Is it just us, or does it feel like your clothing size changes every time you go to the store?
You’d think an 8 in one brand would be an 8 in every brand, but too often, this just isn’t the case. Now you’re pregnant (congrats, BTW), and sizing becomes a tad more tricky. How’s a girl supposed to know what her new dress size is when she didn’t even know what it was to begin with?
Don’t worry, mama. Clothes sizing might be different, but we’re here to find your perfect fit — just in time for the baby shower and the trip to the delivery room.
Keep reading for all the hot deets on maternity clothes sizing below:
How Do Maternity Clothing Sizes Work?
It can be nearly impossible to predict how your body will change during pregnancy, especially if this is your first time with a baby on the way.
Every woman carries her pregnancy weight a little bit differently. Your body changes and weight gain can vary depending on your weight, height, and whether this is your first pregnancy.
And while most women gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy, that number can also vary widely.
With all of these factors at play, HATCH is here to make maternity clothing simple:
Sizing Made Simple
We have good news. Most of the time, your maternity size will correspond with your normal size. In other words, if you’re a size 10 normally, you’ll be a size 10 in maternity clothes as well! That adorable maternity skirt you’ve been eyeing has been designed to perfectly fit your new curves.
Many maternity clothing brands also offer trimester-based maternity clothes, which can be extremely helpful. After all, the clothes that fit you 10 weeks into pregnancy (aka first trimester) might not exactly get the job done during the third trimester when you might not be able to see your toes.
Of course, every woman carries her pregnancy a little differently, and it certainly is possible that you may need to size up your pregnancy clothing for the next few months.
We invite you to pay attention to your body and how you feel in the size that you have. More important than fitting into any preconceived notions about pregnancy weight gain and clothes sizing is that you are comfortable and happy with your wardrobe. Only you can decide what that looks like!
So, when shopping for maternity clothes, consider grabbing a few different sizes (including your normal size) to see what feels best for you.
Are Maternity Clothes Really Necessary?
If this is your first pregnancy, you might be tempted to stick to your tried-and-true brands and styles and simply size them up. It sounds a lot simpler, right? However, while preggo, your body changes in more complex ways than simply gaining weight pre-pregnancy.
For instance, your belly grows, but your thighs don’t keep up. Size up your favorite pair of jeans to fit your expanding waistline, and you might find yourself swimming in your pants. Or, your breasts swell, but your arms don’t, which can make your favorite shirt fit in strange new ways.
During pregnancy, your body is crazy busy preparing for the baby, and a lot of changes are happening. Not all of them are proportionate to how you might normally gain weight when not pregnant.
Although it’s tempting to just buy your favorite fits in a larger size, maternity clothes are well worth the investment because they are designed specifically to fit pregnant you. Plus, you’re doing the hard work of growing a new human; you deserve to wear clothes that are comfortable and flattering.
When Should I Buy Maternity Clothes?
Whether you’re already pregnant or planning to be, it’s never too soon to start building your maternity wardrobe.
You might feel like you need a size up a few weeks into pregnancy, or maybe you’ll hold off until the third trimester. Every woman is different, and the changes your body goes through during pregnancy will be highly individual.
In other words, it’s impossible to predict exactly when you’ll need to transition from your normal pants into maternity jeans. Our suggestion is to pay attention to your body and make clothing investments when they’re needed so you can spend your pregnancy looking and feeling your best.
What Should I Look for When Maternity Shopping?
Whether you want to build a whole new maternity wardrobe or invest in a few staple pieces, your maternity shopping journey is totally up to you. It also might depend on factors like the time of year, the climate where you live, and whether you’ve been pregnant before.
Staple Tops and Bottoms
In general, start with the basics and figure out your maternity style from there.
You may want to start by investing in a pair or two of maternity jeans in a wash and fit that you like, as well as maternity leggings. Consider a pair that are comfortable and well-fitting, and you’ll likely be rocking them even after you give birth.
Outside of pants, you’ll likely want a handful of comfy maternity tops that can stretch over your baby bump. Consider buying one to two versatile tees, one to two cozy sweaters, and something flattering and stylish for date night.
Everything On Bras
Pre-pregnancy, you might have a neat collection of fashionable lingerie — all lacey and delicate. The good news is that maternity bras can still feel cute. For example, take a look at the Everyday Nursing Bra. It comes in eight fashionable colors, subtle ruching, and 100% customizable straps; it’s super cute but super practical, and we’re all about that.
A good rule of thumb is to always, always look at the size chart, be it t-shirts or leggings. Brands can disagree on what a size medium is as easily as a single brand’s pant sizes might fit differently based on the cut.
Fashion Chic Pieces
In addition to staple tops and bottoms, you can invest in a few more high-fashion pieces.
Think about your style now — what types of clothes are you often wearing? What do you feel most confident in? You can always buy those same pieces from maternity brands that you trust, and you won’t be let down.
The last few pieces to consider incorporating into your maternity wardrobe are anything seasonal that you might need. Are you going to be in your third trimester right during the snowiest time of year? You might need to invest in a coat that you can actually button up over your belly.
Or, maybe you’ve planned a tropical getaway to soak in the last few days when it’s just you and your partner before the baby arrives. If that’s the case, you probably need comfortable maternity swimwear. Think about the time of year you’ll be most pregnant, and you can incorporate those seasonal needs into your wardrobe as well.
Going to a gala or the wedding of your college roomie? No stress: maternity dresses aren’t only comfy, they are also dramatic formal eveningwear.
What Are the Elements of the Perfect Maternity Wardrobe?
Okay, so you’ve built your capsule wardrobe; what else should you pay attention to?
As with any type of clothes shopping, you may want to keep an eye out for certain elements of the quality and fit of your clothes.
In particular, we recommend that you look for:
- Stretch. You’ll likely feel best in clothes that have some give to them and can grow as you do. Our recommendation is a high-quality stretchy fabric, such as a jersey knit, for the best results.
- Sheerness. Tout your new clothing items in motion and see how they look in different lighting. Many fabrics, especially stretchy ones, can be see-through, which is always an unpleasant surprise.
- Nursing features. Many maternity tops have access for breastfeeding built in, and if breastfeeding is something you’re planning on doing, buying tops that allow you easy access might be a worthwhile investment.
- Ruching or drawstring features. Many clothing items incorporate ruching or drawstring waistbands into the design, which are helpful features that can make a clothing item adjustable as you gain weight (or lose it — clothes with these features can be perfect postpartum as well!).
- Style. The best part of clothes shopping is finding items that excite you! You might be tempted to take this opportunity to branch out and try a new look, but we’d recommend sticking with styles that you already love. You will probably want to be as comfy and cozy as possible.
Maternity Clothes Mastered
So, mama, now you’re basically a maternity clothing master!
It turns out maternity clothes sizing is a lot simpler than it appears and just as fun as your run-of-the-mill post-brunch shopping sprees. Stick with your fav sizes and styles, and if they aren’t doing the trick anymore, consider sizing up. NBD!
At the end of the day, we believe that the most important thing about your pregnancy wardrobe is not that it’s a certain size or look but that it makes you look and feel your best. Find clothes that you love, and the rest will fall into place.
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