Who needs clothes when you are pregnant?!?!
You won’t believe where I got this dress🧐🤨😎
It blows my mind how limited maternity clothes are in physical store locations. The one time in a woman’s life when a woman is most unsure of what size they are and what looks flattering. It's crucial to be able to try on the clothes in person. However, many retailers have opted to keep their collections online. Here are some tips for shopping for maternity clothes and some locations to check out.
Shop in advance.
Don’t wait until the last moment when you realize you need shorts because it's super warm outside. I’m talking to you and me and speaking from my personal experience. You will not be able to just stroll into a store and grab your needed items easily. Many stores that have maternity clothes in stock are picked over or they are just online returns left in the store. And some of my favorite maternity retailers have a delivery time of 1-2 weeks.
Shop at a variety of retailers to get what you need.
Not one retailer is guaranteed to have your sizes or everything you are looking for. My non pregnant self usually sticks to the same retailers because I know my sizes and can just pick up an item and be confident it will fit. However considering the low maternity inventory at various retailers, it behooves you to open up your options. Some places are cheaper than others but you will have to allow shipping time.
Shop in the Plus Section
Lets just say you don't have enough time to order something but there aren't any maternity clothes in the store that will work- try the Plus section. If I'm being completely honest, I did not think this would be an option. I’m short, so I already have issues with stuff fitting and hitting the right spots but add this bump that has transformed into a mountain, I'm guaranteed to easily look like I'm wearing a bent up tent. I originally ordered a dress for a wedding that was way too big for me- hence my previous big rant about the need to try on in the store. I began to search the few in store options and struck out until I went to the plus section. I purchased the winning dress from the Macy’s Plus section. An additional tip: Try it on even if you dont think it will fit- you will be surprised how many things look better on you than the rack.
Here are some of my favorite in store maternity retailers and some insight on what to expect:
Gap Outlet Store in Hebron, Ky- Not a large selection of maternity stuff but it's super cheap (pants = $6.99) and plenty of Plus Size options that can work.
Target- Just the basics ma’am;Jeans, shorts, bras not much else available.
Macy’s- No in store maternity but a good selection of plus size dresses
What are some other in store options for maternity wear? Please comment below.