As the weather gets cooler and your lightweight summer maternity clothes are no longer warm enough for chilly mornings and evening, you know it is time to go shopping. If this is your first pregnancy, chances are there is nothing in your closet you can wear as pre-pregnancy clothes stop fitting by the 2nd trimester, if not sooner.  Instead of panicking or spending a bundle all at once at your closest maternity store, take your time and just fill in the main necessities as you need them. Here are a few suggestions for stocking up your Fall maternity wardrobe.

Layering:

As the weather gets colder remember the best way to stay comfortable is to layer. Pregnant women tend to feel warmer due to a slightly higher internal temperature, added pounds, increased blood supply and general feeling of a oven heating up inside. For this reason it's good to invest in easy to layer clothing items like fitted maternity henleys and tanks that can be worn under sweaters and jackets. Ribbed cotton crew necks and turtle necks for colder weather are perfect for daytime wear. Maternal America makes some great basics for tees, tanks, and turtlenecks in soft stretchy ribbed cotton. 1 in the Oven also has some wonderful waffle weave cotton henleys in ¾ sleeves for both maternity and nursing.

Stretch Pants and Leggings:

As your belly grows you are more and more likely to seek comfort over style when it comes to jeans and pants. Fortunately you don't have to sacrifice either when you invest in some comfy yoga pants and stylish leggings. There are so many leggings on the market today; you can find ankle length leggings in just about any color from all main maternity brands, cropped maternity leggings, leggings with side ruching and even lace detail on the trim. Leggings of all types and styles make the perfect compliment to a long maternity top, maternity tunic or casual maternity dresses or skirts.  Yoga pants and stretch pants are also great for loungewear, activewear or even dressed up with a nice top. Dark colors such as black, charcoal and chocolate match easily with tops in your wardrobe through the fall and winter months.

Transition Wear:

The best way to stretch your dollar when shopping for maternity clothes, is to invest in items that can be worn during and after your pregnancy. Test the fabric and look for ribbed cotton or blends with lycra and spandex in the fabric which offer extra stretch and resilience. Nursing camis and tanks that are cut extra long and that are stretchy can also double as maternity tops and are great for layering in colder weather for both before and after your pregnancy. Styles with ruching at the sides and bust are particularly good at expanding where needed without looking frumpy. Also, styles that offer nursing access can be worn after you have the baby. Even maternity bottoms that fit under the belly or that have fold over bands are easy to wear after the baby. 

Lingerie:

Every woman who is expecting soon finds their bra size is the first to change, sometimes even before they are ready for maternity clothes early in the first trimester. Usually bust size will continue to increase throughout pregnancy and then when starting to nurse as well. Instead to buying maternity bra after bra, go ahead and invest in a nursing bra that can be worn after you have the baby as well. Even if the bra you are buying early in your pregnancy is too small for nursing initially, chances are you will fit into it at some point on the way down to your pre-pregnancy size as you begin to wean your baby. Also many nursing bras are made with extra stretch and adjustments to fit several cup and band sizes which will save you money for both before and after your pregnancy.

Maternity underwear also is made with extra stretch and thicker more durable fabric.  Briefs that fit under the belly can be worn after the baby postpartum. Some maternity underwear can be worn over the belly or folded over and worn under the belly such as the Bravado Original Brief. Either way stretchy waistbands are key to maximizing your wear and being able to wear during and after your pregnancy.

Remember when you are shopping for maternity clothes, the size you are today will not be the size you are tomorrow. We usually shop thinking we will stay the same size or even lose a pound or two. The reality is that you will get bigger when you are pregnant, so plan ahead to expanding bust and bellies and look for styles with maximum stretch and versatility.