Let me guess, you’re on your phone scrolling and need to search shops for maternity clothes in San Diego? If anything, you’re not alone, the struggle is real with limited options and unpredictable changes during your motherhood journey. This blog will be your ultimate guide filled with links and tips when shopping for maternity stores in San Diego.
My goal is to empower and support moms in all stages of motherhood and today I’m doing so by helping moms research where to shop for maternity clothes in San Diego and online.
One of my favorite parts is helping moms style themselves by listening to them and offering my feedback. I love making moms feel empowered during their photoshoot experience because it makes a difference.
While I know some maternity stores in San Diego may or may not have maternity clothes in select locations. If you’re not sure, you can always call the location you’re interested in before heading out.
Table of Contents
Why Shopping for the Right Maternity Clothes Matter
Wearing the right wardrobe plays a significant role during the 40 weeks of your pregnancy journey. Many of the factors listed below are based on a variety of factors such as pricing, style, personality, and function for every stage of motherhood. You can read it to get an idea of how I prioritize my style when it comes to daily outfits and maternity clothes. Have fun discovering your style, and don’t be afraid to explore something different when shopping for your maternity clothes.
Comfort
Comfort is my top priority when searching for maternity stores San Diego. During my teenage years, I would shop based on what was trending and not worry about the material or quality. Nowadays, I prioritize comfort above all else and this is because I want to be able to wear something for 5+ hours and not feel bothered by one small nuisance. When I’m comfortable, I will naturally be in a great mood and feel the best.
Flattering Fits and Confidence
A flattering outfit is a big bonus because this is one of the sources of my confidence. My ideal outfit needs to hide my insecurities (it’s always the arms for me) and also works to enhance all the parts that I love about myself.
That just made me sound like a picky person, but I feel like this is just something that women can relate to with each other. Wearing something that is unflattering can definitely affect the way I feel.
Style and Personality
As an artist, I use photography to express my artwork and styles to my clients in San Diego. Similarly, we humans do this when we shop for outfits and accessories. Your style is what defines and expresses your personality. Here are some subconscious decisions you probably make daily, but never realized until now:
- What does the weather feel like right now? If it’s hot, I’d recommend wearing tank tops.
- Hmmm…what color am I feeling today?
- Would this be too thick?
- Is this pattern too much? Should I just go with a monochrome outfit?
- Which jewelry pairs well with this outfit?
Let your personality (& sometimes the weather) define your style, you know what’s best for you. If you feel like styling for maternity clothes is not your expertise, I recommend referring to mom influencers or magazines for inspiration.
Nursing Features
This is just for those who plan to breastfeed postpartum. It would be helpful if those outfits had nursing features so you can maximize its use and wear it beyond your maternity stage.
What Month Do You Start Wearing Maternity Clothes?
If this is your first pregnancy, I can already imagine that you will have lots of questions and will need all the advice from experienced mothers. Oftentimes, there are questions where you think you should know the answer, but you don’t and that’s perfectly okay. For example, when do you start wearing maternity clothes or how far into pregnancy do you wear maternity clothes? Do you still wear maternity clothes after birth?
I believe that everyone’s body is different and there isn’t an answer that fits all sizes. You just have to be prepared and read the signs of your body. Typically, on average you’ll need that upgrade once you’re 12-16 weeks into pregnancy.
Here are some signs that will signify when you should start wearing maternity clothes:
- Your daily outfits or regular clothes are starting to feel tight.
- When your shirt basically becomes a crop top, and your belly is peeping out.
- You’ll notice the buttons on your pants poking at you and leave imprints on your skin
Stylish Maternity Clothes in San Diego & Online
High-End Boutiques for Maternity Stores in San Diego ($150+)
- Bloomingdale’s (Maternity Stores San Diego)
- Bloomingdale’s at Fashion Valley – 7057 Friars Rd., San Diego, CA 92108
- Bloomingdale’s at Mission Valley – 1646 Camino del Rio North, Suite FSU13, San Diego, CA 92108
- Nordstrom’s Maternity & Nursing Clothes – The moment you step into Nordstrom, the ambiance just makes you feel good. The shopping experience and customer service at Nordstrom is unmatched. Here’s a tip, the best time to shop is during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (July 15th to August 4th, 2024)
- Nordstrom at Fashion Valley – 6997 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108
- Nordstrom at UTC – 4401 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92122
- Nordstrom Rack at Mission Valley – 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108
- Nordstrom Rack at Plaza Bonita – 3010 Plaza Bonita Rd, Suite 2036, National City, CA 91950
- Saks Fifth Avenue Maternity & Nursing Clothes – You won’t be disappointed at an American luxury department store. Saks Fifth Avenue’s maternity selection is very diverse and convenient cause you won’t have to go anywhere else. Besides the beautiful dresses you expect to see, you’ll also find maternity jeans, maternity sleepwear, maternity shorts, jeans, jumpsuits, and coats.
- The Fifth Avenue Club Rancho Santa Fe – 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, CA
Mid-Range Options for Maternity Clothes in San Diego and online ($70+)
- Nothing Fits But (online maternity store with lots of maternity dresses) – Hands down, my favorite online shop for bump-friendly dresses and nursing-friendly outfits. This company is based in Korea and has limited selections available on Amazon. Their quality is beautiful and comfortable, whether you’re pregnant or not. I own a few of their dresses in my wardrobe collection and they do not disappoint, trust me!
- Baltic Born (online store) – a beautiful collection of dresses that are bump-friendly and include plus sizes for all moms in all shapes and sizes. They also offer free shipping in the U.S. for all purchases over $100.
- Worth Collective (online store) – Most notable for frequently popping up on my Instagram feed with their ads, but their mama collection of dresses is truly stunning and captivating. These dresses are more than casual, but not too formal. You can still wear this postpartum for events or weddings.
- Morning Lavender (online store with two locations in Orange County) – The dresses are cute and sometimes affordable, but the quality is a hit or miss.
- Madewell (maternity jeans) – The selection is minimal. They only carry maternity jeans for normal sizes and petite sizes.
- Seraphine (Online) – I’ve heard about this shop for a while, and many online users report that various royals, including Kate Middleton, wore their clothes. However, I haven’t done thorough research to confirm if this is true.
Budget-Friendly Shops for Maternity Clothes in San Diego ($25+)
- Gap Maternity Clothes – An American classic brand that has been around forever, and I would not mind wearing their clothes if I were pregnant. Gap provides great quality, and I love shopping online and at their Gap Factory stores. I have heard some moms shopping regular clothes and purchasing a few sizes bigger to accommodate their growing belly.
- H&M Maternity Clothes – Most likely your favorite go-to pieces with a fit that’s design to adapt to your body changes throughout pregnancy (this is a win). H&M has a wide selection of maternity outfits to meet your needs, whether it’s for casual wear, nursing, or a date night with your hubby, you’re definitely gonna want to go here. I have heard that H&M does not carry maternity clothing at all of their stores. The safest and most efficient way is to shop online at H&M for your maternity clothes.
- Target – I love strolling in Target for everything, even on days when I don’t need to buy anything. Can you relate? Their selection of maternity clothes is quite comfortable and has great quality. My go-to place for exclusive designer pieces for my home decor, kitchen decor, clothes, and best of all, without that expensive price tag. Here’s a link to find a local Target store near you and these are some of the locations I’m familiar with in San Diego.
- Target in Mission Valley – 1288 Camino Del Rio N., San Diego, CA 92108
- Target in North Park – 3029 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
- Target in Kearny Mesa – 8001 Othello Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111
- Kohl’s Maternity Clothes – Great selection of maternity clothes from casual loungewear to dresses that do not break the bank. I also love coming to Kohl’s to return an item from Amazon or to restock my skincare at Sephora (some Kohl’s location has a Sephora). This makes it convenient and is a time-saver.
- Kohl’s at Balboa – 5505 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111
- Kohl’s at College Grove – 3450 College Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115
- Kohl’s at Santee – 9412 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, CA 92071
- J.Crew Factory Maternity Clothes – Great online shop when you’re looking for classic options that simply sells maternity tees, maternity leggings, maternity pants, and jeans for an affordable price.
Top 4 Details to Check Before Check Out & Paying
As a motherhood photographer in San Diego, I love collecting beautiful dresses to let my clients wear during their photoshoots. I’ve learned a few things after purchasing some bump-friendly dresses throughout the years. Below is a list of important details you should look into so you can avoid the mistakes I made. It is often overlooked because these retailers don’t make the info easily accessible, you have to make a few extra clicks on your mouse to find out.
- Shop at a trusted and reputable retail store that offers a variety of maternity clothes.
- Check the reviews and ratings. I almost always regret purchasing a “cute” dress that has low ratings.
- Refer to the sizing guides to confirm if you should size up or size down. Some clothes are not true to size or can run bigger than expected.
- Check the return & exchange policies. I love it when stores have a 30-day return/exchange policy because it gives me plenty of time to switch. Some shops charge a restocking fee or shipping fee, even though the dress was never worn & tags are still on the dress.
Some Brands that Would Do Well if they offered Maternity Clothing
- Zara
- Lululemon (women can still stay healthy & fit during pregnancy)
- J.Crew
- Madewell (selection is quite limited, it would be awesome to see more)
I hope to see more brands expand their target audience to motherhood fashion, especially with maternity clothes. It can make a difference and impact a woman’s pregnancy journey immensely. Please make it happen!!! I would appreciate it so much and so will all the other mothers searching shops for maternity clothes in San Diego or online.
Sarah Nguyen Photography | Maternity Photographer in San Diego, CA
Dear moms, I hope the list of shops for maternity clothes in San Diego and online will give you a great start on where to shop. I hope that you’ll be able to apply some of the tips I mentioned to make your shopping fun and easy. Meanwhile, if you see any dresses in my portfolio or on Instagram that you love, I would love to share the details!
If you are looking for a maternity or newborn photographer in San Diego, I’d love to work with you and create beautiful images you’ll cherish. Don’t be shy and fill out the inquiry form on my website, thank you!
