When I first found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I immediately went to the mall looking for maternity clothes.
WHAT.A.RIPOFF.
I saw $70 maternity tops, $100 jackets, $85 jeans. Who has that kind of money to drop on clothes that are guaranteed not to fit in a few months? I know I don’t.
Every pregnant woman wants to do the seemingly impossible—look cute while gaining weight like crazy. Your belly expands, your boobs are enormous, your thighs are like jello. Sometimes a cute top or summer dress is all you need to make yourself feel better.
What I discovered is that you can make a maternity outfit out of anything. Bottoms are a bit harder, but generally, four rules apply:
1) Empire waists are your friend. Your very best friend. Empire waists are so darn flattering for really skinny people. For the rest of us, they make you look pregnant – which is EXACTLY why pregnant women should wear them. It’s a pretty simple concept really. Also, buying shirts with empire waists allows you to shop anywhere versus the slim pickings at the maternity clothes store. Take this cute white top from New York & Company. You could definitely wear this well into your seventh or eighth month and the bonus is that you could wear it again after you have the baby. Well worth the $32 bucks. 
2) Drawstrings are your friend. Your very best friend. I bought all these cute drawstring skirts from H&M for about $10 each and let me tell you, it was the best move ever. I’m a real advocate of wearing clothes before, during and after pregnancy. Drawstring bottoms allow you to do just that.
3) If the weather permits, wear a dress everyday. Okay, so this kind of fits with #1, but dresses with empire waists are a godsend. (Or is that Godsend? I dunno.) Anyway, get a empire waist dress and you’re good to go. The bonus? Too many to name: You put the focus on your boobs (usually your best feature at this point), hide the added fat around your hips and thighs, and you don’t have to worry about finding a matching top and bottom. Throw on one piece and go.
4) Accessorize like mad. Cute flats are an absolute must. I found these cute $40 Kenneth Cole sandals and I rock them every day. The gemstones are a bit much, but I realize that they detract from the fact that my ankles are disappearing so I wear them anyway. Any little accessory that you find that makes you feel better about your changing body, buy it!
Check out this site, it has lots of selection and very reasonable prices and things that you can wear for the few months after and still look and feel great. http://www.newmommyteesandjeans.com