Building a Capsule Maternity Wardrobe

kimlee

Seemingly my teeny tiny bump has blossomed over night and my pre-pregnancy wardrobe no longer fits. Therefore it is time to go shopping for a maternity wardrobe. I do not want to spend a lot of money but do want to build a wardrobe that will get me thru the 2nd/3rd trimesters...and the post-partum period. The pieces will need to be appropriate for the various faucets of my life: both work (business casual) and play (smart casual).

I am hoping all of the YLF Mama's can recommend their favorite pieces or their essentials for a maternity wardrobe.

16 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from Patience

RoseandJoan

Veteran

With my first pregnancy I had allot of wear from empire line sweater dresses, I wore them in the 1st and 2nd trimester and then again postpartum. I had two pairs of jeans, a smart dark wash skinny pair and a more casual bootcut. I had a pair of tailored trousers, mock wrap and scoop neck tops.

With my second pregnancy, nine months later, I added a very large tote which doubled as a diaper bag, long scarves worn long and knotted low to break up the torso and long necklaces for the same reason.

I found the biggest challenge to be finding a suitable winter coat.

Good luck with your shopping Kimlee.

16 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I'm finding that leggings & tunics are a must for me right now for casual wear. I got a low rise pair that I like from the Gap, and I wear them with everything.

I bought two pairs of trousers - gray and black, as well as a pair of dark wash jeans. Since I only have to be seen in the classroom a couple times a week, this will probably be enough for me. I'm short waisted enough that my regular tops still fit, so I haven't gotten much in the way of tops yet. Oh, and open cardigans are a must because they can add a comfortable layering piece.

I think that I'm going to try to get a wool cape instead of trying to find a decent maternity coat.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dresses are your #1 friend. I am helping a client get through this exact same thing right now, Kimlee.

Do not buy maternity wear before you are 12 weeks. No jinxing!

16 years ago

kimlee

Veteran

RoseandJean - I have picked up a couple of sweater dresses on the clearance rack but since it does not truly get cold till December, those are more for my 3rd trimesters.

Crwilson - Thanks for the tips. I have not ventured into the area of leggings and tunics, but now seems like the perfect time to give the style a try.

Angie - No worries. I am 16 weeks today and still trying to avoid the maternity wear section until the last possible second. So far, I have found that low-rise jeans seem to work in lieu of maternity jeans. And I am learning that dresses are indeed my friend. I am hoping to pick up a few more these weekend when the husband and I go shopping.

16 years ago

Ellen

Active Member

At least one good pair of jeans. I have a Gap pair and then a couple of cheaper low-rise jeans with some stretch that I wear with a Bella Band. (I'm 30 weeks now with my second baby). The low-rise with band combo is great immediately postpartum too. Just make sure the jeans have some give.

A few basic knits (tops and sweaters) that can be accessorized with variety. Cardigans - I use regular ones and leave them open - they look more streamlined and re useable before and after pregnancy. And definitely dresses. For me, the dress style that works well is to pair an above-knee dress with jeans, especially as it gets cold. It looks stylish, is comfortable, and provides good balance to a pregnant belly.

Scarves, scarves, scarves.

16 years ago

anne

Veteran

I second the recommendation to get some good maternity jeans - I wish I hadn't waited til my third pregnancy to do so ( I had huge ill fitting borrowed jeans for the first 2 times)
That said, borrowing clothes (if you are more selective than I was) if possible is very helpful.
I was able to wear (non-maternity) stretchy dresses in a couple of sizes bigger than my normal size right up to the end.

A couple of longer tops or tanks that will give you bump coverage can enable you to wear some normal tops over them for quite a while.

I was going to also recommend getting some good maternity bottoms - in addition to jeans, get a pencil skirt and a pair of dark pants - but then I remembered that you will be wearing scrubs at work right? how does the work requirement fit in with this?

On my second pregnancy I mainly purchased mid trimester clothing, knowing from experience that this would get the post=partum wear. I loved highwaisted (foldable waist) bengaline trouser and skirts - I wore them up to 7 month and then after the baby came they held my rummy in admirably
Something like this (but I didn't get bootcut and weren't in fact maternity)
http://www.getprice.com.au/RIP.....520598.htm

16 years ago

kimlee

Veteran

Anne - Although, I will be wearing scrubs to work most days, I am required to wear business casual if I have a meeting or functions outside the office. Therefore, I will have to have a few pieces that can work in those situations.

16 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I've been thinking hard about this one and this is what I've got:

1-2 pairs denim/clams
1-2 dresses
denim pencil skirt
maternity camis (I'm a Nordstrom BP fan and these lasted me almost to six months but now they ride up my belly)
some sort of top with side ruching
bras and underwear (as you grow bigger)
jersey skirt (I'm still working up the courage to wear this out of the house but the drape of the Old Navy one really is perfection)
smart maternity blouse
a pair of shoes that will promote proper posture, even if they're just for house wear

I don't have a pair but I think if you need some smart/business casual wear, a pair of maternity trousers a la Ann Taylor or Isabella Oliver is probably a good idea. Of course, you will need more tops and my list quite devoid of fall/winter items at this point but that's due to my location.

16 years ago

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