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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for your honest opinions about my choice of maternity clothes?

24 replies

LilacWine7 · 23/04/2015 16:02

I was reading a thread on here about maternity clothes but it seems to have disappeared (??) and am now panicking over my wardrobe!

I'm concerned everyone on MN seems to think loose-fitting maternity clothes look frumpy, as I was planning to wear these my whole pregnancy! I have HG and anything tight or restrictive makes me feel more nauseous. I don't have much of a bump yet but I've bought a few things in readiness. Before I was pregnant I used to live in skinny jeans and tight tops, so was looking forward to wearing loose floaty super-comfortable things for a change...

I'm 5ft10, early 30s and very slim. I was planning to wear short floaty dresses, flowing maxi-dresses, also knee-length dresses that are fitted under bust then skim over bump, or loose dresses with adjustable ties at back. I also have a pair of maternity trousers (baggy linen) to wear with loose-fitting maternity tshirts. Please be honest... do you think I'll look frumpy and huge if I dress like this? Any suggestions for clothes that are not frumpy but not tight either?

OP posts:

sparechange · 23/04/2015 16:07

Of course loose-fitting doesn't automatically mean frumpy!
But equally, showing a bit of bump doesn't mean you are a slattern.

Have a look at these blogs for floaty maternity wardrobe style - not a frump in sight...

cocomamastyle.com/

www.nineinthemirror.com/

WorraLiberty · 23/04/2015 16:08

Sounds perfect for the Summer and probably what most people will be wearing anyway.

I didn't need 'maternity' clothes during my pregnancies, I just wore slightly looser clothing.

I'm not sure what other people's opinions were, but then again I genuinely wouldn't have cared. I looked and felt good in my eyes and that's all that mattered.

dinkystinky · 23/04/2015 16:11

Honestly, don't panic about your choice of maternity clothes - wear what you like/feel comfortable in and are happy wearing, exactly the same as when you're not pregnant! I've been through 3 pregnancies - over a span of 8 years - and the styles of what I wore varied over that period, as my style varied (and I needed more trousers in later pregnancies for running after no 1 and no 2 and climbing/sliding/building lego on the floor more). That said, I wore lots of maxi dresses to work in my last pregnancy as I found some I liked and it stopped me feeling like I was melting when commuting on the tube!

Allstoppedup · 23/04/2015 16:12

There are some gorgeous floaty, loose maternity clothes.

It's totally a choice of what you are comfortable in. I wear a mix of both.

The last thread was started by a known goady poster so people were going against her view fairly aggressively.

I think as long as you are happy and comfortable, no one else (who matters) cares what you wear. Don't worry!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and hope your HG improves soon. I've had it in both of mine and totally agree loose clothes are more comfortable when you feel so nauseous. I'm 17 weeks with number two and it finally started to go about two weeks ago.

Allstoppedup · 23/04/2015 16:14

I should add that during The Awful Early Weeks, I felt my best in the frumpiest p.js known to man.

Frumpy and pregnancy can be a beautiful union!

WorraLiberty · 23/04/2015 16:16

People got aggressive about someone else's maternity clothes choices?

Seriously?

Hakluyt · 23/04/2015 16:18

Oh, bloody hell- something else for women to worry about!

Wear what makes you feel comfortable and happy. You're making a person. That's seriously wonderful. If you want to wear a bikini or a specially made Armani suit or pyjamas or a million yards of drifting cheesecloth that's absolutely fine by anyone whose opinion matters ||

fatlazymummy · 23/04/2015 16:18

The only maternity clothes that are frumpy are the old style smock dresses that pregnant women used to feel obliged to wear. The kind of clothes that no one would have been seen dead in if they weren't pregnant. Nowadays women have a choice, thank goodness. Wear the things that you feel comfortable in and that suit your lifestyle.
I'm sure there are still plenty of pregnant women around who prefer to wear clothes that are looser over their bump, and that's absolutely fine. Just as it's fine to wear tighter clothing if thats their choice.

OOAOML · 23/04/2015 16:23

As I said on that thread - you're growing a human, wear what you like. I did slag off 80s style monstrosities, but that's not what you're describing and if that's was what worked for you then go for it.

CapnMurica · 23/04/2015 16:26

I couldn't bear anything touching my bump the first time I was pregnant. It was loose dresses and jersey trousers and tops otherwise. Wearing a bra was almost too much, as was knickers.

BTW, Asos' range of maternity gear seems nice. I bought a dress last time and it was lovely (maxi jersey - wore it all the time I was so hot!)

HagOtheNorth · 23/04/2015 16:35

'I was reading a thread on here about maternity clothes but it seems to have disappeared (??) and am now panicking over my wardrobe!'

That's exactly the response that the troll wanted, to cause distress and uncertainty in a woman at a vulnerable stage in her life.
You are doing something amazing and whatever you wear, the response from normal people who are not looking to be nasty will be 'Wow!' followed by lots of advice that will probably annoy you but isn't intended to make you panic about being judged..

CaspianSea · 23/04/2015 17:03

Hope your hg improves soon OP! I have it too and like you can't wear tight clothes. Your dresses sound fine, not frumpy at all. At end of day wear what feels good and don't worry about what others wear.

I've seen some nice kimono-style dresses and kaftans around this season, I'll be wearing this sort of thing as its modern and not too hot. Can't go wrong with a maxi-dress either.

I'm 5ft11 and I think being tall helps you carry off shapeless floaty dresses that might swamp a more petite woman.

loveareadingthanks · 23/04/2015 17:19

Sounds lovely and cool and summery.

Some people are more comfortable in looser clothing. Some people are more comfortable in fitted stretchy stuff to support the bump. Neither is automatically frumpy, or automatically stylish.

I think the frumpy loose stuff is the type of 80s thing Princess Di used to wear, you know the big shapeless tents with floppy bows at the neck. Which I don't think anyone has worn them since then either...

firesidechat · 23/04/2015 17:32

It was a troll. IGNORE THE TROLL.

It takes a special kind of inadequate to start a thread knocking pregnant women for their choice of clothes.

Op wear what you like, but if it makes you feel better floaty dresses and linen trousers sound lovely and far better than the tents I wore 3 decades ago. Maternity clothes have come a long way.

firesidechat · 23/04/2015 17:34

What lovereading said. I was an 80's mum.

Rosieliveson · 23/04/2015 17:41

You definitely need to dress however you are comfortable (and cool) when pregnant. Especially in the summer.
I've got Hg too and have been in maternity knickers and trousers since it kicked in at 6 weeks. I can't bear anything around my waist or anything that feels like it presses my tummy.
I was pregnant with DS during summer and mainly wore floaty maxi dresses. I fully intend to so the same this time!
Congratulations and I hope you see the end of your sickness soon

BatteryPoweredHen · 23/04/2015 17:46

I'm quite similar in shape to you and am finding floaty and skimming a good idea

The key (IMO) is to have things either fitted, or cinched in at the 'under boob' point, this still gives me a bit of shape, and shows off my bump without being clingy...

It is the 'tent' like items that look frumpy IMO.

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/04/2015 17:52

You are growing a person; wear whatever the hell makes you happy.

Also, when you are not growing a person...

SomeSortOfDeliciousBiscuit · 23/04/2015 18:15

I'm in that in-between stage where my regular clothes are tight, but most maternity clothes are too big. I'm wearing a men's XL Sonic the Hedgehog t-shirt right now, over some black maternity leggings that aren't too massive. My normal every day 'look' is jeggings and loose, geeky t-shirts. I don't see why I should change that. Wear what you like and be happy and comfortable.

fluffymouse · 23/04/2015 18:38

Wear whatever you like. Everyone is too busy getting on with their own lives to even care!

ASOS have a good and affordable maternity range. Like you I liked loose clothes around my bump so mostly wore dresses.

PerfectlyPosed · 23/04/2015 18:39

You should wear whatever you feel comfortable in especially as you are going to be pregnant over what is rumoured to be a pretty warm summer. However, I went to a wedding when I was about 24 weeks and the dress I bought was very floaty and completely swamped me. This is when I decided to "embrace the bump" and got a dress that was tight and showed it off just right! Plus, because it was fitted, I have even managed to wear it post baby and no one had any idea that it was a maternity dress. But wear whatever you feel comfortable in!

BikeRunSki · 23/04/2015 18:47

I had HG and was heavily pg in the summer, twice. Floaty and loose is fine.

mrsmeerkat · 23/04/2015 18:49

I have been pregnant the past two summers and honestly it sounds like lovely, you need to be cool and comfortable. Least of your worries.

HelenF350 · 23/04/2015 18:52

Everyone suits different things. Do not worry what anyone thinks of your clothes, wear what makes you happy and comfortable.

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