I remember the morning I found out I was pregnant. It was one of the best days of my life. Being a Mum has always been one of my lifelong dreams. Especially since the journey hadn’t been smooth sailing. But when I saw that little box transform into a blue box and confirm the test was positive, I was suddenly on cloud nine.
I drove to a client meeting, dressed in a A line black vintage skirt, black silk shirt and waist-hugging vintage belt. Everything was pre-loved but I felt like a million. I was thrilled about the endless possibilities of my bump style and couldn’t wait for my body to transform. But I had made a decision, and that was my passion for secondhand was not going to be ignored and replaced for new maternity style.
I mean firstly, that meant spending more on items of clothes that were readily available to so many people at the same time. The idea of someone else wearing the exact same outfit as me made feel average and gave me the sick feeling I used to cope with on the daily when being forced to wear a school uniform. Call me shallow, but clothes are a way of expressing how I feel and my very own style was built on one-of-a kind pieces that I sourced from all over. Just because I was pregnant did not mean this would change. However, finances were on my mind. I had a baby on the way, so how was I going to save, still look and feel good and being able to build a new wardrobe that would cater to my new body.
Well, these are the tips I came up with that helped me do all of the above and more! I hope they can help you save pennies and still look like a million because you and your bump deserve to.
Assess the clothes you already own
Depending on your wardrobe, you could be surprised by the amount of items that you already have that will continue to work in pregnancy. Maxi dresses, flouncy blouses, and oversized t-shirts may be able to stay in your rotation for part of your pregnancy.
Borrow from your partner
If you’re short on flowy clothes, you may be able to borrow from your partner’s closet. This won’t cover all your clothing needs but a few oversized t shirts can save you from having to buy maternity tops or even dresses. I absolutely loved stealing (I mean borrowing) some of my partner’s crisp Ralph Lauren shirts, tying them at the back or front and wearing them with leggings or skinny jeans. They even came in handy as short mini shirt dresses as I paired with tiny belts and converse. This trick is particularly good in the second trimester when you may still be in that in-between section and just want to feel comfortable and not necessarily at the point when you want to spotlight the bump all the time.
Accept hand-me-down maternity clothes to save money
Hand-me-down maternity clothes are a great way to save money. Friends and family are usually all too happy to share their maternity clothes and help with your pregnancy.
Since they are worn for a short period, hand-me-down maternity clothes are typically in pretty good shape. Try to be open to trying new styles, fabrics and prints that you may have not typically welcomed pre-pregnancy. It will open you up to more looks when accepting hand-me downs. Also try not to stick to rules. Bold, colourful prints can work on all shapes and sizes, and there isn’t a set silhouette you should stick to when styling a bump- it’s all about what makes you feel good. That in turn, will make you look good.
Maternity sizes don’t make a ton of sense, especially if you’ve never had a pregnancy belly before. With that in mind, be open to accepting maternity clothes in a variety of sizes. Brands fit differently, and what works in your second trimester may be long outgrown by your third. Having multiple sizes on hand can help with the quick body changes you may experience.
Check Facebook Marketplace
If you aren’t able to find enough free maternity clothes, consider buying secondhand. Facebook Marketplace is an obvious go-to for finding local secondhand items. I have managed to source a long list of “bump suited” pieces for me and baby through looking at local groups. Generally, Mums are going through sort outs and wanting to get rid of pieces quickly to make space for fresh items. What does this mean to you? Cheaper fashion! I also love looking by brand names… Nothing better than discovering a treasure from your favorite designer at a fraction of the price.
Save money by thrifting maternity clothes
Lastly, don’t forget about your local thrift and charity stores when looking for maternity clothes. Thrift stores often have big selections of maternity-friendly clothes in decent shape since they see limited use. When I shop at thrift stores, I always check for their daily deals. For example, some thrift stores may have a day of the week where clothes are 50%, which will help you save even more money on your maternity clothes.
Ready to start sourcing? Why not use these tips to start looking at ways to restyle items from our very own pre-loved store and make them work for you and your very own bump. Sign up to our newsletter today to receive 10% off.
