You’ve hit the mark where it’s officially time to tell your friends you’re expecting. You’re ready to post on social media and announce your joy in the most adorable way. Any day now, you’re going to start showing, and each day, your clothes are getting just a little bit tighter. Don’t let the maternity wardrobe dread set in! You don’t have to give up on your personal style just because you’re pregnant.
Get a Glam Maternity Wardrobe
However, it can be hard to justify splurging on maternity clothes when you’re only going to wear them for a short period. Expecting parents have a lot on their plate – and a lot to plan for in a short amount of time. The good news is you don’t have to spend a ton of time or money finding maternity clothes that look great and feel comfortable. Here are three ways you can achieve a stylish pregnancy wardrobe without blowing your entire budget.
Connect with Other Moms
Before you start purchasing new pieces, sit down with friends or family members who have children. Ask them about what they wish they had known before they bought maternity clothing and about their struggles.
While every woman faces her own challenges and has her own style preferences, hearing about different stories, tips and favorite trends will help you prepare for your own shopping trip. This is also a great way to connect to the other moms in your life and build a community and support system, which will help you feel comfortable throughout the entire pregnancy process. And, they may even gift you some of their old favorite maternity pieces to help you through your pregnancy.
By asking around, you’ll know ahead of time what you should look for and which maternity styles to avoid. This way you can more accurately plan out the styles you want and the budget you have to work with. You’ll also be much more prepared than heading blindly into the nearest maternity store. And, a little planning also helps you avoid racking up excessive credit card debt. This way, you can avoid wasting money on impulse buys—especially those clothes you thought you’d wear in the dressing room, only to take them home and ask yourself, “Why did I buy this?!”
Invest in Pieces You Can Re-Wear
Another tip to building your maternity wardrobe is to look for clothes that you can re-wear after the pregnancy to get the most bang for your buck. In the early stages, investing in some “regular” clothing items is a smart move. Try on different styles and find pieces that will work both now and after the pregnancy.
If you’re used to wearing form-fitting clothing, start embracing over-sized sweaters and tops, boyfriend jeans, and roomy shift dresses. These forgiving pieces leave some space for a growing baby bump but are structured enough to be worn post-baby, too. Similarly, opt for cozy jackets, cardigans, and button-down tops. You can wear them open while you’re pregnant and then get plenty of useful life out of them after your baby is born.
Finally, top off your outfit with your favorite accessories. Whether you add a pair of hoops, delicate layered necklaces or a trendy hat, one-size-fits-all accessories add some interest to your look and can be worn anytime
Shop Secondhand (Online!)
When your belly reaches a certain size, it’s almost impossible to wear regular clothes. Even if your maternity wardrobe budget is tight, plan on purchasing at least a few maternity tops, dresses or pants.
But on top of all of the other preparations for your new little one, spending money on brand new maternity pieces can seem frivolous. And while it’s easy to do a quick search for “cheap maternity clothes” online, you don’t want to waste money on fast fashion sites with poor-quality clothing.
Whether you are managing debt or don’t owe a penny to creditors, consignment and secondhand sites like thredUP can be great options for your maternity wardrobe. These types of stores offer high-quality pieces from trusted, reliable brands at half the price of traditional retail stores. Plus, shopping online means you don’t have to brave the crowds at the mall. And this way, you can try on different looks from the comfort of your own home. When you need a new outfit, it’s delivered right to your front door.
The best part? You can always sell your maternity clothing back to the site when you no longer need it. This helps out other fashionable moms, keeps your closet organized, and reduces clothing waste.
No matter how you shop for your maternity wardrobe, go in with a plan and a budget—and stick to them! It is possible to find the stylish clothing you want at a reasonable price. All it takes is a little planning and some resourcefulness.
Author Bio: Rebecca Piersol is constantly immersed in fashion and loves to inspire others with her style. She writes for The Crystal Press, a beauty and fashion blog she co-founded, and for thredUP, an online/offline consignment store where you can find a large selection of wallet-friendly maternity clothing.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
