My Maternity Wardrobe: The Second Trimester

My goal this trimester was to stretch my non-maternity wardrobe as far as possible. Once I hit around 14 weeks, non-maternity pants were just impossible, so I had to give in to a few purchases. Fortunately, right around that time, intense summer hit San Diego, so I was able to wear loose-fitting, non-maternity, summery dresses for a couple of months.

St. James Breton Top, Motherhood Maternity shorts, Palladium sandals

I delayed taking any belly photos until around 20 weeks because while my belly was indeed growing, so was my chest. Most of the time, in loose-fitting tops and dresses, you could not tell I was pregnant. As I have stated and friends have also commented, "It just looks like you ate a big burrito." (Um, I love how in San Diego the burrito is the go-to reference for why one might look a little rotund.) In fact, my belly didn't start sticking out further than my chest until 23 weeks!

Here are some of the outfits I wore during my second trimester:

clockwise from top left: Hand-me-down T-shirt, Isabel and Ingrid leggings, American Apparel sneakers; Hand-me-down dresses, barefoot and Reef flip flops!

Sample sale dress from over 10 years ago and Swedish Hasbeens clogs

Most of the clothing I wore this trimester were pieces I already owned, especially tops and a few dresses. Because she has an abundance of clothing, my sister lent me a handful of her summery dresses, which saved me a ton of money. I also inherited some Motherhood Maternity items from a girlfriend who wore them during her pregnancy last year: a pair of low-rise shorts (not my favorite -- but for free I should not complain -- next time I'd like to get some shorts with a belly panel), some chinos, and a flowy top. Finally, my sister bought me a pair of Motherhood Maternity cross hatch denim trousers from a resale shop for $8. They are perfect for substitute teaching jobs (one of my gigs these days).

Here are the only maternity purchases I did make this trimester because I thought they were absolutely essential:

*Ingrid and Isabel leggings (purchased for 1/2 price on ebay: $25 with free shipping)
*Ingrid and Isabel lounge pants (purchased pre-loved on ebay for $12 including shipping)
*2 Nursing Bras (A splurge: $107. Future post on bras, coming up...)

Total out of pocket cost for 2nd trimester: $144

My favorite non-maternity pick that pregnant ladies can buy now and still enjoy later: Yoga Pants from American Apparel. I already had a pair of these and I may buy another. So comfy!

LINKS!
Check out this page for some fun maternity dressing tips.
This site features sales on maternity brands and introduces new maternity lines.
Some more ideas for wearing non-maternity clothes during pregnancy.

10 comments

  1. You look *amazing*!
    One thing that caught me by surprise with my first pregnancy was the need for nursing tops. Actually I only realized I needed them after Martin was born. I was super self-conscious about nursing in public and the right tops definitely make it easier. This time around I have already stocked up on some winter nursing tops from www.seraphine.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Carla! Thanks! I am glad you brought up nursing tops because, I decided from now on I will not buy any maternity tops only nursing tops. I think moms who plan to nurse should just skip maternity tops altogether and buy nursing tops because many of the styles accommodate a growing belly. I checked out seraphine.com (US site) and all their nursing tops show models with baby bumps! This way you get more wear out of the clothes than just a few months ;)

      Delete
  2. You look wonderful!
    One thing I had found was that even with maternity pants, the last trimester was difficult in them - so I ended up living in XL leggings - even though I used to wear size S pre pregnancy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello again, thanks! Haha. Just yesterday I gave in to buying maternity jeans and I keep thinking, how will I fit into these when I am 9 months pregnant? I think it will be leggings and tunics all the way! ;)

      Delete
  3. You look fab Amanda! If you're having this much fun with maternity clothes, just wait for the baby clothes....Bliss!
    When is your due date? (sorry, can't do the math:( )
    Vicky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, Vicky! The baby is due Christmas Eve!! I'm already going gaga over baby clothes. At the resale shops, you can fine little onesies (bodies) for $1 each and they are so tiny and cute!

      Delete
  4. Looking gorgeous, Amanda! And I'm so impressed with how thrifty you are with your maternity-ware. Tres inspiring ;)
    xoxox,
    Lar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lar.

      Hmm, you may have to take that "thrifty" statement back once I reveal how much I've spend on clothes during the 3rd trimester! Yikes. I added to this post what I have spent so far on the pants and nursing bras. Honestly, I have some regrets. I could have bought leggings for much cheaper and searched online for nursing bras on sale. Not my thriftiest moments. But yay for hand-me-downs and wearing my normal non-maternity clothes, right??? ;)

      Delete
  5. You look beautiful Amanda and pregnancy suits you well. Sending you both my regards.

    Take good care,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your comments!

Copyright © Amanda Freerksen 2008-. All rights reserved. Powered by Blogger.
Maira G.