20 Years of Maternity Clothes

me about a month ago at 7 months along

Can anyone else say they have been buying maternity clothes for 20 years?  Please tell me if you have.......we have to have a good laugh about how styles have changed : )
I really should of taken a picture of the large garbage bags of maternity clothes that I have collected over the years.  And actually, I have given many away and loaned lots out that have never returned.  The thing is, I do love to shop and with each pregnancy I buy more maternity things.  Also, even though I have had so many pregnancies, people still give me maternity clothes.  I guess they all think I need an update : )  I have a friend here in town who has 8 children and she gave me some winter things this go around.  My favorite place for buying maternity is Target.  When I was pregnant 18 years ago with my second, I discovered their great maternity line.  I also like the Motherhood sale rack.  For a few pregnancies, I really liked JCPenny's.  But with these last 2 pregnancies I've found their things not so great, unless you're working full-time in the corporate world.....which I obviously am not.  I know some people have great luck finding things at consignment stores or thrift shops, but I never really have.  I guess I always have a pretty good stash of used things, so then I just add some fun new things.  I know there are some people that don't like to buy maternity at all.  I heard of this friend of a friend that just used the bella band with her pants and skirts and then wore her husbands shirts.  Well,  I always gain a good bit of weight and the bella band starts to bother me by week 12.  I'm not that tiny and I like to enjoy and celebrate being pregnant.  It's a special time and I always think of the pregnancy I'm in as possibly my last.  To me it's a time to cherish and marvel at what God is doing.  Anyway, here is a list of some essentials I think every maternity wardrobe should have and some things I've really liked over the last 20 years of being large and with child : )  Maybe this will help someone just starting out and help them weed through the sea of maternity "needs."

1. Bella Band for first trimester

2.  2-3 maternity tank tops

3.  black yoga type knit pants-these are the best for working out, walking, or lounging...at
     least 2 pair, one or more carpri if weather is hot.

4.  2 comfortable but could dress-up maternity jeans

5.  2 nice pair of shorts if it's a summer or late spring pregnancy

6.  1 pair of black maternity pants

7.  3 cute, comfy dresses that you can wear to church or dress down for other places too

8.  3 solid color knit maternity tops (long or short sleeve depending on weather)

9.  A few cute t-shirts or maternity work-out tops to encourage staying in shape ; )

10.  3 fun, colorful maternity tops (this is where I try to find something unique)

11.  Black, knit skirt that goes under or over your belly.  I have loved this with my last 3
      pregnancies.

12.  1 good pair of maternity leggings, 1 pair tights and 1 pair hose.

Well, that's really all you need!  Remember, don't over buy but don't under buy either.  Enjoy this time.  It goes by so very fast and don't give too much of your maternity things away, because you never really know how many pregnancies you will have.  I'm a testimony to this!