Clothes for the bloated and pregnant

[k3am]

I hate the fact that it's less than 7 weeks in and I'm thinking maternity clothes already. Hate, hate, hate. 

With DD, I didn't really start rocking maternity clothes until 6 months, and I wore a lot of my regular shirts. (DH had for years complained I don't buy clothing in the right size, and this proved him right.)

After getting back into shape, I hired a fashion consultant who purged my closet of anything that didn't fit/wasn't flattering, and then shopped with her to replace my work clothes. Most of the clothes I have now are fitted, shirts are tucked with belts, etc. I can still fit into them, but I'm imaging a day not to far away when I'm going to at least want to use a bella band or the rubber band trick. Which won't work so well with a tucked shirt!

So.. what are you planning on doing? Tips? Tricks? FWIW, I could care less about casual stuff, I'll just be in yoga pants and a shirt and have some leftover casual stuff from DD. For work, we're business attire - no jeans, no khaki. Think of a stereotypical banker on TV, and that's me, minus the power suit. 

Old Navy is not an option based on the fact that it's primarily for work, and I like to shop online, preferably with free returns, or at least being able to return in store. (Loft has maternity, but won't accept returns in store)

[Deleted]

How do you feel about dresses?

[k3am]

I'm okay with dresses in general, but particular with them. They must be short enough to show off my fabulous legs, but long enough to avoid looking like the other kind of working lady.

If I end up with a maternity dress, it needs to be versatile.. possibly versatile enough to wear twice in one week without getting too many notices.

[Deleted]

Sept 16, 2015 13:19:18 GMT -5 k3am said:

I'm okay with dresses in general, but particular with them. They must be short enough to show off my fabulous legs, but long enough to avoid looking like the other kind of working lady.

If I end up with a maternity dress, it needs to be versatile.. possibly versatile enough to wear twice in one week without getting too many notices.

I know 2 years ago Target had a few really nice maternity skirts that would work for business attire. Have you checked what they have? I would think a nice black skirt would be the best option. You could wear it a few times a week with different tops.

[Deleted]

Sept 16, 2015 13:21:24 GMT -5 @led said:

Sept 16, 2015 13:19:18 GMT -5 k3am said:

I'm okay with dresses in general, but particular with them. They must be short enough to show off my fabulous legs, but long enough to avoid looking like the other kind of working lady.

If I end up with a maternity dress, it needs to be versatile.. possibly versatile enough to wear twice in one week without getting too many notices.

I know 2 years ago Target had a few really nice maternity skirts that would work for business attire. Have you checked what they have? I would think a nice black skirt would be the best option. You could wear it a few times a week with different tops.

I'm against pants for the most part. If that's not obvious. 

[westiemom]

I just gave up and bought a couple pairs of maternity pants just to get through. I have some flowy shirts and cardigans I can wear for now. It is tough! I am so bloated at 7w!

[kendy20]

Found two clearance maternity dresses at target and went ahead and bought them. Also bought some clearance dresses from Kohls, not maternity but they are kinda like maxi dresses so they will give some. Figure that, plus my other dresses, will get me through most of the pregnancy. Live in Florida and it doesn't get too cold here, so dresses all year round might be doable.

[Ruca]

Dresses and leggings over here!

[iwantbacon]

Similar issue here--after DS, I started wearing more fitted clothes, shirts tucked in, etc. Also, I hate pants with a burning passion. I was lucky enough last time around to snag some long stretchy tops at Jc Penney that looked normal early on and then just became fitted maternity shorts at the end of the pregnancy. I also bought a few knit (like ponte but not sweatshirt looking) elastic banded skirts in a larger size to tide me over until maternity skirts were fine.

This time, I'm thinking a few bigger skirts and very blousey tops with Blazers/jackets. I'm hoping that the blazer distracts from my waistline. And many many wrap dresses.

[littlelion]

Yep another advocate for dresses & skirts (ponte is a good option). Reg clothes sometimes works such as calvin klein sizes are forgiving (& you can go up one). I like Macys and Lands End.

[snoris]

Yep! +1 for dresses... empire waist! Since I just lost a boat load of weight I was planning to go on a shopping spree for my new hot bod but it doesn't make much sense now!! I'm in a very strange place of having donated 90% of my wardrobe but not quite ready for a maternity shopping spree, so empire waist dresses it is! I LOVE "Joneswear" dresses which are available at most big department stores. They just lay really nice on me & some I have had FOREVER and the quality is amazing still.

[partyinmytummy]

I went to our thrift shop and they actually had a great selection of items. I'm already wearing the pants without a full panel. But I cannot wait to have a bump again and wear the tops I got!

[Aaemommy]

I got a maternity skirt at old navy last time I was pregnant and absolutely love it. I never stopped wearing it because it wasn't obviously maternity and I loved it. It was black, hit just above the knees, and was super flowy. I feel so cute but professional in it! I know you said no to Old Navy but you might check anyway... Like I said that skirt is super cute and professional.

[shadesofgold]

As I was starting to bookmark things, I came across A Pea in the Pod, which has some designer options and good work pieces. For example, this fitted black dress, this white blazer, and this striped dress.

I found a few items at Pink Blush, too, but a lot of their items seem better for weekends. This dress may be good for work.

Also, I know Stitch Fix recently expanded their offerings to include maternity wear. You may check that out!

And if you need some inspiration, maternity style is all over Pinterest.

[k3am]

shadesofgold, A Pea in the Pod is where I had the most success with DD. They're just pricey.

Stitch Fix and I have a hate/hate relationship. I hate their clothes and prices, they hate sending me anything within season, that fits the parameters of what I've said I do/don't ask for, or that even fits my body. After 8 boxes and minimal success, I stopped throwing money at them. [HOLY MOLY THAT'S AN AGGRESSIVE RANT. Ignore me, I'm hungry.]

Pink blush has a few things I dig that could be dressed up enough for work. I"ve never heard of them before.

[k3am]

No. Just no. There are like 2 people on the planet who should wear these pants (and they're both under 5). Why did they feel the need to make them for pregnant women?!?!

[shadesofgold]

Sept 18, 2015 12:20:57 GMT -5 k3am said:

shadesofgold, A Pea in the Pod is where I had the most success with DD. They're just pricey.

Stitch Fix and I have a hate/hate relationship. I hate their clothes and prices, they hate sending me anything within season, that fits the parameters of what I've said I do/don't ask for, or that even fits my body. After 8 boxes and minimal success, I stopped throwing money at them. [HOLY MOLY THAT'S AN AGGRESSIVE RANT. Ignore me, I'm hungry.]

Pink blush has a few things I dig that could be dressed up enough for work. I"ve never heard of them before.

I agree with you about Stitch Fix - I did three shipments, and they just got worse each time. In late July I asked for skirts and tops for work with maybe a blazer or cardi. They sent me one skirt that was $80 for a basic black cotton pencil skirt and four jackets. FOUR! Including a fall weather anorak. I sent everything back. But I know several people who still swear by them, so I thought it might just be me. (Glad it isn't just me.)

[Deleted]

I work as a nurse (but in mental health) so jeans and a tee is acceptable, thankfully. There's tons of cute stuff on punterest but it makes me want to have a cute bump for fall. (Could still work for winter though)

Luckily looks like this come together with cheap staples from old navy.

[cole283]

I ordered a few things from Pink Blush when I was pregnant with DS and to be honest I was not impressed with the quality. I love Pea in the Pod and Loft maternity though.

[Deleted]

I need a couple good pairs of tights (maternity or regular) that aren't sheer. No see through bum please. Recommendations?

[k3am]

I don't pinterest since my work decided it's not an acceptable use of internet bandwidth and blocks it. And 90% of my internetting is done at work.

@jennatles, I had some good leggings from Motherhood last time around. For something basic, I'd start there first since the price is right.

[westiemom]

I got some cute tops at motherhood and some basics at old navy. I like lofts stuff online but haven't ordered yet.

[k3am]

cole283, I'm tempted to buy 218934729 things from Loft maternity so I can return a bunch for flat rate shipping.

Has anyone tried H&M maternity? I haven't bought much normal clothes there since the quality is meh, but if it's just for one pregnancy, I'm contemplating it..

[k3am]

And I forgot how hard it is to shop at Loft. They're one of the biggest offenders of photoshopping, so it's always hard to tell how the clothes would look on a real body. It doesn't seem as bad in the maternity section, but.. still. Real women have curves.

[ellesea]

I have a few things from H&M maternity, I actually really like their stuff. I just didn't realize they had maternity clothes until pretty late in my pregnancy so I didn't need much. I bought a few things from Pinkblush, I found that their stuff fit big.

[babycaps]

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