When you’re dressing with a bump, it can become quite an expensive exercise if you end up buying an entirely new wardrobe to accomodate your changing shape. Given that you’re pregnant for such a finite amount of time, it pays to be the quite strategic with what you purchase in order to save on costs, and also to avoid blowing your budget completely. After all wouldn’t you rather save your hard earned fashion dollars for clothes that you’ll be wearing for longer than 9 months? If you’re currently navigating pregnancy dressing but don’t want to spend a fortune, here are my tried and tested tips.
Borrow clothes
For both my pregnancies I borrowed clothes from my husband Luke’s closet. I wore his shirts and jumpers as they were oversized on me and could fit over my belly. Great for me, not so great for Luke! If raiding your partner’s wardrobe isn’t feasible then look to friends who have had a baby and see if there are pieces that they’re not using anymore that they wouldn’t mind you borrowing for a few months.
Go up a size
Maternity clothes have come a long way since the big tent dresses of days gone by and are quite on point but they can also be expensive. So eschew “pregnancy clothes” and instead look to your fave high street brands and go up a size instead. Look to places such as Cotton On, Target, Kmart, H&M and Zara which stock basics at a reasonable price and simply go bigger with the sizing.
Try renting
I’ve not tried this myself but think it’s such a great concept! Clothing rental sites such as Glam Corner, Bump Style, and Your Closet hire out maternity clothes so you can keep new pieces in your wardrobe rotation without having to spend a fortune. This is particularly great if you’re going to an event and don’t want to buy a dress that you may only wear once.
Work with your existing wardrobe
You’ll be surprised at what pieces you have in your wardrobe can accomodate a growing bump. Anything stretchy is perfect for the later stages when your stomach is bigger — think jersey dresses, skirts and tops. You can also use oversized tees and utilise your existing pants by buying a pants extender which is quite cheap but will allow you to have use of things such as jeans and slacks further into your pregnancy. Also anything with a drawstring or elasticated waist will quickly become your best friend.
No Comments