When I was shopping for maternity clothes, it seemed like everything was marked up 50% more if it was in the maternity section. For those classic pieces you’ll wear all through this pregnancy (and perhaps even future ones), it’s worth it to spend a little more on quality items. On the other hand, you don’t have to break the bank to look cute while pregnant!
Here are five budget-friendly stores to check out for maternity clothes – for photos or even for every day:
- Old Navy – they usually have a fantastic selection of cute maternity maxi skirts year-round, along with jeans, shorts and flowy tops. They can be hit or miss with dresses – I bought some here that were marked maternity, but they didn’t even accommodate my bump at six months. Don’t forget to check out their sandals if the weather allows for open toes – they have some really cute, comfy footwear that will work even when your feet are swelling. For cooler weather, they have the perfect weight sweaters with rouching on the sides – not too warm, but enough coverage to where I rarely needed a coat (it’s Houston, we wear coats like two days per year anyway).
- Marshall’s/TJ Maxx – have you ever had one of those days at Marshall’s where everything you try on looks awesome and each piece is only like $15? That’s seriously the best feeling ever. You don’t have to stick to the maternity section – some regularly-sized items can definitely work, even while pregnant (hello, maxi dresses!)
- Target – they have a great mix of dressy and casual, and all of my maternity wear from Target held up really well over three pregnancies. I highly suggest their nursing bras and Mossimo tank tops.
- Destination Maternity/Pea in the Pod – their new arrivals can be on the pricier side, but visit the clearance rack and you may find some steals. I’m so in love with my Jessica Simpson jeggings from DM that I haven’t been able to part with them yet, even though I’m out of maternity clothes (and my baby is seven months old!). Also, I can’t say enough good things about their nursing bras with underwires. They’re beautiful, easy to unclasp for nursing and they hold their shape very well. After two pregnancies and nursing two babies, mine still looked new!
- Burlington Coat Factory – I was pleasantly surprised at their maternity section. I found two super comfy pairs of cute maternity jeans for $20 each, and I was able to wear both up until the last three weeks or so of pregnancy. My shirts from here did not hold up as well, but they were inexpensive, so I would still suggest checking BCF out if you live near a store.
Could you find items at these stores for a photo session? Definitely! I tend to favor maternity sessions that are a little more glam for most venues, but casual wear can be absolutely perfect for in-home maternity. I love in-home sessions in cooler weather, with mama in a cute pair of jeans, with a fitted top and an oversized cardigan. With simple, classic accessories, it’s an effortlessly beautiful look.
Here’s an extra tip for mamas thinking about maternity photos – as you look around online at maternity sessions, you’ll see a lot of mamas in white or ivory. That’s definitely the most popular choice for my clients, but my new love is BLACK DRESSES for baby bumps. It’s so classy and timeless! When you’re shopping for what to wear, don’t skip black just because it’s not super popular for maternity.
Budget-friendly can still be cute! You don’t have to spend more to feel good about yourself when you’re expecting. The best part is, some maternity stuff still looks flattering even after you have the baby, and keep that in mind while you’re shopping!
