Any maternity clothes advice please??!!

[Sluggers]

OK I need some new clothes as mine are getting too tight. I'm only 15 weeks though with my 1st so have pretty non-existent bump.

I need jeans, a couple of work type shirts or tops and a tankini or something for swimming.

I'm not great at buying online - although accept I'll probably have to. But today, I'm off to the shops.

Oh - and I really don't want to spend a fortune.

Any advice, tips, must haves, things to avoid greatly appreciated.

xxx

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Hi! This thread is a little out of date. If you're looking for comfy maternity wear, take a peek at our round-up of the maternity dresses - as chosen by Mumsnetters. MNHQ

[mildred37]

I got a lot of my workwear from eBay! A lot of decent tops on there for a fraction of the price in the shops. I think I've had around 14-15 items from there and only 1 was poor quality.

[carrielou2007]

I bought sone stretchy tops smart enough for work/fine with jesns with a jacket from next for dd, still looking good now wearing for dc3 from Next. Bought lots of tops from New Look this time (size smaller) very cheap, some 3 packs of tops 14.99 etc literally holes/falling to pieces now at 40+4 but don't mind for that price! Their jeans have been fantastic though and only bought one pair 16.99 only just stopped wearing them and they don't fall down! Mummy and Little Me great for bargins and underwear.

[carrielou2007]

Forgot to say fab winter cost from h and m and fab leggings from there too

[Littlemissexpecting]

Trafford centre was rubbish in march when I went there mothercare has closed too. I was surprised how little Oxford street had also.

[FatimaLovesBread]

I'm a 10 too. I recommend the Mama Jeans from H&M, I got a 12 in those, they didn't go baggy and lose their shape. They also have belt hoops so you can wear a belt when your bump is a bit smaller so they don't fall down. They're £30 and I sold them on ebay last week and got a descent price back so not bad for a few months wear.
Most H&Ms i've been in stock maternity but it's in their kids section.

I ended up wearing normal vest tops in a size bigger. ASOS have some nice dresses if you have any parties or weddings coming up

I'll check what size my tankini is

[NumTumDeDum]

If you are going to buy new, but goid quality - you won't be in them that long but good quality maternity wear resells very well on ebay. Avoid Peacocks and Matalan the quality is terrible and they wash badly. New look is reasonably priced but pick and choose carefully, some bits better made than others. You could also try La Redoute online and if you have any special occasions try Tiffany Rose. I bought a lovely JoJo Maman Bebe dress for a wedding from ebay - they were still selling it new in the shop and I got my money back selling it on again.

[NumTumDeDum]

*buy good quality. Sorry fat finger iphone syndrome.

[Astr0naut]

I did Asda and ebay. You're lucky, I found being pregnant over the summer much easier than the second time when I headed into winter.

First pregnancy I had:
2 skirts
1 pair black trousers
1 white shirt
2 pairs jeans/trousers

I bought T shirts a size bigger (I'm a tall 12) and summer dresses which had a tie under the boob, in that sort of crinckly stuff, so they'd stretch. In fact, any dresses which can be tied under teh boobs and have a bit of give.

I have maternity stuff here I can't be arsed to ebay, but it's size 12!

[lozster]

For anyone near Chester there is a New Look, Jo-Jo, H&M and Debenhams that stock maternity. I did a smash and grab from the first three then supplemented with some vests from primark two sizes up and some cargo pants and bra from mothercare (blooming marvellous).

[elliejjtiny]

It depends what shape you are. I've been wearing non maternity stretchy dresses with leggings underneath as nothing else seems to fit at the moment. Plus a vest top underneath because my boobs haven't expanded as much as my tummy and may escape from a dress that is 3 sizes bigger than I normally wear.

[csmm]

Jo-Jo Maman have a sale this weekend so might be worth a look. Also Vertbaudet online (though they keep sending you crap through the post even if you click the button 'Don't contact me under any circumstances). If you look under the 'Clearance' section on the Next website you get some pretty good bargains - I got pair of smart chinos for a £5 instead of £25 and a decent swimsuit for around £10

[Monka]

Debenhams have a red herring maternity range which is okay. I bought two pairs of skinny jeans, 3 tshirts and a pretty red dress from their range. Think they might still be doing 20 per cent off as well. I got other stuff from next.

[Excited85]

I'm the same, 14 weeks and although just look bloated everything feels quite tight. Just bought first pair maternity jeans from topshop today, Baxter skinny jeans should have been 40 but scanned at just 15 quid :-) no idea why but might be worth a look if you're out and about!!

[mrspaddy]

Hi I am twenty one weeks and this is what I got:

Invested in a black wrap dress from Crave Maternity online. Really flattering and will be useful after as a nursing dress, mat tights
(Wore to wedding last Sat wearing to theatre tonight)
Black jersey smart maternity coat- Next plus another looser sports one not maternity
Two pairs black underbump trousers and one navy linen - New Look - very cheap. Petite length. One pair tracksuit bottoms.
One pair navy bootcut jeans - also New Look
One black maternity maxi New Look (don't really like this)
Five work shirts H&M/JOJO mama my mum changed the buttons on the white blouse to vintage ones: really love it now
Few casual t-shirts - ASOS
Mix and match all these with boyfriend cardigans/scarves and jewellery I already had.
Hope to get a skirt and get some use out of current maxi dresses.
I have one pair PJs JOJO and ordering another from Hotmilk
2 maternity bras - Debenhams and multipacks black lace knickers JOJO
Gosh when I look I have a lot but honestly I feel it is an investment. Really feel I have something to put on everyday and it has been worth it. Also first baby so hope to mind/wear again (fingers crossed someday)

[Lydia161290]

I wouldn't even bother going into New Look! Went into the big store today and they had the tiniest section on maternity clothes and all the jeans were 16 +

[Sluggers]

I'm back... M&Ps wasn't awful. I cried in the changing room. Ha! Need to be a lot bigger before I go back I think!

Tankinis were a total disaster - there's no support for my boobs in the maternity ones - I need underwire & lift!! No idea what I'm going to do about that but having a rethink!

New Look had quite a lot - work trousers, jeans etc although the sizes were pretty limited in store.

Gave me the confidence to shop online now though - I know what size I am, know I need under bump until I'm bigger etc.

Best buy - a pair of tracksuit bottoms which I probably won't ever take off

Now for an afternoon on the Internet.

Ooh, one final thing - do maternity clothes class as baby things? I resent paying for them & am thinking they should come out of the baby fund

[Littlemissexpecting]

I know some people wear a sports bra under their maternity tankini/costume you could try that?

[PurplePoppySeed]

I have an Isabel Oliver top in my normal size and it's fine. I've also gone for new look trousers (work, skinny jeans and cropped jeans). Have just been to jojomamanbebe and tried on their denim shorts-so comfortable and were the right size!

Otherwise, I'm 19 weeks and still mainly in leggings from white stuff and tunics from fat face/white stuff etc, all still comfy at the moment!

[tequilacream]

Love my preggy GAP narrow band jeans and h&m tops. Am also wearing a size up (now approaching two sizes up at 26 weeks) skirts from m&s. Also great dresses jersey from next and m&s (outlets). Other tops, just buy ones that are cut off under bust and loose below. Great evening dress from asos as well.

[TeaMakesItAllPossible]

eBay have lots of bundles.

H&M is great, as is topshop. With topshop I ordered two sizes and returned things to my local shop. I loved their stuff.

I used a belly band on a pair of normal stretchy boyfriend jeans until I was 7 months. Maternity leggings will be your friend near the end and I never found a pair of maternity tights that worked

Enjoy and congratulations.

BTW, i think it is worth spending money on your clothes - you'll be wearing some of them after the baby is born - and, my experience with my first was, not having a choice of nice clothing, contributed to me feeling bad about myself and image towards the end.

Hopefully you are not as shallow as I am

[Laquila]

Hi all, just back from Mothercare - bought two pairs of v comfy leggings and one paid of overbump skinny jeans. Wasn't that impressed with the bump bands they had in (fabric quite thin, and they only had black and white - I want navy and grey!) so I think I'll order online from Topshop - heard good reports of theirs.

Then to Mamas and Papas factory shop, which was disappointing - not much clothing and what they did have was not very appealing. Might be better for those looking for work clothes, and for more formal stuff.

[DontmindifIdo]

I often find a lot of woman try to go 'as long as possible' in normal clothes, but the thing is, you'll stretch a lot of stuff and end up having to buy the maternity stuff towards the end anyway, so you might as well get your money's worth and buy them now.

Boden maternity jeans are good. As as Mamas and Papas, but only on-line - just order and return, far easier.

top shop are good, again, order on line.

[Miggs28]

My best buy has been mothercare over bump skinny jeans - have been living in them!

I have also found primark vests have been a godsend, they are longer in the body than alot of vests so have been perfect for covering my bump - still wearing them at 34 weeks. Plus a bargain price at £2 each compared to the £15 each I paid for 2 gap maternity vests which are really uncomfy!

[snickersnacker]

Please can anyone help me find out which, if any, London H&M branches stock maternity? Their website store locator indicates that it's none of them but I really want to try some jeans on before ordering...

[Meringue33]

I found New Look best as cheap and contemporary looking. Lots of Mothercare stuff is very frumpy (obsessed with sailor stripes). Elasticated skinny jeans are great post preg too. If you are planning on bf you may wish to invest in clothes that double up as nursing tops, ditto bras.

Don't underestimate how large you may grow! I sent back a lovely Seraphine coat as it was far too big for me at 20 weeks. Got the next size down... By the time I gave birth every button had popped off!