Mother details shopping experience that ended at maternity store

A mother-of-three has candidly detailed the shopping experience that left her purchasing maternity jeans because no other pants fit her—and making peace with the process. 

Blogger Tiffany Jenkins recounted in a new Awestruck video how she went shopping for herself at a mall for the first time in years.

The 32-year-old from Sarasota, Florida, said that she tried on regular clothes at various stores but struggled to find the perfect fit.

Family: The mom (pictured with her family) from Sarasota, Florida said living in a house full of children who bring her joy daily is more important to her than being able to fit in size 12 jeans

Struggles: Tiffany, 32, said that she tried on regular clothes at various stores but struggled to find the perfect fit

‘It was the worst experience of my life,’ Tiffany said about her recent shopping experience.

The mother hadn’t been shopping for new clothes since before her two-year-old was born, and has been wearing leggings ‘for the past two years straight’—’mainly because pants are prisons and because nothing in my closet fits [her] anymore’.

Tiffany also admitted that she’s been holding onto her old clothes because she keeps telling herself that one day she’ll hopefully be able to fit into them again.

But she went to the mall hoping to find a new outfit for the next time her husband takes her out on a date, later joking that she didn’t want to have to wear pajamas to one of their outings again.

In one of the stores she visited, Tiffany said that when she announced she was looking for a date night outfit, the salesperson asked her what size her daughter is, leaving the mother feeling uncomfortable. 

Wardrobe: She  has been wearing leggings ‘for the past two years straight’—’mainly because pants are prisons and because nothing in my closet fits [her] anymore’

No problem: Tiffany said she has ‘a house full of children running around and bringing [her] joy each and every single day and [she’ll] take that over sliding into a pair of size 12 jeans’

Tiffany also struggled with some of the most recent fashion trends, joking: ‘The women’s adult section is filled with rompers and the teenagers section is full of mom jeans—what kind of freaky Friday switcheroo stuff is this?’

She was left feeling rather defeated after trying on a shirt that she was excited about, but cost $398—a fact that she only became aware of while trying on the garment.

The mother ended up trying on 29 different pairs of pants in her quest for the appropriate size.

‘Apparently, not only am I no longer a size 12, I’m a size 16,’ she said. ‘But also, size 16 is different depending on what brand you’re pulling up over your thighs, just like a game.’

Eventually, Tiffany found herself standing in front of Motherhood Maternity. ‘My pride was making it very difficult for me to step through the door,’ she said.

Upon walking inside the store, the mother said she burst into tears and explained to a salesperson that everything in the mall was either too small or too expensive, leaving her feeling really sad and as if she didn’t know how to shop.  

Happy couple: Tiffany went to the mall to try and buy an outfit for a date night with her husband Drew Jenkins (pictured)

But her experience turned into a positive one as the mom found three pairs that left her feeling great. 

‘I bought three pairs of jeans with maternity waistbands on them and I’m not even mad about it,’ Tiffany said.

‘In fact, I’m pretty proud of myself because from all outward appearances it’s going to look like I have my life together and I’m wearing nice jeans but underneath my shirt my belly rolls are breathing a sigh of relief and giving me a high five for being good to them.’

Despite the frustrations that led her to the maternity store, Tiffany said that she doesn’t care that she had to buy pregnancy pants.

‘I may not be in peak physical condition at this point in time, but I have a house full of children running around and bringing me joy each and every single day,’ she said, ‘and I’ll take that over sliding into a pair of size 12 jeans and buttoning them up any day.’

Tiffany’s videos has struck a chord with many viewers, and has been watched 4.6 million times over the course of just a few days. 

Viewers chimed in in the comments section, sharing their own experiences with maternity wear.

‘I know the struggle… Been wearing my maternity clothes for two years after baby and they said “Don’t buy too much you’ll only need them for a little bit” HA HA HA,’ one person wrote.

‘Ain’t no shame in the maternity jean game!’ another person added.