Maternity clothes options « Back to Group Discussions

[menageriemama]

I was wondering if there was anything new and interesting (and affordable) out there in the world of plus sized maternity clothes?

My last two pregnancies, I have been a 2X. I suspect I will be the same size this time even though I weigh about 30 lbs more, but I am going to need some different pieces since most of this prengnacy will be in the summer (in Georgia!) and my last one was due in February. Ironically my first baby was an August baby, too, but I got rid of a lot of stuff from that pregnancy. I think most of my short-sleeve stuff was just stained and yucky at the end.

Target/Liz Lange's XXL didn't fit me in my last pregnancy so I don't see it happening this time. I had quality issues with Old Navy last time (plus I need to order online) but might be willing to try them again. I really dislike Motherhood, but I think I have gotten the bulk of my decent maternity wardrobe from them, so I may be going there again this time around.

I'm glad that I have some stretchy non-maternity skirts that will, I hope, be able to make the transition.

[amysue]

JCPenney has some stuff, Avenue.com has a few items.

[cristeen]

My main problem with the maternity clothes is the sizing.  Supposedly you order the same size as you wear pre-pg, but that didn't work for me last pg (with 2x).  And this time I ordered the next size up (3x), and that didn't work too great either.  So i guess I'm in limbo land. 

My fave maternity top is Old Navy - but quality wise it is thin and cheap.  But it looks really cute - the first one I got that wasn't cut like a sack.  All of the maternity (and nursing) clothes I've gotten from ON have been very cheap quality.  Super thin fabric, not even standard t-shirt thickness, more like you'd expect from an undershirt. 

Stay away from Cafe Press - they don't have true plus-sized maternity clothes.  Their 2x maternity is the same size as their Lg standard.  Good thing they refunded me my money, or I would been on a rampage. 

I ordered a couple long sleeve tops from JC Penney's this time, and I'm pretty happy with them.  They don't fit right, being much too loose in the chest, but I suspect that's just something I'm going to have to deal with.  They're not too tight through the belly, and that's the important part.  I ran into the boob/belly problem last time too, since all the manufacturers seem to assume that plus-sized = DD boobs, and I'm only a C-cup (and a small C at that, not pg). 

For pants, I just buy elastic bands, stretch pants, etc.  I have one pair of dress pants one size up that worked really well for my bday dinner, but mostly I can wear my regular pants throughout pregnancy, so long as they have some stretch to them.  My jeans are already packed away, but everything else is still regular pants.  I have 1 pair of maternity pants with the stretch panel, and I can't make them stay up.  Every time I move I'm having to hitch them up.  And I had to hem about 4 inches off the bottom of them.  So I'm guessing I just don't have the shape they need to stay up, since my lower belly doesn't round out.  

My kids are opposite too - DS was born in September (our hottest month), so all my clothes from last time are summer.  This time I'm due in May, so I may be hitting both winter and summer (unless we repeat last year, where winter lasted until July).  So I had to order some long sleeve tops to round out my wardrobe.  I have a cardigan that will work for pregnancy, and I just picked up a shawl/wrap (at Fred Meyer) that is warmer, that will do for when the cardigan isn't enough.   I'm already out of my jacket, but my poncho still covers everything. 

[menageriemama]

I loved my winter pregnancy. We have short winters anyway and I'm not hot-natured, so I never needed anything like a maternity coat. I had a fleece and a couple of roomy cardigans that worked well. I am worried that I am going to be soooo hot this summer. I haven't worn shorts in about 10 years, but I don't know if I will be able to avoid it this time!

[southernfriedkarma]

I think maternity sizing is such a scam.  I'm about a 16-18 while not pregnant (and was a 20-22 before TTC), and actually wear closer to a 14 while pregnant.  (I didn't lose weight while pregnant; I've gained about 15 lbs at 28 wks.)  

I found that Motherhood's XL and Old Navy's maternity XL fit me pretty well while their 1X sizes (which are supposed to be for size 18) are huge on me.  I imagine it depends how you're carrying.  Targets XXL shirts fit but are snug, and I'm sure they wouldn't fit if I had larger breasts.  Gap XXL shirts and shorts also seem to fit like a true 18, though they wouldn't work for people much larger than a C-D cup chest.  Some of my one size up pre-pregnancy clothes also still fit, though I find them less flattering and comfortable than my maternity clothes.  And they require me to wear a belly band or maternity tank top so that I'm not showing off my belly.  

The only decent and not ugly coat I could find to fit was an Old Navy coat, though I agree that their maternity clothes are not of the best quality.  All the online ordering is a pain, though, especially because things can only be returned online.  Finding maternity underwear in the right size has been the biggest challenge for me, though.  It seems like my underwear is falling down under my pants no matter what I do!

[rubyjune]

Hey..sorry, I just joined and haven't posted an intro yet...

butting in  to add that the plus sizing is such a crock, and it gets so much worse with maternity clothes! I have 5 pairs of maternity jeans all XL. Not pregnant I am right about a 16 (just lost 100lbs in the last 5 years though, had been a 20/22)  thick and strong Irish peasant build with a nice layer of fluff on top :)

one pair won't pull up past my knees, two I can wear if I don't actually have to move much because they just roll down, not enough butt room, one is perfect, and one I can pull up to my chin and put my boobs in (the kids love this look)  I need jeans...I work managing a horse stable, that means outside, everyday no matter the weather. I need work clothes, these are hard enough to find in decent women sizes..but maternity clothes that are actually functional..pha!

I haven't a faintest idea who Layne Bryant  designs their clothes for because nothing fits there even when I was larger..and target is always a exercise in frustration.

The one thing that is working this pregnancy  is the maternity tank and belly band thing I did get at target. they help expand the clothes that do fit..the to short tee shirts are covered and the band helps hold up the to big pants and a few things that still work un zipped., 

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by southernfriedkarma 
  Finding maternity underwear in the right size has been the biggest challenge for me, though.  It seems like my underwear is falling down under my pants no matter what I do!

I wear Lane Bryant's "string bikini" underwear not pg.  It's the only underwear I have found that is comfy for me, doesn't bunch or ride up constantly, etc.  It sits under my belly flap, so pg doesn't affect it for the most part, and you just have to get the right size for your hips.  I have noticed though that while my tummy is rounding out, my butt is getting flatter (not gaining any weight - or at least I hadn't at 17 weeks, everything was just shifting).  So that my older pairs of panties, that didn't have as much elasticity anymore, were sagging and slipping under my pants, and bunching in weird ways.  But the pairs I had just bought around the time I got pg are fitting just fine.  I need to go get some more when I get a chance, when baby arrives 5 pairs (that fit) are not gonna be enough.  This was the same last pg also - I wore them throughout.  Much easier than trying to find panties that fit while you're constantly changing shape. 

[lifeguard]

I personally didn't really have very many actual maternity clothes. A couple dresses from old navy & a couple skirts from thyme maternity (canada). I mostly looked for styles that I normally would not touch 'cause they tend to make me look pregnant normally - so empire waists, things that gather & hang from the breasts, anything too shapeless.

As for underwear - I cannot handle having my underwear rolling down under my belly - so uncomfortable! I actually went to wal-mart & bought the largest underwear I could find - they are seriously ridiculous, but even at my absolute most pregnant they went up & over my belly without leaving a line across my belly. They were comfortable but possibly the most unflattering thing I have ever worn!

[grizzlebee]

i bought a pair of jeans (sz 1x) from motherhood maternity over the holidays and they have a rip in one of the seams already! not even a thigh seam or some other likely place...it's at the bottom of the left leg. that's probably what i get for spending $50 on one pair of jeans for the first time in my life. 

otherwise, i have not bought a ton of maternity clothes. so far i have:

--the aformentioned jeans

--1 pair leggings (also from mm)

--2 3/4 sleeve ruched-side knit tops (mm)

--about five tank tops from old navy maternity

--one t-shirt (onm)

--one dress (onm)

--one thermal henley-type shirt from liz lange/target

--fold-over underwear from mm--this is actually the BEST thing i've bought so far!! the waistband is wide and verrrry stretchy like the tops of yoga pants, and i will probably continue to wear these way past my pregnancy because they are so freakin' comfortable!

i did buy one maternity hoodie from old navy (sz xl) that i don't like and would return except it's $6 to return stuff by mail and i spent less than $20 on the item in the first place. if anyone is interested in it, let me know and i'll gladly sell it for what i paid for it...like $18?

some non-maternity things i am wearing include:

--several knit skirts from target and old navy that have a fold-over waistband (love that!)

--some longer XL and XXL t-shirts, and for those that aren't long enough, i'll layer one of the old navy maternity tanks underneath

--in a pinch i can wear some old navy jeggings totally unbuttoned under a long shirt, but i usually reserve that for errands and laundry :)

--xxl knit workout zip-up from target

--1x fake leather jacket, also from target!

[CassnBeth]

I agree that the Old Navy stuff is terrible quality but all of my maternity shirts are from there because I like the fit so well. I just had to decide that these shirts were like light bulbs and the "filament" was only going to last for nine months. Truthfully, I should probably be throwing some of my shirts out now but I refuse to invest more money in maternity clothes at 33 weeks unless my belly is hanging out in public. As for pants, I have some non-maternity wide leg stretch pants with foldover waistbands that I am making do with. I hope they survive to be used after this kid is born but I have had these pants for a long time and entropy is catching up with them. Oh! and the Old Navy full panel leggings? Those are awesome and only cost ten dollars a pair.

[menageriemama]

I should probably invest in some ON shirts, then. I had one with my previous pregnancy that I liked but was eventually too short for me. My belly hangs sort of low so I'm looking for good coverage. The problem I had was that the shirts I bought online literally came filled with holes and unwearable, doh! that was a turn-off. I need to try again, though. In the meantime a friend has offered me a few items.

[poppyseed2012]

I wear a 1X maternity (16/18 before pregnancy) and to be honest I've found 85% of my wardrobe at Goodwill or St. Vincent thrift stores. And I have a large maternity wardrobe for work purposes. The only things I've bought brand new are some leggings, underwear and a nice winter coat for work. I needed a second jacket because I have a horse and still go out to the barn a few times a week to see her. I found a brand new men's extra large winter jacket at a thrift store for $9! I've also found the 1x and 2x sections at thrift stores to be well stocked.

[southernfriedkarma]

i did buy one maternity hoodie from old navy (sz xl) that i don't like and would return except it's $6 to return stuff by mail and i spent less than $20 on the item in the first place. if anyone is interested in it, let me know and i'll gladly sell it for what i paid for it...like $18?

Grizzlebee - They aren't supposed to charge the return fee for items that can only be returned my mail.  I've returned six or eight things this way and was only charged once.  When they did charge me, I called and asked them to reverse the charge.  They quickly did.
 

[Shinyredstar]

By chance did you look in the ON non-maternity sections? A lot of their normal clothes have fits that are good for maternity wear, IMO. And the plus size shirts are made longer, etc. I have several things from there that I've gotten that I think will last all 9 months- some empire waist dresses and stretchy skirts and leggings. I'm an F cup when I'm not pregnant and a lot of their tops run loose so I can fit them pretty easily (though I only ever buy stretchy tops and don't mind a snug fit).

[iixivboots]

Grizzle, i would have totally returned those jeans and demanded at least a replacement. They're supposed to last at least 7 months, you'd think.

I went to motherhood today and they had a small but respectable plus size section (It said "plus sizes" in the store locator). I fit into the 3x jeans and pants really well, they are sized generously. Also, I had tried on a full-belly panel pair of jeans at JC Penny and I knew they wouldn't stay up long. The ones i ended up getting at MM were snugger all over, but it seemed like the band was tighter, thicker material and would hold them up. I bought a darkwash pair of "skinny boot" jeans, a pair of covertible cargos (very light weight, good for AZ summer I hope) a pair of leggings (nice thin fabric) and a few knit tops that were on clearance.

I don't really "need" maternity clothes right now, but I hate having a waistband around my tummy, even with the "rubber band trick" and I wasn't sure, given this, that I would like a bella band either. I also feel like from what I've heard, the bella band is pretty thick and it won't be long until it'll be hot here again. I have tons of dressses that I will be able to wear throughout pregnancy, I'm sure, as so many plus size dresses are empire waist anyway.

I would love some skirts with a foldover waistband, I've never seen that in the plus section anywhere! I am also slowly replacing my "at home" wardrobe. I found that my old stained, ripped sleepy shirts were making me feel crappy about myself. I got some of the "boyfriend" pocket Ts from Target, and they are nice and long and I can see them lasting. Also, the mosimmo brand ribbed tanks are SUPER long, I bet they'll last all 9 months.

[Shinyredstar]

Boots- Old Navy has the fold over skirts in their maternity section. I have two from the normal women's wear and they're very stretchy and comfortable- I think they'll fit for the entire pregnancy. And they're a nice length- having lived in AZ for several years, I can say they'll be comfy in that weather!  The only drawback is that they only have them in black and grey and I wish they had some variety.

[iixivboots]

Hey Shiny, thanks. I looked at them, I am not sure if the XXL would fit me at a 24/26. There was one review from someone who was an 18/20 who said that the XXL was too large for her, but I'm still not sure. I might throw it in if I end up making an Old Navy order.

[eleuthia]

Boots, it might be worth a try - the regular (non-maternity/non-plus) foldover skirts from Old Navy are definitely generously sized! I wear a L (usually wear a 16-18 for ON bottoms); I tried on the XL first because that was my size and... it would've fallen off too easily. The L is form-fitting (but comfy) at my waist, but my tops all hit at my hip so it doesn't matter. I am pretty sure I'll be able to keep wearing the regular skirts through much of the 2nd trimester at least. It looks like they have it in a few more colors (and two stripes) online right now for the regular ones, so I might have to pick up a couple in XL for later on. I would seriously wear this skirt every day if I could. 

[Shinyredstar]

Totally worth a try! I wear the XXL and am about a 22 and there's definitely room for stretch.

[amysue]

Shinyredstar-  If you don't mind me asking, what pre-preg size are you and did the ON maternity fit you?  If so, what size are you in ON Maternity.  I'm a 20/22/24 depending on brand and an F cup so I'm trying to decide if I want to try some ON stuff or not.  Their plus sizes usually run a little large, I find.