Shopping for maternity clothes can be one of the most dreaded tasks of becoming a new mom. The unknown of how your body can change, and how fast presents women with a dilemma on what size and what silhouette will be flattering for them. There are a few key attributes when shopping for maternity clothes that each and every consumer should consider:
- How long can I wear this garment? Women can go through various sizes during pregnancy depending on one's body type and stage of pregnancy...the key is to purchase maternity tops and bottoms that are versatile and can change with you. The new trend (and to be honest, the more affordable trend) is to find stylish maternity tops and dresses that you can wear before, during and after pregnancy should you choose. Pants tend to be more difficult to last from start to finish, but there are various options such as the Belly Band that will help you get more wear out of both your normal clothes as well as your maternity clothes.
- How much do I want spend? Unfortunately maternity clothes are not the cheapest attire to purchase, and can vary significantly in size depending on the manufacturer. Set a budget and stick to it as the likelihood you will wear these stylish maternity clothes for only 9 months at a time is pretty high. Sign up for newsletters and e-mails from those baby boutiques or maternity boutiques you may think about purchasing from. Most of the time they offer coupons for your first purchase and will notify you in advance of a sale. Don't hesitate to ask if they have any coupons available...you may be surprised at the answer!
- Where should I shop? Maternity clothing this day and age is becoming a little easier to find. Large department stores, high end boutiques, and online maternity boutiques are various places you can search for the perfect maternal attire. Each type of business provides a different selection and tends to cater to a different clientele; however, the online maternity boutiques tend to provide more of a one stop shopping environment for those that are willing to try on after you buy. The key to purchasing maternity clothes online is to find a retailer that is willing to offer FREE return shipping on all unused, tagged garments within a reasonable amount of time after the purchase. You don't want to find yourself in a position where you have purchased that beautiful designer maternity top and find out that it barely fits one arm let alone your entire belly, and you paid $100 for it! The key here is that the boutique is offering for you to return any clothing that may not fit to your liking, so there is little to no loss if something does not fit properly. This method will likely provide you with a larger selection and will give you the ease of trying on maternity clothes in your own home.
These are the three key steps to ensure your experience with maternity shopping is enjoyable. Simply search for mommy and me boutique (a boutique that will allow for you to purchase both maternity and baby items) or maternity boutique to begin your search for your stylish maternity attire, and remember to always ask (specifically the owner) about special offers and discounts.
Stylish Mom and Tot
