Maternity wear is a tricky thing. Looking like a slob for nine months is not what most of us want. On the other hand, spending a ton of cash on clothes with such a short shelf life can seem like a big old waste. The answer might be in a new online boutique offering designer maternity clothes on consignment–including everyone’s favorite designer of 2011, Missoni.

Encore Maternity
was founded by a celebrity stylist/mom who was faced with that same
pregnancy fashion conundrum. She wanted to look chic during those nine
months, but still wanted to save up for her kid’s preschool tuition.

What
you’ll find on Encore is an awesome selection of maternity and
maternity-friendly tops, bottoms and dresses from designers like Diane
Von Furstenberg, Missoni (pictured), Isabella Oliver and Splendid. Yes,
some of them are pre-worn (or pre-loved as I like to call it), but every
garment has been “green cleaned”–or dry cleaned with an eco-friendly,
non-flammable solvent, and ready to wear right out of the package.

For
those of you not used to wearing other people’s clothes, I think
pregnancy is the perfect time to give it a try. Think about it–the
garment was probably only worn a handful of times and the money saving factor is huge.

Encore also has a designer denim department
with offerings from Seven, J Brand, Juicy Couture and Citizens of
Humanity. The jeans are still not cheap, with some prices around $100.
But compare that to the purchase price of designer maternity
jeans, and you’re saving around 50%.
To say nothing of what you can sell them back for after the baby comes. -Melissa

Shop Encore Maternity designer consignment for wallet-friendly deals on pieces Rachel Zoe would have worn through her pregnancy.