Maternity Coat - To buy or not to buy?

[misseskimo]

Am currently 15+3 and starting to get a pretty obvious bump. My current coat still fits, but only just. Another month and its going to be bursting at the seems!

It's obviously been getting colder this past couple of weeks, and my normal duffle type coat just isn't keeping me warm enough. My original plan before finding out I was pregnant was to get a proper wind/snow/everything proof winter coat, but now don't see the point as won't be able to fit into it! But I really don't want to spend out loads of money on a good maternity winter coat when I would only be wearing it Feb, March and possibly April at the latest, before it starts getting too warm to wear anymore. I'm due early July, so that would mean a maternity summer coat also...

What is/has/would anyone else do? X

EBay. I'm due in 5 weeks and it's been essential these last few weeks. Didn't bother when I had a July baby last time though.

I got one from New Look maternity when it was on sale. I've been amazed on the compliments I've had, I was just looking for something cheapish to get me through the pregnancy.

I'd look on eBay first. There must be plenty if people who had babies in Nov or so who don't need theirs any more.

I got a parker type from H&M from there maternity range were the band can pull tight so when no longer got bump I plan on using it after.

I am not really bothered about a coat being mega fitting anyway as normal got a jumper on and things it cost me 29.99 an warm but not mega thick, but I am warm all the time being pregnant. Got mine at 20 weeks.

www.hm.com/gb/product/72410?article=72410-C

I had an August baby last time, and bought a wool swing maternity coat from mamanjojobebe, as it wasn't overly warm it lasted well into the spring. If you're going to, do it asap do you get maximum wear! Particularly worth it if you're likely to have more kids. www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+purple-short-maternity-swing-coat-in-maternity-coats-and-jackets+b4561

I didn't buy a coat for my last 2 pregnancies as it felt like a waste of money and to be honest it was a mistake - I'm bloody freezing and wearing a shabby hoody of DH which looks awful.

I wish I'd bought one when I started to show and got my use out of it!

I bought two normal coats in larger sizes from charity shops -one for the autumn and one for winter. Spent about £10 and both good quality brands. Only thing is I look fat rather than pregnant.

I bought a thick, black maternity coat from H&M last week, reduced to £15! Bargain. Especially as I'm due in three weeks, planning on selling it afterwards on ebay.

There's a nice one in the debenhams sale at the moment its red herring and under £20. I tried it on the other day but im almost 37 weeks now so didnt bother!!

I bought a non-maternity double-breasted coat and moved the buttons.
Moved them back this winter and still wear it :)

Hi

I bought this coat

Not cheap but it is quite light and warm and has a zip out insert so I will be able to wear it when I am no longer pregnant. I am 31 weeks now and I couldn't have done without a winter coat especially when going to work as it looks quite smart. If I were you I would buy early and get as much wear out of a coat as possible.

I bought a long-ish puffa jacket style coat from New Look just before Christmas for about £30 - not amazing quality or style but it fits and keeps me warm at the bus stop every morning! Due in March so coat was essential for me. Husband says it makes me look like a boiler tank though, hmmm! Ruined my old smart coat trying to do it up over my bump so watch out.

I'm 36 weeks and can't do up my coat but I haven't bothered getting a new one as I'm always warm! I was always cold before being pregnant but I'm fine these days wearing a scarf to fill the 'gap'.

I'm 26 weeks and still comfortably in my normal coat so planning just to make do without one. I figure by the time I really can't get it done up it should be starting to get warmer.

I shelled out for one last pregnancy but it was from the debenhams sale. Red Herring and think it was about £30. Worth every penny IMO. I've used it a lot this pregnancy too but was obviously lucky with dates etc and still needing one over winter. It's an investment I suppose. If Id been going to have just one child I might have tried to do without.

New look have got some nice ones in the sale! Got mine from there

My best purchase throughout pregnancy has been a wrap/cape with sleeves and fur trimmed cuffs. It is one size and goes over anything. I'm confident that it's nice enough to wear next winter when I'm not pregnant.

I bought a quilted coat from H&M for 25 quid when I was 20 weeks preg. plan to wear it through til due date early April. It's brill. warm and reasonably flattering, in that it's obvious I'm pregnant, not fat (which is what people thought when I borrowed a big coat from my mum. not good for morale). I'll sell it on eBay next winter.

I've just bought one in the sales from Red Herring - hopefully will get plenty of wear over the next few months, it's really comfy and a lovely shape. I'm 19w and although I still just about fit into my normal coat it doesn't look or feel great!

I second eBay too. Not sure if I'd want to pay full price for a maternity coat.

Last pg I just bought over size normal coat but tbh but I couldn't do it up towards the end and it was a pain! And I think I ended up splitting it Incredible Hulk style too

Are you planning to use a sling/carrier post-pregnancy? If so it might be worth investing in a coat that would work for wearing a baby next autumn.

Thanks for your comments!

Ebay - I've been keep an eye out on there for a good month now, and nothing ever seems to come up in my size that I like... I may be being fussy, but the odd one or two that have come up have all looked a bit too casual or "drab" when I'd really like something both warm, and a little on the smarter side for work... Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to look at at type of coat, as I mentioned in my OP I was looking at a proper winter coat, but I don't like the massive puffer styles in bright colours that make you look like the michelin man who got tangoed (gives me visions of my mother picking me up from school in a similar coat when I was a child - the embarrassment!)

I'm not sure on sling/carrier tbh jessplus I was considering a carrier, but I have a curved spine, and frequently suffer from backpain - I've been told that a carrier/sling would really aggravate that, so I've had to rethink...

As bad as it sounds, I want to LOOK pregnant at the final few months, as I get a bus to work which is ALWAYS rammed. And whilst I don't mind standing atm, I think it will be hardwork standing for the 30min journey with a massive bump, and carrying a rucksack and laptop bag. So hoping some people will be nice and offer me a seat - But obviously if I'm wearing a coat which only makes me look fat rather than pregnant, I may not get that luxury!

I'll have at look at the ones people have suggested... May consider a cape or similar also - though would mean having to change my work bag, as I don't think you can wear a cape with a rucksack can you?

*forgot to mention, reason why alot on ebay aren't good, is because I'd ideally like a waterproof coat... As holding an umbrella plus rucksack and laptop bag just isn't going to happen :(

I got a smart Jojo Maman Bebe coat from ebay pretty cheap. Even though I'm due in June, my previous coat was starting to pop undone of it's own volition before Xmas, so I thought I'd better bite the bullet and get one. I feel the cold, so it will probably be used up until May depending on how nice/unpleasant a Summer we have. Also might end up using it next Autumn/Winter if I'm not in my pre-baby clothes by then!

I got one from new look. It was really worth it as no normal jacket fitted anymore. Winter in this country is long , you might as well buy one. You can always sell it on ebay . There's a high demand for them.