Maternity Wear - is it just me or if you are a bit padded before getting pg, maternity wear is not great??

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Had no problems with maternity wear when pg with DS as was 10st when got preg and a size 12/14

However, this time around, due to not shifting all of the baby weight from DS, am a size 16/18 and am finding all the maternity stuff just looks awful!

There doesn't seem to be much selection in stores either except for jeans or trousers...tops are not practical and they don't seem to have a range of maternity tops suitable for work

Reluctant to do online shopping as I just know I will have to order various sizes to find the best fit and tons will need sending back...

Help!

[Jadey1]

I was a similar size, 16/18, before pg. I found New Look maternity wear & Mothercare's both really good.

I ended up wearing a lot of maternity dresses to work though. But more down to comfort than anything else.

[nancydrewrocked]

I don't think there is much selection in the stores full stop - I have been searching for some denim maternity jeggings for ages and evrywhere I visit says they really only sell maternity stuff online now.

I also think maternity sizing is weird no matter your size. I have some lovely denim jeggings from Next in a size 10, orderd the maternity version and the 10 look like harram pants - they are ridiculously big.

It is a PITA cos I do actually want to try stuff on.

[PussinJimmyChoos]

You know I was thinking that re the selection...was in Dolly P's when first got pg and the selection in there compared to what they have online is sooo small

But I don't want to order a ton of stuff - when you are preg, you really need to be able to try different sizes and styles - its not practical to be ordering tons online only for one or two things to fit

[nancydrewrocked]

I agree. I trawled DP's, Next, H&M, Topshop, Mothercare and Debenhams today. Topshop and Next where I am don't stock maternity any more and all the rest could offer were a paltry collection of black vests, combats and bootcut jeans with the occassional dull hoody.

There was a post on here recently that confirmed that Topshop and Mamas's and Papa's at Oxford Circus carry good selections - but I am guessing that is pretty much it for the whole country!

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I'm panicking actually as need stuff for work and winter stuff - have one maternity outfit atm as haven't been able to go out and buy stuff as have been laid up with really bad sickness

Can't wear same stuff to work each day...people will think am a slattern! Am sure there used to be a better range in the shops - wonder why they have changed it?

[mazzystartled]

I always think dresses are better when pg
I found nice things (to great surprise) in Mamas & Papas
Isabella Oliver also - pricey but can get great stuff on ebay once you know your size.

[nancydrewrocked]

There definitely was a better range in the shops. When I was first pregnant with first DD 6 years ago there were limited options, Next and Mothercare mostly (which were pretty dire - lots of over the bump mum jeans etc).

When I was about 20 weeks Topshop launched their range and on that forst weekend I was one of anout 50 woman buying everything we could lay our hands on. then loads of other shops followed suit but it seems to have been scaled back.

I have a friend who works in retail and she reckons maternity is a loss leader for many of the big stores and so selling online makes it more profitable (or at least less not so: what is the opposite of "profitable" I can't think!)

It's rubbish really

[MissWooWoo]

A lot of maternity wear is so dreary/weirdly shaped isn't it?

I'm going for the avoidance technique this time round. I've ordered these yoga pants for slobbing around in and am planning to get some leggings like these to wear with "normal" tunics and tops (plus belly bands). I've bought some 2nd hand maternity jeans (New Look) from ebay very cheaply so if they're not right no love lost really. Wrap and jersey dresses in the next size up work well (but maybe only up to a point!).

As a size 16 I'm sure all of the above will work for me until the 3rd trimester by which point I won't care and will just be donning duvet cover with cutouts for head and arms

For actually trying on, if you're SE/London try Red Herring in Debenhams on Oxford Street, H&M Bluewater. Gap have a store locater on their website, just tick the maternity box for your nearest stockist. Oh and I know it's online but some of the Asos stuff is lovely, free delivery and returns too.

[MissWooWoo]

oh and be careful if you use the gap store locater, deselect "gap" otherwise you get all the gap stores near you, some of which may not have maternity and the last thing you want is to hike over there to find nothing

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Puss I was about to post the same thing!

I am 11+3 and my bump has arrived in the last 3/4 days. Can only wear one pair of linen trousers still, everything else is too small.
Had a nightmare getting ready to go out this morning, in the end put on a non-maternity empire line dress with maternity leggings and ballet flats. Didn't look too awful.

The thing is, I don't want stuff that clings to the 'underside' of my bump, because I've got the lovely overhang still from my c-section with DS1. So I need things which are tunic/smock and long enough to cover bump.

All maternity trousers are black, and I never wear black trousers. So what the hell do you wear with them? Coloured tunics with black trousers? Fashion disaster surely??

I have a pair of maternity jeans from last time from Next, but they are too big as yet. Have to say Next are pretty good actually, but watch out with their t-shirts etc as they come up really short IME and leave you with the stretchy panel of your jeans/trousers exposed which is not a good look.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I think leggings and a dress, moving to tights, boots and a dress are going to be my standard wardrobe.

Am considering some maternity Spanx for a lovely smooth look - anyone tried them?

Forgot to say, I am an 18.

[bluecardi]

I put on loads of weight when preg & would just laugh at the words 'order in your pre prenancy size'. Have a look at h&m I got some great things there.

[MollysChambers]

I only ever see nice maternity clothes when I'm not pregnent. And always seem to have a wedding to go to when eight months gone. Now that is a nightmare to shop for.
Maternity Spanx sound hideously uncomfortable!

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Ali - I have a DS as well and had c section with him also! I bet we go into labour same time as well! ha ha!

I've been wearing black trousers with tunic tops but the trousers are elastic waist and sooo comfy. The maternity jeans are still too big and fall down unless I put a belt on and the belt digs in a bit...not that I've been going out much at all..mainly to Drs due to the farking preg sickness

Really hope I can do some shopping at some point before autumn kicks in though...no winter stuff!!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

No don't blush, it is a minefield. I am so jealous of skinny people who can wear nicely cut under the bump jeans with a colourful maternity t-shirt and a cardi and leave it at that!

I pulled out all my maternity stuff from last time, and it's hideous! There are about 2 things that I would actually wear, I clearly had a style bypass

The dresses I have will be ok for another 2/3 months I think, and then I will need to get maternity ones. So really I just need maybe 3/4 tops and some different trousers if I can see any that aren't hideous.
Do you know what I found online a few minutes ago? A pair of size 18 green harem maternity pants. Foul, foul, foul.

Mollys - I have heard the trick is to buy a size bigger than it actually says with the Spanx, and then you don't get any pressure, just support and a nice smooth bump.

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I looked on the Isabella Oliver site...expensive but I thought hey, let's see what the fuss is about....and ALL of the models are skinny except for their bumps

No puffy fingers, faces, arses that have expanded to balance their bumps, hugely pregnant boobs or wobbly arms...



Yes there are women out there that do pregnancy with just a neat bump and not much else but I think the majority of us don't

[MissWooWoo]

I dream of being one of those woman with the small and perfectly formed bumps rather than mr blobby a well rounded woman

alternative to black trousers? they go up to a 20 and are very reasonably priced

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

MissWoo they are for tall people I think, it says height over 165cms. I am only 158cms, or in English a statuesque 5'2"

So short and round.

I have just ordered these. They will be here tomorrow so we'll see what they are like. Have also ordered the camel and black stripe top, the green check shirt/smock thing and the longline black top.

It's so hard to know what they'll be like but I did have some good bits from Next when I was pregnant with DS so I'm hopeful. Quite cheap as well.

Puss - I avoid Isabelle Oliver for just that reason. Everything is very clingy and would I think show off every lump and bump

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I'm 5ft 2" and bloody hell, do the extra couple of pregnancy pounds show fast - face is already looking puffy!

Whats the deal with Next online? Would quite like to order their stuff but do not want a bloody catalogue or tons of crap in the post

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Puss in fairness you don't get loads of shite through the door. One catalogue every few months and your statement.

I agree it is annoying that you can't buy most of it in their shops, although have to say that since having DS I do 90% of my clothes shopping online rather than trying to haul him round changing rooms etc. And then you can at least try things on with the clothes you have rather than loving something and then realising you have nothing to wear it with!
I am not far from a post office though, so it's not hard for me to return things.

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Hmm...am wondering if can do the order online, collect in store thing...don't get to a post office very often and so would find that easier as they can deal with sending it back then - do they do that you know?

[puddlepuss]

I had a HUGE bump with both my dcs and was a size 16/18 on top and 14 on the bottom. I looked at people wearing little fitted dresses with their beach ball bumps and had to restrain myself from clawing their eyes out . I found that buying tops from Evans and investing in a lot of leggings was the best way forward. I tried maternity jeans but I have no bum or hips so they were constantly being pushed down by my unbelievably large flabby bump. I was sexy as hell when pregnant !

[MissWooWoo]

nice cords alibaba fancy some of those myself, let us know what the fit's like?

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Well it is all here, and I like it all! The trousers are a good fit and not all baggy on the bum which is a problem I have with maternity jeans. The over bump bit comes all the way up to my bra and will continue to do so until my bump is huge so that's good.

Tops are nice, the shirt/smock thing in green is huuuuge on me atm but I'll hang onto it because I'm sure it will be good in a few months time.

I also ordered a chunky cable-knit camel cardigan from the non-maternity range - it is lovely, long-line and is quite a loose fit so I will be able to wear it for ages.

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Ooooh maybe I need to order methinks!

Bet you feel better now - lovely when you have a stock of outfits isn't it

Baba - are you going to find out the sex?