What To Wear As A Young Preggo

Every single day I get web hits from someone searching for “cute maternity clothes for young moms.” EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. Now, I’ve done a couple posts on it in the past, but nothing to make me the expert in maternity clothes options for the 20something (or younger) mama.

So I figured it’s time to revisit that topic (sexy maternity clothes) with an updated look around the ‘net to see what I can find. Journey with me, will you?

Bella Band

I’ve been hearing about the Bella Band for years now and even though I never had the chance to use it, I’d be willing to bet it works wonders. Has anyone used it? Let me know if I’m wrong. But basically, the Bella Band allows you to wear your pre-pregnancy clothes when they refuse to button any longer. Heck of a lot smarter than the ol’ rubber band-around-the-button-on-your-jeans-to-keep-’em-closed, right? (Yeah, I did that for a couple of weeks.) PLUS you can wear your maternity pants even if you don’t fit them yet. It runs around $30, and is even available in organic cotton for all you eco-friendly mamas.

Target

How much do I love this store? I love it, love it, love it! I’ve noticed their maternity section was on point in 2009. Figures that I’m not pregnant now and couldn’t enjoy it. (Would y’all judge me if I wore maternity clothes while, um, not expecting? Please say no.) I’m a big fan of tight maternity shirts. Not so tight that you look uncomfortable but tight enough to hug your big ol’ belly. It’s cold now in most of the country – try this cowl neck sweater on for size.

Product Image Liz Lange® Cowl Neck Sweater - Gray

Gap/Old Navy

In my totally unscientific polling of my friends and Young Mommy Life readers (and really, they’re one in the same), almost everyone mentioned buying clothes from Old Navy. I threw Gap in there, because they’re almost the same store. Affordable, basic maternity clothes. And they almost always have a sale. The only downside is that the selection in stores is nonexistent, unless you live in a big city. Otherwise, you’re stuck shopping online, which is difficult to do when your gut is growing too rapidly for you to guess at your new size. So what will you find? Cute dresses like this ($15, people!!!):

CLEARANCE

No, there’s no store called Clearance, but you better get real familiar. Love the clothes at the big name maternity stores but hate the prices? Hold that chin up and walk right to the back to the clearance items. Not “sale” items, which only may be marked down 20% or so, but the “clearance” racks, where you can score savings of 50-60%. No need to feel bad for trying to save a buck – you’ve got a baby to think about. I went to Motherhood Maternity and got a pair of jeans for $20, when they can normally go for $60 and up.

So what do you think? What advice would you give those searching for good, affordable maternity clothes? Give your tips in the comments.

Comments

  1. Well, I don’t suggest buy a closet full of maternity clothes (unless you just have thousands of dollars to spend or maybe you plan on having kids less than 2 years apart). You won’t be in them long. I know how tempting it is to buy a bunch of maternity stuff because it’s a part of the excitement of being pregnant, but you’ll need that money for other stuff down the line.

    I bought some of my stuff from consignment shops, a few things from Motherhood Maternity (their stuff has gotten alot better in the past 3 years, and they always have good clearance). I didn’t spend mroe than $200 on maternity clothes. I did need a maternity coat because my old one didn’t fit around my big belly by October. Half of my stuff was basic plus sized clothing from cheap places like Rainbow.

    Borrow from a sister or friend who was recently pregnant.

    And once you have the baby, please store/donate your maternity wear, including bras (nursing bras are functions, not sexy). Do not try wearing it 6 months after the baby has arrived. Maternity/nursing clothes are made to fit a pregnant/nursing body.

  2. tisk, tisk! typos

    Functions=functional. mroe=more

  3. When I was pregnant with the last kiddo, I got some clearance maternity wear from Old Navy for 97 cents….yes you heard it right 97 cents!! Everything from cami’s, tees, pants, dresses and jackets all for next to nothing! Another great spot was Ross and they had some great clearance as well. If it’s full-price, this momma ain’t buying it!

  4. Great post! I am all about the Bella Band. For a tall woman, like myself, bella bands are great because maternity jeans rarely come in long. It allows you to wear jeans and other pants well into your pregnancy by holding your pants closed when you can no longer zip or button them. I must say, I have one friend who hates them – she said she hated having anything too tight on her belly while she was pregnant. I can see that concern but I barely noticed they were on my belly – in fact, I thought it provided great support for my back. Anyway, they sell them at Target! For tops – the only maternity store I go to is A Pea in the Pod. It is a little pricey but the stuff is well made, fashionable and durable.

  5. My advice is just not to go crazy buying TOO much stuff, because pregnancy really doesnt last all that long. It was so fun shopping for maternity clothes with my first that I really had to curb myself – I told myself that after the second trimester I was NOT allowing myself to buy any more new maternity clothes. It was all about the baby from that point forward…. and that ended up being smart, because I had plenty to last me thru the entire pregnancy, and I didn’t waste too much money.

  6. Well i have a question um 15 years old and preqnant i stay wit my dad and his gf ma bf stays nxt door.dey allow he to cum ova hay and let us be n da rOom alone.how do i tell dem and me and ma mum dnt get alonq well wat shud i do

  7. Hi,

    You have a nice blog. A 40-week pregnancy is really just a blip in our whole life time, but the problem with clothing during that time is very painful. Keeping this in mind, two best friends and mother of two children each started http://www.bellybundles.com. We have high quality maternity clothes there and we would like to hear your feedback on our products.

    Thanks,
    Carina – Maternity clothing

  8. Great site,thanks for the information,am expecting and i was wondering where to get sexy maternity clothes.Now i know where to get them from .i love the old navy blouse.Thanks for the blog.