Maternity Wear on a Budget

With the current economic climate, money has never been tighter. However, this does not mean we have to stop spending; we just have to be clever and use our money wisely on the right things. Being pregnant is one of the most amazing times of your life, but we also know you can have those days when you just feel big and frumpy, and anything you put on just doesn’t do you justice.

However, maternity clothes have come a long way in the last five years. There are now several more accessible shops who sell fashionable maternity wear, so gone are those dungarees and oversized smocks! In spite of this, it is still hard to find affordable, fashionable maternity clothes. When you find them, you want the staple pieces to carry you throughout your pregnancy and beyond, and you want them at the right price!

So, you want to look fabulous without breaking the bank? Here’s a guide on how to do just that, without spending a fortune!

BASICS - There are three absolute basic pieces you need to make your wardrobe work.

1. A pair of over the bump maternity leggings. They are comfy, you can wear them with longer line tops and you can wear them with a dress too. What’s more, they are bang on trend! Black is great and is such a versatile colour that you can wear it with almost anything. However, if you are feeling more daring, there are some great coloured leggings out there too!

2. A Basic Maternity Support Vest. The essential undergarment! You can wear it on its own in high summer or under lighter weight tops in the winter. Most of all, it gives you that extra support for your growing bust. Black or white are great colours to invest your money in.

3. A Great Pair of Jeans! As your bump grows, you will in time need a pair of comfortable maternity jeans. Bootlegs are good, because they flatter any figure and balance your body out. For the more trendy ladies out there, it’s a pair of skinny jeans. One tip is to make sure they have elastane in them to give you the extra comfort & stretch you need.

FASHION PIECES - The season is still about dresses & longer line tops which is great news for pregnant women. Floral prints are big news! So if you want to buy a printed top or dress, think pretty feminine florals, or for high summer tropical or paisley prints.

1. The maxi dress. A style that is still going strong, and this is set to continue. It is not only a fashion must-have, it’s comfortable and also covers a multitude of sins that you may not want on show.

2. A Pretty Empire Line Top. These naturally tend to be longer in length, covering your bottom area, so are great worn with leggings or wide leg linen trousers. Having the seam under the bust helps creates a little more fabric over the stomach area, so it skims your bump comfortably.

3. The Sun Dress. For those of you who don’t want to wear a maxi dress, you can opt for a pretty, cotton knee-length dress. Cool and feminine, and perfect for keeping you and baby comfortable.

4. Cropped Leggings. Even with a dress, some women feel like they may want to cover a bit more of their legs. Cropped leggings are a fantastic cover-up, but still keep you cool. There are some great styles about, even some pretty lace trim leggings for that extra femininity.

So there you have it, your essential list for budget buying. Just what the midwife ordered!