Maternity clothing is one of those things people say don’t they need — but I can personally tell you, seven months in now, they’re wrong. For starters, being pregnant is uncomfortable, so it helps if your clothing is comfortable. Furthermore, when you become pregnant, your skin can become sensitive to everything. Scratchy sweaters? Leggings made from polyether? No thank you. 

There are also very few brick-and-mortar maternity stores left. This is a huge problem because although every retailer will tell you to order your pre-pregnancy size, that isn’t always the case. Plus, if your breasts get bigger (which will probably happen), forget about ordering an XS top if that was your previous size. Still, there are lots of easy and budget-friendly options for building a maternity wardrobe. 

Go to Target right now

If you have a strict maternity clothes budget, run, don’t walk to Target. It’s one of the few places that sells super affordable and very cute styles with lots of locations. While the website has a larger offering, the stores still offer a decent selection. Target’s Isabel line has the best budget maternity clothes with everything from basics to trendy faux-leather leggings and even overalls.  

You’ll want to stock up on the Isabel Maternity Tank Top. It’s $10, ridiculously soft, and made in a range of colors and styles. It’s useful for everything from wearing with jeans to exercising and even sleeping (passing out) in. 

Don’t forget about Amazon

Amazon is also a great source of maternity clothing — and who doesn’t love Prime delivery? Felina is a fantastic brand with a storefront on the site. They have lots of casual essentials available in multi-packs.

From soft-as-butter leggings ideal for brunch and running errands to loungewear, don’t be afraid to click “add to cart.” For example, the Cotton Modal Maternity Side Shirred L/S Crewneck Shirt is a very pretty layering piece for colder months. 

You might need new bras and underwear

There’s a good chance you’ll need new bras and possibly underwear. Kindred Bravely has wonderful bras including regular and nursing styles. Even if you aren’t sure about breastfeeding, you might want to invest in some nursing bras because they’ll be useful in the long run. 

Kindred Bravely also has lots of other accessibly-priced pieces, but their nursing dresses are a particularly smart buy for pregnancy. They’re casual and look cute with sneakers or casual shoes. Because you can wear them while pregnant and postpartum, it’s worth picking up at least one. 

Activewear

If you’re planning to maintain any sort of fitness routine while pregnant, it’s crucial to have good activewear. While you can definitely get away with regular leggings for part of your pregnancy, you may end up feeling your bump is a bit squished by the middle of the second trimester. 

Beyond Yoga has an entire line of maternity activewear. Beyond The Bump Spacedye Midi Joggers are great for yoga, lounging, and napping. They’re equally soft and supportive. 

The In A Cinch Low V Maternity Tank might just become your pregnancy uniform at the gym. You can wear it for everything from Pilates to indoor cycling class. 

It’s hard not to fawn over the Hearts PowerShine High Waisted Maternity Midi Legging. With lots of stretch and give, they can be worn over or under the bump.

Another brand to consider is Lululemon. The Align Leggings aren’t specifically maternity but are known for being bump-friendly. 

Maternity jeans

Maternity jeans are essential. There are two types: under/mid bump and over the bump. It’s a matter of personal preference. Over-the-bump maternity jeans are almost like wearing jeggings and have a fabric panel.

Ingrid and Isabel Drawstring Girlfriend Jeans can be worn under/mid-bump and are very wearable postpartum. This brand also has so many well-designed pieces including dresses, sweaters, and other tops beyond the basics. 

Hatch is a high-end maternity line with stores in Los Angeles and New York. They have a fantastic pair of under-the-bump jeans called Boyfriend Maternity Jeans. With stretch panels, they really look like regular boyfriend jeans. While this pair is on the pricier side, the denim is very high quality and you’ll probably wear them well into the fourth trimester. 

Hatch also has lots of dressy pieces ideal for date nights and weddings, along with professional clothing. While some of these items are an investment, they easily integrate into your wardrobe to be worn well past pregnancy. 

Love Hatch’s style but not the prices? Don’t miss The Nines By Hatch at Target. Many of the silhouettes are very similar to the original line. 

Formal pieces

It’s worth having at least one semi-formal dress in your maternity wardrobe. You never know when you’ll have a wedding, get invited somewhere fancy, etc. Seraphine has excellent options in this category. The Champagne Sparkle Maternity Dress is perfect for photoshoots and elevated date nights. It accentuates the bump and has a soft lining. This brand is also Kate Middleton’s favorite maternity line. 

Budget maternity wear tips

If you’re on a strict budget, don’t worry — every maternity brand has sales all the time, including old standbys A Pea In the Pod and Motherhood. Sign up for text alerts. If something you want isn’t on sale today, it probably will be next week. 

If you like buying used clothing, Poshmark is a great resource. Just know your size first because most sellers won’t let you return things.

Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends who’ve already had kids. There’s a good chance they have pieces in their closet they’re willing to give to you.