One of my friends sent me an e-mail the other day asking me if i had any advice or if i could point them in a good direction to find some maternity clothes on a tight budget and that were actually flattering and not horrifying-make-my-hips-look-wider-than-they-already-are-getting…my words not hers. ;)
i was sooo happy to put together this post because i had just gone on the hunt for some good finds! i’ll share some sites and some looks that will get you excited to be pregnant even if you aren’t pregnant already hehe.
I’m pregnant with baby #2 and my husband said with the first and he keeps it up with this one how beautiful he thinks i am when i’m pregnant..
(i personally don’t get because i feel like a hormonal whale)
(i personally don’t get because i feel like a hormonal whale)
But lets overlook the challenge of finding clothes that are stylish, comfortable AND not making you broke before the baby even arrives…and talk about the best parts of being pregnant:
1.)people open doors for you all the time (that stops once you have the baby)
2.)people let you cut the line for food..i think they think you are going to attack if you don’t eat immediately.
3.) you can get lazy and waddle. come on..you know those non pregger girls want to relax and waddle sometimes.
4.)you get the pregnancy glow..sooner or later. mine is usually later. or non-existent. but i “know of” pregnant girls with the glow. ;)
5.)you can wear “work-out” pants and not work out. (maybe this just applies to me…haha)
6.)you have a weigh in at your doctor’s appointment..and are told good job for gaining weight!
ok…now that us preggo girls are feeling awesome about ourselves…style time!
not everyone has the same style when it comes to maternity..but..this is what i like. i LOVE to show off my belly. especially in the cute beginning stages.
1. Maternity Fashion – Dresses
(all under $32)
Items in this set:
ASOS MATERNITY Chiffon Corsage Babydoll, $20
2. Maternity Fashion- Pants
the right pants are a must…muffin tops are bad! say no to them.
Use the blanqi bodystyler to make your pre-pregnancy pants last longer! My sister just launched this product and it’s taking off! it’s a must to check out.
I swear by my AE Artist Jeans..they sit low on your hips so they work longer in the early stages of your pregnancy. i love my corduroy pants..soo soft and comfy.and they make my butt look pretty good..i gotta say. same with the black dress pants.. that was my favorite find. perfect for work.
2. Maternity Fashion- Pants
the right pants are a must…muffin tops are bad! say no to them.
Use the blanqi bodystyler to make your pre-pregnancy pants last longer! My sister just launched this product and it’s taking off! it’s a must to check out.
I swear by my AE Artist Jeans..they sit low on your hips so they work longer in the early stages of your pregnancy. i love my corduroy pants..soo soft and comfy.and they make my butt look pretty good..i gotta say. same with the black dress pants.. that was my favorite find. perfect for work.
Items in this set:
Motherhood Maternity-Secret Fit Belly, Bi-stretch suiting back pockets Fit and Flare, $29.98
3. Maternity Fashion- Shirts
here is where you really can play with maternity and non-maternity items! target shirts are great when it comes to stretching in the belly area..same with my AE shirts. The styles right now though are perfect for us preggo girls so you aren’t confined to just maternity items!
3. Maternity Fashion- Shirts
here is where you really can play with maternity and non-maternity items! target shirts are great when it comes to stretching in the belly area..same with my AE shirts. The styles right now though are perfect for us preggo girls so you aren’t confined to just maternity items!
Items in this set:
4. Maternity Fashion- Layering
Items in this set:
Now budget wise…these items are great…but don’t feel bad about splurging on some maternity items, especially if you are hoping to have another baby down the line. it’s time to build up a little bit of a pregnancy wardrobe. luckily a lot of the stuff i pick out can last me before and after being pregnant. But some things are set aside in the closet as pregnancy items…postpartum items.. and then items that i wear once i nurse off the baby weight. i think every mother has this happen!
Here are some great looks put together for you!
(polyvore is the best site..it’s like your own personal shopper..hehe.)
Items in this set:
Items in this set:
Items in this set:
Here are some great sites full of wisdom and inspiration when it comes to pregnancy fashion.
any great items that you just love?? do tell! happy shopping.
Anna Liesemeyer
March 18, 2010 at 10:51 pmI am all about old navy and target for maternity. rock on Natalie! this post is awesome!
carissa @ lowercase letters
March 18, 2010 at 10:55 pmi have no maternity clothes that i love… especially since i was pregnant in the winter with the 1st and now that spring is around the corner, i don’t really have much! so, i’m so glad you posted this. such a WEALTH of fabulous fashion info for preggers!!! thank you a ton… i want everything you suggested. i need to visit old navy maternity – i just get nervous buying online before i try things on. i guess i have to get over that. thank you again and again!!!
Lindsay
March 18, 2010 at 11:14 pmAwesome! I love everything and appreciate you doing all the research! God bless.
abriana chilelli photography
March 18, 2010 at 11:17 pmthis is a great guide! very inspiring. i’m not preggo, but this makes me excited to be again, for sure!
Beth Priest
March 18, 2010 at 11:51 pmvery hip maternity clothes I must say!!
michelle b
March 19, 2010 at 12:03 ami had fun looking thru!!! great finds! i think i need to get pregs again since a maternity section just opened in our local H&M! this is also a great place to get affordable hot preggo clothing!! (if there is one closeby as they do not have online shopping capability!! boooo…)
michelle…xoxo
Natalie Catherine
March 19, 2010 at 9:09 ami love h&m and am so bummed the one closest to me doesn’t have a maternity section! I still look through there though because of the styles right now! and hopefully they get a maternity section down the road..that would be fab.
Nancy
March 19, 2010 at 9:11 amLet’s start off by saying that I gain 5 lbs the moment I take the home pregnancy test. I gained 52 with my first and 45 with my second. I am so not a cute pregnant lady. I get huge. I bust out big kids but I get huge. In the face…everywhere. I wish I had cute pregnancy clothes like this back in the day. If I got pregnant again (not likely), I would try to look cute even if my weight gain hormone takes over and rules viciously. Adorable outfits… Can I wear them and NOT be pregnant? Those pants are perfect for a night out at a rad restaurant!
Natalie Catherine
March 19, 2010 at 9:23 amof course nancy! the a lot of the items i mentioned aren’t even maternity! your comment made me smile…hehe.
carissa @ lowercase letters
March 19, 2010 at 12:40 pmi could’ve sworn i just left a comment here. oopsies! thanks a ton for grabbing my button – such a privilege to be on your site!!! you know i had to grab yours too! i realized i got the “i was feautured” button – but hey, i was! and i feel super special so i’m totally keeping that one!! : ) thank you for your sweet compliments… you made me do a happy dance because you are my design idol!
abriana chilelli photography
March 19, 2010 at 1:00 pmnatalie- don’t you have a closet room?? you should do a post on that!
Stephanie
March 20, 2010 at 3:21 pmI wish I was pregnant so I could wear these. Such cute finds!
affordable maternity clothes
October 23, 2013 at 2:21 amThumbs up for this post!! This is really incredible to learn that you are a mother to three cutest kids on this earth and still manages so many things!! hats off to you! Thank you for inspiring us!