Clothes? « Back to Group Discussions

[bostonmummy]

I can't figure out how to deal with the clothes situation. I'm just over 10 weeks now and have gained 10 pounds because of the voracious hunger I've been experiencing. Aside from a little bit of belly pop, I'm not showing at all, but I'm running out of things that fit. I can't figure out whether it's worth getting a couple of things a little larger than my current size so I have something to wear until I'm ready for maternity clothes. This is my first child, so I don't know what to expect.

What are the rest of you doing? 

[azohri]

Go ahead and buy some cute maternity pants.  I have ones from Old Navy that don't look like maternity as long as your shirts cover the top.  When I was pregnant with my son I held off on buying maternity clothes until I really needed them.  But maternity pants are really a lot more comfortable than leaving your pants unbuttoned or rubberbanded! :)

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

Originally Posted by azohri 

Go ahead and buy some cute maternity pants.  I have ones from Old Navy that don't look like maternity as long as your shirts cover the top.  When I was pregnant with my son I held off on buying maternity clothes until I really needed them.  But maternity pants are really a lot more comfortable than leaving your pants unbuttoned or rubberbanded! :)

I second this!  I finally switched over to maternity pants this week and I'm so much more comfy.  I also went out and got a stretchy little (non maternity) dress with extra room for a baby bump when it starts to show.  I practically lived in dresses like that last time around and suspect I will this time too.  I need to get a few more.  I  literally wore out the ones I had last time.

[OkiMom]

Im mixed in my opinion. In one way maternity pants would fit the longer. HOWEVER, they will be HUGE until the belly gets bigger. There are ones that you can get that adjusts but they are hard to find. Another thing is clothing 1-2 sizes up will be nice after you have the baby and you aren't into your regular clothing yet. It usually takes me at least 6 months to get back into the clothing I wore pre-pregnancy. Its nice to have different sizes for that time so you have something that fits well and makes you feel good.

[sillymom44]

Do they still sell the pants with the narrow below the belly waist??? Those are great for 1st tri. All my maternity clothes are in storage in another state :/ Planning a trip there over our spring break the 1st week of April. I am soo uncomfortable by the end of the day.....

[SunnyPerch]

I saw just go for some maternity pants! I've started wearing some off and on since last week even though I've only gained a few pounds, since some of my regular jeans are so uncomfortable when sitting. I found a few pairs of maternity jeans and capris (and even a few pair of cute shorts) at Once Upon a Child recently. Some were Old Navy and they're adorable, and with a narrow band, you wouldn't know they're maternity, wearing a long t-shirt. Also, I've found that some of my new maternity pants are still roomier in the leg than my regular jeans, but comfortably so, not baggy and unattractive.

[bostonmummy]

Well, I have to dress professionally, so I probably won't go for jeans. Plus, I just hate pants these days. I only want to wear skirts and dresses - way more comfortable. I think I'll go to my favorite consignment stores tomorrow and get a few skirts a size up. I'm sure I'll be happy to have them after I give birth and I'm waiting for my weight to go back down.

[dandylez]

It's my first too, and I was lost, so I asked advice over on the September DDC.  Got great advice and now I'm using a belly band with my jeans, with longer tees.  Yoga pants with the fold-down band are great for lounging. I also grabbed some leggings and long-tees (mid-thigh), but you can also wear them with dresses.  Super comfy! Good luck in your search!!

[pregnova]

Forever 21 appears to be getting rid of their maternity line, but if you happen to find some in a store, they're on MAJOR sale ($5) and fit just like ordinary pants. Skinny jeans and everything. They have a very narrow band, and come in some very small sizes, so you can find something that fits now and also buy a size or two up for later in the pregnancy. 

As it's gotten warmer, I've gone to skirts in my normal size with stretchy waist bands. Also, Old Navy sells some shorts in the ordinary (non-maternity) section that have stretchy waist bands...and I just saw some really cute linen long pants with a stretchy waist band. I think I even just saw some stretchy waist-banded short shorts in Target in their women's section. 

[femmeknitzi]

I'm already fat, so it was no big deal for me to go ahead and buy maternity jeans. They size them based on your pre-preg size so most people can probably start wearing them and just fold the extra panel down. It probably depends a lot on your shape, too. You'll need hips though because these things have nothing to hold onto. I started wearing them two or three weeks ago because even though I've lost weight, I can tell my body is changing and my pants are getting harder to button.

But I'm also relying a lot on leggings, empire-cut shirts and maxi dresses to fill out my wardrobe. Bella bands can also help you wear your pants longer and I'm not ashamed to admit, that I've been relying heavily on the ponytail holder trick (wrap a ponytail holder through the buttonhole and around the button of your pants to give you a little extra space).

[Angelorum]

I finally gave up and busted out my maternity jeans from last time this week.  I'd been doing my regular pants with a belly band, but the maternity pants are way more comfortable.  I need to get some more dresses though, the weather has been perfect for them this week, and I'm hating any kind of waistband by the end of the day lately. The biggest problem is that my belly is all squishable guts at this point and not nice firm uterus, so any thing a little tight just cuts in and makes my belly look lumpy, besides being uncomfortable. 

[OkiMom]

I have to admit I don't wear pants, I only wear skirts. I seriously dislike pants.. However, maternity clothing doesn't start fitting me well until around 6-7 months. I have clothing issues, I have a smallish waist and big hips so even regular clothes have to be altered. I usually make my clothing because its hard for me to find clothing that fits well.

Another alternative is to just go try maternity pants on see if it works for you and if it doesn't get the next size up.

[onyxravnos]

thrift shops are your friend. I'd just buy larger then normal in whatever you would normally wear and hit the thrift stores frequently because you will have to 'size up' a couple of times.  Belly bands are great to help make pants/shirts work a little longer.

Note on dresses; buy ones you can nurse in. It may not be on your radar now but you'll still have some belly after the baby is born so it's a good idea to go ahead and buy dresses you can nurse in now so you can keep wearing them after oct.

[is it puppies?]

I did love maternity pants with the belly band over top. I remember the great relief I felt when I went and bought a pair of maternity pants FINALLY last time, I had been trying to *not* buy much/any maternity pants and just go with one of those little panels with extenders and my belly band but my regular pants were always falling down anyways. I also didn't have luck keeping my maternity pants on very well, so I wore the belly band most of the way thru my PG last time. Luckily I can wear lounge pants all the time now so I haven't had to switch yet.

[OrangeMoon]

Definitely get things that fit right now!! And a bit baggier, because that's what you'll be reaching for post partum. And nothing makes me crabbier post partum than having nothing that fits. Bc who has the time for shopping then? So right now I am in maternity pants, and baggier t shirts. My basic uniform is jeans and a black t shirt. So I'm getting a bunch of black t's the next size up, and two sizes up, all that I can get my boobs out of, so v neck, scoop neck, etc. HTH!

[gratefulmum]

Originally Posted by bostonmummy 

I can't figure out how to deal with the clothes situation. I'm just over 10 weeks now and have gained 10 pounds because of the voracious hunger I've been experiencing. Aside from a little bit of belly pop, I'm not showing at all, but I'm running out of things that fit. I can't figure out whether it's worth getting a couple of things a little larger than my current size so I have something to wear until I'm ready for maternity clothes. This is my first child, so I don't know what to expect.

What are the rest of you doing? 

Word of advice bostonmummy: don't wear your pre-pregnancy clothes as long as you possibly can. I stretched out a good shirt or two this way. Just because is can still fit, doesn't mean you should still wear it. And I second the good pair of maternity pants- but that being said elastic over your bulging middle is only comfortable for so long during the day. I live in nice empire waisted dresses.

[MotherBhaer]

With ds, I put off buying maternity clothes as long as possible (partly because we just couldn't afford a whole bunch of new clothes then), but this time, I think I'm just going to embrace it. :) I'm not that much bigger yet (though you can see a little pooch if I pull my shirt tight), but I just don't like tight things on my stomach now, so I'm really embracing the maternity pants--so comfy! Planning a big Old Navy.com shopping spree as soon as they have another sale. I'm thinking maternity jeans, a black stretchy skirt, some yoga pants, a hoodie or sweater, a maxi dress, and lots of comfy tops.

[jro806]

I finally just got over the fact that "I'm only 10 weeks and shouldn't be in maternity clothes" and made the switch (pants only).  So glad I did!  I am so much more comfy!  My other pants still fit, but just aren't comfortable when I sit down and it just isn't worth the unbuttoning all the time.  Just do what feels best for you and dont' worry about what you are "supposed to do."