Maternity clothes

I figured that I'd rather spend money on baby things than on updating my wardrobe with a lot of maternity outfits, at least until the spring/summer when I was really big. That was before my belly started growing, though! Soon my sweaters didn't look right - they still fit over the belly but were much too short. So I decided at least a few wardrobe additions were necessary.

Motherhood Maternity "Secret Fit Belly" jeans

YYYYY 2 stars

The first thing I bought were two pairs of "Secret Fit Belly" maternity pants from Motherhood Maternity - one denim, one corduroy. I was excited about them because the spandex band goes all the way up and over my belly and is really comfortable. I started wearing them as soon as my jeans were uncomfortable to button (about 11 weeks). I usually fold the spandex over once, but I think I'll wear it all the way up when my belly is really large.

They're comfortable, but what I found is that they stretched, and now they don't stay up around my waist. I have to pull them up all the time. So, I only wear them when I go out of the house. The cords did better than the denim, and both pairs are fitting a little better as my belly gets bigger.

Motherhood Maternity "Tummy Sleeve" YYYYY 0 stars

I also tried a "belly band," which you're supposed to stretch over an un-zipped pair of jeans to keep them up. The band didn't flatten out the open top of my jeans, though, and you could see an outline of the flaps and button through my shirt. I didn't buy the band.

Liz Lange for Target dress YYYYY 5 stars

The next thing I bought a this simple black dress from Target (Liz Lange for Target). It ties in the back, which means I could adjust it for my small belly at the time (16 weeks), but it could still expand for bigger bellies. It also has pleated material that goes over the belly, so it will fit many stages of belly growth.

Maternity stores overall...

Motherhood Maternity YYYYY 2 stars

The clothes don't fit me very well. The prices are pretty good, though. I didn't like the pushy salesperson, who tried to get me to buy all sorts of belly balms and maternity underwear (which I don't think is a necessity). Once in a while, I check out what they have, though.

A Pea in the Pod YYYYY 3 stars

Very pricey. Finding things on sale is they only way I'd buy something there. But, the clothing is high quality and fits very well.

The Gap Maternity YYYYY 4 stars

Their shirts fit me well; I have two from them so far. The prices are typical for Gap (too high for the quality of the clothing), but buying things on sale is okay. Their website is really great because their review are very detailed. When a person reviews something, there are very specific questions like "Which trimester will this work for?"

Old Navy Maternity YYYYY 3 stars

You can't beat their prices, but their clothing is not great quality. They have some cute, lightweight sundresses that I have my eye on for summertime. Website: same comments as for gap.com. (I was even able to pick out a great bathing suit at the Old Navy website based on user reviews! See below...)

Target Maternity YYYYY 4 stars

They have a lot of options online for decent prices (the dress I bought was only $25). The selection in stores is not so great - at least not at the store near me. Plus the store doesn't have a well-defined maternity area... it sort of melds in with Juniors and Women's, so you have to look carefully at the tags to know if it's maternity.

Sears, J.C. Penny, Kohls Maternity

YYYYY 2 stars

Hit or miss at these department stores. Their small sizes are too big for my shoulders, so I haven't found much here. But, for basic things like long-sleeved t-shirts, these stores work.