In-Store Maternity Clothes Shopping

[emilie]

So I hate shopping for clothes online.  I hate returning things through the mail. I hate having to guess on sizing (because the "sizing charts" are never actually accurate, etc.)  I feel like these issues will just be amplified when shopping for maternity clothes.

So where are some great places to shop for maternity clothes that are actual stores?  Especially places that might carry work clothes like button-down shirts, pencil skirts, and work dresses?  I live in a big city, so if it exists it probably exists here.

[achromia]

I've been wondering this too. I wandered into a Motherhood Maternity the other day, and almost everything was way too casual for my office. I've heard people rave about Old Navy, but I suspect it will also be on the casual side.

[requiressnacks]

I am no help here. The only maternity clothes I've seen in person are Motherhood Maternity, the tiny section within Target and the very limited in-store selection at Old Navy. I ordered a bunch of wrap dresses that I'm going to pair with non-maternity blazers (I hope). I have no clue how I'm going to look like a professional for the next 6 months!

[wherethelightis]

I go to Destination Maternity which is Motherhood and Pea in the Pod together. I've had luck there, and they have a big selection. But I know they aren't everywhere. Old navy is decent for jeans, but I've never liked their work clothes. Kohl's usually has a really small section, but I've found a few items there in the past.

[Lucy]

I was given some really nice things from Destination Maternity/A Pea In The Pod. I tend to stick to Old Navy and Target when shopping for myself.

[mrswillie]

I love Kohls for maternity clothes. Decently priced, coupons and a pretty good selection. JCP had one or two things I liked. We have a Motherhood Maternity outlet near me. Weeeee! I found a bunch of great things there. Macy's carries Motherhood too. I've heard a lot of people mention consignment shops. I checked out one near me, but didn't find anything too exciting.

[Deleted]

I just got back from old navy and was really unimpressed. I went to 2 today and it was the same story at each: 1/2 a wall in the back corner, lots of tops but the bottoms were all size XS/S OR were pre-torn skinny jeans. I did nab some dresses since they're on sale but I was really disappointed in Old Navy.

[mrsp121308]

I've never had luck buying stuff in person unless it's been at Motherhood or Destination Maternity. The regular stores generally have such a limited stock in store.

[emilie]

I realized today that it's not maternity clothes I need to be buying yet, but just stuff to hide me for another month or 6 weeks. I bought a Bellaband and a bra extender and am off to shop for baggy-ish camisoles and tops. I figure those and the Bellaband should hold me until mid-summer at least....

[lola]

emilie, same here. Pants are starting to feel snug, so I've started wearing the bellaband to extend wear. It's not perfect, but it's not as annoying as I worried it would be. I also bought some maternity spanx to keep everything smooth under my existing dresses.

[emilie]

Jun 6, 2016 15:37:18 GMT -5 lola said:

emilie , same here. Pants are starting to feel snug, so I've started wearing the bellaband to extend wear. It's not perfect, but it's not as annoying as I worried it would be. I also bought some maternity spanx to keep everything smooth under my existing dresses.

My Bellaband is arriving tomorrow.  Which thank god because I'm sitting here at work with my pants unbuttoned.

[legalbeagle]

My office is business casual and normally I'm on the more casual side compared to my colleagues who wear suits so I bought a few nice dresses/skirts for the next few months and plan to just change out cardigan and the minimal amount of jewelry I own. I kinda agree with mrsp121308 that I've had better luck ordering than in-store. I finally ordered some Gap maternity leggings for exercise! I'm excited for those to arrive.

[emilie]

I went shopping today for "in-between" clothes and failed miserably. I'm too small to buy maternity clothes but too blumpy to be comfortable in my regular clothes. I also work in a business casual environment and wear a lot of sheath dresses and pencil skirt/top combos that are not conducive to hiding a bump. I tried on a million things and none of them worked. I feel like everything was tight in the wrong places or that my belly was poking through on everything. I also got super frustrated trying on bras because nothing fit right.

[littlelion]

emilie sorry your shopping trip was a bust. My office style def changes when pregnant. I prefer sheath dresses as summer rolls around but instead now wear the flowy, empire waisted style. Much more on the casual side than business. I can also only wear leggings when pregnant. I tried the style last year and just felt blah in them.

You should try wrap dresses. Those usually have a bit of stretch, maybe throw on a blazer on top to hide the blump?

[requiressnacks]

Jun 8, 2016 1:29:11 GMT -5 littlelion said:

emilie sorry your shopping trip was a bust. My office style def changes when pregnant. I prefer sheath dresses as summer rolls around but instead now wear the flowy, empire waisted style. Much more on the casual side than business. I can also only wear leggings when pregnant. I tried the style last year and just felt blah in them.

You should try wrap dresses. Those usually have a bit of stretch, maybe throw on a blazer on top to hide the blump?

I'm all about a wrap dress with a blazer.

Although today I'm in full-on maternity pants. It feels glorious.

[legalbeagle]

+1 for empire-waisted dresses. The skirt part is hiding my blump pretty well. I usually wear sheaths also, but the maternity sheaths definitely wouldn't fit right now and I think some of the "body con" maternity wear is a bit too out there for my workplace. I know I got some flack before for my expensive maternity workwear but emilie in case you are interested I tried this skirt on but didn't buy it and it was very comfortable and the material felt like a substantial office skirt: www.seraphine.com/us/ponte-pencil-skirt.html?gclid=CNr7q47YmM0CFZA2gQodvIQFeg

And yes I also want the secret link to wrap dresses!

[littlelion]

Jun 8, 2016 7:09:52 GMT -5 crimpgirl said:

Where is everyone finding wrap dresses right now?

www1.macys.com/shop/search/Pageindex/2?keyword=wrap%20dresses  LOL there are Motherhood Maternity wrap dresses on here that are pretty affordable. 

legalbeagle, I buy my dresses on Macys online.  But I always wait for sales. So my I pay no more than $40 for wrap dresses.  

[emilie]

Jun 8, 2016 10:00:25 GMT -5 legalbeagle said:

+1 for empire-waisted dresses. The skirt part is hiding my blump pretty well. I usually wear sheaths also, but the maternity sheaths definitely wouldn't fit right now and I think some of the "body con" maternity wear is a bit too out there for my workplace. I know I got some flack before for my expensive maternity workwear but emilie in case you are interested I tried this skirt on but didn't buy it and it was very comfortable and the material felt like a substantial office skirt: www.seraphine.com/us/ponte-pencil-skirt.html?gclid=CNr7q47YmM0CFZA2gQodvIQFeg

And yes I also want the secret link to wrap dresses!

I like that skirt!  However, I don't know if I'd buy a stretchy rayon anything right now because I have no idea how big my ass might get

[emilie]

J. Crew had 40% off yesterday so I bought a few pairs of maternity pants and a bunch of flowy shell type tops that can be worn under a sweater or a blazer. Will report back.

[legalbeagle]

Jun 8, 2016 13:03:18 GMT -5 emilie said:

J. Crew had 40% off yesterday so I bought a few pairs of maternity pants and a bunch of flowy shell type tops that can be worn under a sweater or a blazer. Will report back.

I think I have like ten of those J. Crew shell tops. So easy to dress for the office.

[emilie]

Jun 8, 2016 13:18:10 GMT -5 legalbeagle said:

Jun 8, 2016 13:03:18 GMT -5 emilie said:

J. Crew had 40% off yesterday so I bought a few pairs of maternity pants and a bunch of flowy shell type tops that can be worn under a sweater or a blazer. Will report back.

I think I have like ten of those J. Crew shell tops. So easy to dress for the office.

I like them in theory but when I buy them they are always sort of a boxy fit on me. However, in my situation now, something that doesn't hug my waist in the slightest just might be the right thing  

[legalbeagle]

Jun 8, 2016 13:22:38 GMT -5 emilie said:

Jun 8, 2016 13:18:10 GMT -5 legalbeagle said:

I think I have like ten of those J. Crew shell tops. So easy to dress for the office.

I like them in theory but when I buy them they are always sort of a boxy fit on me. However, in my situation now, something that doesn't hug my waist in the slightest just might be the right thing  

Yeah I usually tuck them into my pants/pencil skirt but have been wearing them out for the last few weeks. I am sure everyone at work is like "Why is she such a slob?"

[emilie]

Jun 8, 2016 13:26:40 GMT -5 legalbeagle said:

Jun 8, 2016 13:22:38 GMT -5 emilie said:

I like them in theory but when I buy them they are always sort of a boxy fit on me. However, in my situation now, something that doesn't hug my waist in the slightest just might be the right thing  

Yeah I usually tuck them into my pants/pencil skirt but have been wearing them out for the last few weeks. I am sure everyone at work is like "Why is she such a slob?"

LOL.  I feel like tucking something into my pants that already are being held up by a bellyband would just be a recipe for disaster

[kaydee0402]

Jun 1, 2016 15:51:57 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I am no help here. The only maternity clothes I've seen in person are Motherhood Maternity, the tiny section within Target and the very limited in-store selection at Old Navy. I ordered a bunch of wrap dresses that I'm going to pair with non-maternity blazers (I hope). I have no clue how I'm going to look like a professional for the next 6 months!

By the end you're just going to be wearing leggings and flats because that's all that will fit and no one will say anything for fear of setting off the incredibly pregnant lady  

Seriously, I think I could have shown up in pj's and my bosses would have been too afraid to tell me to change, lol.