Guest Post: Michelle Eisenberg
One of the nicest things one woman can do for another is share her maternity clothes! Pregnancy is tough enough on a woman’s self image: first nothing you own fits anymore, then nothing you can afford is remotely attractive (just because I’m pregnant my taste has changed toward patterns that resemble vomit?), and then you just get so uncomfortable, you don’t necessarily care how you look…
So a stash of simple, attractive maternity clothes can be not only a huge money saver but also a great psychic boost. I’ve been fortunate to receive not one but two loads of maternity wear from friends (and friends of friends), including winter clothes for third trimester (I carried into the summer the first time). What’s more, the two friends have fairly different senses of style, so the combined wardrobes give me many options.
I was especially glad to receive these hand-me-downs because my attempt at shopping was so disheartening. Macy’s had two small racks of horrible-looking stuff. Not every Old Navy has a maternity section. The Motherhood store near my office has been closed for 3 years. The selection at my local Target has been getting worse and worse. Perhaps more women are choosing to share their items, or buy from consignment sales. It sure is more convenient to shop in your friend’s basement than to drag around to 5 different stores.
So as I glance wistfully at all of the clothing catalogs that come in the mail each week before tossing them in the recycling bin, I am grateful for the six-month head start on the used clothing mindset. It will be a long time before I can think about really indulging in updating my wardrobe with new purchases… let’s hope I haven’t given into “mom jeans” by then!
