Maternity clothes - grrrrrrrr!

[CityDweller]

I'm getting so frustrated with trying to find maternity wear. I don't remember having this problem at all with DC1, but I'm pregnant at exactly the opposite part of the year this time - so a different season (autumn/winter last time, spring/summer this time). I'm particularly looking for trousers (over bump as I am so fucking sick of pulling up under-bump ones, especially skinny trousers, every two effing minutes). Something comfy, but not frumpy, e.g. chinos or maybe some nice wide-legged trousers. Not 'business attire', but not too scruffy either. No polyester. I would also like to find some long-sleeved tops (not tunics) and/or a thin jumper to tide me over this in-between weather we're having at the mo, plus a few cardigans (for the same reason).

I ordered a load of stuff and none of it's suitable. It either looks terrible or is uncomfortable. I had some luck with Asos, but absolutely none with Seraphine or JoJo (and for both had to pay either for delivery or to return it, which makes me fume).

Have just spent the evening trawling online and nowhere seems to have anything decent on offer that I'm looking for, or if they do it's out of stock (e.g. H&M had some nice-looking chinos, but out of stock). I've looked at all the usual suspects' sites (TopShop, JoJo, Asos, Gap, Next, etc). I've just found a few bits on Verdbaudet, but have also just read some terrible reviews on here about orders taking forever and the customer service being terrible, so that's made me have 2nd thoughts about ordering.

Somebody help me! Ideally with links to actual things you've bought that are in stock that look good on you and don't (in the case of trousers) need hiking up every time you move.

If it helps, I'm a pre-preg 10/12, 5 ft 7in, with hips (!)

[Roseybee10]

My staples this time were over bump skinny jeans from H&M and black jegginngs from mamas and papas (which were great for work). I got a pack of three Long sleeved tops from new look which were great for casual and work and I just wore some of my non Maternity waterfall cardigans over them.

m.hm.com/gb/product/58794?article=58794-A#mediaType=FASHION_FRONT

answers.mamasandpapas.com/answers/4006/product/s0009611/questions.htm

m.newlook.com/shop/maternity/tops/maternity-3-pack-3-4-sleeve-top_244270409

[Turquoiseblue]

I know the feeling - 18 weeks here my 'old' maternity clothes are shocking and just look terrible.
I have a stretchy pair of skinny wand from zara and one from river island (non maternity ) that still fit but only just as my hips and bum have gotten gotten so big.

Tried some nice dresses in oasis yesterday one was a long jersey maxi another was a black and white midi and a black and powder blue jersey type material dress that was knee length. They were all non maternity but good options with a stretch in the material for growing room And as summer is coming jeans are going to get a bit icky I reckon anyway (says she hopefully )
I haven't found maternity jeans though- have tried topshop ann dh and m - over bump falls down eventually in my experience and I have seraphine and COH under bunp from the last time but they are falling down she I wear them. The over bump ones annoy me more so as I dislike seeing an extra layer unde tees etc so I think once I m out of current skinnies I m just gonna leave them till I can fit back into my old ones.. Small price to pay really !!
I got a nice pair of patterned trousers from h and m in maternity section (regent st had the largest collection - I ve done nearly all the stores in London).
As I said previously there s lots of maxi and midi and tunic type dresses in oasis/ warehouse/ and other stories/ zara and lots of jersey stuff.

H and m non maternity basics have long vests that have stretch in them that I find great for over the current jeans I m wearing it layering with an open denim or check shirt or cardi and tube skirt.

Will be keeping an eye on this as if the wonder jeans for maternity exist I want to know! But I haven't found them over my 3 pregnancies so I m just going to adapt as I just don't have the will to be hoiking all the time

[Turquoiseblue]

Oh and I nearly forgot. I have two (one black one white) bump bands from previous pregnancies that I wear under tees and tanks etx at the moment they help keep current skinnies up.
I made a third by cutting up one of the h and m tank tops and hemming it (if that makes sense) - it d easy and really helps when in the evening my bump is bigger and I need to pop the button of my jeans I can still fit into.

[Purpleball]

It's even worse if you're a larger size to begin with. I've ended up just buying loose fitting stuff in a bigger size. I'm living in leggings and tunics/skater dresses with a couple of maxi dresses. Mat clothes look ridiculous on me

[HazleNutt]

I absolutely hate that most maternity trousers and jeans come with this thick but loose jersey fabric for the stretchy part. In most cases, does nothing, in particular not what it's supposed to, i.e keeping the trousers up.

I have found a company who has it figured out and all my favourite trousers are from there - unfortunately they're in the US, so I'm not sure how good the delivery times are, and also expensive, so check their clearance. If you're desperate though, check out the Secret Fit Belly for Pea in the Pod - the panel is very stretchy and thin, you can't see it under clothes, but the trousers also won't fall down. I really don't get why others are not doing it. www.apeainthepod.com/maternity/secret-fit-belly.asp

Otherwise I've been wearing mostly just normal, stretchy clothes instead of maternity ones, most maternity is way overpriced and horrible quality. Anything that's worn open, cardigans and jackets - just my normal stuff, with belly sticking out obviously.

[gingerbreadmam]

i have had the same problem. im 16/17 wks needed maternity from 12 weeks. i ordered about £300 worth of stuff from various shops. ended up keeping a pair of jeans and top from new look and a plain vest from topshop.

mammalicious do some nice things. ive been wearing marks and spencers wide leg jersey trousers for work which were fine but now im at a point where they need to go over or under bump and they just look crap.

i would really like some nice jogging bottoms for relaxing in if anyone comes across those.

in the end i opted for 2 maxi dresses in a size up and one of those split side tops in a size up which should kp me going.

[bettybyebye]

I am 28weeks and just got 2 pairs of nice patterned maternity trousers from h&m. They're nice and lightweight and comfy so great for this time of year (currently wearing them on hols in Cyprus!). A local store to me (cheshire oaks) stocks a good range of maternity wear in store so I was able to try on which helped (as I find the h&m range to be very small). Can't link as I'm phone but they are the mama jersey trousers at £14.99. I am 5'5 and a size 12-14 pre preg and in size large. They're not over the bump which is my preferred style but the waistband doesn't ride down or anything

[crazycatlady82]

This may sound a bit silly but would braces work to keep trousers up? More of a general suggestion/enquiry really...

[CityDweller]

Rosey I doubt I'd be able to get those skinny jeans from H&M over my calves - they look very tight. And, anyway, I have a some comfy skinny jeans from last preg which I LOVE (from Old Navy, btw, if anyone is going to the states - brilliant fit and nice thin, but stretchy over bump band to keep them up). The M&P jeggings look ok - is the fabric nice and soft? I just returned a pair of jeggings to JoJo because the fabric was stiff and uncomfortable.

Hazle PeainPod looks nice, but I need stuff now and those prices!

Betty your H&M trousers sound like a pair I bought from Asos - really comfy jersey patterned ones that sit under bump in a 'peg leg' style. They're not very flattering on me though and I feel like I'm wearing pyjamas, so I tend to just wear them at home!

[CityDweller]

Oh, and re. braces. I'm not sure that would work as tops tend to go down over the waist band of maternity clothes (mostly to hide the ugly elastic waist bands) so any top you'd be wearing would bunch up around where the braces connect to the trousers.

Plus, I think I'd look a twat in braces.

[Roseybee10]

I cried when I gave the M&P jegginngs away. They were incredibly comfy and kept their shape so well. I wore them right up until my due date.

[CityDweller]

Well, just checked and M&P have closed the store on Regent St and there are no other stores near me. I'm not buying anything else online that I have to pay to return if it doesn't fit or suit. So that rules them out.

[rubyred84]

I've got some lovely over the bump jeans from new look, Asos also have some lovely 'non frumpy' stuff. all of my cardigans are non maternity, and have bought loads of the £2.50 stretchy t-shirts from Primark a few sizes too big, and at 26 weeks pregnant with twins they still fit and are really comfy, hope that helps!

[LostMySocks]

You could try click and collect. Free delivery, try on I store and return if it doesn't fit.

[CityDweller]

click and collect with whom Lost? Happy to do that, but lots of places don't have stores near me (e.g. M&P and JoJo).

[PooSweats84]

So far I've managed to find (and actually keep) a pair of maternity skinny jeans from Blooming Marvellous at Mothercare which are thankfully over bump and a top from H and M's maternity range. I've just bought 2 pairs of leggings from George at Asda but they won't be used until later on in my pregnancy as the bump part is quite generous! It is a nightmare and I've really struggled. Everything I've bought online has gone back and H and M and Mothercare seem to be the only places that stock clothes in store.

[CityDweller]

I'm beginning to wonder if it wouldn't be easier to go back to what all our mums did when they were pregnant with us - just wear enormous tent-dresses.

[PooSweats84]

I tried the jeans in H and M and found that the button at the front, which there's no need for, dug right in to my belly, otherwise they would have been really comfy. Also yy to buying cheap longer tops from Primark, I'm living in mine at the minute and they keep their shape and stretch even with heavy use!

[FluffyJawsOfDoom]

Mine are all Dorothy Perkins x

[FluffyJawsOfDoom]

Their regent St store used to stock mat wear but it was a while ago

[manateeandcake]

I'm also struggling to find nice, comfortable things that look OK, especially for work (I do a job where I have to look reasonably smart i.e. preferably not denim but would feel overdressed in suit-type trousers).
I had pinned my hopes on a pair of navy chinos from Asos -- not over the bump, but they looked great online. Unfortunately they arrived and the fit is terrible: hugely baggy around the bum and thighs even though I ordered a 10 and am usually a 10/12. I'm very disappointed, and if I see another breton stripe maternity top I think I'll scream.

[CityDweller]

Ok, after wasting yet more hours trawling online shops, and ruling lots out because delivery is too expensive or there are no stores near me to return to, I've just spunked £200 on more JoJo stuff and £80 on Verdbaudet. The former I'll just suck up and pay to return via 2nd class post if it doesn't fit. The latter I can return for free via a Hermes click and collect shop not too far away.

Hopefully some of it will work out. Will keep you posted!

And I agree about sodding breton stripes, manateeandcake. Alas most of the JoJo stuff is either navy or striped navy and white, but I figured at least that was relatively neutral and could combine well with other stuff. I'll try to get to a Primark to buy some cheap stretchy tops in brighter colours to go with.

[Stinkersmum]

HazleNutt I can vouch for pea in the pid stuff. I happened upon a Destination Maternity outlet whilst on holiday in Florida last month. No it's not the cheapest but it is awesome. So comfortable. I felt slightly guilty spending so much on maternity clothes but I'd happily wear the trousers leggings etc for ever.

[misssmilla1]

I'm in the US and use these guys a lot www.motherhood.com/ I think they ship to the UK, but not sure on costs etc. They're related to destination maternity and on-line carry a lot of stuff.

They have their own basics line (shorts, jeans, work stuff) which isn't catwalk but it's not all frumpy polyester fabrics either. They also carry other lines such as Jessica Simpson (altho her stuff fits very oddly) and pea in a pod. I have a pair of jeans and a denim skirt from pea in the pod which are excellent fits (bought from equivalent of TK Max in the UK)

[CityDweller]

Thanks guys but US stuff really no use! Even if they do deliver to the UK you get whacked for massive import duty/tax, so it's not at all cost effective. But looks like UK outlets could take a lesson or two from the yanks in terms of offering quality and range to pregnant women.