Anyone hate maternity clothes..?

[mlbear]

Although was nervous about buying any clothes so early on, I had no choice, I was wearing my skirt unzipped!

I work in Leeds city centre so thought there would be plenty of options to look around the shops for a work skirt/ trousers... nope!
H&M sell maternity - none of it is appropriate work attire & then there is Topshop!
I got a tube skirt from Topshop, needless to say I returned it the next day, I am not 12 weeks yet so dont want anyone finding out, but this skirt clung to me, it would prob make the slimmest of slimgyms look pregnant!

A friend recommended Next & showed me her proper looking trousers with a cute hidden maternity stretch in the side. Next doesn't stock clothes so I had to order a tonne of stuff online.
It arrived today - but these are awful too!

The trousers are fake trousers, fake pockets, fake zip, elastic band running all around the top... size 10 feel too tight, size 12 are too big & falling down.
Couple of skirts, size 10 is too big in these! Each item making it obvious there is a bump there, which I'll just have to tell people is fat...

I asked before for suggestions & was recommended wrap dresses, think I'll have to do some more shopping!

[ch1134]

I love maternity wear too - it's so comfy!

But it does make you look huge. So I've been wearing maternity trousers (H&M not expensive but much nicer than New Look, H&M sizes are small though so buy a size up) with any of my normal tops which are a bit baggier. I didn't really wear tight clothes before so I won't until I have to.
I'm 21 weeks with quite a bump, but have found a few ways to avoid that classic maternity style...

Leggings folded over so the waistband is below the bump.
Tunics
Baggy jeans with a low waistband
Skirts pushed down below the bump

These all need to be worn with long tops, obviously!

[MrsHY1]

I have to say I love maternity wear! Maybe because I'm a pear shape normally with a small waist and large hips- so finding jeans/trousers etc has always been really tricky. Now everything seems to fit well!
Have gone a bit bonkers though with lots of dresses and tops from Isabella Oliver but I love them and will either eBay them afterwards or hold on to them in case we're lucky enough to have another (this one is an IVF baby). Also love Topshop Leigh jeans. X

[ModeratelyObvious]

eBay, and borrow from friends.

[Ginformation]

grey wool double zip maternity coat

[MrsDibble]

I just mostly bought clothes 2 or 3 sizes bigger with dd1.

Doesn't really work with trousers though. But some dresses are fine even without much sizing up.

[Ginformation]

YoniM look at Seraphine online for winter coats. I just got the double zip grey wool coat for £99 (also due in Jan). Pricey but it can be worn as non maternity on the tighter zip. Also supposed to accommodate a baby in a sling. The sizing is generous, I sent mine back for a smaller size. Will try to link (on phone), hang on...

[MummyJetsetter]

I've just kept it really simple and cheap. Leggings - both normal ones I already had and a couple of new maternity pairs fit fine. I've got knee length shorts that I wore all summer but they're obviously out now as weather is turning. I just wear maternity vests tops, just like normal ones but longer, and if it's a bit chilly I already had long cardigans, I just wear them open, more for arm cover. I bought a couple of maternity dresses, I got that spotty one Kate Middleton wore from topshop (I had it first!). Also maxi dresses and any dresses actually that will fit my bump in that I already have. Cheap matalan pyjamas the next size up. Hope this helps. x

[YBR]

I just hate trying to find maternity stuff. I've decided to survive on the 4 tops I had from last time round, plus a few of DH's larger t-shirts. My company fleece will work fine (it's a size small gorilla!). It's trousers that get me. I NEED pockets, and can't wear leggings or jeans for work. I don't wear them anyway. Local M&S, Next, DorothyPs, New look don't stock any maternity. Debebhams only have jeans/leggings in my nearest store. ASUS stuff got sent back.
I've got 2 pairs of trousers from last time which will do for work, and I altered badly to add pockets. They'll have to do, because I'm not going to pay £3 per day at work to buy clothes that are not what I want!

[MumHaley]

Since I'm a bit on the heavy side, I never got to experience really buying maternity clothes. I just wore lose tops and overalls, and maxi dresses too! There are a lot of maternity clothes shops that have outstanding options for mums so one can be a very stylish mum while carrying a 5-8 pound baby inside their bellies. I loved my stretchy jeans and shorts specifically. You can be stylish still!

[YoniMitchell]

I've found some bits in ASOS - only dresses so far as their tops all look either really frumpy or too casual for what I need.

H&M and New Look have been ok for skinny jeans and New Look for the odd top (I prefer fitted feel to baggy 'grow into it' stuff).

I'm starting to struggle now and although I have a nice Isabella Oliver dress for a wedding we're going to, I'm not about to drop £100 or more on each piece to wear it just for a short time.

Most high street ranges are pretty poor though - do I really need to look mumsy or frumpy? I'm having a baby, not a style by-pass ffs.

Really disappointed in the Topshop range - it's either really frumpy, poorly designed for bumps (ie they've just made a bigger version of something they've found kicking around in another collection).

My next dilemma though is a winter coat - I'm due in Jan so my bump will only get bigger and none of my coats will fit and close! Do I really need to buy a special maternity coat? I've only seen really scruffy looking parkas in New Look and I really need something quite smart.

Anyone else spotted any reasonably priced, decent coats? I'm thinking of alternatives altogether, like a cape, if it will be warm enough. Then at least I can wear it again when not pg.

[EeyoreIsh]

I've just had two dresses delivered from asos and they're actually nice! More like what I'd normally wear than the usual maternity offerings.

[sarahlunt12A]

You have a lovely maternity store in Leeds called Mummy and Little me. They sell Bibee Dresses (think its spelt like that but might be Bibe) - I had never heard of a Bibee Dress, but the idea is great. The dress fronts can be taken off and swapped over - which means that one dress can be worn in lots of different ways. It's a pretty clever idea and I have worn it so much throughout pregnancy and now that I am feeding and it still looks great. They also have some other lovely brands, so worth a visit.

[BikeRunSki]

In Leeds, go to Crown Poiibtvandctey Asda Home and Living, New Look and Mothercare. But far out of town for a lunchtime trip though. In town, Gap. They do maternity wear, also the Meadowhall branch had a few loose, stretchy summer dresses that would be good for early pg a few days ago. If you can get to Birstall ( where Ikea is), then Mamas abd Papas.

[BeCakes83]

I actually love maternity clothes! I will admit that finding flattering maternity clothes isn't the easiest task ever but they are way more comfortable then my regular clothes. One of my favorite resources is inexpensivematernityclothes.org/ One of the best online resources for finding stylish maternity clothes on a budget. Lots of great ideas there!

[quackojuliet]

i've ordered a fair bit from new look, and tend to live in stretchy 'bodycon' dresses with cardi's or tops added for work. find that a lot of maternity wear is just hideous, poor selection, and not very flattering. i prefer bump clinging stuff.
i've found asos stock some new look pieces which you can't seem to get from them direct

[HopeS01]

I'm having the same problem, and no new suggestions sadly... :( Got a few bits from Asos and Topshop, but like everyone else said, I don't want to spend a fortune! We've got enough to be saving for without splashing out on a new wardrobe!!
I work in fashion and haven't told my employers yet (18+5) so I think everybody assumes I've lost all taste, turning up to work in horribly unflattering jeans and baggy tops ;)

[CrispyFB]

I was very lucky - for two of my pregnancies at around 16 weeks or so we were visiting the US/Canada. Those ladies are seriously spoilt for choice.. heck, they have entire SHOP CHAINS devoted to maternity wear. And in my opinion they are much, much nicer. And cheaper.

Same goes for their children's clothes I always fill a suitcase.

I do second Debenhams (Red Herring stuff) for smarter work wear, especially in the sale. Peacocks/George aren't too bad for basics but may not be smart enough.

I was in M&P today and some of their summer dresses looked quite nice (in my opinion) in the sale but a) still crazy expensive and b) oh, there goes summer.

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

They are these ones which are currently on offer and ship to the UK.
HTH

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

I just got a pair of maternity combats, second hand, but you could look out for them - from the States, a brand called 'Motherhood'.

I am not exaggerating when I say they have changed my life in one day I may be exaggerating a little

I got them from a lady on Preloved. Some good maternity stuff there.

[Rockchick1984]

The thing is, maternity clothes will emphasise your bump - they are cut to help you look pregnant rather than just fat! Buy some non maternity clothes in the next size up for now, they will come in handy once you had the baby while you're shrinking back down!

[nocarsgo]

I bought a lot of maternity clothes from Dorothy Perkins, surprisingly. Never shop there normally. ASOS are also quite good.

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

Dresses. I don't like maternity jeans - spent ages finding a pair to fit, but they are itchy as fuck, and have no 'side' pockets, only bum pockets, which annoys me every time I wear them.

I have two black empire line dresses (both maternity, one Next, one Asda), both 'wrapped' at boob part but not below empire line IYSWIM, and the same thing, but a nice neckline in dark green from New Look. I live in those and two maxi dresses (neither is maternity), with occasional skirts from JojoMaman worn with stretchy tops. Dresses just seem to be cut to flatter, esp when bump arrives. Everything else, I just look fat in.

Maternity wear is generally hideous, three sizes too big or small, or impractically cut for overinflated boobage - I bought one dress which I swear to god would have shown off my nipples if I'd worn it.

eBay is your friend - everything I have, I bought from eBay.

[Essexgirlupnorth]

Yep they are rubbish. I can't wait to get back in my normal clothes.
Mama and Papa's have some nice stuff but is pricey but keep an eye out for discounts that they seem to do regularly

[BroodyAndMoody]

Have to say George at ASDA has been great for me, and matalan as well

[maggiethemagpie]

I got most of mine from red herring at Debenhams. Its one of the only ranges where you can try it on instore as well. My strategy has been more or less to live in leggings with tunics (some maternity some just a bigger size) which has worked ok for me. I will probably continue this after giving birth as I don't think I'll be returning to my pre pregnancy figure for some time!