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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 is boring .... any secrets or tips?

41 replies

newbabyinthestow · 10/02/2013 15:35

I am pregnant with my second baby, and have realised (again) how uninspiring official 'maternity' clothes are. I remember I actually wore many things that were not proper maternity wear, but high street things that worked for a pregnant shape. I particularly hated all the big baggy, bump hiding stuff, as it just made me look massive, and I unexpectedly preferred to wear more figure hugging things. My biggest tip is American Apparel, a store which is SOOOOO not going for the maternity market but I have found some excellent things in there, as it is mostly stretchy and hugs the bump, so flattering and great for basics. Here are my two top buys so far....anyone got any other high street non-official-maternity secrets to share?

Randomly, this is BRILLIANT for pregnancy and then for breast feeding due to the wrap over top bit: store.americanapparel.net/product/?productId=rsa8344

Love this dress and got it when I wasn't pregnant, but intend to wear it and accessoriese with bump: store.americanapparel.net/product/?productId=rsapo300

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elsabel · 10/02/2013 15:54

Hi newbaby i am of the same opinion as you in that i havent been shopping at the usual places for maternity wear but managed to get away with normal baggy clothes so far. I am only 24 weeks but have quite a bump already, ive been living in leggings, loose fitting long tops and jumpers, tights with dresses etc. I have found topshop do some nice maternity wear though which is quite flattering

Pocket1 · 10/02/2013 16:32

I was in the same place but someone recommended www.seraphine.com/. I bought a few things this week which are nice styles, good quality and resasonably priced. Some of the bits i ordered arent that nice on and will go back (but theres a no quibble refund policy).

ThreeWheelsGood · 10/02/2013 17:01

H+M have some good bits. Bright, close fitting T-shirts and dresses for example.

I also found AA stuff good, wore a couple of their skirts until the bump got too big!

ThreeWheelsGood · 10/02/2013 17:04

I found some good long vest tops from Oasis with a baggy sheer T-shirt over the top was a good look until bump got too big.

Habanada · 10/02/2013 17:06

Great post, thanks :)
I'm perplexed where slebs get their maternity wardrobes from, they always look amazing whilst I look like a big boring unappetising potato.

I want to look sleek and neat!

TheCountessOlenska · 10/02/2013 17:08

I agree about figure hugging being more flattering - i am feel massive at 36 weeks and have been living in this for the last few weeks

Got it in navy blue and black, it's v fattering and comfy

Rache1S · 10/02/2013 17:08

I treated myself to this denim skirt. It is proper maternity wear but is so flattering, comfy and most importantly is not boring!

StuckOnARollercoaster · 10/02/2013 17:37

I love my isabella oliver wrap dress - comfortable and looks really pretty on. (ps managed to get it on ebay for much less than the original price!)

I think dresses make you feel so much nicer than the usual staple of leggings/jeans and a long loose top, but on days when I am just lounging then thats what I go for as I don't want to spoil my 'nice' outfits!

CityDweller · 10/02/2013 17:49

I have that same Next dress Countess. It's super flattering, and great for work or going out, even if it's not the most 'on-trend' silhouette. And not too expensive either...

Splinters · 10/02/2013 18:19

Fat Face do hip-length stretchy vest tops that I've been collecting in various colours -- lots of their long-sleeved tops are also long enough that they work really well over a bump. Def agree, official maternity tents (was given a few second hand) make me feel like a sack of potatoes, but have made it to 38 weeks having bought just one pair of maternity jeans, a few other FF bits that I'll still be able to enjoy wearing when not pregnant, and nothing else (I'm not particularly tiny either).

june2013 · 10/02/2013 19:47

I've found nice stuff in Jojomamanbebe or is it mamanjojobebe?? Including a mini skirt, tight fitting wrap and very comfy sexy jeans! Also reasonably priced I thought.

The Heat tech tshirts in Uniqlo are also a favourite staple! They're big and stretchy, really comfy and affordable. I've heard that you get really hot in pregnancy but this hasn't happened to me, so the warming bit of the tshirt is a godsend in this weather!

redwellybluewelly · 10/02/2013 19:59

I didn't buy much last time as I wore some next linen trousers which I already had and a few kew dresses. Bought more when I was breastfeeding! However I worked from home and so lived in yoga pants.

This time I have a bigger bump but slimmer so going bigger sizes makes me frumpy and fat. Ive bough jenas from JJMB (so sexy and fab I'm ordering another pair tonight) and a pair of leggings which are again brilliant. The jeans I ordered from Vertbaudet were awful but I suspect I needed a smaller size.

I also got some beautiful summer clothes last time from mummy and little me.

Springforward · 10/02/2013 22:49

Am loving H&M stuff this time around, actually looks like stuff you might want to wear if you weren't pregnant.... Their skinny bootcut (prob. not called that) jeans are fab, IMHO, and ridiculously comfortable as a bonus.

utopian99 · 11/02/2013 03:25

I know what you mean, it's really frustrating - i was pregnant while all the detailed jeans were in the shops last autumn and none were in maternity styles!

I found you can keep wearing normal jeans and tops longer if you buy a bump band and trouser button extenders (although asking for the latter in the shop really made me feel like I'd eaten all the pies!)

Also i second Seraphine and Isabella Oliver; I'd say these two made up 3/4 of my wardrobe and keeping it all for the next. Fitted styles much better than massive loose ones..

Beatrixpotty · 11/02/2013 09:32

Agree with springforward ,I have lived in their maternity skinny jeans the last 2 times.Also they have some long stretchy vests which cover the bump and can then be used under tops for bf afterwards.And got a couple of White Company long line/wrap cardigans (in sale & ebay so not too ££) & found All Saints drapey jumpers /tops are good for bump coverage without looking like maternity wear.

suzyrut · 11/02/2013 10:18

I am living in Topshop maternity clothes, their skinny jeans are very comfy but flattering and a lot of their tops although large are cut in a way that don't make you feel huge. I have a couple of their blazers from non-maternity times which do nip you in a bit too. To be fair I used to buy a lot in topshop anyway so maybe you have to like their style to like their maternity clothes!

MortifiedAdams · 11/02/2013 10:20

Another vote for h&m. Im still wearing their maternity tights and dd is 1.1 as they are v.comfy.

They were also the only store local to.me that had more than one rack of clothes!

elsabel · 11/02/2013 10:40

I agree with you suzy i am a topshop girl anyway and now that im pg ive carried on shopping there, i live in their loose fitting t shirts/jumpers as theyre usually quite long and go over thr bump. The store card has taken quite a hit though!

JessieEssex · 11/02/2013 11:31

asos are really good for maternity stuff, I've got this dress in black which is very similar to the Next one that countess linked to, and also this top which I wear with Gap skinny maternity jeans. I'm 33 weeks now and hope I don't have to buy anything else. When I was pg with DD1 (august baby) I bought a lot of summer stuff from asos as well (form fitting maxi dresses etc)

As for non maternity wear, Sainsburys do really good long stretchy vests for about £4-5 which I wear layered under off the shoulder t-shirts etc. Also have a black cable knit poncho from Next that is great to chuck over jeans. And scarves, lots of scarves.

flyingsprocket · 11/02/2013 11:54

Loving all your tips ladies, great links. I'm just at the stage where my regular jeans are getting too tight but am not at maternity trousers stage yet. Am going to dig out my "fat" jeans later!

Has anyone used bump bands or waist extenders?

I do some work from home too so am lounging in yoga pants, so comfy!

utopian99 · 11/02/2013 12:33

Yes, I used both and v useful. Also carried on wearing my hollister/jack wills vests right up to week 40 as they're long and v stretchy!

JessieEssex · 11/02/2013 12:40

I had bump bands and the button extender thing, but my bump is pretty low and I find that the waistband digs in regardless. I'm much more comfortable in over the bump jeans (which my Gap ones are).

CityDweller · 11/02/2013 13:11

flying I used bump bands and home-made waist extenders (i.e. a hair band) for quite a while until the non-stretchy waist band of my regular trousers got too uncomfy/ digging in. Was a good way to put off buying mat gear and also to avoid buying stuff too early that wouldn't fit later (although that has happened w/ one pair of Gap skinny cords I bought around wk 18 that are now a bit snug around the thighs)

lizbobtaylor · 11/02/2013 13:17

Gap and topshop maternity are awesome..

TheEndTisHere · 11/02/2013 15:44

3rd pregnancy here, I hated the clothes last time round only wore a few items asos was good and I found this site last week selection don't know if you know already but no need to go around all the shops to buy but not all maternity stuff is on it. DD1 I didn't show till I was about 5 months, DD2 10 weeks and this baby I'm only 8 weeks and blob is starting show already!

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