How I Put Together a Budget-Friendly Maternity Wardrobe for Fall
Fall is in the air! And with cooler weather comes the need for a cool new collection of maternity clothes to see you through autumn. But having to put together an entirely fresh wardrobe for each season of your pregnancy is a double-edged sword: It’s kind of fun to revamp your closet every few months and have a legitimate reason for doing it (hello, changing temperatures and growing bump!), but it’s also a major drain on your budget, especially given that you’ll wear the pieces only so many times before their usefulness expires. So what’s a mama to do?
The good news here is that there are plenty of brands offering chic, comfy maternity clothes at rock-bottom prices. Particularly now during COVID-19, when the places I’m jetting off to are severely limited (if I’m being honest, these days I get excited about “dressing up” to go see my OB) and finances are strained, I’m not inclined to spend a ton of money on pregnancy outfits. That said, I still want to look and feel good as I grow another human. Here are some of my go-to brands and retailers for finding cute, budget-friendly, bump-friendly clothes:
• H&M. Most of us have long turned to H&M for on-trend and on-budget clothes, so it’s a blessing that they also offer a robust maternity section. You’ll find two-packs of tees and tanks (and nursing tops too!), basic leggings and cute blouses, but the best offering (in my humble opinion) are their jeans—seriously, I was shocked at the amazing quality, given what I paid.
• Old Navy. Truth be told, I don’t usually shop Old Navy for my clothes (for my toddler, it’s a different story). But during pregnancy I’ve discovered that they have plenty of super-comfy and surprisingly cute options that not only boast affordable price tags but are also usually on sale! I lived in Old Navy maternity tanks all summer.
• Target. While Target’s maternity offerings can be somewhat limited, they do have some hidden gems in there. And I’m a big fan of the Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel line, a Target exclusive. It’s a more affordable label than their parent brand, but I purchased nearly identical tanks from Ingrid & Isabel and Isabel Maternity and the style and quality were hard to differentiate.
• PinkBlush. This brand may be ever so slightly more expensive than the others above, but prices are still low and the value is certainly there. (I’m happily rewearing a long-sleeve shirt from my first pregnancy and there’s zero sign of wear-and-tear.) Plus, the selection and range of sizes are impressive. There’s something for everyone here!
I recently hit these sites up (plus a few others) to round out my fall pregnancy capsule. Curious as to what I bought? Take a peek below. All in all the items total less than $900, although in reality I spent far less, thanks to ongoing sales. And while that’s still a lot of money, to be sure, I stretched that budget to cover everything from tops and bottoms to sweaters and a maternity coat I can wear into winter and even after baby arrives.
I’m so in love with these jeans. The material is thick, stretchy and soft, and the over-the-bump panel is very comfortable. I rolled it half-way down during my second trimester, and now that my baby bump is bigger, I’m wearing it all the way up. Plus, they come in seven different washes, so I got a pair of blue jeans and a black pair to boot.
Buy it: H&M MAMA Skinny Jeans, $50, H&M.com
Blue and black jeans are wardrobe staples, but I also like to have another (muted) color alternative in the mix. I’m swooning over this dusty pink pair, perfect for cozy fall looks.
Buy it: Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Crossover Panel Skinny Jeans, $30, Target.com
Any mom-to-be understands the power of a pair of cozy leggings (especially in the era of COVID lockdowns). These are comfy, quality leggings that won’t break the bank.
Buy it: Ingrid & Isabel Fold Down Leggings, $48, IngridandIsabel.com
Long-sleeve shirts in black and white are must-have essentials for autumn, and you can score a two-pack at H&M for the price of what a single shirt usually goes for elsewhere.
Buy it: H&M MAMA 2-Pack Jersey Tops, $25, H&M.com
I’ll be living in long-sleeve shirts all season, so it’s nice to have a patterned option to turn to, still in neutral colors so I can pair it with just about anything.
Buy it: PinkBlush Ivory Striped Long Sleeve Maternity Top, $34, PinkBlushMaternity.com
Okay, this one was a bit of a splurge, but I’m a sucker for denim shirts, particularly in the fall. Over black jeans, pink cords or plain leggings, this is a versatile top I’ll be wearing weekly.
Buy it: ASOS Design Maternity Denim Oversized Belted Shirt, $60, asos.com
I just love this rust color for fall. The cozy, oversized fit and feminine crisscross cutout in the back sealed the deal.
Buy it: PinkBlush Rust Soft Crisscross Back Maternity Top, $38, PinkBlushMaternity.com
This olive green crew neck sweater is another pitch-perfect addition for fall. As with most Old Navy pieces, I’d recommend perhaps sizing down.
Buy it: Old Navy Maternity Cozy Crew Neck Sweater, $40, OldNavy.Gap.com
Seraphine may not be known for cheap offerings, but their clothes are certainly loved for their quality, style and versatility—not only will this gorgeous sweater go with just about anything, but it’s also nursing-friendly, so you can wear it beyond pregnancy too.
Buy it: Seraphine Grey Marl Knit Maternity & Nursing Tunic, $75, Seraphine.com
What’s a fall wardrobe without at least one cozy cardigan? I love the drape collar, longer length and textured fabric on this.
Buy it: Motherhood Maternity Drape Collar Maternity Cardigan, $45, Motherhood.com
With a pair of boots and a brimmed hat, this will be a perfect ensemble for strolling through the park or dining outdoors (you know, because, #COVID).
Buy it: ASOS Design Maternity Denim Shirt Dress, $40, asos.com
What can I say, I really did fall hard for rust-hued pieces for autumn. Aside from the stunning color, I appreciate that you can easily dress this up or down (boots or sneakers, they’ll both work)—because let’s be honest, most of my outings these days are pretty darn casual.
Buy it: Old Navy Maternity Rib-Knit Mock-Neck Bodycon Dress, $45, OldNavy.Gap.com
I tend to buy mostly solid, neutral-colored maternity clothes because it’s easier to mix and match pregnancy outfits that way (and I only have so many items to work with), but I was craving a touch of vibrancy in my wardrobe. The subtle animal print on this is just what I was looking for. Plus, the brick red color, three-quarter sleeves and tea-length skirt are all perfect for the cooler fall temps.
Buy it: Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel Animal Print ¾ Sleeve Wear to Work Maternity Dress, $28, Target.com
As it gets colder, you’re going to need some bump-friendly layers to keep you warm. I love that this chic utility jacket will serve me well not only throughout fall, but also once baby is here, thanks to the clever 3-in-1 design. The drawstring waist lets you adjust it to get the right fit during pregnancy and after, and the included kangaroo panel zips in to cover baby when you’re wearing a baby carrier.
Buy it: Seraphine Khaki 3-in-1 Maternity Jacket, $119, Seraphine.com
Depending on where you live, fall can get downright chilly, and you don’t want to encounter a freezing day without a cozy coat at the ready. This puffer is warm, stylish and surprisingly inexpensive, especially considering that it also features a 3-in-1 design so you can wear it well after pregnancy.
Buy it: Modern Eternity 3 in 1 Belted Maternity Puffer Coat, $150, Motherhood.com
Plus, more from The Bump:
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