Annual pre-school shop, maternity clothes or not?! Help!

[KittyCatKittyCat]

Hello
I'm a teacher. I usually top up on simple things to wear to work at the end of the summer holidays (new black pumps, they always get holes, simple dresses and leggings - I work in Primary so move around on little chairs a lot!).
I generally don't buy again in the year, and generally I keep buying cheap stuff that only lasts the year (H+M and New Look are preferred faves).

I'm 5 week preggo, due in late April.

Should I get maternity dresses now, and just belt them in (waist belts, creative with a sewing needle too if needs be) so as to save money when I start getting bigger, or fork out twice in the year for work wear? I'm a bit skint so want to make as much last as far as I can out of the money I have.

I guess I don't even know how it will affect me size wise. Usually a 10, when will it start all getting bigger?

Advice needed from those who have any to give!
Thanks

To be honest I didn't start wearing maternity clothes until around 17 weeks. But now at 27 weeks none of my old clothes would go anywhere near me. Lol.
I supposed it depends how much you have to spend on them as maternity clothes can be pretty expensive. I worked in a nursery until recently and I just bought 2 pairs of black maternity trousers from matalan and a few different tops with lots if loose cardigans over to hide the pregnancy until I was ready to tell parents.
If you go on eBay you will find lots of second hand maternity stuff a lot cheaper but personally I preferred to buy new.
Hope u get sorted and congrats xxx

Many people can get to 5-6 months without maternity clothes, some cannot make 9 weeks so you never know which category you will fall in to. I would buy stuff from the non maternity range but things that are loose fitting so that you can easily expand to start off with. So tunic/dress sort of things that you could still wear if you updated them with maternity leggings/tights as you got bigger. Agree maternity clothes are expensive so often you can buy cheap ordinary clothes in a bigger size and they will do as maternity clothes.

I went into maternity clothes for school at 15 weeks or so.. Managed to get a lot in hm sale etc. I would get new boyfriend cardi's loose fitting she's.. Yep you will get swollen feet and pick up tops as you need them

Thank you, I think I'll just get leggings and loose tunics for now and see how it goes!

Maternity clothes that will fit you in march will drown you just now. Why don't you get some empire line or long tunic style tops a size bigger to wear with leggings for now and see how you get on. I'm 33 weeks today and wearing maternity leggings (topshop) with an old non maternity tunic. New look have quite a lot of cheap and cheerful maternity clothes online.

Just to add, I found that the distinction between work and non-work clothes became very blurred when I was pregnant, and that by the time I finished work for maternity leave I had so few outfits that fit me that I just wore them for work, home, going out and everything else and just switched shoes and accessories. I also grew out of some of the earlier maternity clothes that I bought - although I was particularly big and had a giant baby

GreatSoprendo - I imagined that would be the case!

Me too... the one set of clothes have been worn for school and home. I would invest in a good black dress (good for nights out and with blazer for parents evening).. you will also need a maternity coat.

I got a good black dress - it was expensive but I have been very glad of it and can wear it after for nursing. Got it from Crave Maternity.

My advice would be that normal leggings will fit all along under the bump so just get your usuals and what I find easiest for every day wear is maternity vests tops, ones with wide straps probably more suitable for work and just get some nice cardigans that don't need fastening to cover your shoulders and arms. Easier to keep it simple. It's boring but on a tight budget you just have to choose a look and stick with it. x

Thought I'd update you all as did go shopping in the end (H+M, and New Look)! No maternity stuff, but kitted myself out with two pairs of stretchy smart trousers in different colours (skinny jeans type but smarter) that I saw I could sew and elastic insert into in later months when the waistband starts slinking down at the front with a bigger stomach (can sew, have machine, simple enough).

Then go three light blouses that go over the bust and don't nip in, should hide expanding tummy for quite some time, and bust has a bit of room to expand too.

Also HAD to get a new bra as I discovered my boob kept poppping out all over the bloody place, have just gone up two cup sizes from C to DD! So I got cheap 2 for a tenner in New Look bras that'll do me until I'm brave enough to look into the bewildering world of maternity bras.

That and some plain pumps, all for under £90.

Already have cardigans, and last year's coat will do me for now I think.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Great stuff.. Also they will do you for just after the baby too so they won't go to waste. Best of luck with your pregnancy.. Mind yourself.. Don't be afraid to delegate lifting especially first few days back as your ligaments are soft. Take care.