Monday, December 2nd
2024 Maternity Clothes Store Reviews
A Pea In The Pod
- Good selection of maternity and postpartum/nursing clothing
- Designer brands available
- Free shipping on orders over $169; $12.95 on all others
- 30-day return policy
A Pea in the Pod used to be one of the most well-known brick-and-mortar maternity retailers, with cute and classy styles for most moms-to-be. You'll still see plenty of maternity clothing just like that in their online store. And, don't be surprised if you see some features in common with Motherhood here: the two brands are owned by the same parent company, after all. But, one advantage is that this store went back to offering a small number of retail locations (in Chicago and NYC) in 2021 -though most shoppers will still use the online shop instead.
Everything from workwear to night-out fits
A Pea in the Pod offers a wider range of maternity clothing types than many of its rivals in the industry. For example, you have your choice of regular or designer maternity jeans, dresses ranging from casual to wear-to-work and designer, and so on. Just for laughs, we clicked on "Show All Maternity” and found a fun-to-browse inventory of over 350 options, all sortable by clothing type, designer/brand, size, fabric, and more.
You choose: bargain or luxury?
If you choose this store's branded maternity wear, you'll find prices to be on par with most retailers'. We found a bunch of Luxe Side Ruched tees for just $14.99-$22 (on sale), tanks for $15 (also on sale), blouses from sister brand Maternity for under $40, and so on. But, if you're going for designer brands like Pietro Brunelli, Frame, or Paige, expect to pay over $200 per item.
Disappointing inventory for larger sizes
One area where A Pea in the Pod comes up most obviously short is sizing. On that comprehensive results list, there were 240 options in XS, about the same for S-M-L sizes, but just 114 for XL. Beyond that, the options plummet: if you think you might wear something in 2X-4X sizes, you'll have just one or two pieces that fit here (it's kind of giving a "you can be cute and stylish, but not if you need larger clothes” vibe).
Savings and samples
When you first visit A Pea in the Pod's online store, you can click on "I'm pregnant”, "I just had a baby”, "Shopping for a Gift”, or "Taking a Peek” - and after that, if you provide your email address and mobile number, you'll get a 15% discount on your order. Don't want to subject yourself to emails and texts? Look at the top of the site for a promo code; at the time of this review, there was one for (lo and behold) 15% off, no spammy emails or texts required. You can also take part in the Preggie Perks program, which gives you offers from many of today's most popular maternity brands, the chance to get a gift bag full of product samples, and other surprises. It won't cost you anything to join, but it's not quite like most retailer's rewards programs (you won't earn points when you place an order or anything like that).
Shipping and returns won't impress you
A Pea in the Pod isn't going to do you any favors when it comes to shipping and returns. Unless your order is over $169, you'll pay a $12.95 shipping fee. You'll have the standard 30-day return window offered by most online maternity clothing stores, but this retailer charges you a $11.95 return shipping fee - and you won't get a refund for the shipping fee you paid to get your order delivered. That will apply no matter what, because A Pea in the Pod doesn't do exchanges: you'll have to place an entirely new order if you get something and it's not the right size or fit. Given that that's much more likely for pregnant women who may not know exactly which size to order or how it's going to feel once it's on, that's a big downside here.
Clothes are good, customer service not as much
And customer sentiment? It's decent overall: most women say that the clothing is comfortable and fits true to size, and that it's a great blend of fashion and durability that works well into the postpartum period (and even on to the next pregnancy if and when that happens). The two most commonly-referenced pain points with A Pea in the Pod are shipping delays and customer service (or lack of it). This isn't a store you should order from if you need your maternity clothing to arrive on time; many people said that the promised 3-5 business day timeframe usually winds up being more like two calendar weeks, and that the support team isn't great about providing updates or resolving issues.
Not our favorite
A Pea in the Pod is the right choice if having designer maternity clothing can make your 9-month journey more bearable and budget isn't a concern. However, it's not the best option for building a big wardrobe affordably, shipping and returns are subpar, and women who wear larger sizes might not find what they need here.
More Maternity Clothes Store Reviews
The 12 Best Maternity Clothes Stores
Where Can You Find the Best Selection of Maternity Clothes Online?
It's an exciting time! Are you feeling tempted to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe? That's perfectly okay: you want to be cute and comfortable for the next 8-9 months, and what better excuse to go shopping? Even if this isn't your first pregnancy, there's nothing wrong with refreshing what you have or getting something new - after all, the elastic on what you wore before is probably done for, and there might be a new style out there since the last time.
Still, when buying your wardrobe, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that you are comfortable and well-dressed during (and after) your pregnancy. First, consider the fit of the clothing. Maternity clothing should be designed to accommodate your growing belly, so make sure to choose pieces that fit comfortably and don't feel too tight or restrictive. Look for clothing that is made with stretchy, breathable fabrics such as cotton or bamboo, which will help keep you cool and comfy.
Maternity Clothes Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Next, think about your wardrobe needs. While you may need to invest in a few key maternity pieces, such as pants and dresses, you can also get away with buying larger sizes of your favorite non-maternity clothing. Consider what items you will wear most often and make sure to have those on hand. It's also a good idea to have a mix of casual and dressy pieces, so you have options for different occasions.
You'll also want to consider the style of the clothing. Maternity clothing has come a long way in recent years, and there are now many fashionable options available. While you may be tempted to buy only clothes that are specifically designed for pregnant women, you can also mix and match with some regular clothes that look great and are also comfortable to wear.
In addition, think about how long you will be pregnant and what season it is. If you are pregnant during the summer, you may want to invest in lightweight, breathable clothing that will keep you cool. If you are pregnant during the winter, consider warm, cozy clothing that will help you stay warm. Of course, being pregnant typically spans at least three seasons, so it's okay if you're struggling to figure out which one to focus on in your wardrobe.
Lastly, don't forget about nursing-friendly clothing. After giving birth, you might choose to breastfeed your baby, so consider buying clothing that has a nursing-friendly design, such as tops and dresses with hidden zippers or snaps.
Now that you know what you're looking for, which store should you visit to order what you need? There are a lot to choose from, and here are some criteria that can help you decide:
- Selection. What kind of maternity clothing does the retailer carry? Is it mostly solid-colored basics like tees and leggings? Are there multiple color options you can choose from, if you wind up really liking a particular style? Can you get everything in one order, from underwear to nursing tops?
- Product information. Does the maternity clothing store provide you with the details you need to know how an item will fit? Are there customer reviews you can use to get a better idea?
- Shipping and returns. How much will you spend on shipping? How long do you have to make a return if something doesn't fit?
- Customer service. You've got enough on your mind already. Will the retailer's customer support team make it easy-breezy if you have a problem, need an exchange, or something else goes wrong with your maternity clothing?
To help you look your best and feel comfortable while awaiting the arrival of your little one, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked today's most popular online maternity clothing stores. Congratulations!
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