Pregnancy only lasts nine months, and you will really only need maternity clothes for the last five or six months - so for many women it just doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on an entire wardrobe of maternity clothes for just a few months' use. While entire stores are dedicated to maternity clothes of all kinds, from casual to dressy, most women don’t have the budget for a shopping spree in these stores.
An entire wardrobe of brand-new maternity clothes can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Fortunately, the brief period of time that a woman wears her maternity clothes works to the advantage of other women – most used maternity clothes are in great condition!
1Discount Maternity Clothes at a Consignment Shop
One of the best places to find discount maternity clothes in excellent condition is at a maternity consignment shop. Many of these shops also carry baby clothes on consignment as well, so you can get all your shopping done in one place. Consignment shops are generally picky about what they take in, so you are guaranteed to find affordable maternity clothing in good condition and usually from well-known maternity stores and brands.
2Check out eBay and Craigslist for Discount Maternity Clothes
Another great place to look for inexpensive maternity clothes is on websites like eBay and Craigslist. Moms who no longer need their maternity clothing will often sell them on these sites for a fraction of the price of purchasing new. As a bonus to using Craigslist, the clothes are usually local, which means you don’t have to pay for shipping. Many women sell all of their maternity clothes in a single lot, allowing you to pick up an entire wardrobe in just one easy purchase.
3Find Used Maternity Clothes at Yard and Garage Sales
Yard and garage sales are another place women often sell their used maternity clothes. Again, this is an opportunity to find multiple pieces in one place and complete your maternity wardrobe quickly. Check Craigslist for garage sale ads that list maternity clothes as one of the items available at that particular sale. This saves running to multiple garage sales in search of one that has maternity clothes!
4Borrow Maternity Clothing from a Friend
If you prefer to know where your clothes came from, ask a friend who was recently pregnant or will deliver soon if they have maternity clothes they are ready to part with. In many cases friends are happy to pass down their maternity clothes for free, but offering them a few dollars for the clothes is a nice gesture, especially if you know they bought the clothing new and spent good money on them. Put the word out among family and friends that you are looking for maternity clothes. Many women have a bag full of maternity clothes somewhere in their closet that they aren’t quite sure what to do with and will be happy to pass on.
5Brand New Discount Maternity Clothes
If you decide to shop for new maternity clothes, think ahead. Like all clothing, maternity clothes are cheapest at the end of the season. If you are planning to become pregnant in the fall, shop the clearance sales of spring and summer maternity clothes. You won’t wear them for a while, but they will be a lot cheaper than if you wait until you need them. When you see something on sale, even if it’s for much later in your pregnancy, pick it up and stash it away. Clearance sales are the best way to get new maternity clothes on a tight budget.
6Tips for Buying Maternity Clothes
To keep the cost of your maternity clothes down, buy items that will grow with you, such as stretchy and expandable waistline pants and skirts. This way you can wear them throughout your pregnancy to get the most out of your clothing budget. Simple, versatile pieces are the best buys – plain black pants, nice but basic shirts that can be worn casually or for work, simple sundresses for summer that can be dressed up or down.
7Alternatives to Maternity Clothing
Another place to look for clothes is in the plus-sized section of your local department store, or stores like Target and Wal-Mart. They allow a little more room while often costing less than clothes aimed specifically at pregnant women. In recent years the aforementioned stores have also started to sell affordable maternity clothing as well. Discount stores such as Ross and TJMaxx also have a selection of maternity clothes at greatly reduced prices.
If you are looking for a great source of casual maternity wear that doesn’t cost a dime – take a look in your partner’s closet. Men’s t-shirts are usually bigger and less fitted than those designed for women, allowing you more room. They are great for around the house and also for sleeping in. You might find plenty of items in your current wardrobe that will work as well – anything with a high waist such as empire cut tops and dresses make great maternity clothes. Elastic-waisted pants like sweats and yoga pants are another piece that might already be in your wardrobe that you can use for maternity wear.
8Tips for Maternity Undergarments
When it comes to undergarments, comfort is a must for anyone who is pregnant. You don’t want to buy these things used, but you can still save money on them. Instead of paying a premium for items listed as maternity wear, simply buy undergarments in a larger size than you normally do. Some pregnant women prefer underwear that sits high on the belly, while others prefer it to sit below the belly. Both cuts are available in the regular undergarments section at your local store. When seeking maternity bras, try a comfortable and basic sports style bra.
9Be Smart when Shopping for Discount Maternity Clothes
You want to look good while you are pregnant, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on clothes you will only wear for a few months. Smart shopping is the best way to get great discount maternity clothes. You can still dress well without wasting a lot of money – and remember, you can probably sell your maternity clothes to the next woman who needs them afterward, so take good care of them! Used maternity clothes are a great way to save money, and also to make a little money back at the end of your pregnancy.
