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knottie moms, please help me

kaos16kaos16 member
Knottie Warrior 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
in Chit Chat
i'm just about 15 weeks pregnant, so I'm at the awkward stage where I am just starting to bust out of my pants, but really just look like I ate a big meal.   Currently my suit pants are being held closed with a safety pin.  I'm in search of places to get maternity suits or other professional attire.  I'm a lawyer, so I have to wear suits or suit like ensembles 5 days a week.  I have no problem wearing my current suit jackets over things and just leaving them unbuttoned.  I have 2 or 3 dresses currently that should last me through to my new date.   Where have you found luck shopping?  I also have no problem just getting a few items and rotating them frequently.

Requirements:
1. Nothing too pricey.  I can't see spending a fortune on something I'll wear for 6 months. (I both two pairs of maternity jeans yesterday that totaled $50.  That is what I consider reasonable, as I know everyone varies on that)

2. I am not interested in all the bog flowy, empire waist numbers with bows and whatnot.  I prefer much more classy, streamlined, professional attire.

I really, really appreciate your help with this!
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Re: knottie moms, please help me

  • TrixieJessTrixieJess member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    Get a belly band! It's a piece of lycra that goes over your open pants and your belly. I wore my own pants and a belly band until I was 34 weeks. After that I wore sweats (I was off on Sick/Mat leave). I had 2 pairs of maternity pants that I borrowed from a friend. 

    You should look into consignment Maternity stores. They are much cheaper than normal Mat stores. I also wore my normal shirts, but most of mine are empire style or stretchy.
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  • banana468banana468 member
    Knottie Warrior 25000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    Ditto the Belly Band!   It allows you to wear your regular clothing for at least another couple months.

    I had luck rotating a few pairs of pants.   I worked in a business casual office so I found the Target and Motherhood were fine.

    I'm not a fan of flowy tops too but some of them were a wee less flowy once I was in full on belly mode.   In the meantime, why not look for regular blouses at places like Forever 21 or H&M that can be up a size or two until you're in full-on regular maternity wear?   Throw a maternity jacket on and you have a suit-like look.

    Also, learn to embrace a dress and leggings if possible.   Throw a jacked on over it and you have a look that's comfortable. 
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  • kaos16kaos16 member
    Knottie Warrior 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
    seriously @Banana468, you are fast becoming my savior on this website with all of my nonsense questions.  You always have the best ideas! 

    That's not to put down TrixieJess or any other future posters. . . . I appreciate any and all feedback!
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  • TrixieJessTrixieJess member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    kaos16 said:
    seriously @Banana468, you are fast becoming my savior on this website with all of my nonsense questions.  You always have the best ideas! 

    That's not to put down TrixieJess or any other future posters. . . . I appreciate any and all feedback!
    I'm not going to be much help in the Mat clothing department. I had a hard time with Mat clothes because nothing fit me (I'm 5'11") I lived in stretchy, flowy tops because I already owned them. I also didn't "look" pregnant until I hit 32 weeks. Belly Band FTW though!
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  • kaos16kaos16 member
    Knottie Warrior 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
    TrixieJess said:
    kaos16 said:
    seriously @Banana468, you are fast becoming my savior on this website with all of my nonsense questions.  You always have the best ideas! 

    That's not to put down TrixieJess or any other future posters. . . . I appreciate any and all feedback!
    I'm not going to be much help in the Mat clothing department. I had a hard time with Mat clothes because nothing fit me (I'm 5'11") I lived in stretchy, flowy tops because I already owned them. I also didn't "look" pregnant until I hit 32 weeks. Belly Band FTW though!
    A coworker down the hall just offered to bring in her bellyband for me to borrow! One of my two pregnant sisters also has said I can have hers when she can't use it anymore. . . she is due 3 months before me.  My day is turning up!
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    edited August 2015
    This is my daughter's favorite place.  We are hoping for grandbaby, part deux, next year.



    http://www.apeainthepod.com/maternity/work-clothes.asp


    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • TrixieJessTrixieJess member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    CMGragain said:
    This is my daughter's favorite place.  We are hoping for grandbaby, part deux, next year.



    http://www.apeainthepod.com/maternity/work-clothes.asp


    Holy Hell! I barely pay that much for work clothes that I wear all the time never mind that I would only wear for 4-5 months. Old Navy and Gap have maternity clothes too and really good sales!
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  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    edited August 2015
    Not everyone has the same budget, in weddings or in clothes.
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
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  • TrixieJessTrixieJess member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    CMGragain said:
    Not everyone has the same budget, in weddings or in clothes.
    Yes, but OP was specifically asking for LOW COST options. You just gave her the exact opposite of what she was asking for. 
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  • arrippaarrippa member
    Eighth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited August 2015
    TrixieJess said:
    CMGragain said:
    This is my daughter's favorite place.  We are hoping for grandbaby, part deux, next year.



    http://www.apeainthepod.com/maternity/work-clothes.asp


    Holy Hell! I barely pay that much for work clothes that I wear all the time never mind that I would only wear for 4-5 months. Old Navy and Gap have maternity clothes too and really good sales!

    BOXESBOXESBOXES
    I am not even pregnant and I blinked at the prices. What about Loft? I can't vouch for the quality of their maternity line but if you hit a 50% sale, the prices are affordable.

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  • labrolabro member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    I don't think you can hear enough how awesome a belly band is! My little sister is in her 33rd week and still uses it on the days when she doesn't have a dress to wear to work (she's mostly lived in dresses this summer). I think she's only bought...maybe 5 actual pieces of maternity clothes? Definitely don't go out and do a bunch of shopping until you absolutely MUST. If you have a Motherhood Maternity outlet somewhere nearby their prices aren't too horrible. My sister has picked up a few cute tops from them, a couple maternity dresses for showers and nice occasions, and a bathing suit.



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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments First Answer
    I'm a huge belly band fan too! I didn't really start showing or needing anything until like 27ish weeks, so the belly band took me through to the end of my pregnancy on the pants front. I did buy a few maternity dresses and a skirt but that was about it.

    I'm also in a business casual environment so normally would do a simple dressy tank with a cardigan. I bought mostly normal sized things either in a size up or that had a flowy fit (like banana said) to give me some room to grow into it. I hit up consignment and thrift stores for some of my stuff too.
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  • blabla89blabla89 member
    Ninth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    labro said:
    I don't think you can hear enough how awesome a belly band is! My little sister is in her 33rd week and still uses it on the days when she doesn't have a dress to wear to work (she's mostly lived in dresses this summer). I think she's only bought...maybe 5 actual pieces of maternity clothes? Definitely don't go out and do a bunch of shopping until you absolutely MUST. If you have a Motherhood Maternity outlet somewhere nearby their prices aren't too horrible. My sister has picked up a few cute tops from them, a couple maternity dresses for showers and nice occasions, and a bathing suit.
    33 weeks?!?! Clearly it's been too long since I've lurked on NEY...
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  • labrolabro member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    @blabla89 Obviously! @southernpeach89 is the most adorable pregnant person ever! Please lurk next week when I do a full AW of the couples shower I'm hosting for her this weekend. :)



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  • ohmrs2014ohmrs2014 mod
    Moderator 500 Love Its 1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    I didn't feel comfortable in the belly band, but I'm definitely in the minority on that.  I usually shop at Target, Old Navy, and Motherhood.  I have seen really cute clothes on Burlington's website so I might check there next.  

    I'm a teacher so I will be living in dresses and leggings in the fall.  I might get a few pairs of work pants just in case.
    Anniversary



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  • banana468banana468 member
    Knottie Warrior 25000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    kaos16 said:
    seriously @Banana468, you are fast becoming my savior on this website with all of my nonsense questions.  You always have the best ideas! 

    That's not to put down TrixieJess or any other future posters. . . . I appreciate any and all feedback!
    Aw thanks!

    This is one of those times that it really helps to talk to someone who's BTDT recently!   If there's a Target near you, check it out.
    And yeah. A Pea In The Pod is lovely but pricey. Get two pairs of work pants and a few sweaters. No one is expecting a maternity wardrobe to be the same as your regular one. Oh, and low rise underwear from VS are just fine for undies. You don't need fancy maternity underpants.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    @blabla89 PLEASE come lurk on NEY! Miss you!!

    Also the belly band basically allowed me to wear my regular clothes up into my third trimester. I can still wear some shorts and pants even with it. I would totally recommend buying one.

    I'm not super crazy about buying maternity clothes since I know I won't wear them a lot but I would get maybe a pair of shorts or pants and some shirts depending on the season. They are super comfortable.
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  • banana468banana468 member
    Knottie Warrior 25000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    Also, I know you didn't ask yet but

    1) If your breasts change size, don't rush to stock up on nursing bras just yet -  they could shift again.

    2) Be aware that some nursing tanks try to be a shelf bra.   While Pea in the Pod clothing is pricey, I still wear a few of their tanks because IMO they're far and away more comfortable than the Target brand.   They're perfect for nursing without showing belly. 
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  • WeeshWeesh member
    250 Love Its Third Anniversary 100 Comments Name Dropper
    I've had good luck at Motherhood (on sale), Old Navy, and occasionally Target.  I was able to get 4 pairs of full belly panel work pants at Motherhood, 2 grey and 2 black for $100.  I wore them all of May and June, and they still fit.  I'll be able to wear them when I go back to work in a few weeks until my due date on 10/15.  They might work with suit jackets you already have. 

    I also love their bump start tees because they are fitted, and they have room on the sides.  I've been wearing them since I was 15 weeks, and I'm 30 now.  They might work well under a jacket, and they also have tanks that are made of a thicker (non-see through) material.  

    I would say I spent $300-$400 on maternity clothes, but they made me feel better to know they fit.  I've got some casual summer dresses, 2 shorts, 2 jeans, leggings, and a bunch of different tops.  I know a lot of people don't want to spend the money, but it gave me more piece of mind that I could get up in the morning and not worry about my clothes fitting.  I also wasn't a huge fan of the belly band, but I was nervous about having a wardrobe malfunction in front of the kids I teach.  I hope that helps!
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  • kaos16kaos16 member
    Knottie Warrior 500 Love Its 1000 Comments First Answer
    thank you, thank you, thank you all!  I feel much more prepared now!
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  • KatWAGKatWAG member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    I don't know about suits  but asos.com has a ton of great maternity clothes for a variety of price points.
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