Want to avoid buying maternity clothes and save a ton of money?
Maybe you already have a bursting wardrobe, are on a tight budget or would just prefer to avoid maternity wear altogether.
Everything you need to know about about adapting your existing wardrobe for your pregnancy is right here!
In the excitement of my first pregnancy I spent far too much on maternity wear. Some pieces were absolutely beautiful.
But what’s the point in buying a gorgeous dress I love that I can’t wear after just four months because it leaves me swimming in fabric?
For that reason, I was way more sensible in my second pregnancy and stuck to my everyday non pregnancy wardrobe.
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Do you actually need maternity clothes?
You do not have to buy maternity clothes.
For a start, the amount of time you will actually be in maternity clothes is extremely short.
Your bump may not even be totally visible until you hit around 20 weeks. By that point you are already halfway through the pregnancy.
And secondly you will undoubtedly gain weight during your pregnancy, but it won’t be distributed evenly over your entire body! The big growth will be around your belly.
Some mothers-to-be also find their hips and breasts become a littler fuller too. But there are regular clothes that can work around all of these things!
You will likely find a lot of your wardrobe is adaptable to your pregnancy.
You may not be able to stay in your usual jeans for your entire pregnancy, but you can certainly avoid buying maternity jeans. Just switch to leggings or joggers for the final two to three months!
And you can buy non-maternity clothes that are cut and fit in a way that accommodates your bump, but can be worn after pregnancy too.
This is a win-win, especially if you’re on a budget, because once you find clothing you love it’s nice to hang on to it for longer than just a few months!
If you can avoid buying maternity clothes then the benefits to your bank balance are vast.
We did some research on the costs of a maternity wardrobe. Say you want to have a wardrobe mad up entirely of maternity clothes. You would need to buy:
- Five tops
- Two sweaters
- One cardigan
- Two pairs of trousers
- A coat
- One pair leggings
- One pair of jeans
- Three dresses
- Two pairs of PJs
- Three maternity bras
- One maternity swimsuit
We shopped around some high street maternity stores and found the whole lost would set you back around £490, or around $570.
Now, that is based on buying new. You could undoubtedly get clothes much cheaper if you buy second-hand.
But as you can see, it’s a significant amount and for four months or so worth of wear, it’s worth saving the money if you can.
You may also like: How much does it cost to have a baby
How to avoid maternity clothes – quick guide
- Swap maternity bras for sports bras and tank tops
- Swap maternity tops for floaty camis, swing tops and empire line tops
- Swap maternity shirts for boyfriend shirts
- Swap maternity dresses for wrap jersey dresses, empire waist dresses, wide-cut dresses and ruched dresses
- Swap maternity swimwear for a normal bikini and kaftan
- Swap maternity knitwear and sweaters for oversized sweaters, hoodies, longline cardigans and normal sweaters (add length by wearing a long length tank top underneath if the sweater is riding up over your bump)
- Swap maternity coat for a poncho or cape
- Swap maternity blazer for your regular blazer (just don’t button it up, you’ll find this isn’t a problem for the duration you’ll actually be pregnant)
- Swap maternity trousers for leggings
- Swap maternity joggers for regular joggers (the band can rest quite easily under your bump)
- Swap maternity jeans for your usual jeans (expand them with a hair tie on the button or jean expander bands you can buy easily online) and then jeggings/leggings in your final months of pregnancy
How to dress during pregnancy without maternity clothes
If you want to avoid maternity clothes these tips will give you everything you need to know to avoid the maternity aisle!
Consider what clothes can work as maternity clothes
First of all, know what you’re looking for when it comes to regular clothes that can stick with you throughout your pregnancy.
It’s not just about getting a bigger size! There are clothes in your size that can work with you right up until your due date.
Look for the following:
- Clothes with an empire waistline.
- Stretchy tank tops.
- Wrap dresses.
- Loose-fit dresses.
- Oversized cardigans.
- Trousers with a stretchy waistband that will sit comfortably under a bump.
- Zip-up hoodies – you don’t have to zip them up!
- Tops and dresses with ruching (pleats) at the sides – this gives the item a little extra fabric for your belly to grow.
- Maxi skirts with an elastic waistband. These can be pulled up to just below your chest to turn them into an empire waist line, midi length skirt instead!
Take stock of your wardrobe
Get all of your clothes out, and I do mean everything.
Sort through them one item at a time on your bed, or any space where you can lay things out.
You’ll likely discover things you had forgotten all about if you dig to the back of drawers and storage boxes.
Now consider what can be work around your pregnancy. You’re looking for clothes with the features listed in the first tip.
A loose-fitting short regular dress can be turned into a maternity tunic simply by wearing leggings underneath it to work with the short length.
Raid your partner’s wardrobe
Men’s shirts can be worn over tank tops or on their own as a handy pregnancy outfit.
You can also steal their T-shirts to wear as well.
A men’s tee and boxer shorts make a great option for pregnancy PJs.
Expand your existing clothes
There are a number of ways you can make existing clothes bigger, without having to buy anything brand new.
With your bras you can purchase bra extenders for just a few pounds on the internet. These add extra hooks to the back strap.
Although you don’t have to purchase maternity bras, you will find that things like sports bras and bralettes will be much more comfortable than underwire bras.
This way if your cup size goes up, your bra should grow with you.
For jeans you can make your waistband a little bigger by simply using a hair tie on the button to add an extra inch.
This can help your favourite jeans to last you into the second trimester. It won’t work particularly well with high waisted versions, but is great for bands that will fit under your bump.
Once your bump gets bigger you can buy expander bands for your trousers, which work in much the same way as bra extenders, to give you some extra inches.
If you are handy with a sewing machine then you could always create some DIY maternity jeans from your favourite pair of jeans.
Choose clothes that can fit around the bump
If when hunting through your wardrobe you didn’t find much of use that could be maternity wear, do not panic.
Maybe much of your clothing is fitted, or tailored office-wear.
It does not mean you have to purchase maternity wear, just find pieces from regular shops that will work with your changing body.
Look for cotton, stretchy material, and things with room around the middle to work with your expanding belly.
Buying a bigger size instead of maternity clothes
When it comes to clothes for your pregnancy, you could simply size up rather than reach for the maternity wear.
We all find particular brands or types of clothing that become our favourites. You don’t have to shun those just because of your pregnancy.
Just try them out in a size up, paying particular attention to the types of clothing that will work with your growing bump.
Rent instead of buying
Still think you need new clothes? Why not consider renting some bigger regular clothes or maternity clothes rather than buying them.
This way you get some clothes that will fit you for the period of time that you need them, but you’re not forking out a ton of cash to buy stuff that you won’t wear beyond a handful of months.
Accept you may need a handful of key items
If you can avoid maternity clothes altogether then that’s great, do it!
But it’s not defeat if you have to buy a few items. What you can most definitely do is avoid buying an entire pregnancy clothing wardrobe.
A couple of pregnancy tank tops that can be worn underneath your regular loose fit sweaters and long line cardigans will be perfect.
Also an underneath the bump pair of maternity jeans can be worn in the months after you give birth as well.
If you do have to buy a few key maternity items then you can always sell these online when you’re done.
I actually have a maternity tank top that I still wear to this day whenever I need to do some painting around the house, so it has still come in useful!
Final thoughts
I hope this article has given you tons of ideas for your pregnancy wardrobe.
It is possible to save hundreds of pounds on maternity clothes by adapting the items you already have!
Now that you know how to use your own wardrobe instead of buying maternity stuff, you can focus on picking up the real baby essentials in time for your due date!
I have tons more pregnancy hacks you may find handy on this article.
