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Monday, December 2nd
HATCH was created in 2011 to provide maternity clothing that's "chic and timeless, meant to be worn for every stage” of pregnancy and afterward. The company wants to offer expectant moms a "breather” with clothing that makes their lives more enjoyable, fun, and beautiful.
Appealing variety of maternity clothing types
HATCH will impress you with its range of maternity clothing styles. If you need a formal dress for an event, check out the nine options in the Eveningwear section. Going somewhere tropical? You've got one- and two-piece swimsuit choices here. But, if you're just starting to build your maternity wardrobe, be sure to look in HATCH's Bundles section. Our favorite is the Layers Set that comes with a white long-sleeved shirt, white tank, black leggings, and a black t-shirt dress, priced at just $79.20 during our most recent HATCH shopping trip.
Your size may be out of stock - or simply not available
However, finding Bundles (or even individual pieces) in your size may prove problematic. For example, that Layers Set was only offered in XS-S-M sizes when we last looked. HATCH sizing only goes up to a pre-pregnancy size of 14-16, which is disappointing for larger women. Given how much HATCH says they want to help make pregnancy less stressful for expectant mothers, it's unfortunate that they haven't taken into account how not having sizes to fit more people could very well add to the tension.
Expensive even for the basics
Be prepared to spend more than usual if you buy your maternity basics here. HATCH's Ultimate Before/During/After Legging costs $98 per pair, although you can save if you buy a two-pack for $176. Copy that for tops: you'll pay $88 for a fairly standard v-neck t-shirt, $178 for a denim maternity shirt, $118 for a long-sleeved crew two-pack, and so on. But, if you want to save 10% on your first order, you can give HATCH your email address (after you click on the button to indicate if you're expecting, "just hatched”, or "not preggo”).
No free shipping or returns
We were surprised by HATCH's less-than-friendly return policy. You've got 30 days from the date you placed your order to make a return, and unless you're exchanging your item for something else, you'll have a $10 fee deducted from your refund. We also don't love the fact that your shipping fees won't be disclosed until you get to the checkout; even on a spendier-than-anticipated order over $200, we were still paying a "discounted shipping” fee of $6, marked down from $12.
Not as many happy shoppers as you'd expect
Customer comments about the quality of HATCH maternity clothing leave us wondering if it's even worth it to shop here. While some reviews say that it's comfortable and stylish, others had issues with the clothing fit not even coming close to matching the size guides - and with that not-awesome return policy, some people wound up feeling stuck with clothes they hated, especially when there was nothing available for an exchange (they needed a larger size).
Choose a different store for your maternity clothes
On the surface, HATCH seems like it would be an awesome maternity clothing store. Offering moms-to-be a way to feel chic and comfortable, reducing their stress, what's not to love? Unfortunately, our shopping experience here didn't line up with those promises: spend more and get less? Hassle over returns for clothing that doesn't fit? Struggle to find core maternity pieces in larger sizes? No thanks. HATCH winds up at the bottom of our rankings among online maternity clothing shops.
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.
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:
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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