Maternity clothes confusion

[TeacupTempest]

I am 12 weeks pregnant. I can still fit into my jeans in the morning but by the evening they are beginning to dig in somewhat. So I need to go shopping.

What to do?

Obviously I will keep getting bigger. So do I buy a size up or go for maternity stuff. If I do buy maternity how does it work? Do you buy your regular size? Are they designed to grow with you? Should I hold off till I am further along?

Confused!

[sevendwarves]

I'd go for maternity trousers now at least, they're so much more comfortable. They either have really stretchy waistbands or stretchy side panels so you just buy your normal size and they'll fit for the rest of your pregnancy. You shouldn't need to bother with maternity tops yet, and you'll find that regular floaty style tops will work out much cheaper than maternity ones!

[aethelfleda]

Depends what you want to wear!

I usually live and die in top and jeans. So I've bought a pair of maternity jeans in my usual size, the top is stretchy and will accomodate a bump. Today it's hot so I'm in a pair of yoga pants (£7 from Store21) - they ae great as have a soft stretchy waistband. Sainsbury's do similar ones for £8.

Another thing that can work is floaty indian-style skirts : but if you'd hate them usually they may not be for you! So its style dependant really. Personally I avoid most maternity stuff as it's quite pricey (though H&M and dorothy perkins are OK), and the styles are so different to my usual I'd rather hang out in an XL t-shirt and yoga pants!

[rooks14]

When I was 12 weeks my bump had grown but i'd barely put any weight on and bought loads of size 12 maternity clothes. But the more pregnant you are, you gain weigh everywhere and the maternity clothes are only designed to expand with your bump, not your bum! (at 31 weeks i'm nearly a 16!!! put on 2 stone despite my efforts!).

Tops are fine, but go for floatier tops and just use a bump band or trouser extender for now!

[Armi]

I bought some stretchy bootleg yoga-type trousers from The White Company at 12 weeks and am still in them at 35 weeks. They have a roll up/roll down waistband and have been absolutely brilliant - because of the cut and quality, they can pass as relatively smart for work with a longish top.

You might also want to consider a bump band - I managed to stay in my usual trousers for ages because of mine. I did get some stretchy, jersey maternity tops fairly early on, though, just because they were a bit longer than standard tops and covered my bum and my bump.

[OrangeGloss]

I bought maternity jeans from Gap straight away at about 12 weeks in my usual size 10, and have definitely had my money's worth already at 27 weeks still going strong in them. I bought tops that were non-maternity in bigger sizes which my bump has now outgrown, so in hindsight I would have gone straight for maternity and spent less in the long run. One thing I did do was buy a clothes bundle from eBay which was definately money well spent. I agree that maternity tops are more comfortable and bump-friendly, again Gap maternity vests are just right for me in this heat

[PinkFondantFancy]

Definitely get some maternity trousers, waaaaaay more comfortable! Bear in mind that if you're like me your arse will grow almost as fast as bump so I wouldn't go crazy buying loads in your size-I too started a 12 and am now a 16

[Truffkin]

I've just bought a basic maternity wardrobe on Dorothy Perkins for just over £100 (jeans, work trousers, dress and few tops) as they have 30% off online for this weekend. I've been lucky to get some gifted maternity wear from my sister and sister in law, although the over bump trousers / jeans are too big right now (@ 16 weeks) am sure they will be lovely later on.

I've also bought some non-maternity maxi dresses (stretch jersey and also the cotton 'layer' type style) which are roomy or stretchy enough to last me through the summer.

Up until last week I was wearing my normal jeans but looping a hairband through the button hole and over the button, to give me some extra room. They dig in too much by the end of the day now though so have had to give in and go shopping - what a shame

[PinkFondantFancy]

Oh and New Look are great value and have quite a big choice of maternity clothes

[saoirse86]

I was a small 8 pre-pregnancy but went up to a 10 maternity (which is more like a 12 in normal life!). I had to where maternity tops or floaty tops from about 19 weeks, then only maternity tops from about 27 weeks. I was wearing maternity trousers and jeans very early on, mainly because I'd put on so much weight.

I'd say generally go for maternity clothes as they'll fit better and you can keep them for if/when you have another DC.

Mamas and Papas have cheap stuff online but their site's not very well designed so you have to go into each section to see everything. They'll deliver to store for free. You can get a free £5 gift card if you order a catalogue which is completely free!

Pumpkin patch have loads of sale stuff in the shops which was buy one get one half price, not sure if it still is.

[TeacupTempest]

Thanks for the replies and all the advice. Was feeling a bit overwhelmed there! Think I shall invest in some maternity jeans. I do have a couple of floaty tops which I am hoping will last me a good while.

[OrangeGloss]

I just got a great jersey maxi maternity dress from new look for £25, will use for work too feels really comfy and fits well - and no ironing, hurrah!

It's weird my jeans still fit but just also bought some size 16 pants

[Cattleprod]

You can buy trouser extenders to make the waistband on your jeans a bit bigger, and you will need a long top or bump band to hide the open fly. This is what I did until I was ready for proper maternity clothes.

Ebay is a good place to look, and Primark do really long vests and t-shirts.

[Beesok]

I second GAP - bought some jeans and shorts in size 6 (not sure what their sizing is - it's def. not a UK6 :) and have been wearing them for a few weeks already, the jeans were a bargain at £10 (sale rack)

Also bought a pair of cigarette leg black jeans in Topshop at 9 week in a UK12 (normally I am a UK10-12 in bottoms) and while they were a little big at first it wasn't that obvious and I am still wearing them now (21 weeks) and will probably continue for a while as they have some stretch in them and I haven't really put on weight in my thighs - so def. worth it, you should be as comfortable as possible why wait :)

I also think the white maternity T-shirts at GAP are fab - but then I LIVE in white t-shirt so wear them often and they are now on 25% off

Try H&M Mama - I bought a few tops there (mainly for casual lounging or going to yoga/walks etc) but they only cost £6-7 each and can def. be used in early days after birth - just to warn you they seem to sell out quickly and the sizing is quite generous (I bought size S and am usually UK8-10 on top and they are very comfortable)

Happy shopping :)

[H007]

I figured that if I was going to buy maternity clothes then I want to get my monies worth so I didn't go in for the bump bands or trouser extenders and at 12 weeks bought my first pair of trousers and a belt and OMG soooooooooooo comfy! Now 16 weeks and live in those trousers, a pair of mat jeans, leggings or joggers... And my bump is happy as larry!

[PinkFondantFancy]

Sorry for slight crash of the thread but orange is your maxi dress from New Look black? If so, SNAP! Am wearing it now although it is a bit on the booby side for me to be able to wear it to work unfortunately....

[OrangeGloss]

Pink yes it is! I did wonder if it was a bit booby, but as I'm just a D/DD I'm not too worried :) It's now one of the comfiest things I own!

[PinkFondantFancy]

I looove it, definitely one of my favourites too! It's more of a bra prob for me-have gone from a D to an F so far and my current bras are, erm, substantial! Still, I'm sure I can cobble something together with some tit tape so that I can wear the dress as much as I want to

Ladies-this new look maxi dress is fab-long and flattering and broad enough straps to cover bra straps and although it's jersey, it doesn't cling to my bum. Definitely £25 well spent IMO.

[Tarlia]

I got all my maternity clothes in my normal size between 14-20 weeks, it all fit until I gave birth at 37 weeks.

If I were you, def get over bump maternity jeans, they may be a bit big and you'll spend a little time pulling them up for a few weeks, but they are so comfy it's worth it!

I didnt like non maternity floaty tops as I just felt fat, so I'd recommend stretchy maternity/or normal tops as they will cling to your beautiful bump.

Enjoy your pregnancy!

[saoirse86]

I had 2 of those new look maxi dress last year when I was pg, and another that was similar but with crochet at the back. My boobs were a DD/E at that point but I don't care about a bit of boobage so wore them all loads. At a scan at 23 weeks, there were 4 or 5 of us in the waiting room wearing the same dress!

[CitizenOscar]

People's bodies seem to change very differently throughout their pregnancies so it might be sensible to buy a few things at a time rather than a big shop and see how you go. I outgrew normal trousers by about 14 weeks but am now 38 weeks and have a huge belly but haven't grown much elsewhere!

I have worn:

• dorothy Perkins maternity jeans
  
• top shop maternity slim dark stretchy jeans
  
• topshop maternity black work trousers
  
• h&m maternity linen trousers (really really comfy with big bump)
  
• some maternity tops (DP, H&M, red herring)
  
• h&m maternity cardigan
  

Non-maternity maxi dresses, jersey dresses, long vest tops, leggings, big shirts

[CitizenOscar]

One thing that saved me a lot of money and made life loads more comfortable was buying 2 bra extenders from the nct online shop. That would be my top tip. I've only had to buy one new set of bras, whereas without them I reckon I'd have had to buy more every 6 weeks or so!

[Chynah]

I only grew bump and no weight anywhere else both times. my normal size 10 in maternity fitted me fine from 25ish weeks til birth. Just wore looseish normal clothes before that.

[Scaredycat3000]

I like ASOS for some stuff. They always have loads of stuff reduced and free P&P. I also loved my over bump jeans, until the last month or so when I wanted nothing finishing/starting near my bump so lived in dresses. I swore I'd never wear leggings again, I wore them the first time they where in fashion , but when I finally got some I wished I'd got them earlier.

[Tiasmummyxx]

I have the concern about spending fortunes on clothes I'll not be wearing for very often although you do also wear them after the baby is born too for a wee while until your baby weight drops off so you do get a lot of wear out of clothing, more than you may think. I am pregnant with baby no.2 and with my 1st I simply bought a pair of maternity jeans and a pair of maternity combats and a couple of maternity tops from New Look although I bought loads of larger-than-normal-sized tops from Primark where you can literally buy about 10 tops for £30-40 quid! That was my comfy wardrobe!

On this occasion though I do need office/work wear as I also work from home but attend business meetings through the week. I have just logged into affordablematernity.co.uk and have spent £120 including delivery costs to buy 3 pairs of suit/smart trousers and 5 smart tops (1 for each day :) ) and I think that is really great value as they are designed to last through my whole pregnancy due to the wrap style and floaty tops and the adjustable waistbands on the suit trousers. They have a relatively small but lovely range of items to suit all shapes and sizes of pregnancies so I'd advise you to log on there too.

Hopefully this helps you :)