Anyone else distinctly underwhelmed by maternity clothes?

[OhTheDrama]

So my trousers are getting tight and I'm starting to think about accumulating a few maternity bits but there's very little catching my eye, most of it looks a bit dowdy if I'm honest. Granted, the choice is better than the last time 6 years ago but still not great. Anybody else feeling the same or am I just being fussy?

[TheBookofRuth]

Ugh, it's all hideous. Frumpy and dowdy and the colour of sludge. Even two years ago when I was having DD it wasn't so bad, now fashion seems to have decided we should hide ourselves away in Sacks of Shame.

[AhoyMcCoy]

ASOS seems to me to be one of the better places, but it's still all a bit meh. I'm not a whale FGS, I don't want to hide my bump under a smock, I'd love some stylish on-trend stuff to wear but am definitely struggling.

Have a verrrrryyyyy posh wedding to go to next months when I will be 36 weeks too, and am utterly stumped on what to wear!

[Buffy81]

I have found it very limited and it doesn't help that I am a plus size so even less to chose from. I have a couple of bits on asos, matalan and new look, but sometime even then it was black or white

[OhTheDrama]

TheBook yes I've noticed that! Even the high end stuff is non-descript, bland and a bit shapeless. I'm a similar body shape to Kim Kardashian with big boobs and bloody huge looking ample sized bottom but tiny waist, so have to be really careful with the stretchy jersey dresses and tunics and that doesn't really leave much. I don't want to be having any fashion disasters!

[EssexGirlLottie]

I agree but then How have I managed to buy so much!

I like Seraphine - not cheap but would be good for a wedding. Isabelle Oliver looks nice but is v expensive and think I've actually ended up sending it all back. Next and New Look for cheaper bits and also Mothercare and Mamas and Papas for jeans and t-shirts etc. I ventured into H&M the other day and walked straight back out. Yuck.
Good luck

[ohthegoats]

It's all awful for short people, like wandering around in a tent. I don't do skinny jeans due to fat thighs, but all other maternity jeans are baggy and hideous.

I've bought two pairs of trousers from jojomamanbebe, navy and black, and took them up. Also one little dress from h&m - total spend 40 quid. I'm not wearing them yet, still getting by on harem pants, dresses, leggings and dresses, but I'm not looking forward to having to wear them.

[OhTheDrama]

Ahoy I have two weddings as Sod's law would have it but think I have it sorted with this, not too pricey and I actually quite like it! Just everyday stuff I need inspiration for!

[squizita]

UGH yes it's hideous! Especially as anything of more 'upmarket' value = hideously frumpy Gap cloned beige. Like "Oooh aren't I a virtuous mama, I don't care that I look like the back of a bus!". And then boy-oh-boy the prices!

Well I'm not virtuous!!

I've been looking at:
Heavenly Bump (patterns that aren't just SPOTS!!)
ASOS
Topshop maternity
Big baggy band t-shirts (primark have some) to go over leggings/maternity jeans
Maxi dresses with a lot of stretch (from anywhere I see them) in a size up from usual

...and padding it out with 'Purpless' basics (dirt cheap plain t-shirts and leggings off EBay shop).

If anyone knows ANYWHERE one can buy indie/retro/rock style maternity PLEASE SHARE!!

[squizita]

Affordable for weddings - Debenhams! I have a prom (to chaperone) and a wedding coming up - this range looks good value and not too sacklike:
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigate?sfv=Rock-a-Bye+Rosie&ps=default&catalogId=10001&lid=%2F%2Fproductsuniverse%2Fen_GB%2Fproduct_online%3DY%2Finsearch%3D1%2F%24s%3Drock%5Cu0020a%5Cu0020bye%5Cu0020rosie%2Fbrand_description%3E%7Brock2da2dbye20rosie%7D&langId=-1&sfn=BRAND&storeId=10701&pn=1

[Plateofcrumbs]

I'm clearly a minority of one here but I've really enjoyed dressing up the bump! I have gone way overboard on my maternity wardrobe and have been actively looking forward to growing into my maternity clothes. I've gone ASOS mad for the most part plus a couple of Isabella Oliver dresses from eBay.

[Mabelandmaude]

If I see another wrap dress I'm going to go mad. Everything is so frumpy

[whereisshe]

squiz cafepress do maternity tees that aren't all cutesy.

[squizita]

Thanks whereisshe! :)

[peeapod]

I love this articles suggestion from the guardian on altnerative maternity clothes.. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/11/being-pregnant-felt-like-being-in-drag

[MrsMonkeyBear]

Squiz I just ordered some funky maternity tshirts from amazon.

Other than that everything on the market is really awful. I might resort to making my own stuff. Haven't used my sewing machine in a while but it will give me something to do.

[Ferreroroche123]

Yes! So frumpy, and why can't I find one decent pair of white linen trousers for warm weather. Last time I was pregnant 5 years ago I lived in a pair of new look wide leg linens when I got really big and they were a god send. This year... Nothing. On really tailored. Skinny ones which I know will annoy me within two minutes.

I got one pair of new look floral floaty trousers but even the elasticated waist on them is abit tight and will dig in.

Other than that I am going ASOS so far, cheap, free delivery (good as I am house bound) and their jersey dresses are soooo comfy. My mum has also got me a few bits of eBay (1 top shop dress and a mothercare dress) and I am using a couple of her authentic Japanese kimono jackets over tops as they are perfect shape for expanding bump. She sells them on eBay but I managed to convince her to give me two.

[Ktay]

I got lots on eBay, partly as I was being tight but also because it gives you access to stuff from previous years so broadens the choices a bit. Topshop was generally my best bet. Saw a few nice smart things by a brand called 'queen mum' but didn't buy any.

[whiteblossom]

ferrer- mothercare have wide leg linen trousers in store, stone and black. hth

[AhoyMcCoy]

Those with the good wedding outfit suggestions, thanks so much!! I shall get googling and find something I'm sure now!!

[Boogles91]

Ive found the trousers and jeans will fit your bump but hang off the rest of you! I think they should make them like bras...like different back size but right cup size. So if your a size 10 or 12 they could just make the bump part a size 14-16 but the legs stay the same size. And obviously make more stylish aswell. Its like they discriminate pregnant women, we already feel crap enough when we get big and stuff so it would make us feel so mich better about ourselves if we had some nice clothes to wear that we dont have to feel uncomfortable in x

[sleepdodger]

I lived in topshop Leigh black smart skinnies with a smarter top or luxe tee with jacket/ jersey jacket on top, then low heels or cons on my feet!
Never found a problem tbh
unlike bloody suitable tops for bf!

[theborrower]

Yes, and I'm already starting to get bored of wearing the same clothes on rotation. I just think it's not forever, but I'm already looking forward to wearing my old wardrobe again (if it still fits me afterwards! sob), and maybe tarting myself to new stuff then too.

[theborrower]

Tarting myself?? Treating myself.

[Catflap1]

God it's awful, only thing I have brought are some H&M Skinnys that are fab and prefect fit, why is it that you go to a shop for size 6-8 jeans and they just add inches extra on bum and legs?

I also can't stand tops with solans on like "made with love" etc

So far just been wearing my usual tops as I'm still very small at 18 weeks

[Gennz]

I loathe maternity clothes I'm 8 weeks abd have been obsessing about what to wear since the moment I git the BFP

So far I've bought some dark skinny J Brand maternity jeans, and a couple of dresses and Ts by Bassike (Ausie brand) which are currently loose but will accommodate the bump/fatness.

Have sorted clothes I already have into those that can be worn with a bump (tunic dresses/tops, blazers/jackets & coats, etc) and those that can't (waisted dresses and coats which sadly = a LOT of my wardrobe). Have also bought some grey ankle boots to go with tights and jeans. The only more maternity specific items I am going to get are some J Crew skinny black jeans and a few basic Asos tops.

It will be winter for most of my pregnancy so I'm thinking my wardrobe will be some combo of jeans or leggings + top/tunic + non-maternity jacket to pull ut together, or Bassike t shirt dress in grey or black or striped + black tights + non maternity jacket. I'd rather buy a few expensive items and thrash them than lots of cheap but ugly & depressing ones!

There's an American website called storq.com that does 4 basic maternity items really well.