How to Find the Maternity Clothes You’ll Love to Wear

Discover online auctions and garage sales

Try eBay, Craigslist.org, and other online retailers for cheap maternity clothes (often sold by the box). You'll find great deals on gently used maternity wear at bargain-basement prices. Plus, you can always return to the Internet site after baby is born to resell what you bought.

Consider secondhand clothing options

There are many places to purchase secondhand maternity clothing that will not send you to the poor house. Check the for sale section of your newspaper and visit secondhand clothing stores in your area. With a little determination, you'll be surprised by the bargains you'll find.

Check out non-maternity stores

Maternity stores are specialist boutiques where items tend to cost more than their non-maternity counterparts; however, they are not the only places to locate suitable clothing. First try department stores where you would normally shop. It's likely there will be at least a few styles that accommodate a burgeoning belly. Long, stretchy tops, elastic-waisted skirts, drawstring pants, baby-doll or empire-cut dresses, and cropped cardigans are among the styles that will fit comfortably while still conforming to the season's fashions. You may find items that fit you in plus-size clothing shops, too.

Sell items after your baby is born

If you decide to treat yourself to a few extravagant purchases while you're pregnant but don't intend to become pregnant again or don't like your chances of your next pregnancy coinciding with the same seasons, consider selling your clothes once Baby is born. Not only will it ease the guilt of splurging on designer wear but it will also help to restore your bank balance in preparation for the costs ahead.

Unless you're happy to spend a small fortune on clothing that will only be worn for nine months at most, there's not much point investing in a whole new wardrobe of maternity wear (even if it does make you popular with friends who suddenly become pregnant after you). Moreover, the pregnant body is just a means to an end. Remember that when Baby arrives there will be other, more important costs, to attend to. Wouldn't you rather decorate the nursery or invest in your child's future? Keep the big picture, not the big belly, in mind.