Several people have recently asked if I know of any companies that specialize in modest maternity wear. Aside from Shabby Apple's Mama Apple line (which I love), I really don't. That doesn't mean that they don't exist, I just haven't found it necessary to seek them out.In my experience, most maternity stores understand that not all pregnant women are eager to strut their stuff in minis despite what the ladies of Hollywood might be doing. I have never had any trouble finding maternity clothes at the major retailers that meet my standards of modesty.
My personal favorites are Gap Maternity (very reasonably priced and cute, cute, cute!), A Pea in the Pod (slightly more expensive but of excellent quality) and Due Maternity (pretty pricey, though I have purchased things from them for special occasions and have been very pleased). I've also shopped at Ann Taylor Loft in the past but their website says the page is being updated (as it has for a while now) so I'm not sure when or if they plan to bring their maternity line back.
One thing I have noticed (and this may simply be due to my hourglass figure that becomes even more so when pregnant, if you catch my drift) is that many maternity shirts and dresses are rather low-cut. This is pretty simple to remedy though. Shade has an excellent selection of layering pieces for those in the motherly way.
The last recommendation I have comes care of my friend, Jen, who raved about her BellaBand here. I haven't been pregnant since she introduced me to the BellaBand
but I trust her advice. She promises that it is a lifesaver not just during pregnancy but in those early postpartum months that have us sporting an extra bit of roundness, shall we say. ;)What are your favorite resources, tips and tricks for remaining modest during pregnancy? What struggles have you faced in shopping for appropriate maternity wear? Maybe we can help each other out in the combox. Take care, girls!
16 comments:
I have the SAME problem...a nice top that would look lovely on other people looks absolutely pornographic on me!
In order to stay covered, I wear a thick strapped tank top under my maternity shirts and dresses...this works to cover my abundant cleavage and hold my bra straps in, should they migrate.
This is a nice inexpensive option...I just have to make sure I have a few tank tops to go under the maternity clothes I already have, or that my friends are kind enough to loan to me. :)
Thanks to Jen's raving, I finally bought a Bella band this time around. I've been meaning to write up a review for my blog but well, you know how that goes. I'll just post it here and then repost it over there....
Anyhow, now that I own one, I'm not sure how I survived two pregnancies without a Bella band! I love it, mainly because I've been having major lower back problems and sciatica and the band gives me very much needed support that helps ease some (not all) of the discomfort. I do find it great for helping out with some of those cute t-shirts that aren't quite long enough to cover my big belly. And it is very handy in giving a bit of extra gripping power to elastic waist skirts as Sophie is learning to walk and loves literally clinging to my skirt. She's almost pulled it down a couple of times and even Bella sometimes can't resist grabbing a handful of skirt. Have to admit I didn't find the Bella band as comfortable with holding up clothing that no longer buttons, which is one of the uses I've most heard touted. That just didn't feel all that comfortable or secure to me.
I have to agree that the best buys are the Bella Band and several thick strapped, long tank tops. I find that these tops are indispensible as they help with cleavage as well as cover the tummy if one's maternity shirt should ride up. I also like that they contour to the tummy and allow me to look a little smaller than the traditional tent-like shirt. I have never found one of these tanks in an actual maternity shop - they always refer me to stores that cater to the teen crowd - too funny. Love the site and will visit more often.
My sister, 6 months, just got a swimsuit that's stretchy. I don't think it's specifically a maternity swimsuit but it's modest and covers up. I hadn't seen it before, but it seemed fine, came with a swim bra...which would be one of my many problem areas (lopsided lol). I'll have to ask where she got it from but I think she said hydro chic (chick).
Down East basics has cute stuff and GREAT maternity cami's and tanks(all modest-ish)
i second the Gap Maternity line. In fact, right now i am wearing a pair of their maternity sweats--they're just so darn comfortable! :) i love the 100% cotton crew neck T'shirts, too. comfy, cute and modest.
Hi Betty....What a great site with such good info! Thanks for stopping by the lylah blog and leaving your comment. It means a lot!
blessings...lylah
I have just come out of the pregnancy thing. Second the Bella band. V. Useful. Also the tanks. Frankly, I use them now, because I am nursing. Old Navy makes maternity/nursing tanks. They are the strappy kind, but they are good for covering up the boobies AND the post partum midsection. I love it that they have nursing clips. So, I can wear a regular t-shirt and the tank is underneath, and my belly stays covered up when I am nursing! YEAH!
Also, I have the reverse problem. My top doesn't gain weight, my bottom does. And I am, shall we say, rubenesque, in my figure. All manufacturers assume that plus sized women have huge breasts. Not true, even when nursing. So, when a top fits, the cleavage area is down around my navel. Again, the nursing tank is my saving grace. Since I don't have much in the way of breasts, they also function as a nursing bra. Two for One! And I need length, because I am long-waisted, and they are good in that area, too.
Yes, I relied a lot on Old Navy maternity items when I was expecting our son. I'm very petite and pretty slender, so even when I actually have a chest from being pregnant/nursing, I need the tanks to help with covering up "the girls" LOL!
Thanks for sharing some other resources, Ladies! I don't need the info yet (as far as I know ;) lol) but I'm hoping to need it in the near future! (he just came back from a deployment... it's probably inevitable. I've been hearing jokes and questions about the next baby already, and he's only been back for a week! :P)
I'm glad to see some practical reviews on the Bella Band. I was thinking about getting one, but wasn't sure if it really was all it's cracked up to be! I'm already 7 months along, anyone think it's worth getting still? Not that there won't be another pregnancy...or more.
I am not a fan of Shade, however. In fact, I just reviewed their "layering basics" on my blog recently. Poor quality for the price in my opinion. I'd love to find another source for undershirts.
I'm going to check out Old Navy for sure.
Great post! Modest maternity is tricky to me. Plus, I'm picky about how things look. If it looks at all tent-ish, it goes in the donation box.
Andrea,
About six or seven months along is when I got my Bella band. (I'm at 33 weeks now and have had it for maybe a month.) As far as I'm concerned it was totally worth it. In fact, I'm contemplating getting a second one because I wear mine every day and don't want to part with it long enough to wash. I was very skeptical and not sure if spending the money so late in the pregnancy was worth it, but I'm glad I did.
re: nursing tank tops. Target carries a pretty inexpensive one that I love, love, love. In fact I love them so much I have hardly worn a bra in the couple of years. They are very easy to open and close; I can do it one handed. They have good support and are long enough to cover my belly even when pregnant and I am a big fan of not having to bare my stomach while nursing.
I have several in white, black and gray.
nice article!thanks
Jen introduced me to the Bella Band as well, and I have it in three colors (the basics, white, black and brown). I am 34 weeks pregnancy and can still get away with wearing non-maternity pants - bless the BB!
Old Navy's maternity line has impressed me the most. I do rely on the tank tops a lot, they've helped me stay modest.
MelanieB - what nursing top at Target do you recommend? I'll be needing that in the next month!
Tara,
I've got a few different ones in the past few years, though they never seem to carry more than one brand at a time. A couple of my tanks have labels so faded I can't read them. One is Gilligan O'Malley, another is Liz Lange. I almost never wear a bra any more, except for when I'm dressing up, these are so comfortable.
Thanks for the tips. Target carries a slightly less expensive version of the Bella Band in black and white. I also found a decent swimsuit there.
Marie in WA State
The best site for stylish and modest maternity styles is It's A Miracle Maternity. I just visited their site and they have a big sale going on. THey have a lot of modes styles with high necklines, below the knees, stretch tees, etc. Definitely one to put on your list for modest maternity.
www.itsamiraclematernity.com
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