Glamorous maternity wear for less $$

Sometimes, readers ask me questions that I just can’t answer — the latest being how to save money on maternity wear. I’m yet to have kids myself so I really don’t know… so I turned to an expert.

Chrissie writes Fashion on a Shoestring, has adorable children, lives on a normal person’s budget (AFAIK… I’ve never really grilled her on the details), and looks fantastic. Quite an achievement!

Here are her tips for looking glamorous when you’re pregnant, without busting your budget.

You can definitely look glamorous in maternity wear, even if you’re on a tight budget! The key is to plan your maternity wardrobe, just like you’d plan your regular wardrobe.

Here’s what worked for me:

Invest in the basics

Like all good wardrobes, your maternity wardrobe needs great fitting basics to form a foundation on which to build. A good quality black or navy skirt, slacks, dress or top, and a great pair of current style jeans are essential. You will then be able to add fashionable separates to compliment these pieces with your personal style.

It’s worth paying for some good quality basics. For example, with my first pregnancy, I bought a very fashionable pair of Monica Monkhouse jeans and a classically styled pair of Materna Moda black pants. I got a lot of wear out of them during and immediately after both of my pregnancies, and some of my friends loved them too.

Add a dash of this season’s trends

Once you have the basics, this season’s looks are extremely maternity friendly.

A baby doll or tunic style top or a pinafore or smock dress, which are all currently staples of the fashionista’s wardrobe, are perfectly suited to the maternity shopper’s needs.

Also, don’t forget to experiment with leggings (or footless tights) to give a longer, slimline look. They tend to look best if they extend to no more than 2-3 inches below the hemline or knee, as opposed to being pulled down almost towards the ankle. You can pick up an inexpensive pair at your local supermarket in basic black.

Maternity wear for the office

If you’re dressing for the office:

• Steer clear of too many prints as they can look out of place.
• You can still wear your jackets (classic or cropped styles) and coats (trenches, etc) for as long as they’re comfortable, as usually they don’t need to be buttoned up anyway.
• Wherever possible, favour stylish accessories such as good quality shoes and bags, to maintain a polished overall look.
• Wear comfortable shoes while commuting and change into your dressier pair at the office on arrival.

Casual maternity wear

For more casual needs, Belly Basics make an excellent Pregnancy Survival Kit which includes a baby doll dress, a t-shirt, a skirt and either leggings or bike pants, all in a comfortable jersey fabric. The kit is available at department and maternity stores for around AU$165, but if you buy direct from Belly Basics you can pick one up for just AU$45!

Buy a Belly Belt

A handy item to have is the Belly Belt. It makes it possible to keep wearing your regular jeans and pants, if they feature a button at the top. They retail for around $29.99, however if you buy them on eBay you can get them at a bargain price.

How to buy maternity wear for less

Like bridal wear, maternity wear can often be expensive, but there are ways to cut down on unnecessary expense.

Buy recycled maternity wear

Recycled clothing stores often have great deals on slightly pre-loved maternity wear.

In Sydney, there’s a great store in Mosman called Wear it Again Sam, a recycled clothing store for kids that also offers a wide range of recycled maternity wear. A friend recently picked up some bargains; a lovely pair of Monica Monkhouse 3/4 length pants for just $10, a pair of Belly Basics jeans for only $18 and a grey Mimi Maternity short sleeve knitted top for just $22!

Buy on eBay

If you know your size in a specific maternity label, be sure to check out eBay.

A girlfriend bought a brand new Ripe Maternity skirt in her size, for a third of the original price, on there from a maternity store which was clearing some of it’s stock.

Borrow from a friend

However, I would say that the best savings are made when clothing is borrowed, which happens a lot with maternity wear.

I remember giving a girlfriend some clothes I no longer had a use for. In the collection there was a striped football-style jersey which I had bought and hardly ever wore. Afterwards, she told me she liked it so much that she wore it to the delivery!

Get inspired

Lastly, for some inspiration on gorgeous maternity clothes, take a look at; Pea in a Pod, Maternity World and Szabo Maternity. Of course, not forgetting to look at any sales they may have too.

Thank you Chrissie for the fantastic guest post!

For more of Chrissie’s tips on looking great for less money, visit her blog, Fashion on a Shoestring.