If you have never purchased maternity clothing, sizing is a big question. Generally, maternity sizes are often based on your pre-pregnancy size. If you wear a size 8 in regular clothes, you're likely the same size in maternity clothes. Maternity clothing tends to feature stretchy fabrics and/or adjustable waistbands to accommodate your growing bump. Every woman's body changes differently during pregnancy, so you may need to adjust the sizing based on your personal comfort and fit preferences. Some women may size up for added comfort, while others may find their regular size in pregnancy wear just fine. The best way to decide which size works best is to try on maternity clothing before taking the tags off.
Knowing how much maternity clothing to purchase can seem challenging. Cute maternity clothes can help you feel like yourself, and the number of pieces you need depends on your preferences. Some moms-to-be have a capsule wardrobe, and others invest in more pieces. There's no right or wrong answer to how much maternity clothing to buy. It can be helpful to look at your existing wardrobe and see which items you can wear throughout pregnancy. You can start shopping for pregnancy clothes based on the gaps in your current wardrobe.
Invest in versatile maternity basics like jeans, tops, and dresses that can be mixed and matched. Buy maternity clothing gradually as your body changes, focusing on essentials and adding pieces as needed. As a baseline, aim for around 5–7 versatile tops, 2–4 pairs of maternity bottoms (such as jeans, leggings, or skirts), 2–3 dresses, and a few comfortable maternity bras and underwear.