Shopping for Maternity Clothes

1. When should I start buying maternity clothes?

We say, the sooner you buy them, the longer you have to use them! All clothes are temporary. If you are someone who follows trends then you know your clothes are really only with you for about a year anyway. If this is not you and you worry about budget, think of it this way: Buying a bigger size in regular clothing will only be a band aid. In other words, you will shortly outgrow it and you have wasted that money. The clothing at Hot Mama is meant to grow with you and last the majority of your term. So, whether you love to keep up with trends or you cost concious, just remember that if you look good, you'll feel better, and when you feel good, the baby feels good. When you buy maternity clothing, pick pieces that you know fit your lifestyle, embrace it, and have fun.

You should begin shopping for maternity clothes whenever your normal clothes begin to feel uncomfortable. Usually this happens around the third month of pregnancy, though it may happen earlier, especially if this is your second, third, or fourth pregnancy. Many women try to ignore the discomfort of clothing that does not fit and then put-off buying maternity clothes. However, you feel and look more comfortable and more attractive, when you are in the right clothing. (true for all situations!). It makes sense to buy your maternity clothing when you first begin to feel uncomfortable therefore getting as much use out of them as you can.

2. What size should I order in maternity clothes?

You should be your pre pregnancy size. With that said, all bodies are unique in the way they change during pregnancy and every designer is different. The maternity clothing found at The Hot Mama is made to fit the pregnant body and the sizing is relative to your frame. All the designers we carry make their clothing to fit your frame and then accommodate your belly. Some maternity clothes will allow more room in the chest and in the bottom and thighs to accommodate your growing body. This is why you should wear the same size in maternity as you wore before you were pregnant. However, if you find that you need to go up from your size, that is normal, especially towards the end of your pregnancy.

As a general rule, maternity sizing is from xs through xl.

XS is about a 0-2
S is about a 2-4
M is a 4-6
L is a 8-10
XL is about a 12+

Still got questions? Telephone us at: 808-988-0010

3. Can I wear maternity clothing after I deliver?

Yes, we at Hot Mama are not pregnant all the time, but we wear Hot Mama clothes all the time. Most maternity clothing is designed to slim, flatter and be more comfortable. Why shop elsewhere? Maternity clothing does not look like it used to, which makes it perfect for postpartum! Some styles even have adjustability, making them ideal as you get back to your original shape.

Some of the waistbands on maternity clothing can even help support and strengthen your belly back to pre-pregnancy size. If you have a c-section, maternity clothes are key to making the transition and healing more comfortable. While you do lose most of your weight upon delivery, many women find they still cannot fit their regular clothing. The body needs a little time to recover from the amazing feat of birth. You will absolutely bounce back, but honor yourself and this accomplishment. Don't worry, you will lose that extra weight in no time.

We hope that your selections from The Hot Mama can cover you in postpartum. Under-the-belly pants and skirts should fit comfortably against your new waist. Many designers featured on The Hot Mama make pants and skirts that are designed to look just like normal clothing so you can confidently wear them until you are ready for regular clothing. Many tops are made with material that has a great deal of elasticity to bounce back and fit your postpartum body. If you have purchased maternity clothing without old-fashioned panels, and have a variety of tops that are either fitted or blousy to cover and slim, then your maternity clothes will continue to keep you looking great and feeling comfortable during the postpartum transition.

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