[Mozado8210]

I bought a couple pairs of jeans today from babies r us, and a pair at sears. I hope this takes care of it! I also found a bunch of cheap, cute tops at Ross. I think I'm set for a while, and Omg, my belly is so happy not to be crammed into my old jeans anymore!

 

[Michelle Murphy]

<p>Thyme Maternity at BRU was almost a complete bust.  One pair of jeans might be acceptable, but the fit was, well, less than right in either size.  If I get desperate I can pick up a pair post-holiday, but for now I'm going to look at other options - even if it costs a bit. <br>
My assessment:  The tops were too tight, the bras too loose and lumpy (and the camisoles were too loose around the armpits, but not elsewhere which means they're too big - even in the correct size).  The pants were too tight in the thighs and hips until they were way too loose in the crotch or all over.  The options were limited, the style options were bad-maternal (old lady lace and florals and "fat tops" as opposed to maternity flattering), the selection was limited in sizing, and the staff was of zero assistance.  (After 20 minutes they regretted to inform me that their tape measure had been stolen.  This was said to me by the young wisp of a female who has never been pregnant or overweight that the two men at the front sent over after chortling about maternity bras.) <br>
There was one thing I really liked and got (searches for picture).  So I'm glad for the stop, but even more discouraged about the options moving forward.</p>
<p>So far maternity shopping is the worst of all shopping hells.  Bra-shopping, jean-shopping, and mid-weight shopping are all horrible.  Now this hell has been brought to us all in one fell swoop in tiny overpriced stores (or in digging through rack after rack of non-marked unknowns at a thrift store - as I imagine the resale/thrift will be). <br>
Yes, I was a little cranky when I was there (turns out vomiting and diarrhea were on the menu for later), but I didn't have my hopes up too high and pregnant ladies are allowed to express their disappointment when a store makes it that much more difficult! <br>
I really, really like what I did get (and paid about $13 versus over $40).  If I like it enough over the next couple days I may even order another online.  In now way, however, do I want to go back to the fiasco that was BRU. <br>
In case anyone else has a similar problem with the Thyme BRU stuff and happens upon something they like more, please let me know!  The maternity sections are so tiny and I have to try on everything to find out it doesn't fit so I'd love to find someone with a similar body-type/complaint. <br>
I think Thyme may have other things that work, but without being able to try them on, I'll have to stick to the item I got and very similar items.  You Canadian chicks are luckier, I think. <br>
 </p>

 

[Becky Wheeler]

<p>I HATE that most places don't have much in the way of maternity! Most of the shopping has to be done online, which can be more costly at times.</p>

 

[amyrobynne]

<p>Ugh, I didn't do laundry for a week and in my attempt to find something nice to wear for Christmas, I tried on 7 pair of maternity pants from my earlier pregnancies and my sister's pregnancy last winter. She's 2" shorter and 20 lbs lighter than me so I figured pants weren't likely to work, but our torsos are similar so most of her shirts should fit.  Well, all 3 pair of her pants were too small and the first 5 pair of my old pants just fell off. Hers were xs and mine were med. Clearly I need size small this time around but don't have any. Boo. I did eventually find a pair of cords that would work. Then I wore a little black dress of hers the next day with an empire waist and pockets. So fun and comfy! That should work at most fancy things for the whole second trimester, at least. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I haven't broken into the maternity shirts yet but will start needing them just for extra length to cover panels if I keep wearing mat. pants. My clothes still fit but the variety of maternity is starting to be appealing. I also got a swingy black mat skirt for Christmas that will fit until late spring, I think.</p>

 

[synepona]

<p>I think it really depends where you are as to how much is available. We're in a smallish city, w/o a lot of shopping variety, but do have a Target (new to Canada), and a Walmart (which I've never been in). Target's maternity section is ok for basics, and I did find one great dress there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the next city over, which is only 20 min to their mall, or 25 to another big shopping area - Old Navy has a small (but packed full) Maternity section, there's a Motherhood Maternity and Thyme Maternity. The GAP there doesn't have Maternity clothing at all though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If I drive to the larger city an hour away, the GAP there does have the maternity stuff in store.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We have Once Upon a Child (20 min away), and a similar independent store (right here in town), that both have maternity sections of 2nd hand clothing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've had trouble finding specific things I have in mind, but I think that's just the nature of fashion trends (I'm not interested in 'trendy', I want timeless ... it's easier to sell later!), but overall haven't found it too challenging to find clothing. I am annoyed at the inconsistent sizing at Motherhood, I actually have to try every.single.thing on before I buy it, which is a pain, as I'm usually shopping with a toddler in a back carrier!</p>

 

[primalmom]

<p>I might kick myself for mentioning this when one of you ladies outbids me on something I want, but...<br>
there are ALWAYS "lots" of maternity clothing on ebay for CHEAP - usually like a S/M or M/L lot - sometimes all tops, sometimes all bottoms, sometimes a mix (I pretty much have to go with separate lots 'cause my legs are so dang short)... and it's usually cheap enough that even if 50% of the lot ends up not being your cup of tea, you've still gotten a good deal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Otherwise, I've gone to the huganitic mothership... erm, motherHOOD maternity store (it's got motherhood, pea-in-the-pod, etc. I think it's 5 different stores in one location)... they also let you return things that you've bought from them online (TOTAL bonus if you're like me and you hate baby/maternity-centric stores [they make me want to run away from my uterus] and trying on clothes in general - you can order everything online and only have to set foot in the store if you want to return) - Macy's has a pretty good selection of pea-in-the-pod, but it's definitely not cheap (most expensive pants I've ever bought? it's a tie between pea-in-the-pod and lululemon).  <span style="line-height:1.5em;">I've also gone to Target, but I've been unimpressed with their in-store selection beyond belly bands, so I've ordered some stuff online (again, returnable in-store)... and I've poked around Old Navy and H&M's teeny-tiny maternity departments (H&M has black "mama" tights at a much more reasonable price than anyone else - the super-pricey motherhood ones ran on the first use!).</span></p>

 

[tonimk19]

<p>I had undies from Motherhood from long ago and the ones they make now are crap and don't stretch. So bummed I wasted money. I pulled out my maternity clothes from the garage and started wearing some pants about 12/13 weeks as the bella band wasn't helping much with my regular work pants and even my stretchy work pants hurt after sitting all day at work. It feels so much better!</p>

 

[berrypavlova]

Still haven't given in but I do use a small hair band for my skinny jeans <img alt="wink1.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/wink1.gif">.... I totally scored at Gap last week and got summer maternity dresses for under $10 (reg $50-$70), t-shirts for $4 and a tank for $2!!!!! It's a good thing too since sis-in-law & I share most of our maternity clothes & a bunch that she has just went through the wash with Chapstick. I'll be set once the weather warms up!

 

[HopefullyMama]

<p>Wore maternity jeans for the first time 2 days ago....*heaven*.  So much better than having unbuttoned, too-tight jeans cutting into my gut. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>My best friend sent me home with a giant bag of maternity clothes for me to wear around Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, she is about 4 inches shorter than me, so 90% of it is not going to work. In fact, most of the tops were short enough that I couldn't even wear them non-preggers  <img alt=":irked" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/irked.gif" style=""> There were definitely some cute dresses in there, though, so that will be exciting come spring time!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What on earth are tall pregnant women supposed to wear????  I'm not even that tall, I'm only 5'9.  But I have a very long torso, so that makes it tricky. I suppose I'll just be wearing dresses as shirts soon enough.</p>

 

[primalmom]

Be prepared for your belly hanging out of everything in your last few weeks. I'm definitely not tall (5'4" on a good day), but I have a long torso, and by the end, even the extra long maternity shirts weren't covering everything (though the full panel pants help)...

 

[onetwoten]

I got huge wth my last baby, have a long torso and there was no hanging out! Longer shirts do exist! Most of my good ones were from thyme, but hollister is also good for stretchy long tops (tanks tshirts and long sleeves), and men's undershirts are also usually great.

 

[ladyelms]

<p>So interesting! I'm 5'6" but am extremely high waisted and short torso'ed, and so have never had problems w/ belly coverage. I do get humungous towards the end since baby has nowhere to go but out, but my pre-preg stretchy shirts are always long enough. Actually, I get frustrated w/ typical maternity tops because they always seem too long and tunic-like!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Target has some shirts right now that seem long....</p>

 

[ladyelms]

<p>This is me last baby a week before delivery. Non maternity clothes, but my poor aching rib cage....<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/320304/width/500/height/700"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="320304" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/320304/width/500/height/700/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a></p>

 

[amyrobynne]

<p>I'm 5'7" with a long torso and finding long enough shirts in the 3rd tri is near-impossible. Last time I found Old Navy maternity tanks on sale that were super-long and I bought about 6 of them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was me the day before I gave birth last time at 37 weeks (my 2nd pregnancy at 40w5d was even crazier):</p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/320318/width/200/height/400"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="320318" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/320318/width/200/height/400/flags/LL" style="; width: 200px; height: 195px"></a></p>

 

[activia]

<p>At least our third trimester will be in late spring/early summer so we won't be cold. I have a short torso though. My back aches looking at those photos.</p>

 

[Becky Wheeler]

<p>This was 7 hours before labor with my youngest at 39w5d. He was by far my smallest pregnancy. I was still able to wear regular t-shirts and wear my pre-pregnancy jeans(unbuttoned lol).</p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/320331/width/500/height/700"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="320331" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/320331/width/500/height/700/flags/LL" style="; width: 484px; height: 469px"></a></p>

 

[Dandy Lion]

<p>I've gained a whopping 15 pounds at this point, but I can still button my jeans just fine and I'm totally comfy. I've just got a little bit of a gut, but I seem to be carrying a little higher this time. My maternity clothes are all winter clothes, so I'm going to have to buy some stuff later on. I'm thinking I'll do some maxi skirts and tank tops that will also work postpartum.</p>

 

[amyrobynne]

<p>I retired my skinny jeans this morning. I can still button them but my belly looks just gross if I do. Then I went through my closet and took out all the hopeless-before-fall stuff and boxed it up, getting rid of anything I haven't worn this year. I still have some non-maternity in there, but I'll add more and more maternity in the coming weeks.</p>

 

[Becky Wheeler]

<p>I FINALLY splurged and got two pairs of maternity pants. One from thrift that are almost brand new and a pair from Ross that were marked from $30 to $13.99. And a maternity tank top to go under my maternity shirts so my boobs don't pop out the top at everybody. <img alt=":lol" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/lol.gif" style=""></p>

 

[Mozado8210]

Feeling so much better in my maternity clothes, but I need more pants. And whoa, do I need new bras!! My chest has seriously exploded all of a sudden!! It never did with my other pregnancies, but I've gone up a good two or three cup sizes and I swear it seems like it happened overnight. Haha, sorry if that's TMI, but my goodness. Not since I was nursing has my rack looked so magnificent <img alt="wink1.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/wink1.gif">