While having a baby is an absolute joy, it can’t be denied that the experience can be a literal pain. Even way before you give birth, pregnancy can make your breasts hurt like hell, cause your hands, ankles, and feet to swell up, widen your rib cage, and cause you to feel bloated ALL. THE. TIME. This is where maternity clothes come in.
These specially designed garments can help you survive nine months of your body going through a myriad of changes.
To help you weed out the best from the rest, we’ve listed the 10 best shops for cheap maternity clothes in Australia. And to make things easier, we’re only including online sellers – because we know just how hard it is to leave the house when you’re plagued with morning sickness.
What To Look For In Maternity Clothes
Comfortable
As mentioned, pregnancy takes a huge toll on a woman’s body. The least you could do is wear clothes that were made to help you adapt to this nine-month-long period of seemingly endless changes. Find clothes that are stretchy and flowy, and clothes that aren’t sheer enough to reveal your underwear when stretched.
Nursing-Friendly
This is something a lot of pregnant ladies tend to overlook. Just because the baby isn’t here yet, it doesn’t mean you can’t stock up on clothes made for breastfeeding. Shopping for nursing clothes now will give you one less thing to worry about when your baby is born!
Affordable
As much as we want to look fierce and fashionable throughout our pregnancy, it just doesn’t make sense to buy expensive brands. That is unless you’re planning on having a lot of kids. Think about it this way: you’ll only be wearing these clothes for about 9 to 12 months (you have to factor in the first few months after giving birth). Why would you spend so much on clothes you’ll only wear for a year?
Wearing second-hand clothing from your fellow mum friends and relatives is the cheapest and most eco-friendly option. But if you’re the first in your circle to get pregnant, you could try the affordable sites listed below.
Must-Have Maternity Clothes
Here are five items you absolutely should have in your closet:
Leggings, Stretchy Shorts, And Loose Pants
As you put on weight and your belly grows bigger, you’re going to need pants that can stretch without making you feel like you’re being constricted by a boa. Leggings and stretchy shorts are great options for mums-to-be who like to move around a lot, while light and flowy pants make sense in the summer.
Maxi Dresses
If you still feel constricted by leggings, maxi dresses might be the better option. They don’t cling to the body, they’re light, they’re airy. The only downside to maxi dresses is that they can make wearers look shapeless and frumpy.
Maternity Underwear
It’s common knowledge that a woman’s breasts enlarge during pregnancy to prepare her for breastfeeding, but did you know that her rib cage expands too? When buying maternity underwear – especially during the first trimester – choose something that doesn’t just have a larger cup size, but a wider or stretchier band too.
Pro tip: Avoid bras with underwire and stiff cups.
Maternity Shirts
While some women are perfectly happy wearing their husbands’ t-shirts, some ladies don’t feel comfortable in masculine cuts and prints. Maternity shirts are a mum-to-be must-have. They’re soft, stretchy, and often come with provisions for breastfeeding!
Nursing Pyjamas
Sleeping can quickly become an uncomfortable experience for big-bellied girls. While this can be remedied with special maternity pillows, it doesn’t hurt to invest in a comfy pair of pajamas. Just like maternity shirts, nursing nighties are designed so you can breastfeed any time of the night.
Where to Buy Cheap Maternity Clothes In Australia
Bae The Label
Price range: $AUD39 to $AUD139
What you can find here: Dresses, tops, bottoms, denim, sleep and swimwear, workout gear
Why it made the list: This shop features absolutely everything you need to complete your pregnancy wardrobe from your first trimester, all the way to your hospital bag and post-birth nursing outfits.
Payment options: Shop Pay, PayPal, Google Pay
Best And Less
Price range: $AUD10 to $AUD20
What can you find here: Underwear, camisoles
Why it made the list: For basic maternity bras, crop tops, and camisoles, you can’t go wrong with Best And Less. This shop features lightweight, durable, breathable, and most importantly, affordable underwear for mums-to-be.
Payment options: VISA, American Express, Mastercard, Paypal, AfterPay, ZipPay
Boohoo
Price range: Dresses can go as low as $AUD14 and as high as $AUD70
What can you find here: Dresses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, nighties, swimwear, activewear, jackets, dungarees.
Why it made the list: What makes Boohoo such a great place to shop is that they’re a fun, young, and inclusive shop. This means that whatever your style, shape, or size, you’ll probably be able to find something you love on Boohoo.
Payment options: Paypal, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and AfterPay
Target
Price range: $AUD6 to $AUD49
What can you find here: Tank tops, nursing tops, underwear, dresses, leggings, wide-leg pants, bathers, jeans
Why it made the list: Though Target has hundreds of physical stores across the country, the brand also sells its affordable maternity clothes online. If you’re looking for affordable, basic, no-frills pieces, this is the place to go. One pro of shopping at Target is that you can also scour the site for other items for your family, like homeware, linens, furniture, kids’ clothes, toys, and more!
Payment options: VISA, American Express, Mastercard, Paypal, ZipPay, AfterPay
Cotton On
Price range: $AUD12 to $AUD59
What can you find here: Gym shirts, leggings, tank tops, hoodies, sports bras, pajamas, underwear, camisoles.
Why it made the list: Cotton On makes the best clothes for mums-to-be who want to maintain an active lifestyle. They’ve got tights that feel comfortable over the belly and soft and stretchy maternity gym shirts. And when you get home after a long day of working and gym-ing, you can sleep comfortably in Cotton On’s sleepwear made from breathable bamboo viscose fabric.
Payment options: VISA, Amex, Mastercard, Paypal, AfterPay
Asos
Price range: $AUD10 to $AUD530
What can you find here: Dresses, tops, jeans, lingerie, pants, leggings, skirts, shorts, workwear, jumpers and cardigans, occasionwear, and coats and jackets.
Why it made the list: Just like Boohoo, ASOS is an inclusive brand that caters to everyone. They carry more than 30 sizes, they work with a diverse set of models, and they’ve even partnered with GLAAD for a gender-neutral collection.
Payment options: VISA, Mastercard, Paypal, American Express, and AfterPay
Ripe
Price range: $AUD35 to $AUD150. They also have items on sale for under $AUD30.
What can you find here: Maternity dresses, tops and tunics, pants, shorts, skirts, activewear, swimwear, underwear, sleepwear, winter dresses, and workwear.
Why it made the list: Ripe is an online shop that sells contemporary, comfortable, and cheap maternity clothes from Australia. Online and offline (yes, Ripe distributes to boutiques too), you’ll find on-trend maternity clothes for every phase of your pregnancy.
Payment options: Paypal, VISA, Mastercard, and ZipPay
Zara
Price range: $AUD49.95 to $AUD239
What can you find here: Midi dresses, satin trousers, skirts, blouses, and trench coats.
Why it made the list: This is where you shop for stylish maternity workwear and evening dresses. In Zara’s mum line, you won’t end up looking like you’re smuggling a watermelon under your shirt. Their satin trousers, loose-fitting dresses, and slouchy trench coats effectively hide your baby bump while keeping you in style.
Word of warning, Zara’s garments are not the cheapest.
Payment options: Mastercard, American Express, Paypal, JCB, Apple Pay, UnionPay, Zara gift card.
Hotmilk
Price range: Nursing bras range from $AUD20.99 to $AUD
What can you find here: Lacy and sexy nursing bras, maternity bras, pajamas, and briefs.
Why it made the list: You know how most maternity bras are rather unsexy? Hotmilk flips the script by offering maternity and nursing lingerie that’s lacy, sexy, and fun. As a brand, Hotmilk is all about empowering women. On Instagram, they’re not afraid to show all sides of being pregnant – rolls, wrinkles, and all.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
