DIY super versatile clothes for maternity and beyond?

[Napoleon]

I'm currently doing a big renovation of my wardrobe, getting rid of all the random crap I'm hanging onto since high school and trying to have only things I actually like and wear. I love making things - sewing, knitting, crochet, whatever - and learning how to make new things! I have a bit of time and a bit of money so I'm willing to invest a bit in making clothes that will actually last - both in terms of being durable and in terms of the style lasting for my lifestyle.

My husband and I are thinking of trying for a baby in the next year (or maybe two), and I would hate to buy a ton of new clothes then - either for maternitywear or for post-baby lifestyle changes. My current office has no dress code but I guess I would call my preferred style smart-casual. My favourite outfit is a soft-collared cotton blouse, corduroy pants or chinos, and a cardigan or jumper. I do love wearing midi or maxi skirts and dresses but I just have such problems finding tights that fit (I'm short) and don't lose their elasticity after a single wash and end up halfway down my legs!

So I'm looking for recommendations of styles that will be solid and versatile and can cope with four seasons, pregnancy, weight changes, and babies and aren't super-high maintenance and aren't super casual. So far the only one I've really come up with is a wrap dress in a machine-washable fabric. I'm planning on making a lot of stuff myself, so even if it's not a whole item suggestion I'm interested in little tweaks that will make all the difference to its usefulness or versatility. (Like putting pockets in skirts or those little elastic button adjusters that men's trousers have.)

[MrsDinero]

I guess the most versatile is a top or dress with an empire waist and cardigans.

Most of my maternity clothes were hand me downs from friends.  I bought a few maternity items like t-shirts, yoga pants, and 1 dress (from Target). 

I found I was able to wear several of my maxi dresses from before I was pregnant all the way to delivery day.  They were stretchy enough to handle my belly but never lost the pre-pregnancy shape.

[alwayslearning]

I'm 7 months pregnant right now and can fit into most of my pre-pregnancy shirts and dresses. You will want and need some maternity pants. I have 2 pairs of pants for work, 2 jeans, 1 pair of shorts and 2 pairs of leggings. You'll LOVE the leggings, as they are most comfortable throughout the pregnancy, however jeans and shorts are nice to have (depending on your pregnancy season).

On a side note, with your first pregnancy you might not have to have maternity clothes until 5 months or so. I didn't really start showing until the middle of my second trimester (roughly 22 weeks) and used my pre-pregnancy clothes until then.

Check out Savers, Goodwill and Ebay for gently used maternity clothes. Most people only wear them for a few months anyway! I got most of my maternity clothes second hand or for gifts (Christmas, birthday) from the women in my family.

[little_brown_dog]

+1 on the empire waists and maxi dresses.

If you are careful not to gain too much weight in pregnancy, you should be able to fit into your regular jeans and pants throughout the first trimester, and then as your stomach grows you can just leave them unzipped with a belly band to hold the pants up (and cover the open fly). Then postpartum, you can continue to use the band until you can fit back into the pants comfortably. As a sahm I wear dark, skinny jeans almost every day Fall-Spring. They are easy to dress up or dress down, and can take alot of spit-up without looking foul. Many days I wear the same jeans throughout the day caring for the baby, and then I just pop on some heels and change into a nicer top with a jacket and scarf to go out.

[lizzzi]

Do what I think is called "column" dressing. Dark bottoms with dark tops--probably black on black--and then, since you said you can make a lot of your things, make some really interesting looking jackets, sweaters, and perhaps tunics in all sorts of colors and textures to go over.

With my first child I did not go into maternity clothes until the fifth month--after around 20 weeks, as someone else said above. With the second child I got bigger sooner. But stretchy pants and long tunic-like sweaters will take you a long way in pregnancy. Maxi dresses with an empire waist are pregnancy-friendly, too.

[galliver]

I was looking up a way to add ruching to shirts (I got some long ones to wear with skinny jeans online and they turned out baggier than I thought, so I wanted to add more shape/style). It seems to be really straightforward (sew some elastic to the seam), and some of the tutorials did it on dresses as well, mostly for maternity-wear, e.g. to get a baggy shirt or dress to have a more fitted silhouette.

[FrugalFan]

I love your idea about making these clothes, but I don't think it needs to accommodate pregnancy. Make your clothes for the long term, not so that they work during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a temporary thing, and many of your regular clothes will fit though most of your pregnancy, even bottoms (like jersey skirts or maxi dresses). I've also discovered that used maternity clothes hold their value well, so you could buy a few used things (especially pants, which you probably do need maternity versions of) and then resell them for approximately the same cost. Since you don't wear them for long they don't really wear out.

[chemgeek]

I still fit into pre-pregnancy clothes at 28 weeks in that yes they cover my body, but they just aren't as comfortable as maternity clothes. The ruching and cuts just make such a difference. They also make the difference between feeling frumpy and fat vs. happily pregnant looking. I would focus on making clothes for the long run, not with the idea of them being useful through pregnancy. There's a good 2nd hand market for maternity wear. Cardigans and blazers are obviously useful the whole way. Wrap and empire waist dresses, depending on how you carry, will work for a decent amount of time too.

[jkitiara]

I'm 6 mos pregnant at the moment and I mostly rotate between two pairs of maternity pants--black yoga pants with a flared boot cut and khakis--for work. I throw on dresses with leggings for meeting days. I bought the pants at Goodwill and Kohl's, and the dresses I already had. Empire waists and light long sleeved open cardigans are your friend, through pregnancy and beyond.

I needed maternity clothes at around 16 weeks. I couldn't stand the belly band/open zipper thing some women like, so it depends on you.

It will also depend on what season you are getting largely pregnant in, so don't plan ahead too much. All my sweaters would probably fit until the end (I wear them loose) but I'm due in June so I'll probably need a lighter shirt or two soon, since most of my spring/summer things are more fitted. Or maybe my dresses will work fine, most are sort of stretchy and summery. I wear them now with cardigans and/or leggings.

I bought a pair of maternity shorts for a trip to Hawaii off ebay for $7 and they are perfect. I also bought a pair of maternity tights that are super uncomfortable, ran immediately, and are a big fat waste of money. So, you know, it can depend.

Also I needed a swimsuit for said Hawaii trip plus water aerobics. Maternity suits were $70+. Instead I bought a suit two sizes too big for $25 on Amazon that has adjustable straps. Even with the tight straps the top is too big, but it's not like I'm going surfing. I do pregnant lady water exercise and lie on a beach.

[Parizade]

Since you are willing to make your own, this is a good pattern
BUTTERICK 5196 BUTTERICK CLASSICS FAST&EASY

[MBot]

Mostly it's not worth it to make, since you can buy so cheaply. I found an extra long stretch tank and 3/4 sleeve shirt were invaluable maternity and postpartum

I found what helped was knowing my "uniform" and my normal skinny pants (with hair tie or belly band) were great with a super long top and an unbuttoned shirt or open jacket overtop. That's my regular "uniform" and I only had to get a few super long tops to make it work.

If I was to DIY though, this kind of top with zips is genius!
http://loyalhana.com/products/isla-red

[MsPeacock]

I love your idea about making these clothes, but I don't think it needs to accommodate pregnancy. Make your clothes for the long term, not so that they work during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a temporary thing, and many of your regular clothes will fit though most of your pregnancy, even bottoms (like jersey skirts or maxi dresses). I've also discovered that used maternity clothes hold their value well, so you could buy a few used things (especially pants, which you probably do need maternity versions of) and then resell them for approximately the same cost. Since you don't wear them for long they don't really wear out.

Agreed. And clothes that accommodate pregnancy, such as empire waists, make you look  pregnant when you aren't, which was never a look I wanted to go for. You can get by with surprisingly few clothes while pregnant, like 2 or 3 pairs of pants (which you will HATE by the end of it) and it is easy to find thrift and hand me downs. By cheap stuff for a temporary condition and focus on buying good quality classic clothing for the vast majority of your life when you won't be gestating.

[JustTrying]

Pregnant right now, and I have to admit: I've loved it that I have so many stretchy clothes that I can still fit into. The main problem is pants. I can still comfortably fit yoga pants and leggings, but sometimes I'm doing work around the house and would love some jeans...but I don't have any! My biggest advice if you're trying to make clothes that are good for regular life and maternity is simple: Jersey material. I do agree that my jersey empire waist dresses are probably the absolute best right now, but even my jersey a-line dresses fit fine...they just look funnier. (I'm 5 mos pregnant).

[TabbyCat]

It's only a few months, and you may be surprised by how much of your regular clothes work. I spent less than $100 on maternity wear and just made do with less. My wardrobe: 2 pair regular leggings (pushed under belly when big), a pair maternity jeans ($40, Macys sale), 2 maternity Ts ($10 ea, H&M), 1 maternity blouse ($7, Macys clearance) + non-maternity from before: 3 jersey dresses, 2 jersey maxi skirts (pushed below belly), 4 jersey Ts, 3 button down tops, 3 cardigans (did NOT button, but worked as shrugs). I wore my regular jeans with the button and zipper undone and a long tank layered over until about 6m, the rest worked until the end. The maternity specific stuff I had is pretty worn out and I may not save it for next time, but I could also be a different size then so I didn't want to stock up and assume it would work for all pregnancies. Also - for the last two weeks I was pregnant, none of the maternity wear fit anymore, I wore only pre-pregnancy jersey stuff. It didn't stretch out, I still wear it.

[TabbyCat]

Forgot to say my top recommendations: Jersey maxi dresses (bonus for bias = extra stretch), jersey maxi skirts, jackets and cardigans you can wear without buttoning as layering pieces.

[kanga1622]

I purchased a package of men's tank tops from Walmart for like $12. They are MUCH longer than the equivalent female version. Covered my belly through to the end and worked great to keep my cleavage covered too. Most of my maternity clothes were purchased at second hand stores and passed on to others as they were still in great condition. Maternity shirts are rather low cut (for my modesty) so the men's tank tops solved two issues.

Maxi skirts and dresses are a GREAT option now. Easy to find and they work for just about everything. I have lost/regained over 40 pounds due to some medical issues and my maxi skirts have worked through all of that. Haven't had to buy any new bottoms - just tops (the smaller shirts just didn't work when the weight started coming back).

[CNM]

About maternity clothes, Old Navy online has very inexpensive maternity clothing.  Once you're pregnant and your non-maternity clothing becomes uncomfortable, check there.  If you are anything like me, I wore my maternity clothing to various degrees for many months (maybe even a year?) after the baby was born.  It takes a while for your body to get back to a "new normal."  For longevity's sake, I'd look for maternity clothing that will be easy to use when nursing/pumping (if you intend to do that).  It doesn't necessarily need to be nursing specific, but certain cuts (like a criss cross v-neck shirts so one or both sides of the top  can be pushed aside to expose the breast) are better than others.

[MayDay]

If you wear your stretchy pants through pg, there is a decent change you will wear out the elastic.   

So much depends on how you carry- some women can wear regular clothes the whole time, some, nope, lolol for days. 

Basically, don't stress or worry about it until you are actually pregnant and can see what season you will be huge in.  You will need a few pairs of maternity pants regardless, and you will need some tops at the very end if nothing else.  You can wear regular cardigans open over a maternity t shirt. 

But really, these things can be acquired for free or nearly free at maternity resale shops or from CL.  I certainly wouldn't base wardrobe decisions now on maybe being pregnant in a year. 

[I'm a red panda]

I found maternity clothes so easy to find, or to buy cheaply that I have a nicer maternity wardrobe than real clothes.

People are thrilled to let you borrow their clothes, or to dump clothes they will never wear again on your door step with the understanding that they are your problem now.  I also bought a lot of stuff from Schoola.com for just pennies using various codes and referrals.