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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Maternity wear question

27 replies

Renaissance227 · 03/08/2011 13:29

I've been finding that places selling maternity wear are few and far between and that the internet is about the only place to get a decent choice (although even this is limited).
Has anyone else had the same problem? Would you find it handy/better to have a shop entirely devoted to maternity wear or is that a bad idea?

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jamama · 03/08/2011 13:43

Unless you go to central London you'll struggle to find much actually in-store. Larger Gap & Next branches, NewLook, DP and TopShop do carry some items, but you may find it is quite limited stock. Mothercare (mostly out of town now) has some stuff, although I've not been keen on any of it so far. Worth a try-on to see how things fit you before buying online. I was in London visiting friends a couple of weekends ago and Oxford/Regent St has the best range you'll find on the high street, but even then it is largely in basements or dingy corners. There have been lots of threads on the online retailers, but actually as long as you're not after smart work clothes, NewLook have a decentish, well-priced range (I got a summer dress for £7 recently). Lots of people sell stuff off in bundles on ebay, so if you're near a city this can be a good deal (they are often collection only).
I don't think any non-boutique retailer shifts the volumes needed to make it worth their while, and whilst frustrating during pregnancy, it isn't something that I really noticed before.

The total lack of non-hideous bras in cup sizes larger than E-F on the high street is however another matter, and I could complain for HOURS about that!

Sandra2011 · 03/08/2011 13:45

There was a previous thread regarding maternity clothes.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/1271426-Maternity-clothes-issues

Original poster

Renaissance227 · 03/08/2011 13:58

Thank you for that!
Do you not think it is a big enough issue to open a maternity wear shop? Not really worth it? Not enough call?

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mopsytop · 03/08/2011 14:20

Mamas and Papas is the only place I have found that has nice stuff!

Original poster

Renaissance227 · 03/08/2011 14:32

I've found that too, but they can be a bit on the expensive side.
If you found out about a shop that specialised in maternity wear (that wasn't in London) would you travel to it?

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Merinda · 03/08/2011 14:38

There are maternity wear shops, but the clothes tend to be more expensive than high street: Seraphine, Pretty Pregnant, Blossom, 9London (the last 3 all sell multiple brands and designer stuff).

Original poster

Renaissance227 · 03/08/2011 14:42

I've not come across any of these. Where are they based?

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Sunshinecurl · 03/08/2011 14:44

Seraphine and Isabella Oliver both have shops...

RobintheRobin · 03/08/2011 14:44

I know what you mean, maternity clothing is rubbish, and sooo frumpy! Topshop, H & M and New Look do a few key pieces that are alright, but again you'll struggle to buy them instore, you have to get them online. I've ended-up with a couple of things from Mothercare that are alright (you can order it into your local store so don't have to fuss about with delivery or returns), and Men's stuff from Primark.

Merinda · 03/08/2011 14:46

They are all based in London.
Seraphine has a shop in Kensington High st (and somewhere else as well)
Pretty Pregnant on King's Rd and Islington
Blossom on Marylebone High st and in Harrods
9London just off Sloane Sq (Pavillion rd?)

They all have websites, btw, and most sell online as well.
I would say Seraphine is the most reasonable in terms of affordability and styles available. Both Blossom and 9London carry high end designers. Not sure how many women can afford a Missoni maternity dress or want to buy one. Pretty Pregnant I found hit and miss in terms of styles and quite expensive as well (they carry several European and some US maternity brands, I believe)

Original poster

Renaissance227 · 03/08/2011 14:52

Thank you for the advice.

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Sunshinecurl · 03/08/2011 15:05

Isabella Oliver seems to have the 'wow' factor and 'special treat' seems to be the general consensus among most women I know.

Sunshinecurl · 03/08/2011 15:06

Also JoJo Maman Bebe is very affordable - think Seraphine prices.

Original poster

Renaissance227 · 03/08/2011 15:09

Thanks.
I like JoJo Maman Bebe and Mamas and Papas but neither have a shop very close to me. The nearest is a small Mamas and Papas about an hour away.
Was wishing there was a maternity shop closer!

OP posts:

jamama · 03/08/2011 17:24

fwiw, JojoMamanBebe has free mainland UK delivery, and the size guide seems pretty good to me (although see my comment re: bras for my particular requirements, which need to be taken into a/c with this comment). Not had to return anything yet, so no idea on the policy, but the sale items I got were nice, and delivery was fine. But I understand the irritation at not being able to try things on before buying!

Fresh01 · 03/08/2011 19:12

I have got a few things from ASOS maternity. Reasonable prices and quick delivery.

crazyhead · 03/08/2011 19:38

I really like Seraphine - washes well, good for work, nice quality and not so expensive (though not cheap). ASOS is nice really reasonable but I found the sizes tiny compared to anywhere else - so more early than late preg for me

TadlowDogIncident · 03/08/2011 19:46

I also really like Seraphine. It's good quality, washes well etc, and it also holds its value quite well if you want to resell on Ebay once you've had the baby. Isabella Oliver looks great but I didn't get on with it: I'm very short and it drowned me. The other one I like is Crave, but I don't know if they have a real life shop - I bought all mine on Ebay.

redexpat · 03/08/2011 20:36

I second the asos recommendation! Also Old Navy (GAPs cheaper sister chain) now ship to the UK.

Original poster

Renaissance227 · 04/08/2011 11:13

This is all great advice, thank you BUT I HATE buying online and being quite short I HAVE to try things on.
Seraphine looks good but I don't want to have to travel to London for maternity wear when I only have 12 weeks to go.
Will just have to keep checking out the two rails we have in my local New Look!
Mums to be really do have a lack of choice in local shops!

OP posts:

TadlowDogIncident · 04/08/2011 13:43

Ebay is your friend - at least if it's no good you haven't spent much! I'm short too, and I found buying on Ebay for far less than the new price made me feel better about paying to have things altered - £7.99 for the trousers and then £7 to have them shortened felt much less painful than £30 for the trousers and then still having to pay the £7 for shortening.

bibindum · 04/08/2011 14:55

my friend sent me a link to livelovematernity which looks good - haven't ordered from yet, but like that i can look at one site instead of 20

BrandyAlexander · 04/08/2011 15:35

I did lots of hunting around and found most shops have something they do well but not everything across the range. So....I bought both work and casual clothes from Isabella Oliver. I also bought work clothes from Pretty Pregnant - although I found the trousers tight. I bought fab jeans from Mamas and Papas as well as some casual tops. Dresses were from Seraphine and Blossom. I bought a few holiday things from Dorothy Perkins. I bought everything online as couldn't be bothered to go to shops. Everyone tends to have free returns so whatever I didn't like I returned. After having my baby (and being more mobile!), I bought a few tops from H&M (I like loose tops for bf) and they were fab too. Someone mentioned Crave which you can get from John Lewis (I think its just online).

TinyTear · 04/08/2011 17:20

There is also a Seraphine in Hampstead for London based people...

last weekend I was in the Oxford St area and was despairing. I ended in Regent St in mamas and papas and loved the clothes there. but as I am only 14w now all I needed was a pair of jeans and a pair of black work trousers so managed to not go overboard.

In terms of prices two pairs there (with 20% off) were the same price as one pair I had seen in seraphine

PhyllisDiller · 04/08/2011 20:33

It's so hot at the moment and my very favourite 2 dresses are not maternity at all they are just (a size up or 2 from normal) maxi dresses, I keep seeing more and having to stop myself. Quite hoping baby doesn't keep me waiting too long so I can get some use out of them after the birth.

Monsoon did have lots, fat face had a few, and TK Maxx seemed to have several gigantic rails full of them. Apparently Primark had some too.

Fat face do tunic things that stretch over the bump as well.

Were you asking about a shop because you wanted to open one?

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