Fat pants

I am going to continue this blog but considering I am also five months pregnant, I will be throwing in comments about the small world of maternity fashions. I do appreciate how far maternity clothes have come but I still think they have a long way to go. There isn’t a whole lot of choice for us budget-minded gals and what there is isn’t great. $24 for a blouse I’m going to get use out of for 6 months tops? I’m pregnant, not stupid. I wouldn’t pay that for a regular shirt. And why do I have to wear synthetic fibers to look good? I just gained twenty pounds in the middle of summer and surprise! I’m going to sweat. Synthetics are not good for that. That being said, I have found a few places that I like:

Target-Much as I love Target normally, I find their selection lacking and pricier than their normal stuff. I do love their maternity jeans though and the online selection is better. And lots of lovely cotton!

Motherhood-For those of us not resigned to wearing muumuus, Motherhood has some great stuff. Again, pricier than I’d like but I have some fabulous dresses from there. There are a lot of synthetic materials in their clothes so you do have to hunt. Major note: Their return policy sucks! If you buy something on sale, it’s final sale. That’s on any kind of markdown. So if you buy it, you’re stuck. There are also Motherhood outlet stores, which offer pretty much the same thing at the same price but you can find some bargains.

Old Navy-Not every Old Navy carries maternity so check the website for the closest one. Strangely, I find a lot of the tops here are really unflattering but for simple cotton tees, they can’t be beat. Selection can be limited so check online too. They have a free returns policy on maternity wear which is great! (You can also return to the store.)

J.C. Penney- Again, a store that I normally love. The first time I went into a maternity section there, I felt like a leper! It was tucked way in the back of the store, in it’s own room like pregnant women are infectious! Luckily, I’ve found that not all the stores have this set up. Some of the lines I love there have expanded into maternity clothing and Penneys always has a great sale going. The selection online isn’t bad either.

Both Gap and Ann Taylor Loft also have maternity wear but for those of us out of major markets, online is our only way. Both do offer free return shipping on maternity but not free shipping to you. I also haven’t ordered anything from either place so I can’t speak to how they fit or look. Burlington Coat Factory also carries some maternity but again, lots of synthetics.