Maternity Clothing and Sizing - How to Buy Maternity Clothes

When it comes to maternity clothing and sizing, most maternity-wear manufacturers recommend that you buy your pre-pregnancy size. By that logic, if you were a size 6 before you got pregnant, you should be buying a size 6 or medium maternity clothes. Unfortunately, this system is seriously flawed.

When maternity clothing manufacturers and stores tell you to buy your pre-pregnancy size, they're forgetting that every woman is different, especially during your pregnancy. Your breasts may grow several cup sizes while another woman may see no difference at all. Your bump may grow to seemingly epic proportions while another woman may only expand a few inches.

Pregnancy is such a unique experience, particularly when it comes to changes in our bodies - which is exactly why you should discard the notion that your pre-pregnancy clothing size has any sort of relevance to your maternity clothing size.

To learn how to measure your pregnant body for maternity clothing sizing along with some tips on buying maternity wear that's flexible and will take you through your entire pregnancy, keep reading.

Finding Your True Maternity Clothing Size

The following are basic guidelines for most maternity wear. If you're buying online, be sure to check the exact measurements before you buy.

Size Extra-Small (XS) = Bust 35", Hip 34.5"-36"

Size Small (S) = Bust 37.5", Hip 36"-39"

Size Medium (M) = Bust 39", Hip 39"-42"

Size Large (L) = Bust 40.5", Hip 42"-44"

Size Extra-Large (XL) = Bust 43.5", Hip 45"-47"

If any of your measurements exceed those for size XL, you may want to consider buying plus-size maternity clothing. Lane Bryant, Gap, Target and JCPenney all make and sell a wide range of plus-sized maternity wear.

How to Buy Clothes That Will Last Through Your Pregnancy

Rule number one is to buy basic maternity clothing with a lot of stretch. Good quality, stretch fabrics are going to take you through each semester and even the few months after you deliver.

With a good stretch fabric, your maternity size shouldn't matter as much. Instead, you'll have the perfect shirt or dress that will take you from three months to nine with no problems.

That said, poor-quality stretch fabrics can have the reverse effect. That stretchy-cotton t-shirt you picked up for $9.99 can quickly go from chic to stretched-out and shabby with one wearing. Instead, look for fabrics with a small amount of spandex in them - this will give the fabric stretch and the ability to bounce back. Also, avoid putting your stretch fabrics in the dryer.

A Special Note on Bras

Do not, I repeat, do not rush out and buy a nursing bra the instant you find out you're pregnant. It's likely your bust size will change throughout your pregnancy.

If you are buying maternity bras, you should only buy one or two at a time and save the nursing bra purchases until your last month. Bravado Bras is one of the best maternity and nursing bra companies out there and their online guide to sizing your breasts (complete with how-to pictures) is amazing. You can find the step-by-step maternity bra sizing guide on their website at http://www.bravadodesigns.com/page.asp?ID=621#2.