Maternity Style
Where to Buy Maternity Clothes: Budget to Premium Brands
A tiered map of every major maternity retailer — from Old Navy and H&M MAMA at the value end to Ingrid & Isabel, Storq, and HATCH Collection at the top — so you spend only what you need to.
Clinically reviewed · June 2026
Old Navy and H&M MAMA cover the basics at $20–$65 per item; Ingrid & Isabel (via Target) bridges budget and quality at $25–$35; Storq and HATCH Collection anchor the premium end at $98–$268 for pieces designed to outlast the pregnancy itself. Secondhand platforms like ThredUp and Poshmark offer HATCH and Seraphine at up to 90% off retail — often the smartest move of all.
The maternity clothing market has matured considerably. Barely a decade ago your options were Motherhood Maternity or a size-up-and-hope strategy. Today three distinct tiers serve three distinct purchasing logics, and knowing which tier matches your budget and lifestyle cuts through a surprisingly crowded field.
This guide maps the major brands tier by tier — with real prices, honest trade-offs, and the design-versus-ubiquity math that actually determines cost-per-wear.
What does the budget tier get you — and where does it fall short?
Old Navy is the dominant budget anchor. Maternity jeans run approximately $35–$65 at full retail and drop lower during the frequent promotional periods that are essentially Old Navy's baseline mode of operation. The full assortment covers jeans (both full over-the-belly panel and rollover below-the-bump options), leggings, tops, activewear, and the occasional dress. Specific silhouettes include the Full-Panel Wow Skinny Jeans, Full-Panel OG Loose Jeans, Full-Panel Wide Leg Jeans, and the 360° Stretch Rollover-Panel Skinny Jean. Old Navy advises ordering your pre-pregnancy size. Consumer feedback is consistent: Old Navy reads as reliable everyday utility, not aspirational — the fabrics and construction are functional, not premium, and that is exactly the right expectation to bring. When your maternity jeans budget is $35, Old Navy delivers.
H&M MAMA competes at a nearly identical price point but with a more fashion-forward design sensibility. The MAMA collection spans maternity-specific dresses, tops, jeans, nursing clothing, soft pajamas, and activewear. Reviewers have described H&M MAMA denim as "thick, stretchy denim in trendy cuts that rivaled the quality of high-end brands, but at rock-bottom prices" — a meaningful claim for budget shoppers who don't want to look like they're wearing maternity basics. H&M's fast-fashion production model means seasonal turnover is high, which provides regular new styles but less consistency in long-term availability.
Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel (the Target-exclusive capsule) sits at the top of the budget tier and is worth singling out. Leggings and bottoms retail approximately $25–$35, with swimwear around $28. Sizing runs XXS to XXL. Shoppers consistently flag the fabric as soft, true-to-size, and modern-looking — not obviously "maternity." The crossover-panel design is engineered to accommodate a growing bump and remains functional postpartum, extending per-item value beyond what straight budget basics deliver. For expectant mothers shopping at Target anyway, Isabel Maternity is often the easiest and best-value entry into the category.
The trade-off at the budget tier is not quality in the catastrophic sense — these garments do the job — but fabric feel and construction finish. Panels can sag by afternoon, synthetic blends pill faster, and design details that look fine in a product photo may feel cheaper in person. If you are building a bare-bones capsule to get through six months, Old Navy and H&M MAMA will do it. If you want pieces that feel genuinely good to wear, the mid-tier is worth the step up.
Which mid-range and premium brands actually justify the higher price?
The mid-to-premium tier is where the design-versus-ubiquity trade-off becomes most interesting. Three brands dominate the conversation: Seraphine, Storq, and HATCH Collection.
Seraphine, the London-founded brand known for dressing the Princess of Wales during each of her pregnancies, offers both under-bump and over-bump denim styles in the US market. Under-bump styles use a jersey panel that fits beneath the belly; over-bump designs feature a seamless modal band engineered for a full 9-month fit. Natural fibres make up approximately 80% of Seraphine's collections. US retail pricing runs roughly $80–$129 per style based on Macy's and resale data. The friction point reviewers flag consistently: returns cost a $9.95 restocking fee plus shipping, which is a meaningful disincentive when you are buying fit-dependent items you cannot try in person.
Storq is a premium-minimalist brand with a deliberately curated assortment — approximately 27 maternity items and 18 nursing/postpartum pieces — all centered on foundational silhouettes in soft, stretchy fabrics. The flagship 4-Piece Maternity Capsule bundle (Black Signature Leggings, Black Everlasting Tank Dress, White Easy Button-Up, and Black Anytime Overalls) retails at $288, marketed as a $100 saving versus individual pricing. Reviewers praise the overalls and leggings particularly, with strong fit reports from petite, tall, and plus-size customers. The most meaningful differentiator for health-conscious shoppers: the majority of Storq's pieces are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, meaning finished garments have been independently tested for PFAS, azo dyes, BPA, formaldehyde, and other harmful substances. For expectant mothers prioritizing reduced chemical exposure during pregnancy — a reasonable instinct given that synthetic textile finishes can permeate the skin — this certification is a genuine differentiator. Free shipping applies on orders over $125; returns within 30 days are accepted.
HATCH Collection is the prestige tier. Most items price in the $98–$268 range: tops and nursing wear from $98–$128, pants from $128–$218 (the Jeanie Pant at $148, the Isla Pant at $198, the Gavin Pant at $218), dresses from $178–$268. HATCH's value proposition is intentional longevity — pieces are designed to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy, and fans consistently report continued wear five or more years post-delivery. HATCH is stocked at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's in addition to its own site. For shoppers who want HATCH design at a lower entry point, The Nines by HATCH is available at Target, and HATCH's own sale section begins around $19.50 for select styles.
PinkBlush occupies a value-to-trend sweet spot at approximately $50–$75 per item. The Blue Medium Wash Maternity Skinny Jeans, for example, retail at $74 in 98% cotton / 2% spandex with a full over-the-belly elastic panel, sized waist 24–31. PinkBlush extends sizing to 3X, making it one of the more size-inclusive options in the market. The recurring consumer feedback: full-panel jeans can sag through the day and sizing consistency varies across styles. Worth considering for trend-forward pieces at a mid-price entry, less so as a primary denim investment.
How do brands compare across the full price spectrum?
| Brand | Price range | Where to buy | Key strength | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Navy | $20–$65 | oldnavy.com, stores | Widest selection, lowest price, easy returns | Construction not premium; synthetic fabric feel |
| H&M MAMA | $15–$60 | hm.com, stores | Fashion-forward at budget price | High turnover; less size consistency across seasons |
| Isabel Maternity (Target) | $25–$35 | Target stores, target.com | Soft crossover-panel designs; postpartum-friendly | Smaller selection than Old Navy |
| PinkBlush | $50–$75 | pinkblushmaternity.com | Wide sizing (XS–3X); trend variety | Panel sag; inconsistent sizing by style |
| Seraphine | $80–$129 | seraphine.com, Macy's | Natural fibres (~80%); under + over-bump fits | $9.95 restocking fee + shipping for returns |
| Madewell Maternity | $138–$150 | madewell.com, stores | TENCEL™ blend; behaves like regular Madewell denim | Premium price; limited style range |
| Storq | ~$50–$100+ (bundle $288) | storq.com | OEKO-TEX certified; postpartum-forward capsule | Small assortment; free shipping only above $125 |
| HATCH Collection | $98–$268 | hatchcollection.com, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's | Longevity design; wearable years postpartum | Highest price point in the category |
Is secondhand maternity shopping worth it — and is it safe?
Secondhand is the most underutilized strategy in this category. Maternity clothing is worn for roughly five to six months and frequently resold in excellent condition. The economics are compelling: ThredUp's maternity inventory includes Seraphine, HATCH, Blanqi, Storq, Madewell, and others at discounts the platform markets as up to 90% off retail. The ThredUp 2024 Resale Report found that 60% of U.S. consumers say secondhand shopping provides the best value for their clothing dollar, and the global secondhand market grew 18% to $197 billion in 2023. ThredUp accepts less than 40% of submitted items to maintain quality standards. Poshmark offers similar savings with peer-to-peer listings — Seraphine jeans in excellent condition appear in the $25–$90 range; HATCH items in the $40–$150 range.
Is it safe? Yes. The one reasonable precaution is to wash any secondhand garment before wearing — this removes residual odor, bacteria, and any finishing agents from prior use. That same recommendation applies to new clothing as well: a single wash removes residual manufacturing chemicals (dyes, finishing agents, formaldehyde) that linger on new fabrics before first wear, regardless of brand or price tier. There is no meaningful safety concern with secondhand maternity clothing beyond that standard hygiene step.
For budget-conscious shoppers, the optimal strategy is to combine a small number of new budget basics (Old Navy leggings, H&M MAMA tops, Target Isabel Maternity crossover leggings) with one or two secondhand premium pieces — a HATCH dress or Storq overalls at 60–70% off retail — then resell your own pieces post-delivery to recoup part of the spend. Net maternity clothing cost for a full pregnancy, following this model, can be $100–$200 all in.
This article is general editorial information, not personal style or medical advice. If you have questions about what to wear during pregnancy — particularly regarding compression garments, support wear for pelvic girdle pain, or skin sensitivities — your midwife or OB is the right first conversation.
Frequently asked
Is it better to size up in regular clothes or buy actual maternity clothes?
For most items, dedicated maternity sizing is worth it — the proportion of a maternity garment is engineered differently from a simple size up. A regular XL top sized up for a bump typically has excess fabric at the shoulders and arms but still pulls across the belly in the third trimester. Maternity cuts add length at the front hem, build in ruching at the sides, and use fabrics with directional stretch to accommodate a growing belly without the rest of the garment ballooning. That said, there are genuine exceptions: loose flowy non-maternity tops, wrap dresses, and oversized cardigans can carry you several months without any modification. Ingrid & Isabel's Bellaband ($20 at Target) is the classic bridge — it clips over unbuttoned pre-pregnancy jeans and delays the full switch by six to eight weeks. The practical strategy: wear what fits in the first trimester and invest in real maternity pieces from the second trimester onward.
What is the most affordable place to buy maternity clothes?
For new purchases, Old Navy and H&M MAMA are the two clearest budget anchors. Old Navy maternity jeans run approximately $35–$65 at full retail and frequently drop lower during sale events; H&M MAMA basics overlap at similar price points with a slightly stronger fashion orientation. Old Navy's full maternity range covers jeans, leggings, tops, and activewear. The third route — and often the cheapest of all — is secondhand: ThredUp carries maternity inventory from every major brand at up to 90% off retail, meaning a HATCH dress that retails at $198 can appear for $40–$60 in excellent condition. Poshmark offers similar savings with peer-to-peer pricing. For a buyer on a tight budget, combining Old Navy or H&M MAMA basics with one or two secondhand premium pieces produces the best value per outfit.
What makes HATCH Collection worth the price?
HATCH Collection positions its pieces as before, during, and after investments — designed to wear pre-pregnancy, through all three trimesters, and postpartum, often for years afterward. HATCH's full catalog prices most items in the $98–$268 range: tops and nursing wear from $98–$128, pants from $128–$218, and dresses from $178–$268. The value case rests on longevity: reviewers consistently report wearing HATCH pieces five or more years post-delivery, which brings the cost-per-wear into line with or below shorter-lived budget alternatives. The brand is stocked at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's in addition to its own site. For shoppers who want HATCH design at a lower entry point, The Nines by HATCH is available at Target, and HATCH's own sale section begins around $19.50 for select styles. If the full price is out of reach, ThredUp and Poshmark regularly carry HATCH at 50–70% off retail.
Is Storq worth the price compared to Old Navy or Target?
Storq occupies a premium-minimalist mid-tier — not Old Navy pricing, but meaningfully below HATCH. The brand's 4-Piece Maternity Capsule (Signature Leggings, Everlasting Tank Dress, Easy Button-Up, and Anytime Overalls) retails at $288, marketed as a $100 saving versus individual prices. Storq's capsule bundle is designed for longevity and is certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 across most of its line — meaning finished garments have been third-party tested for PFAS, azo dyes, formaldehyde, and BPA, which matters to many expectant mothers focused on reducing chemical exposure. Reviewers specifically praise the overalls and leggings for fitting well across petite, standard, and plus sizing. Compared to Old Navy, you are paying substantially more per item; compared to HATCH, you are paying less while getting a similarly thoughtful, postpartum-forward design. Storq makes most sense as a selective investment alongside Old Navy or H&M MAMA basics.
Can I buy secondhand maternity clothes safely?
Yes — and it is often the smartest financial move in the category. Maternity clothing is worn for roughly five to six months and frequently in excellent condition when resold, because the wear window is so short. ThredUp accepts less than 40% of submitted items to maintain quality, and its maternity inventory spans every major brand — Seraphine, HATCH, Blanqi, Storq, Madewell, and others — at discounts of up to 90% off retail. Poshmark offers similar savings with peer-to-peer listings. The one practical precaution: wash any secondhand garment thoroughly before wearing, which removes any residual odor, bacteria, or finishing agents from prior use. This is the same recommendation that applies to new clothing as well. Beyond hygiene, there is no meaningful safety concern with secondhand maternity clothing. Buying secondhand also reduces the net cost of your pregnancy wardrobe when you resell your own pieces post-delivery — a full cycle that can bring total clothing spend close to zero for budget-conscious shoppers.
When should I start buying maternity clothes?
Most women do not need dedicated maternity sizing until weeks 14–18, when the bump becomes visible and pre-pregnancy waistbands become genuinely uncomfortable. The practical first-trimester strategy is to extend non-maternity clothing with a belly band — Ingrid & Isabel's Bellaband retails around $20 at Target — that clips over unbuttoned jeans, delaying the investment by six to eight weeks. Loose non-maternity tops, wrap dresses, and stretchy leggings already in the closet often carry you through month three. The second trimester — weeks 14–27 — is the primary purchasing phase, when the body changes most rapidly. Buying too early in the first trimester risks spending on items that don't fit well at peak bump size; buying too late leaves you uncomfortable. If cost is a concern, a slim second-trimester purchase of basics (one or two pairs of jeans or leggings, a few neutral tops) can be supplemented with secondhand additions in the third trimester.