Maternity wear- question

[juicyjuice]

Hi all,
I'm 17 weeks with dc1 at the moment and have been getting away with wearing my pre pregnancy casual clothes (with a pair of maternity jeans on bad days) so far. Problem is work gear- I'm looking to buy a pair of trousers and a couple of dresses before I go back to work in September (teacher). I want to buy the dresses online as nowhere near me has much of a maternity section but I'm not sure what size to get? Should I take into account that my boobs have taken on a life of their own and get the size above what I was wearing pre pregnancy or should I go for my normal size? Any help would be appreciated!

Everybody is different, I lost weight to start with so I'm only now starting to wear maternity clothes and I'm 25 weeks! I totally get the ordering online thing, DH and I spent a whole day in Glasgow and only bought 1 dress! But I'd suggest perhaps going to a couple of shops and trying on things (even if you don't buy anything) to get an idea of your sizing and then order...a lot of shops differ sizing wise so try something on in a couple of places...you never know you might find something you like as well

Maybe get a couple of sizes; your regular size and one above? Then just return what doesn't fit we'll. Maternity clothes tend to be able to accommodate expanding bumps and last you right through the pregnancy.

Snap! Same problems and I'm a teacher although I am few weeks further along. New Look have some plain black over the bump trousers which I figured will last me for 9 weeks of teaching. Just going to add some t-shirts and long cardis (how glam?).

Next have a couple of dresses which look suitable too. I don't know about the top part of things as my boobs were mahoosive before but I am just buying my same size as I figure that by the time I go onto maternity leave I will be living in joggers and then DP's old t-shirts which will accommodate my huge chest.

A lot of the websites will have advice about what size to buy for maternity wear, but I brought the size I was pre pregnancy for everything & even though my boobs have gone up two sizes I still fit into everything with some room at 32 weeks.

Thanks for the advice ladies, very helpful! I'm not really a pregnant shape yet but struggle to fit into my work clothes so thought I'd go for something I would definitely be able to wear for the next term!

Trouser/ skirt wise I was able to fit into maternity wear bought at pre-pregnancy size (Next) until about 36 weeks. New Look sizing I find huge and I still don't fill out the maxi dress I got from there. Mothercare I went to a wedding at about 32 weeks and had to get a size up. Though more to do with boob issues rather than bump.

I have struggled with my boobs (I did before pg, and things have just got out of hand now) but found that jersey type materials are best and able to cover my bra. I did get a couple of cheapy vest dresses (jersey material) not maternity from Primark 2 sizes bigger than I usually wear. Gutted because I live in them now. I could have worn them to work (work in court) with a jacket without too much scandal. Had I discovered them earlier in pregnancy I would have bought about 6 and have been done with it, instead of getting somestuff on ebay that didn't fit my boobs

Jersey wrap dresses will be your best friend. Flattering on big boobs and bump will grow into them. I have always found mat wear in my pre pregnancy size a good fit. I haven't put much weight on anywhere else, it's all bump - but I was carrying extra weight before falling pregnant. I remember 17 weeks being a very awkward stage to dress for and you don't want anything tight across your bump. Now at 37 weeks, it's more of a tent look and fashion has gone out the window!

I have been getting the same size as pre pregnancy and even a size smaller in new look as previous poster said they are big sizes.
I got all my work stuff from matalan and new look and they look smart and wash really well x

I recommend the jersey dresses from jo jo mamas bebe. Easy to wear, flattering and easily washable. Not as cheap as new look but really much nicer (and I like new look). I'll probably wear mine post pregnancy too as they aren't obviously maternity but will still accommodate a big bump.

Order you normal size. I ordered normal and bigger due to massive bust increase but was fine in my normal size.

I got my work dresses off asos... They were in the sale and i bought my size.. I am 35 weeks and still fit in them and have a big bump and have put on about two stone... Rhey are pretty dresses as well... I got leggings for underneath id i wanted and a tie round sash at the waist as they are elasticated x x good luck
lol maternity wear is a pain!!

Ooh and i got those magic stretchy bras a wrll when the underwire got uncomfy and they have been a god send lol

I agree that the maxi dresses in New Look come up big but I've just bought a normal length dress from there and found I had to size up (I'm usually a 6-8) as it wasn't cut to accommodate my 30 week bump. Otherwise I'd have said it was true to size. Generally you should buy your pre-preg size in maternity clothese but it's defintiely worth trying on as things can vary from shop to shop and item to item (much like non-materntiy clothes sadly!)

New look dresses ordered and leggings purchased! Thanks for the tips.