Plus Size Maternity Clothes
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
A few years ago, it was almost impossible to find plus size maternity clothes that did not resemble circus tents or reduce the woman to resembling an oversized adolescent. However, today’s marketplace offers a wide variety of plus size maternity clothes, provided you know where to find them.
Plus Sized Maternity and Weight Gain
On average, a pregnant woman carrying a single fetus can expect to gain around twenty-five pounds over the term of her pregnancy; however, women who wear a size 22 or larger may be less apt to gain as much weight during a healthy pregnancy. She may put on as little as fifteen additional pounds. Additionally, what weight she does gain may not be as noticeable, either in appearance or in the fit of her clothes, as it would on a woman half her size.
Are Maternity Clothes Necessary?
As a plus-sized woman who already wears stretchy and loose clothes, you may be wondering if you can just make due with the clothes you have? The best plan is to take it a week at a time. It is quite possible you can wear the clothes you already own until the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy. Then you may need to invest in a few few select pieces of plus size maternity clothes to tide you over until you deliver your baby. If you wear size 28 or larger, you may not need maternity clothes at all. Instead, you might find that you can wear loose-fitting, trapeze, and empire-styled non-maternity clothes in a size or two larger than your pre-pregnancy size.
Simple Maternity Sportwear From Men's Wear
Surprising as it may be, men's wear offers some great alternatives to expensive maternity wear for plus-size women. Over-sized T-shirts are great for wearing over stretch pants, or as night shirts. Soft cotton T's make great shirts for those cozy evenings at home. Sweatsuits in men's wear often come with drawstring waistlines that let you expand a bit. The longer length allows you to snip the elastic legs, and still have plenty of leg room.
Sizing Maternity Clothing
If you want to shop ahead, you probably want to know what size maternity clothes to buy that will still fit you up until you deliver your baby. As a general rule, when purchasing plus size maternity clothes, purchase clothing in the same size as you wore prior to pregnancy. Maternity clothes are designed to be extra roomy or to stretch as you grow bigger. You will find tops often come with ties in the back, which allow you to adjust the amount of room available for your growing bump, and pants often feature stretch bands across the stomach or adjustable fasteners, which can be let out as your baby grows.
Finding Plus Size Maternity Clothes
Fifteen years ago plus-size maternity clothing was almost non-existent. Today many department and specialty stores carry a line of plus-size maternity clothing up to a size 22 or 24. If you need a larger size, or if you are looking for a wider selection of styles, you should consider online shopping:
If you are looking for a wide range of sizes …
Baby Becoming Basic maternity and nursing clothes and lingerie to size 6X. Talls too.
Jake and Me Clothing Maternity and nursing clothes to size 5X. Talls too.
Plus Mom Maternity Maternity and nursing clothes and lingerie from major retailers to size 6X. Retailer sales and coupons available.
If you are looking for a wide selection of styles …
Ample Mama Maternity Canadian retailer of plus-sized maternity and nursing clothes to size 3X.
iMaternity Maternity clothes to size 3X.
Karen's Maternity Maternity clothes from major retailers to size 3X. Retailer sales and coupons available.
Plus Size Motherhood Maternity Maternity clothes to size 3X.
Maternity 4 Less Maternity and nursing clothes to size 3X.
If you are looking for low prices …
Brylane Catalog Outlet Last chance pricing on limited sizes of plus size maternity clothes.
Fashion Bug Maternity clothes to size 3X.
Grand Style Mom Maternity and loose-fitting, non-maternity clothes to size 3X.
JCPenney's Maternity clothes to size 3X.
Target Maternity clothes to size 3X.
Woman Within - Formerly Lane Bryant Catalog Basic maternity and nursing clothes to size 4X (34W-36W).
If you are looking for basic styles …
JMS - Just My Size Full-figure nursing bras. Basic maternity and nursing clothes to size 4X.
Motherwear Full-figure nursing bras. Maternity and nursing clothes to size 3X.
Pickles & Ice Cream Full-figure nursing bras. Casual and dressy clothes to size 3X.
If you are looking for more trendy styles …
Babies N Bellies Maternity and nursing clothes to size 3X (20-22).
Fashion Bug Maternity clothes to size 3X.
Lane Bryant Maternity clothes and lingerie to size 26/28.
Affordable Maternity Wear
If you are unable to afford expensive specialty shop maternity clothes, there are other options. If you are a plus-sized lady, you are probably already accustomed to dressing for comfort while retaining your own sense of style. Your closet may already hold many items that will help you get through at least the first months of your pregnancy:
- Leggings
- Stretch denim pants
- Roomy shirts
- Baby doll tops
- Pants and skirts with elastic or drawstring waistbands
- Dresses with no waist or an empire-cut waist
These clothes will give you the room you need to remain comfortable as your abdomen grows more firm and you gain the extra weight that goes with a healthy pregnancy.
When your existing wardrobe no longer fits, consider purchasing clothes a size or two larger or supplement your wardrobe with clothes from the men’s big and tall department. If you or a friend or family member is skilled as a seamstress, consider making some of your own maternity clothes. Patterns are available, and fabric selections are extensive. Check with similarly-sized friends or family members to see if they have plus sized maternity clothing you can borrow. Last, do not forget to seek out consignment shop, thrift store, and online auction options.
Learn More
Comments
Thank you for this information. As my husband and I try to get pregnant I was stressed about how am I going to dress myself! This gives me great peace of mind.
Fashion Bug no longer offers any maternity clothing. And the links above for iMaternity and Motherhood are the same store.
-- Contributed by: JulieThis page has been accessed 6,809 times. This page was last modified 19:29, 1 September 2007.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
