Do you have a closet full of maternity clothes and you’re not exactly sure what to do with them since you no longer wear or need the clothes? People regularly purge their closets to get rid of unworn or excess clothing that they acquire over time. When you’re looking to get rid of maternity clothes, though, it could be harder to donate or rid your closet of them because they were probably bought not long ago or you may not be sure if you’ll need them again.
Maternity clothes can also be expensive, and they are usually of really high quality. These articles may also hold sentimental value for you. But, at the same time, we are sure you want to make room for all of the new full-figured fashion you will be adding to your closet! Either way, we totally understand the difficulty in figuring out what to do with these clothes you have outgrown. If you’re feeling conflicted, there are many other options to upcycle your maternity clothes rather than just letting them sit in your closet or discarding them. Check out some of these tips on how to upcycle your maternity clothes after pregnancy.
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- Share Maternity Clothing with Pregnant Friends
Do you have any friends or family who are pregnant and will need bump friendly clothes soon? If so, it may be a good idea to give them the clothing. Maternity clothes are only in your wardrobe and worn by you for nine months, which means that they are usually in near-perfect condition. They are probably also still in style since you didn’t buy them long ago. Either way, passing down your maternity clothes to a friend or family member could be really helpful to them … and to you!
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- Get Alterations on Your Favorite Pieces
Was there a pair of maternity jeans that you just absolutely loved? If you want to wear them post-pregnancy, you could always get them altered to contour and fit your body now. Hey, when you find a great pair of jeans, you have to do everything in your power to keep them in your closet!
- Keep Bump-Friendly Styles
Bump-friendly styles aren’t necessarily maternity clothes because they can be worn before, during, and after pregnancy without alterations, which is why we suggest keeping these styles in your closet. Bump-friendly styles are usually loose and don’t cling to your curves or body, and they can be very comfortable. The flowiness of bump-friendly maxi dresses makes them a perfect garment to wear whenever. The flowy and oversized look is very trendy, too, so you will want to keep these styles in your closet for as long as you like to wear them! These styles are also great to keep on hand as you learn to embrace your new body. Returning to wearing tight and restrictive clothing can be hard on your self-esteem after just giving birth. So, if you find yourself struggling with this, take a note from the body positivity movement handbook and wear what makes you feel vibrant and confident.
- Donate Your Maternity Clothes to a Women’s Shelter
If you want to donate your maternity clothes, there are many mothers in need of a helping hand. Giving them the gift of maternity clothing could be so helpful and encouraging for them. Call any nearby shelters to see if they are accepting clothing donations, or you can schedule a pick-up from local thrift stores for your maternity clothes.
- Get Crafty with Your Maternity Clothes
Are you the crafty type? If you love to sew and create new projects, you may be able to turn your maternity clothes into a variety of fun crafts, accessories, or even other garments. There are so many ways to turn maternity clothing—or any clothing, for that matter—into things like pet beds, reusable grocery bags, blankets, and many other fun crafts.
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- Resell Your Maternity Clothes
Did you spend a good deal on your maternity clothes? You may want to see if you can turn some of your old clothes into cash, as there are so many ways to resell your maternity clothes. There are many online thrift and consignment stores that will help you get your old clothes into the hands of interested buyers.
You could always do some research to see if there is a consignment or clothing resale store near you that accepts maternity clothes. We get it. Maternity clothes can be very expensive! So, if you’re wondering if these clothes will sell, there are probably many soon-to-be moms looking for maternity clothes at a steep discount.
- Hold On to Your Maternity Clothes for the Future
Do you plan to have another child in the future? Even if these plans are five years down the line, it may be practical to hold on to your maternity clothes if you spent a lot of money on them. Sure, there is no guarantee that these clothes will fit the same way they fit you the first time you were pregnant, but that’s what makes maternity clothes so great; they mold and stretch to fit your figure comfortably. If you love this idea, but still need to free up space in your closet, use vacuum storage bags to keep your maternity clothes compactly stored until you are ready to use them again.
Are you feeling inspired with new ways to upcycle your maternity clothes? We understand the feeling of purging old clothing can be so refreshing and energizing, especially during a time where you may feel like adjusting to becoming a new mom seems a little chaotic. So, purge away or store those old clothes for the future! Either way, you will be feeling much more organized soon enough!
