You might love the idea of getting a whole new wardrobe, and kitting yourself out for the next few months in completely new clothes. But as you start pricing up nursery furniture and travel systems, your maternity fashion budget might disappear faster than your toes (say goodbye to those by the way, you won’t be seeing them for a while).
Fear not, because it is possible to treat yourself to a whole new maternity wardrobe without breaking the bank. Stick to the essentials, and you’ll be fine. You’ll need to invest in the follow basic items:
Tops – you’ll need a selection of tops. Try to have a mixture of types – t-shirts, vest tops, blouses and long-sleeved tops. There are loads of great options available so choose styles and colours you really like.
Jeans – maternity jeans are so comfortable, you won’t want to go back to normal jeans when the pregnancy is over – believe me. Get a style of jeans that you like, and don’t be afraid to spend a bit of money on this item, you’ll get lots of wear out of them.
Jumper – you’ll need a maternity jumper to keep you warm, especially if you’ll be pregnant over winter. For cardigans, you may be able to get away with you pre-pregnancy ones if you leave them unbuttoned, but it’s worth investing in a jumper.
Coat – you’ll need a maternity coat or jacket (depending on the season) to keep you safe from the elements. Get a nice big one that you can grow into – there’s nothing worse than not being able to pull a coat closed because your bump is in the way.
Work attire – the necessity of this will depend upon the type of job you have. If you work in uniform, you may be offered a maternity uniform at the cost of the company. Some offices relax their dress policy for pregnant women, meaning you might be able to wear jeans and a blouse rather than forking out for maternity suits. Speak to your boss about company policy.
Exercise wear – if you’re taking prenatal yoga classes, you’ll need some gym clothes. Lots of shops sell maternity yoga pants, but be warned – they are so comfortable you might end up wearing them all the time (this happened to me, I am ashamed to say). If you are a regular swimmer, you’ll need to invest in some maternity swimwear.
The little number – at some point during your pregnancy, you’ll be invited to a wedding, christening or birthday party, so you’ll need a nice little number to trot out. Choose something simple and plain that can be dressed up by accessories, that way you can transform the outfit each time you wear it just by wearing some different trimmings. Some maternity dresses double up as nursing dresses too, if you go for one of these you could use it in the months after the baby is born too.
Even just buying these basic items could set you back a pretty penny at most high street stores, but there are ways you can save money. Try to shop in the sales, when maternity fashion might be discounted or on offer. Check your local charity or thrift store to see if they have any maternity items in. Check online auction sites and local freecycling communities to see if anyone has any maternity wear they no longer need.
Remember, any maternity clothes you buy will probably still be in pretty good condition by the end of the pregnancy, so you’ll be able to sell them on if you wish. Alternatively, you could keep onto them in case you need them for a later pregnancy.
Do you have any advice to share with women about to embark on their first maternity shopping trip?
Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.
