Maternity clothes

[Tarlia]

Hi, I'm wondering if you lovely ladies could help me? How many weeks were you when you started wearing maternity clothes in you first pregnancy? I live in a place with rubbish shops, so need to try and plan when to buy them.

Also, any advice of good shops for maternity wear? The choice seems so limited. I'm not into under the bump at all, they look so uncomfy to me and would rather see the clothes than buying online.

TIA :-)

I started wearing maternity trousers at around 9-10 weeks as I started to show quite early. At that stage though, I was able to still wear normal wrap dresses which were very comfortable.

I would advise that you try on some under the bump clothes - they actually are very comfy, especially if trousers have a soft, adjustable waist band.

Mamas and Papas do the best maternity jeans and they do quite a few over the bump ones. M&P clothes are generally really nice and stylish, but the downside is that they are more expensive than some of the other shops.

Dorothy Perkins is good for tops and t-shirts that allow for plenty of bump growth. They also have some nice dresses. Dresses get more and more comfy, the bigger you get!

Redherring in Debenhams and Gap are also good, though neither seem to have their new stock in just yet. H&M is great for cheap and cheerful basics and New Look is okay though the quality is not as good as H&M. Next is also okay - some nice bits, though some sack-like things too.

Mothercare is a bit overpriced but they can do good sale rails and they do quite a bit of workwear.

Finally, there's a lot of non-maternity stuff around at the moment which fits just as well. It's worth trawling through the non-manterinty sections as often you pay a premium just because it has a maternity label on it.

I agree with Cakemuncher, you should be able to cope for a while with some non-maternity floaty tops, maxi dresses and stretchy vests/t-shirts. I started in maternity stuff at about 12-14 weeks but was having to use a hair bobble through jeans fly for a couple of weeks before
My advice would be, as well as what Cakemuncher said:

• you won't know what shape and size you will end up being so you unfortunately might be better off just buying a few bits now, then waiting and seeing what you need further on.
• think about the seasons during your pregnancy. I am due early Nov so clothes which I would bake in now such as over-bump trousers from H&M may actually be perfect in the few weeks leading up to my EDD. I would recommend you get some stuff you can layer up like t-shirts and cardigans which don't have to be tailored.
• look at what you wear most often now and what you will be doing during pregnancy- for example I work full-time in an office so needed smart gear as well as jeans/leggings for at home.

I started wearing maternity trousers at 9 weeks, but can still squeeze into some leggings and jogging bottoms now at 23 weeks.

Under the bump I actually find most comfortable! Over the bump can mean excess fabric at first and it also means your bump gets hotter (mine seems like a mini furnace as it is!).

I like JoJoMamanBebe for basics. M&P are good too - I've got some of their jeans and love them. Mothercare can be great but can also be crappy. Next are quite expensive for Maternity IMO. H&M are good, as are TopShop.

I'd just buy as and when you feel you need bits - or when you see a bargain in the sales. A pair of maternity jeans is usually a must-have, but so is work trousers if you have to be smart. If you've got some long stretchy non-maternity vest tops, they'll probably last you a good long while.

Remember that most mail-order shops will do easy returns on non-sale goods. So you can buy stuff and try it at home.

Start by getting some bump bands from ebay. They are a stretchy tube of fabric that goes around your bump to hide the gap between your top and trousers, and also hides the fact that you can't quite do up your flies!!

If you get a couple of these, you'll be able to wear your normal clothes for a bit longer.

Primark are good for t-shirts and vests, as they are much longer length than other brands.

New Look are good and inexpensive for maternity jeans, but not all branches have a maternity section, so check first!

I'm almost 14 weeks into my first pregnancy and just a few days ago took the plunge and got some maternity jeans and some black trousers for work.

For about 3 weeks before, I was doing trousers up with hair bobbles, plus bump band to cover the exposed tummy this created! It was fine as a stopgap but I was kind of relieved to start in maternity clothes to be honest.

I have over-bump trousers and jeans as I felt more comfortable with extra support (was on the slightly large side to start with and so for me it's just habit as my wobbly flesh is something I take pains to cover up!). I haven't found them too warm, but then we haven't exactly had scorching weather here. I'm due in Feb so being too warm isn't something I was overly considering when I was shopping.

Apart from being comfortable (the most important thing), a lot of maternity clothes are actually more flattering for your bump (I have found anyway). I only have a few bits but I fine the jeans and a gathered maternity T-shirt make me look nice and pregnant rather than oddly-shaped and chubby. DH actually got a bit teary when he first saw me in mat clothes as he felt all proud (sorry if this makes people vomit)!

I have quite a few non-mat tops that are kind of empire line ish which are still fine as they are loose over my little bump, but I really never wear dresses etc. so floaty maxis were not really something I would go for.

D

Sorry should have mentioned, I got black trousers and some tops from M&S (but their selection was a bit cr@p TBH), and jeans from Next which are amazing.

If you decide to spend a bit of time with hair bobbles plus bump bands please don't make the mistake I did and leave it too long. We were driving up to Edinburgh from Manchester on Friday and had normal jeans on unfastened, but the bottom of the zip area had no 'give' at all and I felt like it was cutting me in half, to the extent where I made DH leave the motorway at a shopping centre for me to get something!

Don't put up with being uncomfortable!

Dx

Good point Janice about some branches not having maternity sections. I went into my local Next and Dorothy Perkins wanting to try on some mat clothes and found neither held the range in store. Ended up ordering all mine online through DP, but despite always ordering the same size, I've found some miles too big and some miles too small (trousers). All the tops I've ordered have been great for fit, although some look to give more growing room than others.

The kind of long tunic tops which have been popular the last few seasons, I've found are still fine for me and I'm expecting will last a while (I'm 25 weeks at the mo).

I also thought the under-bump stuff would be uncomfortable, but I've found the opposite - the few over-bump stuff I've tried on was horrible!!

I was in my normal trousers until 23 weeks (hair bobbles do marvels to extend a pair of jeans), and still now at 32 weeks am wearing some none pregnancy tops.

I've mainly ordered online, tried on at home and sent back if I don't like. I've a pair of underbump jeans from NEXT that I love, and their overbump work trousers. Bought a couple of bits in H&M and mothercare.

funmum.com is another website I'd recommend (they've 50% off until this Sunday). You pay for postage but returns are free. Jojomamanbebe is free postage and returns. Next is free if delivered to store, then go in try on and leave them with anything you don't want. ALso have had a couple of things from EBay, always worth a look

I was also in normal clothes til past 20 weeks, didn't really have a bump til then. Just used a hairband in my trousers and a bump band to cover it up. Then I went on ebay, and a friend lent me some stuff. Have only bought a few things.

I started around 5 months when the bump started to get in the way

I got a bundle of maternity clothes from ebay which worked out at about £1 per item, total of £10. I supplemented that with a decent pair of trousers from Jojomamanbebe (no zip or button fly just elastic - very comfy) and work trousers from next.

I also bought a few cheap t-shirts and vests from the "tall" section at dorothy perkins as they were then long enough to cover my bump.

By the end of it, I was so sick of the clothes so glad I didn't spend a huge amount (except for a dress from Isabella Oliver - but it was in the sale!)

I found asda maternity clothes really good for basics. New look is good too as is topshop. I also bought a lot from asos.com. Their maternity selection is quite stylish and reasonably priced. However, I seem to spend most of my time in leggings and the oversized t-shirts that are available in non maternity sections of shops.

I think it is impossible to predict when you will need to start wearing maternity clothes. I am 34 weeks and am still just about managing to wing it in a few of my normal clothes (loose tops, baggier cardigans, gypsy skirt, maxi dress, draw string hipster trousers, sarong and leggings) with a bump band. Bump bands are a fantastic invention - bridge the distance between tops and skirts/trousers and they can help to keep things like trousers/skirts up when you no longer have hip bones or a waist to hang the clothes off. I think the season probably makes a difference though - I've managed to wing it this far because it's summer - you need less and some normal summer clothes can work during pregnancy. If it was winter I'm sure I would have had to have bought maternity stuff. Don't buy too much until you know that you are actually going to need it. I got all excited as soon as the wee was dry on the stick and now I'm flogging stuff on Ebay!

I am 38wks and didnt start wearing maternity trousers til 30wks pregnancy including jeans. I did wear maternity/empire line tops though.

Everyone is different I didnt have the biggest of bumps and still dont really but def need my maternity clothes now.

Havent brought huge amounts brought some bits of ebay and in sales, have a skirt and shrug from jojomaman, 2 pairs jeans and linen trousers and a dress and 2 tops from next (only place does long enough leg to fit me, a dress and skirt from pumpkin patch and a dress from blooming marvellous.

I have also had some empire line tops from matalan that have been great for work and also brought a number of white vest tops for £1 and £1.50 from primark brought 1 size and 2 sizes bigger than normal and as they are long they have fitted over bump fine.

I have brought all maternity wear online as shops have limited stock in stores it seems.

Wow lots of fantastic tips, thank you! I'm only 12 +3 and still fitting in all of my trousers except one pair of jeans that were snug to start with. Everyone on my antenatal thread seems to be in maternity wear already so I guess I was getting worried I would ballon over night! Not having told anyone except parents and inlaws not had anyone to ask, as they don't remember now!

I'm going to go and look at bump bands, which sound like an amazing idea and also the websites mentioned, some of which I've never heard of!

Thank you so much, this has turned into a really helpful thread for us newbies :)

I'm almost 12 weeks pregnant with number 3 and I'm in maternity trousers from today! My first pregnancy was 6 years ago and I think high street shops maternity departments have got so much worse since then! My local H&M maternity has halved in size, and local GAP & Next no longer do maternity!

Are you all buying online? I really want to try before I buy!! I'm on the hunt for good maternity jeans - have heard good things about Next, should I buy online?!

If you are buying online, check the discounts and shopping pages here on Mumsnet - some places offer you a discount to Mumsnet users .

I started off with expensive stuff from seraphine and isabella oliver, but have got the most wear out of the cheaper stuff from next. next have a big range, and do tops and T shirts in packs of 2 or 3 which are really useful.

Wow, amd today trying under-bump trousers and am finding them really uncomfy, am having to undo them whilst sat down as they are cutting in a lot. They do have an elasticated waist so not sure why they are so horrid.

So funny, different strokes for different folks and all that.

These will not be worn again apart from undone in the house!

D

I'm not bothering with maternity jeans: have alwaysfound them confusing and odd.

A selection of maxi dresses, cardigans that do up above the bump, and the most AMAZING pair of leggings (from Primark, £5!) that seem to be made of silky lycra. They go over the bump without cutting in.

I founds ASOS and Blossom maternity the best...

Blossom have an amazing selection of jeans! For all mankind etc.

www.blossommotherandchild.com/

I have some Gap maternity jeans which are super super comfy. I love them. I got them in the Oxford Circus branch of Gap in London.