How To Build a Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget

Building a Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget

Hey Mamas-to-be! Are you trying to build a maternity wardrobe on a budget? It’s easy to be daunted by the costs associated with your newly expected little bundle of joy. From purchasing baby gear (you don’t need as much as you think) to diapers (have you considered cloth diapers?) to reduced pay on maternity leave, to daycare costs to not so far away college tuition, the cost of a new baby can be pretty overwhelming, even when said baby is the size of a peanut! On top of all this, you’ll need to blow a ton of money on a whole new wardrobe for your pregnancy, right?

Actually you don’t need to break the bank to get some properly fitting clothes to make it through your pregnancy. You can spend minimally and make it through your pregnancy just fine.

Read the tips below and learn how to build a maternity wardrobe on a budget!

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Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget Tip #1: Shop Your Closet

Today’s fashion actually suits pregnancy perfectly. Between the leggings, long flowy shirts, cardigans and kimonos, there will be plenty in your closet that will fit you all pregnancy long. Empire waist dresses also work perfectly!

I actually wore my normal leggings and some flowy stretchy tunic-like shirts throughout my entire pregnancy AND I was nine days overdue! I loved wearing high-rise leggings in my first and second trimester, but in the third trimester I rocked $15 low rise leggings that went under my belly.

Keep in mind you may need to alter your view on some clothing items. For example, an pre-pregancy empire waist dress might turn into a tunic you pair with leggings during pregnancy. A stretchy tunic might not reach over your bum, but could be used as a shirt.

Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget Tip #2: Alter Your Closet

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Unless you’re rocking leggings every day during your pregnancy, you will probably need to do something about your pants situation.

Before investing in a ton of brand new pants, you might want to try out the rubber band trick. When your pants start getting just a little too tight, you can loop a rubber band over the button, through the button hole and back around the button hole. It might give you the extra room you need for a month or two.

You can also invest in the BellaBand, which can turn any pair of pants into maternity pants. Much cheaper than buying 5 or 6 new pairs! If you’re handy, you could also try this DIY hack.

OR just wear a suuuuuuper long tank and leave your pants unbuttoned (I may have done this a couple times).

Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget Tip #3: Borrow, Borrow, Borrow!

You may have friends who have recently had a baby who would be willing to lend you some clothes. Most new moms recognize that it is painful to replace your wardrobe and will be more than willing to help out. It doesn’t hurt to ask!

Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget Tip #4: Secondhand/Consignment

Buying second hand maternity clothes is another great option that won’t break the bank. Because maternity clothes are only worn for a short time (less the 9 months!), secondhand items are usually in great condition. You can easily find them on Facebook marketplace, online classified sites, or traditional consignment stores.

Maternity Wardrobe on a Budget Tip #5: Buy Online

Even if you’re using all the tips above, you may need to buy a few staples to get you through the next nine months. I found I needed some t-shirts, but mostly wore non-maternity long cardigans and leggings with them.

Luckily, there are some great, inexpensive online stores that sell maternity clothes. Maternity clothes do not have to be amazing quality, since you’ll only be wearing them for a few months.  If you’re feeling guilty about the ‘fast fashion’ industry, you can always donate, lend or sell your maternity clothes after you are done with them.

I bought a lot of my maternity clothes from Old Navy (wait until a 40% off sale). H&M is another great place to look. For a few more trendy pieces, Pink Blush maternity is another great website to try. And, of course, Amazon has EVERYTHING (have you started your Amazon Baby Registry yet?).

If you want a inexpensive, but fun splurge, check out these adorable holiday-themed maternity shirts from Halloween, or Easter. I have to say, these shirts are absolutely adorable. They make me want to be pregnant again!

Don’t forget that you might be wearing this wardrobe for a little longer than exactly nine months (I am two months postpartum and I’m still rocking a few pieces of mine!)

P.S. One item you definitely want in your wardrobe: maternity shorts!  The stretchy elastic band is heaven!  I am never going back to regular shorts!

If you put in a little effort, you CAN find a maternity wardrobe for little to no extra money. Take that money you’ve saved and put it towards some extra baby gear (or a well deserved massage for your aching pregnant back).

Do you have other tips for new moms looking to buy maternity clothes?

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