The Only 8 Maternity Clothing Items I Bought During All 9 Months of My Pregnancy

I was able to wear all of these items throughout, without spending a fortune.

March 02, 2023

By: Jen Glantz

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Staples for Pregnancy

A few months after getting pregnant, I started to see my body change in so many beautiful ways. The baby was growing week-by-week and so were different parts of me. I realized that I’d need to upgrade my wardrobe with new items that would make me feel supported and comfortable during my pregnancy journey.

I made a promise to myself that I didn’t want to spend more than a few hundred dollars on maternity clothing, since most of the items would be worn for around 6 months. Instead, I decided to only invest in 8 pieces of maternity clothing that I could mix and match for daytime and nighttime looks.

Here are the exact Items I bought during my pregnancy and how I was able to mix and match these pieces with existing styles in my closet.

Soft and Stretchy Leggings

Since the majority of my pregnancy would take place during the cold winter months, I wanted to make sure that I had a pair of leggings that were both comfortable to wear all day and would grow with me over the months.

I found leggings that came in a performance fabric, so I could wear them for multiple purposes that included working out, running errands, and working from home. Investing in one good pair of maternity leggings was worthwhile because they provided me with comfort and were practical to wear in many settings.

BUY IT: Amazon, $110.00

Tank Top With Built-In Bra

When it came to choosing maternity items, I wanted to find pieces that were versatile and could be worn for multiple reasons. That’s why I picked up a comfortable maternity tank top with a built-in bra. I wore this tank top on its own, with jeans and a blazer, for workouts with leggings, and underneath sweaters on colder days. I picked one in a darker color that could pass for both more casual and dressed-up looks.

BUY IT: Amazon, $82.00

Cropped Loose-Fitting Sweatshirt

As my belly started to grow, I noticed that it became more uncomfortable to wear some of the tight-fitting sweatshirts I had in my closet. I decided to invest in a loose-fitting cropped sweatshirt that settled above my baby bump area. This helped me move around during the day without feeling like my top was too tight around my stomach, chest, or waist area.

Because a lot of the maternity items I was investing in were neutral colored, I decided to get this cropped sweatshirt in pink so I’d have one bold item that could add personality to my overall maternity wardrobe.

BUY IT: Lululemon, $118.00

Long-Sleeved Casual Dress

I wanted to have one go-to outfit to wear for dinner dates, nights out with friends, or more casual occasions that popped up throughout pregnancy. Since it was wintertime, I decided to grab a black long-sleeved dress that I added my own existing accessories, jackets, and shoes to in order to change up the look and style of the dress every time that I wore it out.

BUY IT: Amazon, $26.99

Biker Shorts for Workouts and Lounging

During my pregnancy, I tried to stay as active as I possibly could, taking workout classes and going for long walks. I bought a pair of maternity biker shorts that were not only stretchy but also moisture-wicking, which helped absorb sweat so the shorts didn’t feel like they were sticking to my body.

These shorts also came in handy for lounging around the house or as part of my work-from-home wardrobe.

BUY IT: Old Navy, $23.00 - $31.99

Dress for Special Occasions

During my pregnancy, I had a handful of special occasions and decided to buy one outfit that I could wear to all of them. Not only was I pregnant during the holiday season (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year), but I also was invited to three weddings as a guest.

Rather than buy a maternity dress, I found a sequin short dress that wasn’t form-fitting and bought that instead. I wanted an outfit that matched my pre-pregnancy style and found that since the dress was loose, I was able to buy it two sizes up from what I’d normally wear and it fit perfectly throughout my entire pregnancy.

BUY IT: & Other Stories, $179.00

Pajama Set

A few months into pregnancy, I noticed that my body became even more uncomfortable at night. In addition to more frequent trips to the bathroom, I was tossing and turning a lot. I had been wearing the same pajamas for years and decided to invest in one pair of maternity pajamas that were soft and loose-fitting. Wearing this cozy pajama set throughout pregnancy made me feel more relaxed throughout the night.

BUY IT: Kindred Bravely, $29.98

Bodysuit

When I went to try on maternity jeans, I found them to be too tight and restrictive. I knew I'd never wear them and didn’t want to invest in a pair that would just sit idle in my closet. Instead, I purchased a stretchy bodysuit that allowed me to style in different ways. When I was going out for the afternoon, I added a t-shirt or sweater on top. When I would go out at night, I’d add a leather jacket on top. Having a bodysuit as a base made it easy to add existing pieces to this look to create different styles for a variety of occasions.

BUY IT: Old Navy, $54.99

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 10 Maternity Must-Haves, The 15 Best Maternity Dresses for All Shapes, I’m Scared to Be a Mom: Here Are 5 Resources That Helped Me Overcome My Fear

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