How to Get Cheap Maternity Clothes

Being pregnant means there's going to be a lot of changes and adjustments in your life. The first thing that's going to change during your pregnancy is the size of clothes you wear. Maternity clothes are so expensive, especially when you have to buy baby things, too. Save some money by thinking of ways to get cheap, or even sometimes free, maternity clothes to wear during your pregnancy. Why spend a ton of money on clothes that you are only going to wear a few months.

Instructions

Free Clothing

1. Announce your pregnancy to family, friends and coworkers. That's usually all it takes to get everyone excited and interested. Some of these helpful people just may have some maternity clothes stashed away in a closet, and they will gladly offer them to you to use, if you are the same size.

2. Ask people you know if they know anyone that might have just had a baby. It seems like everyone knows somebody that just had a baby these days. Maybe this person is close to your size and will lend her clothes out. After all she couldn't possibly be needing them too soon, could she?

3. Put an ad in your local paper. Some areas have papers that do free advertisements. Simply state that you are in need of "maternity clothes in good condition." Be sure to state your size as well. Some may call and offer to sell these to you, but better yet, someone may offer them for free.

4. Contact your local health department and ask if there are any agencies in the area that loan or give away maternity wear. Many communities or counties have some sort of "Mommy and baby" program where they help with food certificates for healthy food items for the mother and baby. These agencies may also provide assistance in locating maternity wear for you.

Inexpensive Clothing

1. Shop at all of the local thrift stores you can find in your area. Take the time to really look through the maternity section. Some of the clothing might be outdated, or just not your style or size. There is also a chance you might find something just right. Don't worry about it being used clothing as you will take it home and wash it before you wear it anyway. Just be sure to check each item over carefully for rips, missing buttons or bad stains.

2. Look for yard sales if it's the right time of year. Look through the local papers to find listings; most yard or garage sale ads list what they have to offer. They may not list maternity clothes, but if they list newborn baby clothes, it's a sure bet they've had a baby recently. Go check it out and tell the person running the sale that you were looking for maternity clothes. She might not have thought they would sell and didn't bring them out and may be quite happy to give you a good deal on them.

3. Browse bargain racks in the stores. Shirts don't have to be labelled as maternity wear to fit your expanding stomach. Many loose fitting tops will work through your entire term of pregnancy. Choose a size slightly larger than you normally wear. Loose fitting T-shirts or sweatshirts will expand around your stomach for several months.

4. Buy inexpensive maternity panels to sew into your pants. If you are really attached to wearing jeans and you can sew, you can add a maternity panel to a pair of your jeans. Maternity panels can be purchased at many fabric stores. Just remember that once you cut up those jeans and add the panel, there is no turning them back into zipper jeans later.

5. Looking fashionable while you're pregnant doesn't have to cost a ton of money. You'll only be wearing these clothes for a few months, so be thrifty in how you get them. Save that extra money to spend on the new baby.

Tips & Warnings

• Save your maternity wear to give or loan to a friend in need.

• Donate your maternity wear to an organization that gives it away.