It was the late 90’s and I was starting my junior year in college. Overseas. I was 20 and pregnant. At the time, I think feeling stylish was at the very bottom of my list but also stylish and pregnant were not often heard in the same sentence. Thinking about maternity clothes honestly gave me flashbacks to photos of my mother in the 80s looking very uncomfortable and hidden under masses of fabric. Maternity clothes then were meant to cover you up and certainly not show off your growing baby bump. Being in Europe in the late 90’s meant making my own maternity clothes. I had many pairs of pants and jeans with elastic waistbands crudely sewn or the ole hair elastic through the button hole trick. Tops were borrowed button downs from my fiance´or oversized band t-shirts.
Flash forward nineteen years later and expecting my second child at age 39 (I know, crazy wide age gap. haha. Life is funny.) this was a whole different ball game! As a business owner in my late 30s, I have a bohemian style with a specific color palette, a love for skinny jeans and ankle booties. I marveled at all of the cute pregnant women I knew and how fabulous they looked! I could not wait to shop online and in stores as my little bump grew. The reality of my situation slapped me in the face one day as I was making a return at Pea in the Pod. Maternity clothes are really expensive! Sure, there could be the possibility of having another child and using this wardrobe again (slim possibility, but still it could happen.) Sure, there is the possibility of handing down this wardrobe to my future sister-in-law.
I knew there was a better way to go about feeling stylish and pretty while growing a tiny human, so I did what I always do, brainstorm and make lists.
Here are my top six places to help you create your stylish pregnancy wardrobe:
- Your closet. That’s right, look in your own closet first. I know you have empire waisted tops, flowy dresses, sports bras and long t-shirts. These items will come in handy later. They are already part of your wardrobe and style which means they will be perfect for mixing and matching.
- Your friend’s closets. This should be the next place you look for a pregnancy wardrobe. Friends that have gone before you are usually more than happy to let you borrow or gift you their awesome maternity finds. I was lucky enough to have multiple friends deliver boxes of cool maternity gear.
- H & M. This is the place to find basic staples. Nursing tanks are your new best friend. Maternity skinny jeans, long t-shirts and leggings are also a must.
- Old Navy. Another great place for basic staples and also dresses. I loved wearing form fitting dresses with ruching along the sides for a comfy fit.
- Pink Blush. This was my go-to site for dresses. They were great for my baby shower, my son’s bootcamp graduation and a few dinners when I wanted something a bit more dressy.
- Amazon. Always affordable and some great selections. I would often spend some time on Pinterest putting together maternity outfits. I found out very quickly that if I could buy pieces that had the right proportions and not be labeled as “maternity”, I would save money. i began looking for extra long, stretchy, flowy type styles and fabrics.