Most pregnant women would rather avoid shapeless hippo-sized tunics, and they certainly don't want to pay good money for them. The good news is you don't have to shop the maternity department, and if you do, there are plenty of deals to be had. Those of us who no longer have waists are grateful for bohemian maxi dresses, skinny maternity jeans and a little place called Forever 21. Here are ten essentials at two price points: splurge and steal. — Tracy Chait
1. Maxi Dress
The Dream
DKNY Maternity Maxi Dress, $475.
Bloomingdale's promises this stretch viscose-jersey number won't wrinkle, making this a good buy for frequent flyers, at least before 36 weeks. This dress captures that rare day-to-night potential, and then there's that flattering ruching at the waist. There's also the Splendid Short Sleeve Must-Have Basic Maternity Dress, $195, which provides equal parts coverage, comfort and style.
The Reality
Forever 21 Kelly Knit Maxi Dress, $11.80.
This 100% rayon steal features more design than you'd expect for the price — subtle vertical pleating makes graceful room for expanding belly, thicker rope-like straps offer support, and best of all, two words that will soon offer the same endorphin rush you used to feel at a Barney's warehouse sale: machine washable.
2. Maternity Thong
The Dream
Hanky Panky Maternity Thong, $18.
I can't tell what's different about the maternity version (there's only so much material to go around here), but these are available in a nice range of lacy colors that might help you forget you're carrying around the equivalent of a Thanksgiving turkey in your body.
The Reality
4-Pack Printed Fabric Maternity Thong, $14.98.
Cotton jersey knit in cute prints, a four-fer at just $14.98. No hand-washing required.
The Real Reality: You probably don't need a maternity thong. Most thongs sit below the protruding belly and should fit throughout your pregnancy. At least with skimpy underwear, there's a reason so many are one size fits all.
3. Yoga Pants
The Dream
Fold Over Belly Jersey Knit Maternity Yoga Pant, $75.
It's a sad day when it's time for prenatal yoga and even your elastic waistbands don't stretch across your tummy. Enter the maternity yoga pant, with a little more give in the fit, comfy cotton/modal/spandex and a foldover waistband. Though not technically maternity-wear, the Serenity Capri pants from Patagonia, $60, are low-waisted enough to fit throughout pregnancy and are made of what is possibly the softest, never-even-after-a-ridiculously-sweaty-vinyasa-class-do-I-want-to-take-these-off organic cotton/spandex.
The Reality
Maternity Yoga Pants from Old Navy, $19.50.
They may not show up in those catchy ads on TV, but this pair of yoga pants with their extra wide waistband and wide range of sizes (XS-XXL) are a great find. Cotton/spandex in black or carbon.
4. Maternity Jeans
The Dream
Citizens of Humanity Maternity Ava Straight Leg Jeans, $185.
It's hard to find a lean leg in the maternity jean department, but this 5-pocketed denim pair differs from its non-maternity counterpart only in its stretchy belly panel and faux fly. A slim silhouette, at least from the waist down, could be worth the investment.
The Reality
Full Panel Long and Lean Jeans, Gap, $68, now marked down to $47.60.
A nice dark wash, narrow leg and nary a pocket detail mean these jeans live up to their name. A full stretch panel smoothes out the belly. You can also try picking up a Bella Band, $26, to keep wearing your pre-pregnancy jeans unbuttoned, at least through some of your second trimester.
5. Cute Tunic
The Dream
Short Sleeved Ruffled Maternity Blouse, $165.
This ruffled silk charmeuse top is great with jeans or a more formal pant. It's cute, without being cutesy — a talented little ruffle. There's also the more casual Maternal America Maternity Crochet Trim Top, $78, which injects a bit of good-hippie with the crochet detail but is still mature enough to keep it off the bratty high school girls you see sipping lattes during your afternoon decaf tea break.
The Reality
Liz Lange for Target Ruffle Alexandra Top, $19.99.
This hand-washable poly tank features a subdued ruffle that doesn't feel like a reincarnated Ice Capades costume, as so many jaunty ruffles do. The slim fit is flattering, unlike those all-too-generously cut maternity tops that feel more appropriate for a Boy Scout to camp inside than for you to wear to dinner with your non-pregnant, effortlessly stylish friend.
6. You Mean I Still Have to Go to Work Like This?
The Dream
Maternity Slim Ankle Length Pant ($158), Bethany Stretch Twill Jacket ($238) and Maternity Stretch Poplin Shirt ($78.90, marked down from $118 at Nordstrom), all Liz Lange.
Yes to a sleek black and white palette and a princess-seamed trench reminiscent of Marni, or a Franz Kline piece of Abstract Expressionism. This is the kind of outfit that won't make you worry that just because you're thinking about crib bedding and your next ultrasound throughout an important meeting, you look any different from your usual pulled-together work-self. British e-tailer Isabella Oliver also offers maternity suiting in higher quality fabrics, in prices ranging from $170 to $290 per separate.
The Reality
duo Maternity Cropped Career Jacket ($34.99), duo Maternity Cuffed Career Pant ($24.99) and duo Twist Neck Tie Top ($17.99), all from JC Penney.
At this price point, you won't find tropical wools and well-crafted buttons. We're talking poly-blends and minimal detailing. But — your grand total for jacket, pant and top is under $100 and each piece is washable. It's a black suit you're likely to wear for no longer than four to five months of your life. The dream vs. reality choice here comes down to what kind of work you do and how accustomed to seeing you in Armani your clients and subordinates are.
7. Leggings
The Dream
DKNY Maternity Lightweight Leggings, $75.
Black cotton/elastane/spandex. These have a covered waist with something called "bi-stretch fabric," though I think a synonym for that might be "spandex."
The Reality
Cotton Spandex Jersey Legging in 20 colors, $26 each from American Apparel.
Color choices like lapis and orchid put a little bounce in your waddle. The waistband on these sits low, and leggings are perfect underneath longer tunics, especially before you've invested in any maternity jeans. Ah, the joys of stretchy pants.
The "Are You for Real?" Reality: Fab Cropped Leggings, $5.50, Forever 21. Available in five key shades. Order a size up, though, because these run small. (There's a reason the music is super loud here, and everyone else in the store looks like they don't have a driver's license yet.) You could also go crazy with the ankle-length Cheetah Leggings, $24, or the only slightly more refined Polkadot Leggings, $13.80.
8. Short Dress
The Dream
Juicy Couture Maternity Modal/Cotton Dahlia Dress, $198.
Just when you thought Juicy Couture was only good for velour tracksuits to wear on that long flight to visit Aunt Virginia and Uncle Ted — they've expanded, literally, to maternity wear, including this dress with a smocked top and mature, semi-abstract floral print.
The Reality
Liz Lange for Target Ombre Dress in Ebony, $27.99,
This one looks strikingly similar to this empire waist dress from A Pea in the Pod. The ombre print is on trend, the waist is empire and smocked and the price is right. Thank you, Liz Lange, for bringing maternity style to the masses. There are also the Maternity Smocked Jersey Dresses at Old Navy, available in seven summery colors for $29.50 apiece.
9. Swimsuit
The Dream
Prego Maternity Tankini Bathing Suit, $80.
A sophisticated silhouette and color choice, black or a deep brown, keep this suit from feeling too maternity-ish. Removable halter strap is a bonus. If you're going for something a little brighter, there's the Maternal America Maternity "Jessie" Flutter Tankini, $105, awash in every color shade. It's the "Hooray, I'm pregnant and I love rainbows and butterflies!" fashion statement.
The Reality
Liz Lange for Target Tankini, $34.99.
A classic black suit with side ruching and self-tie and a flattering bustline. This is a great suit for every body type, and would be good for that immediately post-pregnancy body too. You know, when you're just lounging on the beach after training your baby to spray you with self-tanner and put cucumbers on your eyelids.
10. The 'I Can't Believe My Cousin's Wedding is This Month' Dress
The Dream
Sleeveless Babydoll Maternity Dress in a subtle purple, $225.
For a casual beach wedding, there's also the Olian Maternity Dahlia Print Maxi Dress, $148, which features a fun holiday-on-the-Greek-Isles kind of print and a braided halter neckline. For something a little more subdued that could work in a few different contexts, try the Olian Maternity Shirred Jersey Maxi Dress, $138, in either silver or a deep blue, or the above knee-length Sleeveless Babydoll Maternity Dress in a subtle purple, $225. If you're actually in the wedding, Jenny Yoo makes maternity bridesmaid dresses. What a relief, no?
The Reality
Maternity Linen-Blend Ruffle Dress, $29.50 at Old Navy.
This dress could go casual or more formal, depending on accessories, and could certainly come in handy for a number of occasions. For a little more money, there's the Sleeveless Ruffle Front Maternity Dress, $78, in a sleek modal jersey with clean lines.