Maternity Clothing on a Budget

I apologize, but I need to say this first and foremost (mainly because I know that my mom reads every one of my blog posts).  I AM NOT PREGNANT.  OK, now that we got that out of the way…

As part of my 31 Day Challenge, I wanted to touch on maternity clothing on a budget.  I remember when I first found out that I was pregnant with N, all I wanted was to fit into maternity clothes.  They have definitely come a long way, you have to admit, and the comfort level – beyond.

On top of having to purchase diapers, wipes, and every gadget known to man for the upcoming bundle of joy, you also have to but some new wardrobe additions as more than likely the clothing you currently have may not fit in a few months.  Although secretly wanting to rip the tag off of my first pair of maternity jeans, I wore my “regular” clothes for as long as I could.

Once I started to lose my waist, I would do the rubber band trick with my pants – loop a hair band around the button of your pants and then thread it through the button hole and back onto the button.  It helped a bit.  I tried one of those belly band things where you don’t button or zip your pants (because you can’t…)  but you place this cotton “band” over the top of your pants.  I always felt like my pants were going to fall down.  I didn’t feel “secure”.

I worked through both of my pregnancies – both till the very end.  My water broke (with N) at 5 pm on a Wednesday – at work – and I drove myself to the hospital 45 minutes away.  I literally told my boss that I thought I was leaking (sorry if TMI) and that I would see her the next day.  That didn’t happen because at around 8pm that night my first little man came into the world!

Back to clothing…I shopped mainly at Old Navy (well online because there were no stores nearby that had a maternity section) and Target.  I still to this day find myself browsing through the Liz Lange section…then I realize where I am and back out of the aisle.

You really only need to get the basics – a pair of jeans, a few pairs of slacks for the office, a skirt, t-shirts, flats…I feel that you can get away with a more casual wardrobe when you are with child, as long as you are well put together!

Here are some great, affordable work pieces:

Now on to the everyday shirts and jeans!

The options are endless…these are just a few pieces I found. I could look all night! I would recommend the following stores/websites: Old Navy, H&M, and Target. Definitely check their sale racks…I scored at the Gap sale rack a bunch of times!

What are/were your favorite stores to get maternity clothing?