Maternity question

BrisketBoss

Sat, Jun 18 2022, 8:49 pm

What are all the things that make a shirt, skirt, or dress maternity? In some cases, I believe, it works to simply buy a normal garment in a larger size. What are all the factors that go into this? It's just something I've been musing about. Thank you.

amother

Camellia

Sat, Jun 18 2022, 8:51 pm

BrisketBoss wrote:

I don’t need larger in every area. Then I feel like I’m swimming in it. I want similar maybe slightly more generous sizing to my usual clothing which a bit more room in hips and much more room at tummy area. For skirts an extra size doesn’t help. I need a panel to go over tummy comfortably and then skirt can be same or a tad looser when it hits my thighs so it doesn’t tent, it flows nicely across my belly down to my lap. Hope that was clear, hard to describe.

amother

DarkRed

Sat, Jun 18 2022, 9:00 pm

I carry big. When someone suggested I just buy a bigger size, I was like, huh? I have narrow shoulders but my belly and behind expand. When I shop in a maternity store, I ask for styles to accommodate twin pregnancies even though I've only had singletons. If someone carries small, she can probably get away with certain styles in a bigger size.

amother

Lightcyan

Sat, Jun 18 2022, 9:10 pm

I'm plus size and what I gain in pregnancy is a gain all over... It's like my weight hides the bump. so I just up a size or two. Never wore "maternity" in my 2 pregnancies so far Wink

amother

Coral

Sat, Jun 18 2022, 9:15 pm

There are lots of boxy or flowing sizes that can accommodate a growing belly in your normal size. But going up sizes in regular clothing will just look shlumpy.

amother

Lightcoral

Sat, Jun 18 2022, 9:15 pm

I think it depends on how you carry and what size you are.

When I was super skinny I couldn't just get a bigger size. I stayed skinny and had a full pregnant stomach. Looked like I was hiding a ball under my shirt.
Now I've put on a lot of weight, I think I'd be able to get away at the beginning with some bigger clothing.

BrisketBoss

Tue, Sep 27 2022, 6:16 pm

But what if you have a maxi skirt with an elastic waist and it's too big for you. Is there a reason it wouldn't work for maternity? You would have to put it higher but that's ok because it's long, and it should still be comfortable.

amother

Poinsettia

Tue, Sep 27 2022, 6:22 pm

BrisketBoss wrote:

It probably will work but might end up being an awkward length if your ok with that.

YounginBP

Tue, Sep 27 2022, 6:23 pm

BrisketBoss wrote:

If it looks good and you like it, wear it.
I find skirts without a panel stand away under the stomach giving extra dimension.

amother

Green

Tue, Sep 27 2022, 6:40 pm

I had some long stretchy black skirts that were non maternity but worked up until practically my 9th month. I think the key was that they had give in the waist, but also stretched in the belly area. I wore some men's shirts with the sleeves rolled, but by the end they were too tight to button and I wore them over t-shirts. Most of my clothes were maternity wear with stretchy fabrics and were cut specifically to accommodate my new shape. This is one situation where trying things on is important.