathered at the hip or featuring ruching on the side or center.
Open Cardigans or Blazers
An open cardigan or blazer layered over a maternity tank is a versatile look that pairs with jeans, slacks or a pencil skirt. You’ll often find similar pieces outside the maternity aisle, so don’t limit your search.
4. Look for Free Items
The biggest lesson I learned in fundraising: if you don’t ask, you won’t receive! Let friends and family know you’d welcome hand-me-downs— they might not realize you’re open to it and could have the perfect dress or top.
Seek out local parent groups and listservs on Yahoo and Facebook, and post that you’re hunting for used maternity clothing. I found groups in Brooklyn — Cortelyou Moms, FlatbushFamilyNetwork and brooklynbabyhui — from other expectant moms at a coffee shop, but you can browse Yahoo groups under Family & Home/Parenting /Moms and Family & Home/Parenting /Parenting Babies and Toddlers. I scored a big bag of free clothes from a parent group and two flattering non-maternity tops at a clothing swap.
These groups also help you meet new-parent neighbors, learn about local resources — including maternity swaps — and trade tips online about pregnancy and parenting. I discovered free events for expectant parents through a group I joined and even won a $50 gift card to a nearby maternity shop at one event!
5. Thrift Wisely
Besides combing your local thrift shops for maternity and flattering non-maternity pieces, check out shopgoodwill.com and thredUP’s maternity sections. Both sites offer finds starting around $4.99.
Also visit secondhand and consignment baby stores near you; many maintain a solid maternity rack in addition to infant gear.
And don’t forget local parent listservs, Facebook groups and neighborhood sale pages. Many parents list items cheaply. I bought a huge bag from a parent group — jeans, four pairs of new black tights, 10 designer tops and four dresses — for $40.
6. Buy Strategically
If buying new, expand your usual store list. I was surprised by decent picks on Walmart.com, and found some Kohl’s maternity pieces pricier than similar items at GAP or Nordstrom. Use Shopstyle to explore brands that offer maternity lines.
I also liked maternity sections at H&M, Target, Old Navy, Etsy, Asos, Loft, JCPenney, Zulily, Macy’s, Burlington and Amazon. I prefer shopping online so I can try pieces with items I own and mail back what doesn’t work, though I did go into stores sometimes. If visiting shops in person, check whether your local store actually stocks a maternity section — not all do, including some H&M locations.
For bras and tank tops, opt for nursing styles during pregnancy so you’re ready for breastfeeding. Late in my pregnancy, a wireless nursing sports bra was my go-to and served me well during maternity leave. Some items last beyond pregnancy: I bought a maternity jersey tank for $7 at JCPenney that worked for nursing and still looks good now, post-baby.
Here are a few more useful items to consider adding to your registry:
- TheUndercover Mama: an undershirt that makes almost any top nursing-friendly.
- A pack ofBamboobies: reusable bra pads that are comfy and save money compared to disposables.
- A woven wrap: If you plan to babywear (I’m a fan), buy one that can also support your belly in late pregnancy instead of an expensive maternity belt. This video shows how to wrap your belly. A wrap can also hide a shirt that’s slightly too short at your largest bump.
Also, while shopping for basics, don’t forget to look for ways to save money nursing tops and sources for free baby stuff that complement a budget-friendly wardrobe.
7. Befriend a Tailor
Free or inexpensive maternity clothes that aren’t quite the right fit or style can be perfect with a few alterations.
See whether small tweaks can spare you from buying pricier new items. Many tailors (and severalEtsy shops) will convert pants or jeans into maternity styles. Some seamstresses can also adapt a regular bra into a nursing bra, as many traditional bra shops can, too.
Planning a maternity wardrobe while sticking to a budget can be tricky, but choose clothes that make you feel confident and beautiful, and soon you’ll be looking at your pregnancy photos thinking, “wow, I looked amazing.”
Your Turn: How did you build a maternity wardrobe without overspending? Share your tips in the comments!
Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell habit here. Affiliate links in this post help fuel our dollar-menu orders. Thanks for the support!
