Maternity Clothes

[theTramp]

Where is hot and where is not. Online stores worth checking out. High street stores worth visiting. Good for petites. Good for giantesses. Second hand e-bay bargains - worthwhile? Views and reviews of the maternity gear you have bought.. all for the benefit of everyone who is desperately looking.

Not maternity wear but I'm v tempted to get this jumper because I love the idea of the giraffe twisting it's head over my bump.. m.wallis.co.uk/mt/www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33058&storeId=12557&productId=6328860&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=209166&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=200

Gah just written a really long post but the thread ate it!

Not Hot - Dotty P's online - they are moving their maternity clothing online (where you cannot exchange - you have to either order and pay for a few sizes then claim a refund or pay £4 postage each time you have to order a different size) the sizes are random - two pairs of the same trousers a can be 4 sizes different and wont accept returns in store - you have to take to a collection point or via royal mail...oh and the fabric they use gives you shocks!! but there are so few places that do a shorter length trouser or that fit a pre pregnancy small 8 so any advice welcome. At the moment I'm living in pre pregnancy wrap around dresses, tunics and maternity tights (norah battys) but I work from a drafty old barn and do a lot of visits to nature reserves so frankly I am FREEZING.. help help help.

loves chocolate I'm 5' 3, size 6-8 normally and the maternity 8's seem to utterly swamp me despite my having a bump! If I find anything I'll let you know.

Another shout for the Seraphine jeans. Way less expensive than the J Brand maternity ones I was thinking of buying (I am a jeans obsessive, and they're pretty much all I wear, so I am prepared to spend a lot on them) and they fit beautifully and look grate. Comfortable as leggings. I haven't bought anything else 'maternity' yet but these make a great basis. Mine were £55 which is worth every penny to me.

That should have been 'great' not 'grate'. They do not look like a fire covering.

Has anyone got the denim midi or cord A line skirt from Seraphine? If so, how long are they? It seems near impossible to find a denim skirt that isn't really short.

Dame - how about a jumper dress? Being 5ft3 means normal size should be long enough to cope with bump withput getting obscenely short and toasty warm. Plus I think you should always go up a size with a jumper dress, so if youre a small 8 an 8 or a 10 would prob be perfect. have a peak at these guys www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk/ladies/dresses-1845/

Failing that layering is your friemd. Cardie type jumpers, thermal vests under tops and hold up wool stockings rather than mat tights.

Ah ha! So TOAST, the over priced non maternity wear clothing store, have a "tunic" jumper, which strikes me as being long enough to cope with bump and boobs and in one of my fave colours too www.toast.co.uk/product/dresses+and+tunics/C6AR8/COTTON+MELANGE+TUNIC.htm?categoryref=%2fcategory.aspx%3fcategoryid%3ddresses%2520and%2520tunics%26seoterm%3ddresses%2520tunics%26&pcat=dresses+and+tunics&adimage=&clr=C6AR8_henna

This has had me in stitches (apologies to anyone who has one) www.asos.com/ASOS-Maternity/ASOS-Maternity-Fur-Hooded-Coat-With-Pom-Poms/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2410406&cid=5813&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Tan

Would be good if you're trying to look like a teddy bear! Ha ha

It is fantastic isn't it.

I have just caved and bought another IO dress. A plain black one. I have decided that I can live quite happily out of two dresses. Next I require two LONG polo necks, as woolly and snuggly as possible, and then I should be pretty much good to go - until bump exceeds present trousers at which point over bump jeans and some leggings will be mine.

Thanks for the jumper dress suggestions and link Tramp - good thinking - and I am VERY tempted particularly into te cable knit...mmm. It is economy too as I have already bought some over the knee socks to wear under these. ha ha

Hello everyone! Somehow took me ages to find this page but nice to see so many March 2013-ers here! I've just come across links to the following:

hatchcollection.com (pricey!)

www.bellydancematernity.com (lots of different labels)

www.1et1font3.com (cute, French styling)

Sorry if this is reprising stuff you've already discovered/discussed!

Dame - the cable knit is lurverly. And it would go everso well with over knee socks...

Mand, oh I haven't seen some of those. That's my tea time reading sorted.

whoever mentioned Toast, I can confirm that some of their loose fit dresses are very maternity friendly!

Useful to know, thanks sixpence.

Is it worth buying maternity knickers or am I better off just getting normal ones in a bigger size? I'm not after anything special just plain every day ones but loads of the maternity ones seem to be those shorties which I don't find comfy. Anyone got any recommendations?

Hey Zigwig - I'm not fond of those tiny under the bump knickers either. I normally wear M&S 'high leg' cotton pants in a 12, so at first I bought a pack of those in 14s which did me for about a month, then I started getting a bit of a big belly (twins!) so I've 'graduated' to big momma pants which are super comfy (and also hilarious): www.marksandspencer.com/Pack-Pure-Cotton-Plain-Briefs/dp/B001PBH8BM. I think I got these in a 16. I'm only 16 weeks so I'm definitely going to need bigger sizes, and soon the way things are going, but I've heard at some point the leg holes will get a bit baggy (unless I start putting on weight everywhere, which I haven't yet, thank goodness). Dunno if this was helpful! Can't believe I'm writing my pant-history online...

Oh and mothercare do over-the-bump maternity knickers (few places do!) but it's something like £10 for two pairs vs M&S which is £5 for five.

Thanks for that mandasand. I saw the mothercare ones but they are a bit expensive for plain boring knickers. I'd rather put that towards a pretty pair! Sounds like you were the same size as me before baby bumps invaded so maybe a 14 will be too small if I only go up one size. May be the super knickers are the way to go!

I too have the comedy giant knickers from M&S. Look awful, but terribly comfy.

Great thread, thanks!
I'm going to do a maternity shop after my scan, all being well. I'm 12 weeks and I'm down to 2 pairs of jeans and having to wear my work trousers unbuttoned!

Has anyone seen any decent maternity coats, or am I too early in the season for it?
I LOVE the Isabella Oliver duffle coat but for £319 I'd like to think that I can get my whole maternity wardrobe!

Like Candy - I had same thought about the IO coat. Luckily it looks like my swing coat from jaeger last year has space enough for a belly but should I be pried wrong I was thinking of a poncho/cloak which looks like it'd be breast feeding friendly too. Seraphine has a nice one as do Pure Cashmere, but that ones pricier. There were some coats on Asos and some on H&M that might work. Both brands a bit small for me (length wise) but I think they'd be user friendly for most folks.

I am struggling to find a coat too. I need one for the school run / taking toddler to the park type activities.

Anyone - what do you think of the ASOS parka?

this H&M one looks neater, but I didn't really want black...

The asos parka looks good. I like the big fluffy hood and it looks comfy. All the coats I've liked so far have been lovely but expensive. Still on the lookout for a good one.

limeleaf I like the look of that H&M one - not sure how warm it'd be though? I guess with crazy layering it'd probably do the job!

theTramp the problem with the IO duffle coat is that now I've seen that, nothing else compares! Come on next Fridays EuroMillions...!