Ordering maternity dresses - do I buy a size up?

[ButteryJam]

Hi,

I'm normally a 12 (sometimes a 10), should I go for size 14? I know size 14 underwear is more comfy, but these are maternity dresses?

you normally buy your normal size as maternity wear will take your changed shape/size into account

IME maternity sizes tend to be a bit on the generous size if anything. Just buy your usual size

Normal size of smaller depending on shop, I find mamas and papas for example big but you can try on and if they fit your arms and legs that's a good gage

I would try a 12 first, you can always take it back and change it. I find jojo maman bebe on the large side, and very long too.
You might find a 10 does you at beginning and 12 towards the end or 12 then 14. Note h&m sizing is odd and website suggests going a couple of sizes up towards end.

I was a 10 before pg and size 10 mat clothes fit me until about 33 wks. Now I'm in a 12. While people comment that I've only gained a bump, in fact my hips, butt and thighs have expanded a bit too! But, that's where I have a propensity to put on weight normally.

Thanks ladies! :)

Yep I definitely agree with the others - I find everything other than Mothercare and New Look very big. I'm in size 12-14 in Jojo Maman Bebe, Mamas and Papas and the Debenhams range (which I've conveniently forgotten the name of...) and I was definitely on the bigger side of 14 prior to getting pregnant. The stuff still fits me at 31 weeks even though my bum has definitely got a LOT bigger.

Personally, I go a size down, or it looks like I'm wearing a sack! Especially for dresses. They take into account weight gain over the whole body in the maternity sizing, so I guess it depends if you have gained a lot of weight apart fom your bump?

Agree with the others. Definitely wouldn't go bigger and needed to go smaller in jojo

Agree with previous posters about same or smaller, although as you get further on, the 'bigger' sizes start fitting better!

I found that Isabella Oliver and Blossom jeans were the only ones that ran same/small, Seraphine, H&M and Jojo ran large (though I'm glad that I stuck with my pre-preg size now I'm further along), and Gap was HUGE.

I am a size 16-18 not pregnant, and found myself in my friend's size 8-10 tops at the end quite comfortably last time! Trousers were a size or two less than normal too.