Expecting mothers express maternity clothes woes

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Dozens of expecting mothers in Massachusetts and Connecticut say they’re facing a problem, a lack of maternity clothes in stores.

“I actually had like a meltdown in my car,” said Nicole Wescott. “There’s no maternity sections anymore and it was just distressing.”

Westcott is from Springfield and she’s 25 weeks pregnant. Nine years ago, she easily found maternity clothes at Kohl’s, Target, and Walmart. Now, she says she’s forced to dress in an unflattering way just to stay comfortable.

It’s not just about comfort though, it’s about cost. With many stores moving their inventories online, moms are stuck paying for shipping and returns on clothes they can’t even try on first.

“I’m definitely more of like a touch it, see it, feel it kind of person,” said Faith Dallaire. “So, online shopping for me is pretty difficult. I don’t love the return process, the buying and the returning because it costs extra money.”

Dallaire lives across the border in Enfield, Conn. She runs a social media account dedicated to fashion for mid-sized women. She says retailers are missing the mark by assuming moms stop caring about trends once they have a bump.

Stephanie Carls isn’t shopping for maternity clothes herself, but the retail expert says it’s a hot topic among her pregnant friends. So, why is this happening? Carls says it comes down to floor space.

“maternity clothing shopping serves a smaller group of shoppers,” she said. “So, retailers can offer a much wider selection online without having to stock every size and style in those individual stores.”

Carls points to 2019 when Destination Maternity, owner of Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in a Pod, went bankrupt. The pandemic accelerated the shift even more. However, she says there is some movement in the other direction. Motherhood Maternity returned to select Kohl’s stores in 2024.

She says expecting mothers should check sizing guides and customer reviews before ordering online, look for free return policies, and consider rental services like Rent the Runway which now carries maternity wear. Secondhand stores can also help bridge the gap.

For Westcott, that means leaning on thrift finds and sizing up for now as well as hoping stores bring maternity racks back before her next pregnancy.