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We're Hiring

The Fashionista's Place to Buy & Sell Maternity Clothing

General Questions
How often do you have sales?
We have sales in San Francisco every month  and in Contra Costa, Marin, Alameda & San Mateo counties on a rotating basis.
Where are these sales located?
Sales move around San Francisco and the Bay Area. They are located in the areas that our customers live in.
How much will I receive for my sold clothing?
Sellers will receive 50% of the selling price for each item sold.
How are prices calculated?
Prices will be set at the discretion of MaternityXchange. Original price, condition, current trends, and supply & demand will all be taken into account in determining clothing prices. Resale items in good condition typically sell for between 30-45% of original price.
What happens to unsold items?
Unsold items will be kept and sold for at least four sales or as long as remaining items are in demand. Any clothing left at the end of your selling cycle will be returned to their owners. Items that our sellers do not want back will be considered donations.
What if I don't want my unsold items back?
Items not recovered will either be donated to an organization benefiting low-income parents and expecting mothers or the items will be sold and the majority of the proceeds will be donated.
When will I receive the money for my sold clothing?
Checks will be sent out by the fifteenth of the following month.
What if my clothing is stolen or damaged?
MaternityXchange will make every attempt to ensure that the Seller’s clothing is well maintained while in our possession. Seller’s choose to use our service at their own risk. MaternityXchange is not responsible for any loss, theft or damage of Seller’s clothing.
What forms of payment will be accepted at the sale?
We accept cash, Visa, and Mastercard.


Still Have Questions or Comments?

Contact us at info@maternityxchange.com

 
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for reminders about upcoming sales, special events, and Drop Off Days and locations.

F.A.M.F.Q.s
Frequently Asked Maternity Fashion Questions
Why should I buy maternity when this tunic top will do?

It's very tempting with the current style trends to try to make do with non-maternity clothing. While there are some items that work beware of looking sloppy or "tented" in your makeshift maternity wardrobe. When trying on non-maternity items make sure that the shoulders fit properly. Since you may need a larger non-maternity size than your normal size you may find droopy shoulders which may lead to a sloppy look.

Look for tops that fit in the shoulders as well as the chest area. Tops that are generally loose tend to look tented on a pregnant woman especially if there is a lot of extra material such as pleats. (Trust me I tried!) However, beware the "bosom line." You've probably grown in your pregnancy and usually that means most normal allowances don't quite hit the right spot.

Another consideration is that while maternity wear can be an investment, there is can be some return on the money you've spent on your wardrobe (especially if you've bought them at our sales). You can get a percentage of what you've spent back by selling your designer wear, in good condition, through us. Those trendy tops will probably just end up in the back of your closet at the end of the season.

Best Bet


Knitted / fitted tops especially those that are fitted in the chest area, such as empire tops or tops that have side cinches to gently hug your growing belly. But as always your best bet is to wear clothing designed to fit your lovely bump. Maternity lines take into account current fashion trends and fit their garments according to your new shape.
Below the belly, mid-belly, foldover, hidden band, transition, overbelly,demipanel, full panel, ....
Low Cut, Below the Belly fit
Below the belly, mid-belly, foldover, hidden band, transition, overbelly,demipanel, full panel, ....
Demi-Panel, Mid Belly fitting jeans
Full Panel Jeans, Jeans Fit, Fashion, Panel Style
Full Panel Jeans
Below the belly, mid-belly, foldover, hidden band, transition, overbelly,demipanel, full panel, ....Finding the perfect pair of Jeans deosn't have to be a mystery!

A good pair of jeans is a staple in any wardrobe and that goes for doubly for maternity when you want to be comfortable and are most conscious of your figure. Luckily, there are not lots of options to find the perfect fit. We'll cover the three basic styles: low, mid/demi and full panels. These are the most common types of bands you'll find in today's maternity jeans. And if none of these work we'll cover the more unusual waistbands in the next FAQ email.

One fit you'll encounter is the below the belly or transition pants. These may come in various forms. Habitual makes a jean with super low front, which hugs your rear and rides low on your belly as you expand. There's a hidden adjustable belt inside for a secure fit. If you like low riders these may be the ones for you. Katie Holmes & Angelina Jolie did well in them during their pregnancies. However these'll run you $185-200 retail, unless you find them at our sale for $89! For a less expensive alternative look for Babystyle's transition jeans which also ride low and have a stretchable non-obvious waist.

Probably the most common waist band you'll find is mid-waist/ mid-belly or demi-panel, as these seem to be comfortable for most figures and can potentially last till the end. 7 of mankind, Citizen, & Paige designer brands have opted for this style as have other less pricey brands. With this style of jean, you'll want to make sure that the legs fit just right as there isn't too much support in the nylon panels. The legs should fit but with room to stretch or you'll find yourself tugging on those jeans all day. For a more secure fit you can also look for brands that use a wider elastic on the waist such as Paper Denim & Cloth which cover the wide elastic with a stretchable cotton panel. These designer jeans will run you anywhere from $140 - $200+, unless you find them at our sale for $69+. For a mid-range alternative try Gap's demipanel jeans, regularly $60+, or $24-26 at our sale events.

Finally when you're getting to the end of your pregnancy you may want to look at full panels. Yes, they look scary but believe me when you're at a certain point you'll be grateful for the support and security you feel with them on. For some you can probably make it without having to deal with full panels but if you're looking for something/anything that'll fit at the end of your pregnancy don't discount the over belly fit. These'll probably not do for the beginning stages as you'll need a belly to fill them in. Because most people shy away from this style you won't find a lot of designer brands with this type of band. You'll most likely find them in brands that have run maternity lines for a while like Gap, R.E.B.E.L. & Levi's

Best Bet


One of the benefits of shopping at our sale is that you'll find a variety of brands all in one place. Just as when you're shopping for non-maternity you're best bet is to try everything on to find the best fit/style & size. Don't be afraid to try a new style and in some cases a new size. This is key to finding the perfect pair.

For most women, if those designer jeans fit you before pregnancy. You'll probably do well to get a similar pair now. They may run you a bit of money as the regular pairs do but if you find them at our sale and/or sell them back through us you'll get a return on your investment.

For curvier figures we've found several brands that do the most to flatter. Of the designer jeans Citizen jeans seem to do better than 7's, In the mid range jeans Elly B by Olian, Juliet Dream, & Japanese Weekend work best. Elly B and Japanese Weekend use stretchy fabric throughout the jean while Juliet Dream bottoms seems to favor wide-leg cuts.
Probably one of the questions we most often hear is: Will this last me the the rest of the 9 months?


Unfortunately as much as we'd like to say yes, in most cases the answer is, probably not. Most maternity wear tops and especially bottoms just fit best at different stages of your pregnancy. Those jeans that were perfect at 3-4 months may no longer be comfortable in areas that have now grown, i.e. tummy, butt, and/or thighs. That cute, empire waist top may now be too small in the bust area. And the adorable, pleated, a-line top which used to camouflage your burgeoning belly now makes your ripe tummy look twice it's size. As for buying items with "room to grow," it generally doesn't work, you'll most likely end up with something that's too big now, may or may not fit later, and is almost never flattering.

We've found that the most successful strategy to a well-fitting and comfortable wardrobe is to plan your maternity clothes shopping in three stages.

The first shopping excursion should be about when you're outgrowing your regular clothing, when even those "fat" pants aren't cutting it. And, no, your husband's sweats are not an option. This trip is most likely for pants and maybe a couple of cute tops.

Your second shopping trip will most likely occur when your tops are getting too short or tight around the chest and/or belly area. Perhaps you've grown in unexpected places and your "first stage" pants slide uncomfortably low when you sit. This is the point where you most likely feel comfortable enough to purchase a large part of your wardrobe.

Your third and final shopping trip you'll just want something comfy, and probably unconstricting during the last weeks of your pregnancy --maybe snag a couple of nursing tops or grab a sashay to help keep that tummy snug.


Best Bet

ruched top
You're best bet to go the distance in tops are wrap tops or tops that are ruched in the belly area so that there is plenty of extra material to grow with you but will hug your belly, flattering at each stage. Pants are trickier but I'd put my money on demi-panels with reinforced elastic that should stay put as your belly forces the band lower.

But, as we've mentioned this may not work for everyone. Don't be afraid to wear what fits now, with some potential for the future. Bring in any clothing you've outgrown and we'll sell it for you and split the sale price! And if you originally purchased from us at 40-75% off the original retail price in the first place, you'll really get a bang for your buck.

Still have questions? We'll do our best to get them answered.  But join our email list to get our FAQs and tips regularly.
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Maternity Xchange.... Because You're Losing Your Waist, Not Your Taste!

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