Maternity Clothes Do’s and Don’ts

When shopping for maternity clothes, it’s important that you consider the following in order to make sure that you get clothes that help you feel great and make you look your best. Whether it’s shopping online, swinging by some stores, or even borrowing clothes from friends who were pregnant once before, staying aware of what to look for, the reasons for looking for them, and being open to gradual changes will allow you to create the best wardrobes for flattering you throughout your pregnancy period.

Size Matters

Women in their early stages of pregnancy are sometimes advised to get clothes that aren’t their size, plus the little one inside. Therefore, it’s imperative to do your due diligence and research the brands that you’re looking at, in addition to checking labels to see if the clothes have been pre-shrunk.

Some women rapidly gain weight, while others won’t notice the extra bump as much. In essence, every woman’s needs will be different, so don’t make assumptions.

Understand that Fit Can Be Unpredictable

Many women make the mistake of buying clothes that are too large, or resort to buying men’s clothes to minimize the number of purchases.

This isn’t ideal, because you could potentially end up with a plethora of clothes that feel loose, baggy, and, surprisingly, uncomfortable. In addition, baggy maternity clothes won’t bring out the best side of you (Yes! You are attractive – even with a baby!)

To combat this, look for and purchase high-quality clothing that have the following features:

• Patterns or solid colors that create a slimming look
• Extra length in the torso for tops and dresses
• Adjustable waist bands

Fabric Makes a Difference

Good maternity clothes are made with strong and stretchy material that adjusts to the inevitable growth of your body, providing snugness, flattery, and support.

The best kinds of fabrics are natural ones such as cotton, modal, and bamboo, because they are soft and allow steady breathing. This is especially helpful when expectant mothers have to deal with sudden increases in body temperature or itchiness.

Be careful not to purchase maternity clothes that are “wrinkle-free” or “permanent press,” as these kinds of clothes are treated with formaldehyde that can be dangerous to pregnant women and their infants. Polyester is also a bad choice because it is a synthetic and synthetics transfer heat to the skin.

Invest in Proper Quality

It’s a fact that maternity clothes can be a bit expensive. However, poor quality maternity clothes can be destroyed in the wash and lose their size and shape after laundering. That’s why it’s important to shop for quality, not quantity.

If you’re truly on a budget, consider investing at least 70% of your budget on high-quality essentials that you will wear most often:

• Maternity tank tops, t-shirts, and camisoles
• At least one maternity dress
• At least one pair of maternity jeans
• Maternity leggings

Depending on the season, add layers such as scarves and jackets to get you through all four seasons.

Consider Maternity Accessories

Accessories such as abdominal support belts and bands can be a good investment for helping to support your body and keeping your maternity clothes looking great.

Expectant mothers who wear their maternity clothes for a bit notice that their maternity pants fall down or tops don’t provide enough coverage. A way to combat these problems is with accessories.

• Abdominal support belts can provide relief for women with aching lower abdomen problems in addition to the back and pelvis.
• Maternity support hose help prevent swelling in the legs and hides those ugly leg veins that appear during pregnancy.
• Belly wraps help lock in moisture from belly creams or oils, in addition to protecting your clothes from stains

Have any more tips you want to share? Leave them in the comments section below.

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