Maternity Shopping Tips

So today, I wanted to give some tips on buying maternity clothes. A lot of my friends are expecting and some of my clients just had babies and I thought this would be a great topic.

Before we dive in, I’m Emmaline Chappell and I’m a certified personal stylist. I have my own business here in Richmond. I help busy women elevate their style by rediscovering the joy of dressing to look luxe for less.

So when you’re expecting your body is going through a lot of changes and it can make shopping for clothes feel really confusing.

The best first step is to decide what your shopping plan is. Do you want to only use the clothes you already have and make it work, do you want to buy a mini maternity collection of clothes during your trimesters or do you want a little bit of both. My advice is to invest in some maternity staples while still using some of your existing pieces from your wardrobe if they work.

If you do decide to go the maternity clothes route, I have few top tips that I like to give to clients.

The first is to resist the urge to purchase any maternity wear in the first 12 weeks because your bump hasn’t developed enough. So it’s better to start shopping at the beginning of the second trimester.

And when it comes to sizing, you may feel tempted to size up in maternity clothes to prep for any weight gain but it’s better to stick with your original sizing. So the way maternity sizing works is if you’re a size 8 pre pregnancy than a size 8 maternity should work fine. Just be prepared that you may have to size up at some point but don’t assume that right away or else the clothes will too big throughout your entire pregnancy.

I know that maternity clothes can definitely be on the pricier side so I always suggest investing in just a couple versatile staples. Like a good pair of maternity jeans in a wash that goes with everything, some dresses that can be dressed up or down, several flattering tops and a couple shoes that are comfortable to wear for those days your feet swell. And it’s also good if you’re able to get pieces that work for maternity and as well as after the baby comes. Like a maternity bra that doubles as a nursing bra. That way you’re getting more bang for your buck.

If you’re wanting to work with pieces you already have in your closet, this is what you should be looking for. Any skirts or pants with elastic waistbands because they’ll sit comfortably over your bump and will provide stretch during your trimesters. Any oversized jackets or blazers are good cause they can be draped over your outfits and they really frame your bump well. Also any knitwear pieces that stretch or really any pieces in your closet that already have a lot of stretch. Using what you already have in your closet isn’t the easiest route but you can definitely make it work. But the best option would be to still invest in a couple maternity pieces because they’ll fit really well throughout your pregnancy.

It’s a celebratory time in your life and you deserve to be in clothes that make you feel pretty and comfortable. Not in pieces that make you feel frumpy or ill fitting.

If you have any questions about this video please leave a comment or send me a direct message and I’ll answer you asap or if would like any help with your personal style or your wardrobe, reach out through my website.

Work with me! As a personal stylist and style coach, I believe you deserve to feel amazing in your clothes and have a wardrobe that you love to wear. With my guidance and expertise, you’ll have a closet that works and a style that makes you feel confident and fabulous!