So, where are you buying your maternity clothes from?

[wingcommandergallic]

I've bought a few bits online but I like to try clothes before buying, see how they fit, feel the material, even more so when my body shape is changing and I don't know it so well.

I went to Chelmsford today and hardly any shops had maternity clothes. Debenhams had a poor selection, a few maxi dresses from the end of the summer and some casual jersey dresses and tops. Mother care only seemed to have gym clothes. The only decent selection was in H&M but even that was a bit casual.

I work in an reasonably casual office but appear in court regularly and I'm 40. I don't want to wear leggings and tshirts for the next 6 months but don't want to spend a fortune.

Any recommendations?

Seraphine and Isabella Oliver mainly, but in the sale/eBay rather than full price.

I must say that across the board I've found the sizing of maternity jeans to be totally off- I'll usually have size 12 skinny jeans from most places, but tried on about 15 pairs at the weekend from various shops and almost without exception couldn't get the flipping things over my knees... pretty sure my calves haven't gotten any bigger in the last few months!

I had a terrible time finding any that I could try on in a shop, (I am in the sticks a bit) this was in 2012. New Look ( I was surprised I even felt comfortable being in there as an "older mum") was the best range but still very limited although I have noticed this year that my 2 local branches have stepped it up. Comfortable & good prices, quality was good enough to see me through but possibly not the place to get very smart work clothes. I found Asda clothing a very strange fit & was disappointed with M&S having absolutely nothing except a soft comfortable (non-maternity) bra I could sleep in. My best buy was a smart, warm but thin maternity jumper from Debenhams, I was fortunate as the range covered just two hanging spaces! Why?!!