If you’re plus-sized, finding maternity wear that both fits and looks great can be a challenge.
Here are some tips:
Buy your pre-pregnancy size. No need to size up. Quality maternity wear is designed to compensate for how your measurements will change in the coming months.
Shop online. Many stores such as Walmart, Old Navy, Motherhood Maternity and Target do carry plus-size maternity clothes, but might not necessarily stock them in every store location.
eBay is also a great source — you may not want to spend money for a designer maternity jacket that you’ll just wear for one season, but you may be able to find one that’s barely worn for a fraction of the price.
Fit is everything. Don’t buy something because it looks good on the rack, buy it because it fits you comfortably, is flattering and would work with the other pieces in your wardrobe.
Think about the neckline. Try the bend-forward test in the dressing room to make sure that the neckline is high enough and the material is thick enough to support you and cover your bra as your bust expands.
Try a wrap-style. These are perfect for pregnancy because they can expand with you, have flattering draping and offer a little bit of a custom fit.
Try an empire waist. While empire waists don’t work for everyone pre-pregnancy, if you’re plus-sized the cut can be a flattering way to show off your bump. A high-low cut (where the front hem of the dress is higher than the back hem) or asymmetrical hemline can look great too.
Go for a little stretch. Look for fabrics with a bit of spandex or lycra so they’ll hold their shape.
and finally,
Consider altering what you buy or making your own. Sewing machines aren’t too complicated and there are plenty of plus-sized maternity patterns, giving you infinite choices of fit and fabric. Sewing machines also aren’t cheap, but if you can get the hang of it you can save in the long run, especially if you also have someone in your family is on the shorter side who has to get pants hemmed often.
And if sewing isn’t your thing, in most towns you can find a seamstresses or tailor who will do the sewing for you if you pick the pattern and fabric.
Leave a Reply