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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 clothes - what you wearing?

55 replies

sunchild77 · 28/08/2011 14:35

I really wanted to post this in Style, but thought I might have more luck here. I need help!!

I am having the biggest most annoying faff on with clothes.
Am a 14-16 size normally, but have a large bump already. I'm going to need a winter wardrobe as baby not due till christmas. Maternity jeans (over the bump type) are a nightmare, they keep falling down off my bum, I seriously need braces as I have to hoick them up all the time.
I don't need work clothes, so thats ok, but I need some comfy staples and a decent maternity fitting autumn/winter coat, as live in a wet place and do lots of walking every day. Everything I see in Next etc have short sleeves, and I think I'm going to freeze..
I hate maternity clothes......

OP posts:

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woowa · 29/08/2011 20:57

On coats, I bought a "swing" style coat, ie it has buttons at the top and then goes outwards quite a lot. WHen it snowed I tied big wool wraps around my bump and we were very snug! Then you can still it use it post baby (though sadly doesn't work at all with a sling, so not if you're going to carry baby!)

Enraha · 29/08/2011 21:33

Ooh, glad I found this thread. Anyone care to join me in a little high street/department store audit of who does good maternity wear currently, my patience for very lengthy clothes browsing is diminishing, so could do with some go-to places to look at stuff. My last PG was in 2007, so i'm hoping things may have moved on. Then, I seemed to be forced to completely change from my usual shopping haunts, most of which don't do any maternity gear. I'll need a bit of a retail pick-me up, over coming months.

Last time i used:
Debenhams Red Herring maternity - ok for trousers
Mothercare - surprisingly ok for worky/smart casual and basic tops/tunics
Dorothy P - a bit poor generally, some alright t-shirts
Topshop - ok and not too fashion-victimy

House of Fraser - no maternity available, grrrrr
M&S - pretty low on choice

I've looked at New Look for cheap thrills this time and it all seems a bit in-your-face {check out my BUMP/don't touch the merchandise} be-Logo'd horrors. Not really my scene.

What do the rest of you reckon...?

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 29/08/2011 21:47

Any suggestion for the larger ones amongst us? I am 10 weeks and am busting out of my size 20 trousers.

Enraha · 29/08/2011 22:01

OP - i borrowed a big duvet-style padded zip-up mac from a larger friend for nov/dec of last PG. Very kind of her and she had lots of coats, and she offered.

AlpinePony · 30/08/2011 08:14

alliwantisaroom Next - pretty uninspiring right now - between seasons? :( JoJoMaman do bigger sizes - I can't order from there as I live abroad and their website hates foreigners - and I've got some lovely stuff from Crave maternity - especially rooting through their sale items. Well cut and generous around the bum which so many aren't! I have some IO stuff and some bits are more forgiving than others - I've stayed away from their jeans because apparently they're for the slim-hipped, long-legged. Dorothy Perkins do bigger sizes too. Hope this helps! :) There's always a standard shapeless mama cass style top from Evans if you're desperate! Oh, just remembered - apparently asda do some nice stuff too.

Fluter · 30/08/2011 08:30

Re: the jeans falling down problem - no problem - a pair of braces does the trick!

Aaaand, if you happen to be wandering abroad, I can thoroughly recommend looking at the maternity wear in Carrefour - don't laugh anyone, I got the most gorgeous tops and brilliant pair of over the bump trousers from the one just outside Leon in Spain about a month ago. And for very little money (also Yorkshire genes here!). Otherwise, I've lived in maxi dresses (normal sizes from Sainsbury's, Next and Primark) with t-shirts. I got a wrap top from JojoMamanBebe which is great (I can see me wearing it for years).

None of my coats fit - but I'm due in 7 weeks max, so hoping it won't be a major problem, but if I need a jacket I nick DH's fleece which just about does up over my double bump. Aaaand he might just be finding that some of his shirts and t-shirts have gone AWOL , especially at night.

I gave up looking for decent maternity formal wear - luckily I don't have a suit wearing job (I work at home, so don't always bother to get dressed to go to work ), but when I needed something for a wedding, I ended up making something adapted from a normal pattern, but also made it so it can be unpicked and redone when I get my body back to myself.

MyDaydream · 30/08/2011 21:40

I went for a see whats out there nosy today but apparently people in my town dont have babies, I couldn't find any maternity wear. I think I'm going for floaty dresses and tights, and I saw a gorgeous cape in House of Frazer that I'll be able to wear after baby too.

GiraffeAHolic · 30/08/2011 21:51

Maternity jeans are a nightmare, I have 3 pairs of under the bumps (thin stretchy panel) one pair have ripped through the panel from me constantly pulling them up, my skinnies dig in the bump and make me look a funny shape

Dresses look funny on me, mainly because I look I'm carrying a baby in my tummy and one in each hip

Even my jamas aren't comfy anymore

Enraha · 30/08/2011 21:55

Mydaydream, i feel your pain. It's a complete trial tracking down the paltry high st maternity sections, especially when feeling a bit plump and jaded on the shopping front.

So pointers are still appreciated, i've got baggy/floaty stuff i can make do with, but I will need to smarten up a bit for Autumn weather. Am also contemplating a cape, if i can't get away with one now, when can I?

Jennyrosity · 30/08/2011 23:04

I love my cape. It makes me feel like a pregnant superhero.

TinkerTailorSoldierLibrarian · 30/08/2011 23:11

I'm 38 weeks and even maternity clothes have given up. I am my normal size all over except for a comedy bump. It's honestly like I've strapped a beach ball to my front. They haven't invented jeans able to cope with it.

I live in jersey. I have a couple of jersey dresses, some jersey trousers and, er, DH's t-shirts/jumpers. I look a complete and utter mess. But I'm hoping it will all be over soon.

Zwitterion · 31/08/2011 07:31

Jenny where is your cape from? I quite fancy feeling like a super hero!

All my maternity clothes from last time make me want to puke, so sadly I will need to buy more.

I wear dresses a lot anyway so thinking about getting a jersey dress from Seraphine, and also splashing out on a ruched dress from Isabella Oliver for work.

This time I am also going to get proper maternity nightwear.

TopShop seem to have some lovely things at the moment - dresses and knitwear.

AlpinePony · 31/08/2011 07:39

zwitter yep my maternity from last time are hideous, plus he was born July and this one due Feb so not much of a crossover.

I can't wear a cape, I've got G-cups and a fat arse, I won't look pregnant, just like a ship in full sail, I need shape and structure.

IO fans, as I said yesterday they're having a maternity sale this week. Discount was 41%yesterday, 35 today I think and decreasing daily. So if you want something order fast!

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 31/08/2011 08:42

Thanks, Alpinepony!

Jeezimacasalinga · 31/08/2011 08:48

Alpine Pony what's the sizing like for Isabella Oliver? I bought some way back in 2005 for first baby but now on baby 3 and can't remember if it comes up big or small? Oh and thanks very much for the sales tip!

Biscuitsandtea · 31/08/2011 08:51

Don't forget IO have a discount with MN too here.

Don't know if it would work with the sale too?

AlpinePony · 31/08/2011 08:54

Jeez It's not particularly generous through the hips - so if you've got an arse definitely size up. It comes up long though, so I wouldn't go for trousers unless you're considerably taller than me (I'm 5'4")!

Zwitterion · 31/08/2011 09:11

Thanks AlpinePony! Have just ordered the ruched midi dress in black with 38% off - very happy!

Jeezimacasalinga · 31/08/2011 09:22

Cheers Alpine Pony! Have no bottom to speak of but distressingly large and droopy chest so fingers crossed I've got the sizing right, appear to have just blown over £250 on tops, a dress and the wrap coat. Great reductions so if it all fits then that's my winter wardrobe pretty much sorted :-)

AlpinePony · 31/08/2011 09:30

I am an official tight-arse, nearly all my maternity comes from sales/deals! I've just tried on one of my wrap dresses from IO jeez - it's fine around the boobage - just I need to get a petticoat (oh the glamma!) because it clings a little too much to my saddlebags.

AlpinePony · 31/08/2011 09:31

Oh I should add, it's not shockingly "low" in the cleavage area - I hate tops which are split to almost the waist. I'm a normal woman, NOT a pole-dancer!

Jeezimacasalinga · 31/08/2011 09:54

That's good to know Alpine - i have crepey bits where the boobs join and horrific broken veins that get worse and worse as the pregnancy goes on - oh the glamour!

cookie9 · 31/08/2011 09:55

Pre pregnancy long cardigans and knitted dress from Zara v useful for me.

Nice wrap dress from Seraphine and also going to wear short sleeved summer dresses from Isabella oliver and Seraphine with cardigan or polo top underneath as really dont want to spend more money on maternity wear as 30 weeks.

Unfortuntely my nice warm black trousers I got from pretty pregnant are a bit tight now so in cold weather will be in leggings and knitted dresses.

As suggested above will be wearing pre pregnancy double breasted coat with long scarfs to hide buttons.

sjuperwolef · 31/08/2011 10:00

normal clothes in bigger sizes. i do have maternity jeggings from new look which go to under my boobies and i have a huuuuuge bump :)

mainly wear leggings with long top/dress and sandals or shorts and a nice top with flip flops sandals, if its cold then leggings long jumper/top and boots.

lots of scarves, i love scarves they add some glamour to everything

the3csmummy · 31/08/2011 11:16

new look and dorothy perkins are fab i find, im 28weeks into my 3rd (&final!) pregnancy & i swear by them, underbump stretchy skinny jeans from dorothy perkins are sooo comfy & leggings with a long top n warm boots u cant beat em! haha hope this helps :)

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