Our friends at WellroundedNY.com have shared with us the best pieces to spend your maternity wardrobe budget on and the times to skip the expensive duds with some great alternatives!
Having a baby is expensive. And that’s just the actual baby part. The spending starts well before baby makes his debut, as you drop larger and larger chunks of your paycheck to cover that fast-growing belly of yours. Maternity jeans don’t just grow on trees, you know. Whether you’re trying to save a buck, or you just don’t love any of the maternity styles out there, you may be attempting to get away with our old wardrobe, and we totally understand. But even the most stylish pregnant women we know — and we know quite a few at Well Rounded NY — would agree: eventually you must give into the maternity gods. Still, when it comes to dressing your pregnant body, there’s a time to skimp and there’s a time to splurge, and knowing the difference could save you some pretty serious pocket change, which, trust us, will come in handy when you actually have that baby.
Maternity Jeans: Splurge
Just like before you got pregnant, if there’s one item of clothing you’ll live in while growing a baby, jeans are probably it. So treat yourself to a pair that makes you feel comfortable, no matter what the price tag says. That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank; Madison Rose in Carroll Gardens makes one of the best versions we’ve seen yet, and they’re only $69. But a good pair of J Brand or Paige maternity jeans will be worth every penny.
Winter Coat: Save
It seems so easy to just keep tugging at your favorite winter jacket zipper even as your belly grows, but inevitably that tugged zipper will break, and you’ll have to say goodbye to your favorite winter jacket forever. While a maternity coat — or at least a jacket in a larger size — is a must, there are plenty of ways to reduce this cost by buying one used at a maternity spot like Clementine Consignment, or borrowing one from a friend. Trust us, one message on your neighborhood listserv and you’ll have 12 maternity jackets to choose from.
Bras: Splurge
If you think you don’t need need new bras until after the baby comes, think again. Your boobs are probably already growing, and oftentimes during pregnancy, your ribcage expands as well (back pain, much?) Investing in quality pregnancy undergarments is worth your time and money. And don’t go cheap on nursing bras either! Try a great baby shop like Boing Boing in Park Slope for advice on getting the best bang for your buck.
Tops: Save
When it comes to shirts and sweaters for pregnancy, we’ll pick quantity over quality anyday. For basic tops, you can’t go wrong with Gap or Old Navy’s maternity sections, or stock up on cheap fast fashion from Forever 21 and H&M. Who cares if that Mr. Rogers Muscle Tee is outdated faster than you can say “Baby on the way!” — you’ll be tossing it before next season anyway.
Dresses: Skip
This is one area where non-maternity rules the roost. There are so many ways to style dresses already in your closet, from belting a long flowing maxi, or throwing leggings under your favorite shift. You can rock a stretchy style from American Apparel, or pick up a cool contemporary dress at a place like Bump Brooklyn. And if you were ever looking for an excuse to buy a classic DVF wrap, pregnancy is it — just about every NYC gal that’s ever been pregnant has at least one of these belly-friendly staples.
Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez are the co-founders and editors of Well Rounded NY, a website that helps women navigate and celebrate being pregnant in the city. Former magazine editors, Jessica and Kaity curate the best in style, beauty, wellness, gear, travel, food and more for pregnant New Yorkers and new parents. Find them online at WellRoundedNY.com, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.