How To Save Big On New Maternity Clothes
Get inexpensive, stylish pregnancy clothes with our tips!

If money is an issue and you've gone shopping for maternity clothes, you've probably found yourself stuck with three undesirable options: 1) choose clothes that look and wear great, but which cost too much; 2) choose clothes that look and feel cheap and wear out quickly, but which are priced right; or 3) buy over-worn, used maternity clothing.

But, there are solutions. Last year's still-fashionable styles and clothes that are currently out-of-season are available, frequently for half price. By utilizing a few simple strategies and planning ahead, you can save big and look great. Here are our favorite tips for building a wardrobe that you don't want to burn after a month.

• Buy "plan-ahead" merchandise at a discount. Good deals are almost always available for out-of-season merchandise in the Clearance and Sale sections. Although it's not instinctive to purchase maternity sweaters when you're feeling overheated in July or shorts when you're bundled up in December, you can frequently find terrific buys on out-of-season merchandise that's still very much in-style. You'll have extra-good luck if you are an XS or an XL, but some persistance will yield terrific deals for those in the middle, too. Remember to buy for all stages of your pregnancy ~ not just your current stage ~ whenever you find a good deal.

• Go to the outlet mall. Check your local outlet mall not just for maternity stores, but also for designer and general clothing stores with maternity lines. Check Outlet Bound to find the stores available in your area.

• Search smart on eBay. To find maternity clothing that is unworn and fresh from the manufacturer or outlet, use the magic phrase "new with tag", usually abbreviated "NWT". At the bottom of this page are real-time search results from eBay for "NWT" maternity clothes. You can refine your results by clicking on the "View all items" link at the bottom of the eBay results, and then choosing from the categories on the left-hand side of the screen. From there, you can further refine results by searching for your size in the title and description. Once you have a search with which you are happy, you can add the search to your Favorites, and eBay will email you when items match your specific criteria.

General Tips

• Buy for all stages of your pregnancy. If you're at 3 months and find a great buy on a pair of 7+ month jeans, buy them. You'll be really happy to pull them out of your closet when your other pants are threatening to split at the waist, and you won't be forced to pay full price at the store when you desperately need new jeans.

• Buy out-of-season clothing for later. Remember that you'll be pregnant for 3 different seasons. Make sure that you buy this discounted "plan-ahead" merchandise in the appropriate size for your stage of pregnancy when you're most likely to use it.

• Buy multi-purpose clothing. A pair of boot-cut black pants with an expandable waistline, for example, can take you through several months and many different occasions. You can even wear them a few days a week by changing the accompanying shirt or jacket.

• When you find a style and price that works for you, buy more than one. It can be tough to find a button-down that's comfortable, flattering, and covers maternity waistbands. So, when you find that perfect button-down, buy it in a few colors.

Have another great money-saving tip?
Let us know! The reader who submits the best tip by May 15, 2009 will receive either a 21 Months tote bag or maternity t-shirt (your choice!).