Maternity dresses?

[fruityb]

Anyone know where I can get some nice dresses to wear while pregnant? I have quite a neat bump but it's getting bigger, now sticks out further than my boobs though that isn't too hard lol, and I am living in my over bump jeans from next. I have a pair I wear for work and hide the pockets and such with a bump band - got away with it so far!

However, I really want some dresses. I have a couple that aren't maternity that I can wear, empire line ones, and have a shirt dress I bought in a bigger size to accommodate baby. The problem with that is they don't fit properly on the top half as they're too big! I have maternity tights which are great, and just want some casual smart dresses I can wear for work and for home. I dual purpose all my clothes!

Any suggestions? Have looked on Next and New Look but I'm not keen on bodycon styles for work, I'm a teacher and don't feel they're totally appropriate. Any other places I could get some smart ones that won't break the bank too much? I like patterns and prints and tend to go for darker colours.
Thanks all!

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Hi! This thread is a little out of date. If you're looking for comfy maternity wear, take a peek at our round-up of the best maternity dresses - as chosen by Mumsnetters. MNHQ

[29redshoes]

I've lived in maternity dresses since I was about 14 weeks! They're great. Like you I wasn't so keen on bodycon styles, they wouldn't really have worked at my office.

Mine came from jojo maman bebe, mothercare, M&S, seraphine and isabella oliver. The last two in particular can be expensive so look out for the sales. I don't think I ever paid more than about £35.

In total I think I had 8 dresses but that's literally all I've worn this pregnancy - I just can't get on with maternity jeans at all.

[princesspineapple]

I got some nice dresses from Dorothy perkins... I don't usuallyi shop there for clothes but saw some nice bits in their range at Debenhams and ended up getting most of my maternity wear from there in the end :)

[BunchOfBobs]

I've bought loads on eBay, fab condition and really cheap.

[leoniethelioness]

I have two from Seraphine to wear to work when I'm a bit bigger. I'm tempted to buy a couple more too... Red Herring Maternity seems OK bit I find their dresses a bit short. I'm only 5'0"!

[dylsmimi]

Jo Jo maman - there are normally codes about (don't get too distracted wkth the cute baby clothes!)
Red herring maternity at debenhams is good and if there is a shop nearby you can at least try them on!

[GrouchyKiwi]

I love JojoMamanBebe's maternity dresses, and quite a few of them are great for nursing afterwards too.

[FuzzyOwl]

I found Seraphine's dresses lovely.

[Nan0second]

Get the nice brands above off eBay. See when you're done!

[Nan0second]

See = sell... Bloody autocorrect

[cheapredwine]

Boden maternity dresses off eBay, but there's not very much sadly...

[SewSlapdash]

This from Next is lovely on, elegant but also comfortable. I also bought this from ASOS which is pretty and very wearable.

[Runningupthathill82]

Asos! I lived in Asos dresses when I was pregnant - stretch jersey ones for casual, and smarter ones for work. They're cheap and also actually quite nice - unlike, say,Mothercare, which is frump galore.

[sizethree]

I love New Look ones and bought lots on eBay (great condition as barely worn!). George ar Asda do the best maternity leggings and ASOS do great tights.

[IamChipmunk]

I'm a teacher and have quite a few dresses, try ASOS, also New look and red herring at Debenhams.
If the dresses get a bit short as bump gets bigger I just swap tights for leggings.

[fruityb]

Thank you everyone some places for me to explore!

We're not allowed to wear leggings at my school for some reason. Really annoys me!

[Vb87]

H n M do nice maternity clothes X

[Ginge16]

Lived in Red Herring Maternity dresses for work and often in the sale. Also liked the fact they were avaliable in store so could try on before buying unlike many other shops which is all online.

[Shanghaichica]

I've also balked at the idea of wearing jeans during my pregnancy. I wore them up until about 11 weeks and then I stopped. What I've been wearing is leggings. I must have about 20 pairs now. I didn't buy any specific maternity clothes, I just bought lots of dresses, most of them from H and M in medium or size 14. I've been wearing them since I was about 12 weeks and I'm now 35 +6 and they still fit now. I was a size 10 before getting pregnant so I've grown into them. I started getting a bump around 12 weeks but as I was working on a female forensic ward (I'm a nurse) I didn't want my patient's to know I was pregnant so wearing oversized clothes helped a lot. I was moved to a lower risk ward when I was about 22 weeks. I also bought lots of jumpers in medium/size 14 for the winter.

If there is a second baby I'll definitely looking into getting some maternity outfits.

[29redshoes]

fruityb can't believe you're not allowed to wear leggings! That's annoying. I never used to wear leggings but have been glad of them during pregnancy. At least we're heading into summer months now so maybe you won't need them.

running awww, one of my favourite mat dresses came from mothercare! Its the only one I have from there though so maybe I just got lucky

[Quodlibet]

Asos. Also means you don't have to slog round any actual shops. I've found the Mamalicious range to be good quality.

[Shelby1981]

Mothercare! I have this one www.mothercare.com/Maternity-Stripe-Dress/LHA401,default,pd.html and this one www.mothercare.com/Navy-and-White-Striped-Maternity-Tube-Dress/LH6750,default,pd.html and they're only £15 each :)

[fruityb]

Ooh I like those!!

[IamChipmunk]

We're not normally allowed to wear leggings either but they will make an exception if ppl are pregnant. So perhaps worth a try anyway?

[redexpat]

Seraphine dresses are lovely.
Have you had a look at ASOS? It can be a bit hit and miss but worth a look.

[TwllBach]

I'm a teacher and lived in the jojo maman Bebe dresses my mother bought me here are two from before 30 weeks but I could still wear them now at 38 and I suspect they'll be good for breastfeeding!

(It's my Instagram but I use a fake name for it too so I'm not reeeeeally outing myself)

They do some nice tops too - I used to rotate these two dresses, another from JMB that I can't find a picture of, a swing (?) dress from next and two maternity tops from JMB with a jersey pencil skirt that I already have.