Smart Belly

Let’s play word association. We say rent and you say: apartment. We say clothing rental and you say: tuxedo for high school grad. We say maternity clothing rental and you say: great idea.

While shopping is one of the top three perks of pregnancy (just behind a new baby and a year off work), buying an entirely new wardrobe to accommodate your burgeoning belly can be challenging.

First, you’ll love your pretty new wardrobe for a maximum of six months and then you’ll want to burn it. Second, think expansion and contraction…thirty pounds worth. Your pregnancy will also span at least two seasons. Third, budget is paramount on clothing with such a short life span.

The good news is that there are two maternity rental companies in Calgary strategically located at opposite ends of the city for your borrowing convenience.

Founder and preschool mom, Paula Galenzoski operates Dressed Beyond Conception from her home located in the NW community of Panorama Hills. Dressed Beyond Conception carries designer maternity clothing lines such as Hatch Maternity, Olian Maternity and Ripe plus a host of handbags and other small accessories for purchase. Shopping is by appointment only.

Moms to be can rent single outfits or clothing packages. Single items range from $45 for business-wear to $55 for a formal dress. A 40 item wardrobe costs $630 to rent (and payment plans are available) for a wardrobe that would cost over $3000 to purchase. Expectant mothers can check out up to eight articles at a time and exchange them throughout pregnancy to avoid the too big to too small cycle of maternity clothing.

In the SE, mom entrepreneur Lisa Farrell founded The Maternity Closet in Douglasdale when her kids were little to accommodate a work from home schedule. 

The Maternity Closet carries several lines of clothing such as Duet and Coccoli plus many others purchased seasonally directly from the designer. The Maternity Closet rents outfits for $35 per outfit or $25 when you rent 16 or more. Items can be kept up to four weeks and shopping is by appointment only. Keep in mind you will be visiting monthly to exchange clothing so location is a consideration.

Don’t want to drop thousands on a wardrobe that you only need for a few months? We don’t blame you, and neither do these clever mom entrepreneurs. Save your shopping dollars for when you can fit back into those fave jeans.

Dressed Beyond Conception
www.dressedbeyond.com
(403) 818-3399

The Maternity Closet
www.thematernitycloset.com
(403) 720-7938

Tested by Heather J. and Michelle A., Calgary