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A couple of my friends are soon-to-be-mommies and one major expense for them is their changing wardrobe. I set out to find the most inexpensive way to getting maternity clothes. Below I compare the pros and cons of renting maternity clothes, buying them at discount stores, and getting hand me downs.
Renting maternity clothes
Not sure if this is a new trend, but women can rent maternity clothes for a fee. There are several sites out there, but I’ll focus on Mine for Nine, which allows you to borrow items by the month (gowns for two weeks). You’ll find everyday wear, business clothes, and fancy gowns from different maternity designers. There are no limits to borrowing as long as your account is in good standing. I found a dress regularly priced at $139 for $35 for a two week rental. That’s a good deal if you need a dress for a fancy occasion, but don’t want to commit to buying something that may not fit until you’re pregnancy again. To get free shipping, your tab has to hit $75. You also opt to buy a $5 insurance policy in case you spill food on the clothes.
Pros: You can find clothes that fit your growing belly throughout your pregnancy, especially for special occasions.
Cons: You’ll be slapped with a late fee if you don’t return the clothes on time.
Thrift, discount, and consignment stores
A friend of mine just bought three used maternity tops from Gap, Old Navy, and Liz Lange, plus a pregnancy band that she wears around her lower tummy to cover up her belly that sticks out underneath non-maternity T-shirts. She paid $26 for the four items at a consignment store, but she estimates they would have cost her $100 or more at full retail. The band alone costs $25 to $30 and she got it for $9. Depending on your clothes budget, there are many discount store options you can shop at to save money. Head to secondhand stores if you have a small budget or go to Ross, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx, if you have a bigger budget and want new clothes.
Pros: You can keep the clothes you’re paying for and pass them on to your preggo friends and family.
Cons: Leave room for that growing belly or they may not fit in your last trimester.
Hand me downs
If you have friends that have already given birth, they may be able to lend or give you their pregnancy clothes for free. But keep in mind that no two persons have the same body shape or growing belly so the clothes may not fit so well. If you’re handy with a thread and needle you can make your own alterations. Make sure to ask about making alterations if the clothes are on loan.
Pros: You won’t have to spend a dime on clothes.
Cons: You may end up looking frumpy if the clothes don’t fit you well.
With a growing belly, budgeting for the baby is a must and we’ve got tips from Jean Chatzky of the Today Show and BabyCenter.com. Make sure to search online for discounted baby products and free baby stuff.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I got lots of hand me downs, as well as buying a few new pieces of maternity wear during my pregnancy. I avoided the frumpy look, for work, and school, mixing and matching the few new shirts with used bottoms. I Freecycled almost everything when my son was born. Seems like maternity clothes are always easy to get, if you’re not super picky about other people’s choices in fashion.
I think renting maternity clothes by the month is a great idea. There are a few consignment shops around that specialize in maternity, which is another good option, and I’ve even seen a clothing swap specifically for kids’ and maternity clothes in my area, which could be a good way to trade those maternity outfits for kids’ cltohes.
@Amy I agree with you. If you’re not picky about clothes you’ll definitely find clothes, but it’s nice to know you don’t have to settle for clothes that don’t fit well – there are options.
@Susan Great tips. I really like the idea of taking your maternity clothes in for kids’ clothes. This is particularly good if you already have a toddler(s).
well if u dont get that big you wont need to spend money i was able to wear my normal clothes the whole time just got a streachy shirt thats it i dont mean to sound mean but if you dont go over board eating junk food youll be ok
@tracy That’s great that you didn’t balloon up, but some people aren’t that lucky. My friend looks like she is not preggo from the back, but has a growing belly. She needs to look presentable when she goes to work – no stretchy shirts or sweats for her – so options like renting clothes and buying at discounted stores may be right for her.