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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

just want some nice feel good maternity clothes

45 replies

mummytobejuly2014 · 22/02/2014 17:18

completely fed up. almost 21wks and have bugger all to wear. fed up of vest tops & long sleeve stretchy tops. pre pregnancy I was a size 6/8 on top and 8/10 on bottom. none of my local New look, Next, Dorothy perkins, H&m, topshop have any maternity sections. I hate the new look range also, tacky tshirts etc. im quite small busted and any maternity tops ive tried just swamp my bust making it look even smaller and has this extra bit of material flapping about because of the under bust elastic. im in my mid-late 20s. I just want to find some clothes that make me feel nice, finding this almost impossible. its either very dressy or very casual, no inbetween. or else a lot of it is aimed at the more mid to late 30s styles. if any one can offer any suggestions id be really grateful. its just wearing me down now that I have so little choice what to wear. I splashed out a wasteful £38 on topshop leigh maternity jeans in a bid to feel nice but they're tight on the legs and droopy/baggy under the bump & round the bum, new look jeans were even worse.
sorry for the long winded post

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HandragsNGladbags · 22/02/2014 17:19

Asos maternity is brilliant. Got all my stuff from there

cathpip · 22/02/2014 17:24

Asos is great and also the type tops you may like are the ones that fasten/tie under the boobs then at least you get the difference between boobs and bump and it does not look like you are a massive ball on legs :)

MyNameIsKenAdams · 22/02/2014 17:29

H&M do fantastic maternity, is there a store a little less local to you but still within travelling distance? Also, we have a few H&Ms and one of them is a kids only one which has the maternity stuff in, rather than it being in the standard store.

MyNameIsKenAdams · 22/02/2014 17:30

Oh and apparently Primark do Maternity skinny jeans

Plateofcrumbs · 22/02/2014 17:32

Yes get yourself on ASOS! I've bought loads of stuff on sale, some really nice things which don't make me feel like I'm compromising on style. They've got hundreds of items in a wide variety of styles - if you can't find something to your taste there's no helping you!

TheBookofRuth · 22/02/2014 17:33

Well I am mid-30s and I find most maternity wear too drab and "mumsy" for me too, so you have my sympathy!

Rootvegetables · 22/02/2014 17:44

In terms of tops just look out for some normal tops that are maybe a bit longer than you would usually go for if they're stretchy they last well, and as they aren't maternity they're not so expensive.

LastOneDancing · 22/02/2014 17:45

It's the drab colours that are getting me down! Everything is navy, black or burgundy.

Why wouldn't a pregnant woman want to wear the beautiful pastel and florals out at the minute? Whats the obsession with stripes?!

Oh, and I'm also mid 30s - we're not quite ready to move into Jaques Vert yet OP

cosmicnibble · 22/02/2014 17:48

Another vote for hm, the skinny jeans are great and still fit at 38 weeks!
You can buy online too.

I've found that a lot of maternity clothes seem to be cut bigger all over so try going down a size from your usual clothes.

Also have a look on ebay, loads on there much cheaper and most has hardly been worn.

missmargot · 22/02/2014 17:51

I agree with the ASOS recommendation, also the Seraphine, Picchu and Isabella Oliver websites are worth a look.

IceNoSlice · 22/02/2014 17:54

I am about ready to pop at 39+4 but am still wearing a couple of H&M non-maternity long stretchy tops - I bought them a size bigger than normal and they've grown with me!

Next online - couple of good work things. Order them to be delivered to store (delivery is then free), try them on there and then when you collect - and return anything you don't like immediately. Minimal faff. Only annoying thing is having to pay for everything you take into the changing room (IYSWIM!)

Accessories and shoes are your friends. I might get shouted down for this but I'm still ok with heels even now (shorter ones and not for long periods or walking any distance!)

I also like ASOS.

Some of the floral floaty non- mat tops around would fit and look good for a couple of months yet. Teamed with mat jeans (esp over-the-bump to make sure there is no gaping) you should be ok.

Tomkat79 · 22/02/2014 18:14

It's all spots and stripes! I'm even struggling with the h&m this season! I do like the topshop dresses but my favorite items have been from asos.
Surprising bonprix.com actually have a few nice bits and reasonable price too...also la redoute and verbaudet.
Stay out of mothercare and jojo unless you wanna feel total frumpy. I also find next maternity a bit grusome but jeans are good x

CrispyFB · 22/02/2014 18:18

Isabella Oliver is pricey, but you can often get it cheap on eBay (and very rarely, Zulily) Tends to be flattering and a bit more interesting!

In fact you can get a lot of higher end stuff at a decent price on eBay. Maternity stuff sells well, because it's only used for such a short time.

MummytoMog · 22/02/2014 19:51

I hated every single fucking thing in H&M, but I'm a 12/14 normally and all of their trousers particularly seemed to be designed for people with skinny calves. Basically made me feel fat and ugly. Thanks. Top shop was full of shite. Sad sack polyester trousers for forty quid? Fuck off.

Next jeans are great, and I had a couple of nice Crave bits too.

SweetPea86 · 22/02/2014 20:02

I got some nice dresses from new look but had to order them off line coz the shop had sod all. Good thing too was I could try them on at home and return to shop if didn't fit :)

IceNoSlice · 22/02/2014 20:23

Shame Crave disappeared - I had a nice dress from there.

pinkglitter80 · 22/02/2014 20:34

I know exactly what you mean - red herring maternity at debenhams has some nice stuff x

Plateofcrumbs · 22/02/2014 20:37

I got some jeans and a basic vest top or two from H&M but I was a bit disappointed with everything else I saw in there - it was all a bit bland.

Rombo · 22/02/2014 20:38

I am a similar size to you, I have bought some really comfy black skinny jeans from George at asda and also some from next.
I'm 24 weeks now but haven't got a big enough bump to wear maternity tops yet as there seems to be too much extra fabric so I have got some normal stretchy longline tops and vests from h&m and new look.
New look have some nice casual dresses and blouses online but I think their sizing and quality are a bit hit and miss.
H&m have some lovely maternity tops and tshirts, you can order online and send back for free.
I have also been wearing some normal dresses from yumi and uttam at house of Fraser which sit nicely over a small bump.

Minithemoocher · 22/02/2014 20:49

Gratefully reading the advice here as I'm in exactly the same predicament, but not quite so far along. I'm also desperate for sportswear as I'm a dance teacher and can't get into any of my normal gear!

RaRa1988 · 22/02/2014 21:05

I'm 25 and also very slim. I've had a hell of a job too, but I've just ordered three nice dresses off Asos and some tunic tops and leggings off Ebay. I got some bootcut jeans from Mothercare.

DomesticGoddess31 · 22/02/2014 21:07

I got most of my mat wear from Gap online. I'm a 8/10 on top and small busted too and find their small size is a good fit.

Original poster

mummytobejuly2014 · 22/02/2014 21:55

I seem to have have fat calves/thighs but a small waist in comparison so normal jeans were difficult to find anyway. these topshop leigh skinnies keep sliding down, have to pull them up everytime I get up. new look tops/dresses are crap on me unless I get a boob job. most have elastic under bust which on my tiny bust creates this extra/baggy flap of fabric hanging off my bust to the elastic bit underneath making me look even smaller. I have bought a couple of skinny belts to define me a bit but no tops/dresses as yet. I just wana look a little girly, not mumsy if you know what I mean. im guna try asos. h&m website looks a bit boring. also whys everything stripey or "ruched" up the side, it just all looks boring and bland

OP posts:

Rombo · 22/02/2014 22:01

Minithemoocher I have some Lycra sports bottoms and cropped leggings from primark. They were only about £8 and I bought a size 12 and 14 (normally an 8) and the waist fits fine and they are not baggy on legs/bum.
They also have a zip pocket on the bum which is great for putting phone/keys when out running.

In fact they are as good as my branded exercise clothes and will prob keep wearing them after the baby is here, if I ever get the time to do any exercise then!

AuntPittypat · 22/02/2014 22:02

I think the mid-pregnancy stage is really difficult to dress... too big for normal clothes but maternity clothes seem too big as they just have so much material! I'm 25 weeks now, a similar size to you and am having the same problem. I'm pretty much living in H&M stretchy jersey (non-maternity) dresses with cardigans/jumpers/shirts over the top, thick tights and ankle boots. Can't wait for my bump to get big enough to actually fill proper maternity clothes.

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