Feb 9th, 2010 | Written by S. Thompson | Posted in Clothing |

When they’re not at work, expectant mothers need comfortable, breathable, casual clothing that will move with her, grow with her and still look terrific on her. When it comes to casual comfort nothing beats a few witty or sentimental maternity t shirts.

Because they can be worn with everything from jeans and capris to shorts and leggings, maternity T’s are versatile must have additions to every pregnant woman’s wardrobe.

Whether you’re shopping for your own maternity wear or are looking for a great gift idea for the expectant mom in your life, there are a few considerations to keep in mind before purchasing maternity t shirts.

Many women are fooled into thinking that any T shirt with a baby reference in an X-Large or XXL is maternity wear. It’s not. Real maternity t shirts are designed to fit women properly on the shoulders, chest and back while still leaving room for the baby bump. The maternity t shirt will also flare slightly at the bottom and have a little extra length in the front as well so that it lays correctly when covering the belly.

Remember, it’s important to bypass the fakes and go for the authentic maternity attire. Just because a woman is pregnant doesn’t mean she should look sloppy. This is the most beautiful time of her life and the clothing that she wears should reflect and enhance that, not hide it.

Maternity t shirts should be at least 90% cotton, preferably 100% pre-washed cotton. There’s nothing cooler, softer or more breathable and comfortable and that’s the whole idea behind casual clothing. Pregnancy causes many woman to feel warmer than when they’re not pregnant and wearing clothes that allow for movement and air flow will help to relieve some of the hot flash like symptoms. Avoid synthetics.

Size and Quality

The quality of a garment is what gives it it’s feel and durability. Choosing high quality materials will not only feel better than lower quality ones, they’ll look better and last longer as well.

Refrain from buying one size fits all! One size cannot possibly fit all!

When choosing the correct size, remember that maternity t shirts are cut to fit pregnant women and will run in the same size as her non-maternity clothing. In other words, if she is normally a Medium, then her maternity tshirt will also be a Medium. The only time this may differ is if she gains over 30-35 pounds during her pregnancy. If more weight is gained, it may be wise to go a size larger than her non-pregnant size.

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