How to Shop for Maternity Clothes

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2021 References

Expensive maternity shops and specialty maternity sections in department stores can be a bit overwhelming. Don't worry, you won't need to break the bank to get what you need. Keep in mind, you'll likely still be able to wear some of the clothes you already have in your closet, though they may need a few adjustments. Then, you can hit the stores to find the staples you need to keep you going through your pregnancy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Figuring out What You Need

1
Opt for staples that you can rotate in and out. You don't want to blow a lot of money on clothes you're only going to wear a couple of months, so stick to picking out some solid basics that are easy to mix and match. That way, you have enough to get you through the long pregnancy, but you're not spending too much.^{[1]
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- For instance, get a good pair of jeans, a pair of slacks, a nice dress in black or gray that you can change up with cardigans or scarves, and a good blazer for work. These items can work for multiple occasions with different accessories and layers.
- You'll likely be able to get away with 2 pairs of pants, 2-3 dresses, 2-3 tops, and a cardigan or blazer.^{[2]
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2
Try maxi dresses and shirts with empire waists. These are tightest right under your breasts, which is where you're smallest while pregnant. Then, they flare out below, giving you extra fabric for your baby bump.^{[3]
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- A form-fitting maxi dress can accentuate your bump while allowing you to feel a little dressed up.
3
Find some leggings for days when you really need comfort. The stretchiness of leggings allow for supreme comfort, and you can wear them with the longer maternity shirts and dresses you're buying. Similarly, yoga pants in dark, solid colors can also give you comfort with a bit of fashion.^{[4]
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- Just make sure they don't fit too tightly.
4
Choose soft, cozy underwear to get you through your pregnancy. Pick underwear you feel comfortable in that doesn't fit too snugly. Opt for a breathable fabric like cotton for even more comfort. Also, don't forget to get a few bras to support you as your breasts grow throughout your pregnancy.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Fitting into Regular Clothes

1
Check your closet before shopping. You may find you have more to wear than you think. Look for baggy shirts and sweatshirts, along with anything else that fits looser, such as yoga pants and leggings. You can also wear things like loose cardigans and blazers.^{[6]
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- Also, look for loose button-downs or other shirts that are extra-long so they can help cover your bump.
- Don't forget to check out your accessories. A great statement necklace, a colorful scarf, or a unique bracelet can make a basic outfit look special.^{[7]
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2
Opt for longer shirts and tunics. When you start developing a bump, you can still rely on stretchy shirts for a while. The key is to pick tops that are long and flowy. That way, they'll stretch over your bump without leaving your belly peeking out the bottom.^{[8]
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Look for shirts and dresses with ruching. You can see ruching in shirts and dresses by looking for gathered fabric along the side hem. The benefit of ruching is it gives the garment extra stretch because there's extra material to go around.^{[9]
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- Often, shirts with ruching will last throughout your pregnancy.
4
Make your pants stretchier with a rubber band or hair tie. Wrap a rubber band through the button loop on your pants, stretch it over the button. This trick will give you some extra breathing room as your baby bump grows.^{[10]
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- You can also unbutton the top button and hold it together with a safety pin.
- Put on a wide belt or long shirt to hide your makeshift pant extenders.
5
Try low-rise options to fit pants under your bump. Because low-rise pants sit lower on your waist, they can sit under your growing belly. Just be sure to pick longer shirts so you're not exposing your belly bump to everyone (unless you want to).^{[11]
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6
Buy an extender for your bras to let them last through your pregnancy. While this won't work for every person, it can help your bras fit for longer. Extenders fit between the closures, making the band bigger. Though it won't make the cup size bigger, it will give you some breathing room.^{[12]
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- You can find these online or in most stores that sell bras.
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Choose clothes with stretch that are 1-2 sizes bigger. These won't be as form-fitting as maternity clothes. However, they will help you transition after your pregnancy back to regular clothes when you still have your baby belly.^{[13]
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- This works great for t-shirts and other stretchy items.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Finding Maternity Clothes

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Ask your friends and family if you can borrow clothes. Since maternity clothes are only worn for a few months, your friends and family who have been pregnant likely have some like-new clothes you can borrow. Plus, most moms are more than willing to help out fellow moms, as they know how hard pregnancy is!^{[14]
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- Make sure to take care of the clothes and return them in good condition.
2
Shop at your favorite stores. Many well-known clothing stores also have maternity sections. You just need to ask where the section is, and you'll be able to find clothes in your favorite brands.^{[15]
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- Stores like Target, the Gap, Old Navy, and H&M all carry maternity clothing.
3
Visit thrift stores for cheap maternity clothes. While you'll need to dig a little at thrift stores, you're likely to find some good buys. Since most maternity clothes aren't worn all that long, they'll likely still be in good condition when they hit the thrift stores.^{[16]
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- Always try items on if you can, as sizes can vary considerably.
4
Try consignment stores for curated fashion at lower prices. If thrift stores aren't your thing, consider consignment stores. Many of these stores only take higher quality items, but since they're still used, you'll get them fairly cheaply.^{[17]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Trying on Clothing

1
Wait until after the first 12 weeks to start buying clothes. When you begin your second trimester, you'll start to show more. As your body changes, you'll start to get a better idea of what clothes you'll need to buy for your pregnancy. Before that, you likely won't have much of a bump yet.^{[18]
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Wear a strap-on bump to buy maternity clothes early in your pregnancy. Most stores that sell maternity clothes have strap-on baby bumps that you can use. That way, you can see what your body will look like when your bump starts to grow.^{[19]
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- Call ahead to see if the store you're visiting has these on hand. A sales associate will be able to help you try it on when you get to the store.
- Keep in mind, though, these strap-ons only account for the baby bump. You may put on weight elsewhere as your new little one grows.
3
Start with your pre-pregnancy size. The easiest way to begin picking out clothes is to use your pre-pregnancy size as a guide. For example, if you're a size 10 regularly, you may be a size 10 in maternity clothes. However, you should always try on clothes at the store, as you never know what will fit.^{[20]
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- If you're buying online, look for stores with a good return policy. Then you can buy several sizes around your size to see what fits and return what doesn't.
4
Try on other sizes to see what's comfortable. While you may be the same size in maternity that you are in regular clothes, everyone develops a baby bump differently. That could mean you'll need to go down or up a size in maternity clothes, based on what fits you.^{[21]
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- The most important thing is that the clothes fit and are comfortable, so don't be afraid to try on several sizes.