When did you start wearing maternity clothes? and how does the sizes work?

[Lovelylace]

So 12 weeks preggers and tummy and boobies are definately "blooming" so thought I might as wellbite the bullet and go on a shopping spree for some maternity stuff..is that about the right time? 12 to 13 weeks? and how does the sizing go? is there some sizes for small bumps and some for full blown huge bumps?

Well I'm 15w and don't need them yet; have a slight tummy but maternity clothes would look ridiculous.

Am interested in this too!!

I'm 32 weeks and I would wait until you really can't fit into much as I bought jeans etc at about 12-16 weeks that no longer fit me.

I buy leggings in large/extra large from normal ranges to wear and they still fit over bump nicely, so maybe do that to tide you over?

I would go generally on what size you were before getting PG but some are massive and some smaller e.g Dorothy Perkins stuff like jeans are huge!

I have found I need maternity clothes much sooner this time with dc3 so have been in them from 12 weeks. I bought over bump style jeans so that I can fold down the elastic acted panel now while smaller and wear it up when bigger. In theory you are meant to but the same size you wear normally however shop vary of course. H&M come up small, red herring at debenhams come up large. I've found I don't need maternity tops yet as most tops are stretchy etc. try the vest tops in H&M as they are longer in the body so make a good layer under existing tops. Have fun and enjoy shopping

With pregnancy 1 I was about 4.5 months before I bought any maternity clothes. This time round I couldn't get in my jeans at 6 weeks & was definitely showing at 8 weeks.

I started wearing mine about 16 weeks iirc.

Sizing is tweaked so that, in theory, you need the same size you usually wear - i.e. if you're a 12 in non-maternity, you'll need a size 12 in maternity wear. However, the tweaking involves adding room to boob and thigh areas where they expect you to gain weight, for example, which I never found I needed, so I'm actually a size smaller in maternity clothes than my normal ones! You just have to try stuff on and see ime.

thanks for all the advice, I think my problem lies in that my "normal" clothes are all VERY fitted and tight and jeans etc are simply too uncomfortable right now..I think I am gonna go for some ASOS skinny jeans, and some tunic style tops for now, and they can tide me over until the autumn stuff is in the shops and not too hot to wear, and by then i reccon it will be about time to really go for the maternity style clothing...

I would just buy bits as you go along, maternity jeans that fit you at 12 weeks are unlikely to be much use at 32 weeks!
A summary of what I've bought:
over the bump leggings from New Look (3 pairs)
black skirt, Mamas and Papas
Combat trousers, Next
White jeans, Next
Blue jeans, New Look
Coral wrap dress, Topshop (bought for wedding/christening)
Knickers 2 sizes up from what I normally wear and not g strings!
Floral tunic top, Next
Green short sleeved top, Next
Pink floral top, Next
Pink top, Next
Black trousers, New Look
Green vest, New Look
Turquoise grecian style top, New Look
Stripey top, New Look
Red and black dress, Next

I have also been given a few items like maternity vests, a couple of dresses and tops. I have found that I really hate showing my arms so have been wearing lots of cardigans, but didn't buy any new ones just wear the ones I already have but not buttoned up! If you work, that is the hardest thing to dress for so prioritise at least one pair of black trousers and a couple of tops so you have some variety. Some of the maternity tops I bought were ok with just leggings earlier on but now I wear a skirt over as well as the tops finish a bit higher and show my bum!

There are a few tops in my wardrobe already that I can still wear, things like long-line Topshop vests are quite good for layering under a cardi. I got a lot of my clothes in sales as I went along.

Ah - clothing has been such an issue for me. I am not vain, and I am not a fashion victim, I just got so frustrated with things not fitting/having to spend money on clothes for such a short period of time - it's been a source of a few hormonal strops I can tell you!!

ANYWAY....I can recommend a couple of things that will grow well with you:

1 - Maxi dress- could only wear a maxi dress on a good day pre-pregnancy, but wow they are amazing now! I felt much more comfi wearing them when I had a more discernible bump and did not just look chubby. I have a black one which is invaluable - you can dress it up or down and add layers underneath or above - great for work. Flowery and stripey ones all in the sale at the moment - check out New Look and Dorothy Perkins maternity online for some really cheap staples.

2 - Beware of Jeans - with under bump jeans after about 25 weeks the pressure under/on the bump was unbearable. Over the bum Jeans just did not suit me - with a bit of a 'plumper bump' - terrible!

3 - Long vest tops and 3/4 length tops excellent buys, you can layer them and just by buying 3 or 4 of each, they are relatively inexpensive and it does not look as thought you are wearing the same every day.

4 - Yoga/Plazzo pants - currently some nice ones in New Look and I have just purchased some from Mothercare in the sale for £6 - bargain! A black pair of these are fab as you start to get bigger 30 weeks +

5 - pregnancy leggings and floaty tops

6 - flip flops for the fat feet - aaaahhhhhh, comfy

The issue that I had with online is that through much ordering through ebay/online stores about 90% of it didn't fit - even though you are supposed to go for your pre-preg size, I just found that size varied so much, even within brands (apart from Maxi dresses - my size fitted every time) - . So, I would suggest that a shopping trip may be in order, or just be prepared be a bit zen and not to get frustrated when you have to return stuff.

Have to say I am nearly 32 weeks - so can't comment on humongous bump status - but I imagine that the maxi dress will be with me all the way!

Happy pregnancy!

xx

I was in maternity gear from about 15-17 weekish, but am nearly 30 weeks and have found that lots of my maternity clothes - particularly pants - no longer fit me :( My legs and backside have really swollen/added fat in the past month!

Recommend Boob Design (swedish company) for good before-and-after (pregnancy and breastfeeding) gear. Pricey but check their sale items, their dresses are amaaazing and comfy and I get loads of compliments. Am wearing one of them right now!!

Mamas and Papas tops are ok but tend to pill... not good value for the price I think.

Going to buy some tunics/long tops and more leggings for the final stretch....

I got given some handmedowns. Probably after 20 weeks wore more maternity stuff but even now I wear non maternity stuff. My cutoffs do up under the bump and I had quite a lot of knee length jersey dresses so I still wear those and embrace the bump. I finally got maternity jeans about 4 weeks ago, at 30 weeks as I'd been wearing normal ones and doing them up under the bump but the button was really starting to press in - painful! I've only bought 1 pair of jeans, 2 tops and 1 dress that are specifically maternity. It feels like such a waste to buy more, but I think I've benefited from it being summer (ish) and not having to be smart for work. I can see that in winter or if you are in a smart office, you would need to spend a lot more.

You just get your normal size in maternity, otherwise they wouldn't fit you outside of the bump.