Three months pregnant, already too fat for my clothes... What should I wear?!

[Flowerface]

I don't know if it's because it's my second or just because I have been greedy... But I have a small bump already, and have put on fat everywhere. I don't really want to buy a load of those in a bigger size than normal and THEN have to buy maternity clothes... But will I look like a lunatic in maternity clothes? What should I be wearing? I really feel like a tramp most of the time at the moment, and am wearing leggings and massive t-shirts/tunics.

I am about a size 12 (now) and 5'9". What should I wear and where should I get it from? Help please!

[babycham42]

I had to wear maternity clothes from about 10 weeks with my second so i would go straight into them and feel comfy.I found a had 'smaller' maternity clothes and 'bloody huge bump' maternity clothes that some of my supposed maternity gear wouldn't stretch to anyhow.

Enjoy!

[Wurg]

I've been in mat clothes from about 12 weeks (2nd pg) - I find that everything cuts uncomfortably across my bump. I've made my first ever Boden purchase and have been unseemingly grateful for their maternity leggings.

Embrace the lycra!

[reallygrumpy]

I think I went into maternity bottom half clothes at 14 weeks with DD2 and then tops a bit later. But it might be worth buying one or two pairs of trousers / jeans a size up because you'll wear them now and then again after the baby's born, unless you're one of those people who's back in their jeans days after giving birth.

In terms of maternity clothes, I didn't want to spend too much and found H&M great for basic vest tops, leggings (I'm still wearing the vest tops under other tops / cardigans now I'm breastfeeding) and t-shirts. Gap is good for tops, jeans and I got a few useful (if boring) work bits - trousers, pencil skirt, black dress from there. There's going to be a 30% off voucher in next week's Grazia so if you can wait till next Tues you can get 30% off and the maternity range is online now. I wasn't very imaginative when pregnant and tended to wear fairly plain clothes with scarves and leopard print ballet pumps.

[Flowerface]

Grumpy - I am definitely NOT one of the people who is immediately back in their old jeans! Last time I bought very little and lived in jogging bottoms (was finishing a PhD, never saw anyone, had one dress for when I had to) but this time I would like to feel a bit less slovenly...

[tassisssss]

i was in maternity clothes by 12 weeks for sure (the first time because I wanted to and the next 2 times because i got bigger sooner, had the stuff and it was WAY more comfy!)

[reallygrumpy]

Flowerface - I'm not either, DD2 is nearly 3 months and I have a stone to lose Topshop and ASOS also do nice maternity clothes and if you do decide to buy clothes a size up you could go to Primark so you don't have to spend a fortune. I spent alot of the summer in a black Primark maxidress which I just bought in a size larger than my usual size.

[Flowerface]

Has anyone tried JoJoMamanBebe for maternity things? They have quite a nice looking dress but I have found their children's clothes a bit odd - weird sizes - and wondered whether the adult stuff was the same...

[reallygrumpy]

I found all the JoJo Maman Bebe trousers too short (I'm 5ft 8) but the tops are ok. Avoid Next maternity if you're tall, I found the tops much too short in the body and all the trousers were too short.

[pocketandsweet]

Hi Flowerface.... most of my pregnancies were spent in hospital and thus in pyjamas BUT I have to say that I found buying a load of tops (one size larger than normal) in GAP was one source of good solutions at the stage you are talking about. I find that GAP tops seem longer than many other shops and thus accomodated the belly well. Also if you find a sale you can probably find a couple of nice jumpers and scarves which will make you feel more stylish. The other thing that I found helpful was one of those "belly band" things.... really just a stretchy cotton lycra band that meant that I could wear my non pregnancy tops without flashing my tummy at everyone and also helps bridge the gap between your jeans and shirt.

[Flowerface]

Thanks both. It's bottom half things I am really struggling with as my jeans are all too small, and I found maternity jeans hopeless the first time round (I do have a couple of pairs, so was exaggerrating about the jogging bottoms!). I would quite like just some nice wrap dresses and skirts with elasticated waists, not necessarily maternity. But I can't seem to find such things...