Having learnt from my first pregnancy, this time around I adopted a strict no new clothes during pregnancy policy.
There are few truly fashionable maternity clothes available out there anyway, and personally, I already gave up the search at the beginning of my first pregnancy – although some would say the market’s slowly changing. But I’m not a big fan of one trick ponies in my wardrobe either way, and maternity clothes are useful only for that certain, but overall quite short, period of your life. So personally, I think it’s a waste.
Luckily, most of my clothes are super oversized anyway and/or made from comfortable elastic jersey, and so could easily be re-adapted as maternity wear in a pinch.
Of all the clothes I bought for my first pregnancy I held onto but one dress afterwards, and even that I’m thinking of throwing out after all. All other clothes I bought during my first pregnancy may have looked good during the pregnancy, but once the front bulge was gone, something was always off. A pregnant body’s proportions and curves are just very different than normally and will inevitably change, sometimes in unforeseen ways. This will also cause the clothes to fit very differently after the delivery: Hemlines will drop, or the cut will slouch more than before.
And then there’s a chance of the fabrics wearing out weirdly in some places, especially elastic fabrics like jersey. In fact, I’m fully prepared for some of the jersey clothes I’ve been wearing during this pregnancy to end up all but unwearable once my body has snapped back. I’m talking specifically waist bands, but that could include whatever else that is more figure hugging.
In conclusion, it’s really difficult to take into account all those things in advance and be sure that what fits nicely during the pregnancy will also fit as nicely after – especially when you buy something new during your pregnancy and can’t even try on non-pregnant.
So, what do I wear during my pregnancy?
The same stuff as before the pregnancy basically.
These Huge T-shirts by Weekday, for example. I practically wear them non-stop, 24/7, both to sleep and at home as well as outside. I’ve worn them before I was pregnant, and I still wear them now, eight long months in. Mine are all in black, but they’re also available in a wide array of various other colors.
On top of the T-shirts, I either wear my one jersey sweater that still fits and looks nice even over the big belly, or the one cashmere cardigan I own. Otherwise, I’ve resorted to my husband’s most oversize black knit or his shirts worn unbuttoned.
I continue to just wear the same old black jersey leggings by H&M I had initially purchased to work out in, and an old pair of my husband’s jeans he discarded and I altered to fit. Now as it’s getting warmer, I also started wearing this old maxi jersey skirt again. All of them work because I can all wear them on the hips – which I prefer over maternity clothes that fit over the tummy anyway.
As for outerwear, almost all of my coats and jackets are cut so wide it’s really not been much of a problem to fit into them. And my usually super oversized dresses (like this one) I can wear even now that my belly has grown pretty huge.
Yes, I bought a new pair of shoes, as well as that blue cap in the pictures. I also bought a pair of maternity dungarees at the very beginning of this pregnancy, but have long stopped wearing them already, which just further proves my point.
All that being said, it should definitely be noted that I’m certainly lucky in that I work at home and don’t have to look extra presentable on the daily. That allows me to repeat outfits when I have to, or pick my clothes for maximum comfort.
Yes, getting dressed has become boring quickly – I cannot wait to wear other, or shop for new, clothes again. I mean I’ve been repeating the same looks over and over for almost six months. But then again, my wardrobe is small to begin with and my changing shape has just limited what’s already been limited. I’m pretty sure most people’s closets are not nearly as small as mine and so can yield more ideas. But I think my example shows that getting dressed during pregnancy is possible, even without buying extra pregnancy clothes. It’s just more of a challenge. And probably less exciting.
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