Maternity wear for chubbers.

[kat2504]

I am not at that stage yet, I am only just coming up 13 weeks. But I can feel my jeans getting quite snug so I thought I would look around. A lot of it seems to be only in small and average sizes. My arse has expanded to an 18 even before I got pregnant. Any recommendations for nice but not too expensive stuff that won't make me look like a giant blob?

I am a size 18 and usually buy most of my clothes at Marks. Their maternity range isn't massive, but the trousers are so flattering and comfortable I pretty much wear them every day! They have a huge stretchy band which fits but is super comfy so far (28 weeks). Far, far better than any other trousers I've tried.

They are called:

maternity straight leg smart formal trousers

They only go up to size 20, I've just realised.

Isabella Oliver size 5 or 6 are fine for me (16/18). They are a little more ££ but the quality is fab- and you can often resell on eBay for a fair price. I've been living in the stretchy straight trousers, soooo comfy and suitable for work too as they're a good heavy weight. Plus their tops are largely wrap around so grow with you.

Just read this back -I swear I'm not being paid by them!!

Asda have some cheap maternity wear anD I bought a belly band off amazon so i can still use my jeans

ooh I haven't seen any in asda, perhaps it's only in the bigger shops or online? I am still in my jeans but I have had to remove the belt now so I keep hoiking them up. Annoying.
I am at that awkward stage where my own clothes are not fitting nicely and I'm just not quite big enough for the hardcore maternity mega over the bump stretchy things.
I've got some cheap under the bump trousers from new look to tide me over the gap though. They aren't too bad actually.

Boden stuff is great - I was still wearing one of their non-maternity empire line tops the day before my baby arrived. Their maternity stuff is brilliant and goes up to a size 22. A bit pricey but good quality.

Simply Be (for 16 +) has a maternity range although I haven't bought anything from it. They have a website and catalogue and you can do free returns from your house or drop into post office. I've bought bras etc there and been impressed.

It's been a year since I was pregnant but I was (still am!) a size 18-20. I actually had to size down in the Next maternity jeans and Isabelle Oliver largest size fit well - look out for their sales. Other than that just wore 'normal' longer length tops over leggings/jeans. Enjoy your bumps!

Simply Be have some maternity wear but as they're aimed at women of size 14 and over anyway, I've found some of their regular bits,going up a size or two, (depending on style and cut of course,) to be great for me this (my 4th) pregnancy. I still had previous baby weight I hadn't shifted round my middle so started off as a size 16 chubber! !

i've just ordered some maternity dresses from ASOS as i have a few events coming up (weddings, xmas do's etc) I was a size 16 before pregnancy and i haven't gained any weight. Ordered a size 16 dress and christ almighty i couldn't even get it on, and when i finally squeezed into it i was wondering if you were actually pregnant (i'm 24 weeks) where the hell your bump is supposed to go. But then the other 2 dresses i ordered had to get a size 14 and there's plenty of room to grow into.

Also went mamas n papas at the weekend cos they had a sale on and i had a voucher, to get some jeans. Got a size 16 and they fell off. Their sizing is VERY generous. Ended up leaving with a size 12 top (normally id need a 16-18) and size 14 jeans and all are hanging off me so plenty of room to expand!

I'd avoid GAP.

I'm normally a size 12 and I had to buy XL maternity GAP jeans, and while they fit everywhere, they cut into my hips because the where the waist band SHOULD be is just stitching and there's no where for them to fit properly. After paying £60 for them and not trying them on as it was 30 oc on Oxford Street, they will be going on Ebay with the rest of my maternity jeans.

I found M&P maternity jeans quite generous. Bought a 14 and they were massive (still have tags on)...but I'm not sure what size they "go up to". Their sales are really really good too.

www.globalmaternity.com do some of their range in a size 18+. Got some lovely tops from there. Good luck. xx

I'll second (or third?!) Peacocks for maternity leggings. Next to my pj's, they're the most comfy thing I possess! They're also the only shop in town that actually stocks maternity clothes too.

I've got a couple of DP's Purple tunics too, they've been great.

I've got a couple of long maternity vest tops, and they're great as they're so long. I wear them with leggings and a big boyfriend style cardie.

I bought some New Look skinny jeans, and they look great but they're sooooo uncomfy! They're under the bump and that doesn't seem to suit me.

I'm 32 wks now, and can't get away with much that's not maternity now!

Biggest problem is what to wear on my feet!! My ankles are quite swollen and I can't get my boots on....

You could have worded it better - but I didn't take offence.

What I DO get annoyed at is that you've all still ignored the world that exists after a size 18... I'm a 22 - there's no hope for me finding anything to wear - thankfully lots of my tops are the under the boob empire line type tunics anyway but I'm gonna be soooo fucked on the trouser front (I refuse to shop at Evans before anyone suggests it - takes skill to make a pair of jeans where ONE leg shrinks in the wash when the other leg obviously made it into the same washing conditions)

Deja Boden does a size 22 in maternity clothes. They're lovely if a bit pricey!

Well, I am now in my lovely New Look maternity jeans. I got two pairs, one with an underbump band and one with a big stretchy panel that I will need soon. They are properly comfy.

i also got some nice stuff from Bonprix, a couple of dresses to wear for work which are quite smart. Their sizes come up really big. I had to return the 18-20 jumpers for a 14-16.

I also refuse to shop at Evans, I think their stuff is mostly hideous. Simply Be have trousers up to size 32 in maternity. Some of DP stuff also goes up to size 22, and that shop tends towards generous sizes anyway. Bonprix goes well above size 18, I think they also do up to 32 so there is still a fair bit out there for 18+.

It just annoys me a bit that all the good stuff on Ebay seems to be size 12!

it's been a while since I needed maternity clothes, but I found Next good for tops etc....especially as I also needed to buy from the "fat bastards'" range.....sorry sleepevader, but that's how I refer to it, and I buy from it, so I'm thinking "chubbers"is actually quite endearing!

Im a 14 now expanding to 16 & consider myself a fellow chubber too!! Id rather say it before someone else did & upset me... I only find over the bump stuff comfy (including the biggest unsexy knickers you have ever seen)!! But even some over the bump jeans are tight where the denim is & then massive where the elasticy bump bit is!!! Every style & shop come up differently, I have bought 5 pairs & can't wait to get home get em off & get my P.J bottoms on!!! The best of a bad lot is the new look ones mentined before though!! I also like Matalans maternity range think they go up to size 22 & good prices!! I just find any of the high street affordable range so boring & frumpy, the Asos stuff is lovely but pricey!! I just wish I could wear my Jarmies everywhere!!! :-0

You are only a beginner chubber, you have some pies and cakes to go yet belle Staying in pyjamas is a top plan though. I need some new pjs, do you have special maternity ones or just old ones?

I have some maternity jammies but now (36 weeks) I find trousers plain irritating.

Matalan sell maternity jammies. I've taken to buying stretchy soft bottoms in a 16 (big for me) in the vain hope they'll fit post birth for a while.

Sleeping in giant giant pants and Primark vests atm.

My local matalan doesn't sell any maternity clothes. Will look for the pyjamas on the internet.

Yes mine doesn't sell clothes, just pjs. Quite odd.

I was very lucky to be given lots of maternity clothes by a friend of my sisters they included P'j bottoms a few sizes bigger which are comfy as I found maternity P.J's very expensive but have seen some on ebay much cheaper than shops...& also lots of used mat clothes on ebay too in all sizes if you don't mind cast offs!! Did'nt simply Be do a maternity range too? if thats still available you can pay monthly then!! x