Maternity capsule wardrobe?

[NinjaPanda34]

Hi, I'm 13+4 with twins and am looking at going shoping for wardrobe essentials that will see me through as I continue to expand.
What are your go-to items during your pregnancy? If they could also be teacher friendly that would be grand! Thanks

Black trousers and long black top. Next also used to do some long sleeved t shirt material tops that were ok for work and home

You'll need some stuff for winter so a good coat, trousers, long sleeved tops, cardigans and a few dresses with maternity tights.

Also a teacher!
When teaching:

• topshop black Leigh jeans
• jojo Maman bebe's wrap tops with a vest underneath (brilliant because they expand if you tie them differently so you can wear them right through your pregnancy and in to feeding. I had 4 in the end.)
• H&M also do some nice work suitable shirts and blouses.
• a simple black cardigan that you can put over anything.
• one smart dress for parents evening etc - I got mine from the mamas and papas sale bit of their website, which I recommend checking regularly.

For weekends/when it gets later and you just want to be comfortable:

• mothercare's yoga pants. I've got two pairs and live in them! Suitable for school possibly, too, if dressed up.
• tshirts - again, I like H&M's, but Gap are quite good too.

And get some maternity PJs!

Also a teacher here. I've muddled by with maternity leggings, jersey dresses (some maternity, some not - maternity ones are more flattering, but sometimes I don't care about flattering), non maternity harem pants from Next, couple of longer maternity tops from Jojo and an ace thing I bought, that people said I wouldn't need, was a Mac - from the Jojo sale. OK it's been hot this summer, but earlier on I found I grew out of my nice coats really fast, more so than anything else, so I've used it a lot. It'll be great for afterwards too since you can use drawstrings to make it 'fit'.

Back to school for us next week. I'll also be 13 weeks (with only one) and am going shopping this week. Planning to get long tunic type tops and leggings -although worried it'll be too warm for them and pump type shoes. Want something that's comfy as I'm very active with the little ones. Will dress them up with jewellery.

I'm interested in this for work wear. We are fairly relaxed in our office but I don't want to start wearing leggings every day just because i'm pregnant.

I want 2 pairs of smart trousers, one black and one patterned. A couple of long tops, a shirt and a cardigan or 2. Also 2 /3 simple dresses and maternity tights. I have ankle boots and ballet pumps etc.

I will also need a coat and probably a jacket for Autumn as I'm not due til Feb. Not sure whether to get a maternity one or not though?

My most valuable item was a plain black dress, it can easily be dressed up or down as I needed it. I'm 37 weeks at the mo and still wear it.
www.blossomingbump.com/broody-maternity-black-cap-sleeve-maternity-dress/

Hope that helps.
x

I bought a couple of tops and dresses from Bassike (Australian label) in long sleeved t-shirt styles. Worn these from 6 weeks and still wearing them at 24 weeks.

Splashed out on some J Brand skinny maternity jeans, and a nice leather biker style jacket (not maternity) that I have worn with everything.

Lots of long cotton scarves. And baggy non-maternity tops in larger sizes.

A few dresses from Topshop & Asos maternity.

At home, leggings + T shirt + ugg boots (lucky DH!)

I brought just maternity/ nursing dresses

Easy to wear alone, easy to add tights and boots and jacket when cold. Plus same ones were breastfeeding friendly so lasted well

Had about 8 dresses on rotation

Get a couple of nice dresses that can be dressed up/down.
I have completely given up on trousers/jeans, none fit well and they all make me uncomfortable.

This skirt has been a lifesaver shop.boobdesign.com/en/product/603/once-on-never-off-skirt

Also I got a couple of Isabella Oliver dresses in the sale

www.isabellaoliver.com/uk/sale/sale-dresses/tank-column-dress-caviar-black.htm
and also the ruched tank maternity dress, which also comes in short or long sleeves which would be better for those pregnant during winter - this is my favourite piece off maternity clothing by far, I'm even considering getting another one!

They are expensive but so so so worth it. The rouching is genious, makes the bump look super neat, Can be dressed up/down endlessly. Worn on the beach this summer w/flipflops, with nice sandals and a flowing kimono on top to dress up for dinners/parties, blazer on top for those occasions when I have needed to look formal, and once it gets colder I'll just pop tights under and cardi on top. 29 weeks now, and they still have plenty of room for me to grow in. Super comfy AND I feel well dressed wearing them, always get loads of compliments. Compared to the money I have wasted on useless maternity trousers these are a much better investment!

I second the Isabella Oliver recommendation. Lovely dresses, good prices on eBay for purchase or resale too. I had a dress and a top that I'm saving for my next pregnancy.

I found M&S did the best maternity tights.

Congratulations. TTC no3 now so hoping to be shopping for winter maternity clothes soon myself ...

Congratulations!

I'm 23 weeks (with one!) and coped fairly well in normal clothes until 18 weeks. I did invest in bump bands which meant I could wear normal jeans for a few more weeks with the buttons undone.

I did a huge shop at New Look. I don't want to spend a lot on clothes that I won't wear for huge amounts of time, plus I needed to buy summer clothes and I'll need to buy winter clothes too!

I bought multipacks of t-shirts - short sleeve, long sleeve and 3/4 sleeve

stripy blue t-shirt

dress which looks fab on

overbump jeans. I found these comfier with a small bump than underbump jeans

my star buy! I get complimented on them constantly

for work. It's quite low cut so I wear a vest top underneath

This has pretty much been my staple wardrobe for the last 5 weeks with a few other dresses/shorts thrown in to the mix. I've been wearing scarves, chunky jewellery and blazers with the plain tops to jazz them up a bit and I've got to admit, I've felt more stylish than usual.

For winter, I've bought another pair of jeans in the next size up and I'll buy some jumper dresses and jumpers. Maternity tights will be a must-buy, as will some funky boots

Hey! I'm 16weeks and have brought a few items this week.

I brought pack of 5 high waisted cotton pants from M&S (none of mine fit anymore ) they go over bump, for now, so are more comfy for me.
3/4 cotton tshirts for layering.
3/4 loose cardigans/shirts (I like uniqlo and h&m)
2/3 loose trousers, I have some from Dorothy Perkins, George at Asda, and H&M, all different colours, from about £7-15.

I also have a couple of mid length skirts, both from H&M and were in their basic range, I think about £7 each, and will last me until bump gets really big, and then I can hopefully wear under bump.

I also brought a dress from Momma and Papas for £10, reduced from £42, it may still be online! But this was more nightwear.

Because you will be pregnant during winter, you will be able to wear lots of wrap dresses, and jumper dresses with leggings. Try get stuff in the sale now!!

Do you live somewhere with a big asian community? If so then you could get hold of some shalwar kameezes.

Try Purpless - they're online only but dirt cheap. I got 2 of their "formal" dresses and they'll do for anything really.

Thanks everyone, I'm in Inverness, so only really have mothercare, Mammas and papas, next, h&m and a debenhams.
For maternity clothing, do you just buy your usual size? Or because it's twins would you recommend I go up a size. I'm usually a 14/16.
Thanks

Topshop have some good looking stuff and I noticed some smart looking trousers in Gap earlier.

I'm intending to try and make do with normal clothes as much as possible this time around so am planning maternity trousers and jeans and then normal tops sized up for as long as I can.

Ninja - you'll end up doing most of your shopping online as most stores only carry a tiny maternity range, if anything. Should free you up a bit! You're meant to buy your normal size in most places, except I think in H&M you size up. Not sure how it will work with twins though!

You and me both mssleepyhead!! Eek

Aside from trousers, which were maternity, I've just worn "normal" clothes, but gone a size up, when I get bigger I may have to go another size up.
The idea is maternity wear, you buy your pre pregnancy size, you may find having twins your slightly bigger, so maybe size up? If you shop online, you can usually post back for free if you need other sizes!!