I don’t know who told me that I should give away all of my maternity clothing from my first pregnancy, but smarty pants me did. Nonetheless, here I am again 18 months later in the 3rd trimester of my second pregnancy and I haven’t really bought any maternity items. I’m actually kind of up in the air about it now; thinking I can maybe make it all the way through without making anymore purchases.

Now maybe this is just me being frugal, or even unbothered with the search for maternity clothes but either way here’s a few of my must have favorites that have helped me get through thus far without having to spend an exorbitant amount on maternity wear.

1. Belly band

This thing has been an absolute life saver once you get past that ‘I’m gonna use a hair tie’ phase to hold your pants up once the bump gets to a certain point. I can wear my pants open with the band over it and everything looks smooth. No one will ever know that you’re not wearing pants with an over the belly band because it looks completely normal. I actually like how the band feels over my pants as well because I’m not really a fan of under the bump pants. Something about them just doesn’t sit well with me, but of course everyone has a preference and I could change my mind as I still have some time left.

2. Long tanks/ shirts

These are absolute necessities for a casual day. As a matter of fact these are good for anytime because they can be dressed up or down. All you have to do is put on a coverup of some kind (blazer, cardigan etc) and you’re all set!

3. Bodycon skirts and dresses

These are super easy and like the tanks and shirts can be dressed up or down. They’re practically pairable with anything you can think of; tennis, stilettos, sandals, flats, whatever. All you have to do is throw on a coverup of some type and you’ve got a finished look. As a bonus, these are also good to wear postpartum when comfort is still a big priority. I find Forever21 is one of my go to places for these not only because they’re cute, but also affordable.

4. Leggings

Like most of the items on this list, these are super comfortable and can be worn practically anywhere; well except to work if you’re in a more formal environment. Nonetheless, these can also be paired with most of the items on this list.

5. Coverups

This is an absolute perfect accessory to have in your maternity wardrobe! I wear one just about everyday! It helps me to feel a little more put together especially for work and on days where I feel a little ‘fluffier’ than usual. Apart from the long cardigans, vests and blazers, my favorite, especially for the weekends is my denim jacket! Its amazing how it pairs so well with everything and to be honest it’s probably one of the most inexpensive items on this list… I’m pretty sure it was less than ten dollars from Shein.com!

6. Bra Extenders

I’ve bought a couple maternity/nursing bras because I needed a little more comfort as my chest started to grow but I’ve also been using some of my regulars with a bra extender. This little piece of intimate hardware is definitely good to have for when not only your waistline starts to expand but also your upper back area. I consider myself on the bustier side so having good support is definitely important to me and using the extender I can still be held in securely but not to the point of discomfort. I’ve tried this one from Amazon.com as well as Motherhood Maternity and I must say that I really don’t have a preference. Both of them work well for me and get the job done!

What are some of the favorite things you used to get through your pregnancy??

Leave me a comment and let me know!