Best place for maternity wear

[K8eee]

I'm just over 14 weeks pg, and already am struggling to be able to wear my regular jeans without undoing the button :( I think over the winter i'll be living in leggings and long tops or tunics. I've had a rummage on the internet but maternity wear looks like it's going to swamp me this early. When did you start buying & wearing maternity wear? And also, i'm after suggestions for good places I can buy it.

Thanks in advance! :)

I sympathise - had an uncomfortable couple of weeks when my normal clothes were a bit tight but maternity wear was still too big. Am 20 weeks now and my H&M jeans now stay up though (and they look quite nice too!) I got a lovely Isabella Oliver dress in the sale, and a Picchu one in their sale. Other than that I've got several tunic-type dresses from pre-pregnancy which I'm hoping to make do for as long as possible - I must be the only person who was desperate for the weather to get colder, as they only suit me with boots and tights (hold-ups, actually, because that way my bump's not an issue).

I was in maternity early.

I'm lucky being in the States as there are loads of good places, much more catered for than UK. We have consignment shops too so you can pick up good quality 2nd hand stuff.

When I was in UK I found the nicest stuff from Mamas and Papas (some really gorgeous, funky stuff) and topshop but it was pricey.

H&M do a decent line. Then I just bought stuff in HUGE sizes from Primark.

I'd advise you get a size up too. I bought stuff in a size 8 and although it's maternity I've gone up two sizes too so a lot doesn't fit.

Also, I found that the only place that came close to selling a good choice was central London, Westfields etc.

I'm 17 weeks and bought my first maternity wear at almost 15 weeks.

I'd been searching for ages and was very annoyed to find most high street shops don't keep their maternity lines in store. I mean how are you supposed to know what to go with when it's your first baby and you are having to guess at sizes online?!

In the end I was told to try JoJo Maman Bebe who, luck would have it, have a small store near me. I was able to get some trousers and tops from there which have really helped. I don't want to buy too much maternity wear if I can help it, so am also looking out for loose fitting "normal" clothes. Thankfully this year's fashion for winter seems to be baggy knitwear!

Yeah, elasticated leggings are great when you're inbetweeny. I'm currently living in them.
I've got a pair from Mothercare which seem fine, a pair of jeans from Mamas & Papas which are really nice but still falling down somewhat, and a wrap top and leggings from Jojo Maman Bebe which seem great but I haven't worn them yet.
It is pretty annoying that the high street stores no longer stock maternity.

I've got some really comfy work trousers from Jojo maman bebe, a lovely dress from mothercare an lots of basics from new look which Is really reasonable.
I've not liked any of the h&m stuff I've bought apart from a grey flowing cardigan which I love. Asos is great too.

I liked new look and h&m for cheap. Topshop on Oxford street has a limited range. I don't really do Internet shopping but got some trousers from babes with babies that I lived in!

I went down a size in pregnancy sp worth trying on where possible.

Started wearing maternity about 16 weeks (first pregnancy).
Most of mine is mainly new look and H&M though still wearing a pre pregnancy animal empire line dress at 39 weeks.
Have a few bits from Mama and Papa's (they have discounts now and again), JoJo Maman Bebe, a pair of Debenhams black trousers and a topshop dress. Gap also do maternity wear. eBay is also good as lots of people sell on bundles of maternity clothes.
Mothercare have clothes in store, next do online also Tesco do a few bits online, Asda online though had a few bits in the huge store near me and Matalan online.

New look, asda, and tiffanyrose (online) for special occasions.

Very disappointed by H&M. All my friends were raving about how good the stuff was so I went into one of their flagship stores in Regent Street - most of the stuff was dowdy, poorly cut/stitched and crappy quality fabric. Did manage to buy two decent staple nursing tops, but 90% of what I saw was awful.

Mamas and Papas stuff is nice - not the cheapest but, if you have to look smart for work, i highly recommend their tailored black trousers.

Red Herring at Debenhams have a nice online range - haven't ordered anything yet but some of the dresses are cute and not too expensive.

Boden maternity leggings are very comfy but the maternity t-shirt I bought from them is already starting to pill after only a couple of washes.

If you're an NCT member - my local NCT have nearly-new sales twice a year. Don't know if they are any good but have decided it's got to be worth checking out...

Underbump jeans are good when there isn't too much of a bump, at about 14 weeks I got Leigh Jeans from Topshop and love them (although I've worn them through now at 27 weeks :( ). Also got some H&M over bump jeans which are nice, but at 14 weeks I think they would have swamped me as I had nothing to really fill the big bump panell if you see what I mean?! For tops I just got lots of Primark stretchy vests at your stage (and they have long sleved now too) and then went into proper maternity tops from H&M and Newlook at about 20 weeks.

I don't think there is a great choice to be honest, and even living in a big city I end up buying most online (lots on ebay) as there is such a small and poor selection in the shops.

I was about 15 weeks when ordinary clothes started to feel uncomfortable. I got a few bits from JoJo in the sale but found the online size guide a tad misleading. Apparently I've got size 8 hips but size 16 boobs! I'm a 12 pre-preg so went with that and the clothes were fine, but beware their S/M/L sizing - I ordered the Medium (supposedly 12/14) and the clothes were like a marquee!

I've found H&M tights pretty good but my local store doesn't have much. I've also ordered a few bits from ebay - my best buy was some JoJo jeans for 99p. The best tops I've had have been fitted T's with ruched sides from New Look. Much better than some of the more expensive brands which seem to swamp me. Guess it all depends on how you grow. I seem to be all boobs at the moment! Still struggling to find really decent bras though...

Thanks for starting this post - am in the same boat right now. 17 weeks pg and no normal trousers fit.

My success stories so far: normal dresses, with elasticated waistbands or umpire lines, one size up. I figure I can still wear these post maternity.

Primark for long vests and long tshirts, to avoid over-exposure (the mini bump tends to escape under normal length tshirts!)

Finally, Asos! If you're like me and already too knackered to go to the shops, just buy online and then if it's no good, return it. I did the thing where you pay a tenner and get free delivery for the rest of the year.

Anyone seen any decent, long winter coats? My normal ones are straining at the belly point and I can't find any particularly nice, not too expensive ones. I also really want something with a hood....

Under the bump jeans from next with non-mat tops in a bigger size got me through to about 30wks.

Yes! My winter coat is really fitted from last year military style so I look like Michelin man with my boobs, tiny bump and hips

I've just had a quick look on the internet and asda do some nice stuff and for the period of time your in maternity wear it's well priced! Had a look at mamas & papas & jojo maman bebe and that's out my price range

I'm currently 26 + 4, all my maternity wear is from new look online and h&m. I am currently living in dresses and maternity tights (from boots) as buying separates is more expensive. I do have one pair of maternity jeans they were in the sale at Debenhams.

I am wearing my same size as normal but just maternity x

I agree with lots of thenother ladies, H&M I found was great!
Next weren't bad either :)

Isabella Oliver stuff is absolutely lovely. Expensive, but it ebays we'll afterwards. Honestly, I felt about 1,000,000% more attractive and stylish in my couple of IO bits compared to everything else.

Gap is also worth a look, sign up for the emails to get good discounts.

Ebays well and the jeans are great x

My best staple pieces have come from jojomamanbebe - linen trousers, leggings, cotton t shirts.They have all been good quality and all washed really well.
I have had a few bits from asos. The designs are a bit
More exciting but the quality is not so good and they fade quickly after a few washes.
Didn't like anything in h and m - all looked a bit cheap and flimsy.
I have also bought a few tube dresses non mat wear once my bump became more prominent. It's the only time in my life I have been proud to show off every lump and bump :-)

Has anyone tried anything from George at Asda? I was looking at their stuff online but haven't bought anything yet.
So far most of my clothing has been from Next sale.

I love Boob-Design. Swedish place, not cheap, but sells combo maternity / breastfeeding tops and dresses so you can carry on wearing them.

Hello there,
I'm unexpectedly pregnant for the 3rd time after 5 years and have got rid of everything baby-related so will have to start again if my pregnancy continues! I came on here to see if there had been any innovations in maternity wear since I was last pregnant but am a bit dismayed that the same either uninspiring or overpriced brands are coming up!

I'll probably try to buy very little from maternity lines - as it is so often poorly made and overpriced. I agree with the advice to invest in some maternity jogging or leggings and then buy regular tunics or longer jumpers one size up. Often they are better cut and more attractive. Or jersey dresses with an empire line. I have just bought a really nice top from phase eight with rushing at the side which I think might get me through until I'm properly big. www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/fashionTallie-Top/301440050

Remember that you only need real maternity stuff towards the end maybe the last 3 months (unless your in a formal work environment) so don't buy in advance unless you spot something you really like as season may have changed. And NEVER buy maternity occasion wear. I once spent a lot of money on an horrendous floral jojomamanbebe dress to wear to a wedding and a ball. I looked like a balloon in it! A regular maxi dress would have done the job much better but there weren't many around then. I recently a tribal maxi dress from jigsaw though which will hopefully do for a wedding next year.

Happy shopping and enjoy dressing your growing bump!

I managed to find some basic stuff in new look today, some under the bump skinny jeans, couple of tops and a wrap jumper. Bearing in mind it all cost 70 odd quid but it should hopefully last a little while

Thanks for all your advice ladies got to admit the maternity department in most shops are majorly over priced

I managed in normal jeans for a bit longer by looping a hair band or elastic band through the button hole then twisting the loop around the button. It gives you an extra inch or so and some give when you sit down when you're at the thick waisted stage but haven't got a bump yet.