Maternity coats

[CherylAnnTweedy]

On the suggestion of one of the ladies on the Dec a/n thread I'm starting a thread where we can share tips etc for a mat coat.

I'm really struggling to find something I like/fits/I can afford.

I don't like the swing coats, which doesn't leave a huge amount.

I quite like this mac but have been warned that New Look coats can come up a bit small.

I looked in Asda today (again reccommendations from Dec 10 ladies), I tried a 16 but still had about 4" until the buttons did up and it swamped the rest of me and I still have 3 months to go!

I'm usually a size 10/12 so wear size 14 coats. I've grown out of most size 12 mat clothes and have now moved onto size 14, so...

1. What size coat should I get
   
2. Maternity or non-maternity
   
3. Best place to get one
   

Suggestions/hints/tips please.

Also I don't want to spend very much considering I'll only be using it for a few months.

[GuernseyFrench]

I was pregnant last winter so I can put myself in your shoes. I did not bother with a pregnancy coat but bought a nice woollen coat size 16 (I'm normally a 14) at Next. If the day were colder, I was just adding a pashmina over it and it was great. Also it means that after the baby was born, I was able to carry him on his baby carrier both of us wrapped in the coat.

[Mammie81]

French Connection did a lovely wooly coat in the last winter season that isnt maternity but has a front that only does up at the top.

www.frenchconnection.com/category/all/Woman+Collections+Coats+And+Jackets/Coats+Jackets.htm

I bought a similar one in Dorothy Perkins for far cheaper

[Chynah]

Been pregnant through winter twice( Jan baby) and wouldn't bother wasting the money unless you are the size of a house. Buy a lovely scarf to fill the opening left by normalcoat then you still get to use it after.

[Magic8ballhastheanswers]

Cheryl I tried the one on in New Look and it came up quite big on me. I probably would have bought it BUT the stitching was so bad around the button holes/general finish I knew I would probably end up taking it back eventually. I checked a few and they were all the same but may have been a bad batch.

Could try Red Herring or DP?

[CherylAnnTweedy]

Thanks all. Tried the NL one on today and like you Magic8ball it came up quite big, but did look very cheap.

Tried some non-maternity ones in H&M, couldn't even get closed across my boobs, there seems to be very little in the way of coats atm, have none of the shops got their A/W stuff in yet?

[mrsflux]

i had a double breasted winter coat when i was pg with ds. as my bump grew i just did up fewer buttons. i was never cold when i was pg (at all) so didn't notice the winter winds.
planning on doing the same this time round but i should be a bit smaller as dc2 is prob due about 4-6 weeks after ds's birthday.

maybe try a cape if you want to be super fashion-y

[tethersend]

This is nice and could be worn when not pg due to the belt. Pricey though.

[Samraves]

I found a great coat in Primark - not maternity, but has loads of room and only £17!

[yellowflowers]

i tried a cape but looked about 50 years old in it

[CherylAnnTweedy]

Ooh that Isabella Oliver one is very nice, don't think I could ever justify that much for a coat though. Oh well!

DP found the idea of a cape quite funny.

[Catspersonalbanker]

Hi
I found a swing coat in prmark, Brown corduory £17 and you'd have to have a space hopper under it not to fit

[WalkTheDog]

I also found NL mac quite big, was more concerned that it wouldn't be waterproof enough. I've ended up borrowing a jacket and couple of fleeces from family, they are 1-2 sizes up on my normal. Not necessary going to win any fashion awards but more need ones that cover me up while dog walking!

[mamasunshine]

Lots of maternity coats on ebay!