Women have always been conscious about what they wear, and they want to look the best no matter what. But, this is not precisely possible during the pregnancy period. With your belly bulging out extensively as you enter your third trimester, you will notice that all the best clothes in the wardrobe do not fit you anymore. But life tends to continue the same way as before, for instance, going out for dinner, yoga classes, picnics, etc. So, you would require some changes in your wardrobe. Designers have expressly identified this area, and almost each of them has launched a maternity section of clothing.

This section is undoubtedly expensive, and the most painful thing is that you would use those dresses for only a few months. According to Fast Company, maternity-wear is a $2 billion industry, catering to more than 6 million American pregnant people each year. Is it really required to spend this amount of money on clothing when a considerable investment awaits? The honest and straightforward answer is – No.

It is quite reasonable to fall prey to all the flashy advertisements of those pregnancy unicorns: Women who wear 6-inch heels and glamorous dresses through all 40-plus weeks and seem to say, “You, too, could look like me — if only you buy an entirely new maternity wardrobe for way more money than you thought clothes could ever cost.” But, there are valid reasons why you should not waste money on them.

Why Are Maternity Clothes A Waste?

You'll feel tired from all the shopping 

When you are at the peak of your pregnancy and are already suffering from backache, and an intense desire to pee in short intervals, ask yourself- Is the shopping really worth the pain? It would be no less than a marathon as you would need to rush from one shop to another to search for the perfect maternity outfit.

Not to mention the stress and anxiety you often feel because of the disappointment and rejection. You would have to take breaks for a drink or brunch or bathroom breaks, and sometimes you would simply need to sit down and rest those swollen ankles.

Nothing looks good (or so you think) 

No matter how many brands you try, you will never get the satisfaction that something looks good with your baby bump. Models that are posing with style putting on their maternity clothing inevitably attracted you, but when you wear them, they might look ridiculous and absurd. So, why waste an ample amount of money on them?

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It's a short-term investment 

Maternity clothing can be used starting from the third trimester and only for a few months. Don't you think it would be a real waste to completely change your wardrobe collection just for the sake of a few months? Especially, if you don't plan on being pregnant again or at least any time soon.

And It's a waste of time

Searching for the right clothing can be a tough job, and there are a dozen things you should do and take care of during pregnancy. Some of them include exercising, staying hydrated, medications, nutritious foods, sleeping the right amount, etc.. Why do you still want to waste your time searching and exhausting?

What Should You Do Instead?

Don't focus on comparing yourself 

Pregnancy changes you not only physically but also emotionally and mentally - focus on the positive sides and enjoy your pregnancy. Your body is doing the excellent job of rearing a life within itself, why be bothered by the external factors like the look?

Heidi Klum, America's Got Talent's alum had right said, "Up until when I gave birth I felt sexy, even though I was kind of big. I didn't mind gaining weight because you have to build a foundation for a baby to be in there for all those months." Even though the points mentioned above lead us to believe that maternity clothing is a real waste of money, it is also a fact that you will need some of them to feel comfortable on the final days of pregnancy.

Mentioned below are some of the ideas you can use to stay comfortable and relaxed the whole time:

Look through your wardrobe

Take a glance at your existing wardrobe and search for loose-fitting maxi, flowing skirts and tops, large sweaters and cardigans, and jersey-style shirts and dresses.

RELATED: Former Vogue Editor Says She Refused To Buy Maternity Clothes While Pregnant

Try to Borrow from friends

The best option would be to borrow from a friend who was recently pregnant. You can save a lot of time and money through this.

Look for deals

There would be a specific duration in your area for an attractive discount on the desired clothing. Keep your eyes open and grab one as soon as it's available.

Keep it simple

When you're shopping for maternity clothes, stick to the basics like jeans, leggings, and basic tops that can be both professional or casual. Consider the things you have at home and buy pieces that will complement those items. When you are comfortable, it's sure to reflect!

Buy flexible items

While shopping, keep in mind that your size would increase much more than it is now, and you cannot predict it. So, try to pick items that will stretch or expand when you stretch and grow bigger.

Be creative

Pregnancy is one time when people bother more about your and your child's health than what you wear. This is the right time when you can put into action all your fashion sense and cobble together all you have. And give some scope to your baby bump and pregnancy glow to do the charm, who knows, you might miss them post-delivery!

According to a report published by Grand View Research, the global maternity wear market size in 2018 was USD 18.3 billion. It has been anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2019 to 2025. The market growth is attributed to increasing focus on pregnancy fashion and the growing pregnant working women population in developing and emerging countries. But, after reading this article, do you think it's worth wasting your time and money purchasing the super-expensive one-time wear maternity clothing?

Source: sheknowsverywellfamilyvox

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