bigger clothes or maternity clothes?

[K8eee]

Am in the early stages of pregnancy but to be honest I haven't lost my weight from previous pg. I'm now wondering whether I just buy a couple of pairs of jeans in a bigger size and some bigger tops, or shall I just get a few maternity bits now and dig out my old maternity clothes and get more use out of them? what would you do?

Unless you carried very small last time, I doubt bigger clothes would work. The shape distribution is different - e.g. a big top will be big all over, so will be huge across the back but probably not long enough to cover your tummy, etc.

You might get away with non-maternity things like jumpers but I've found anything at all fitted like trousers/jeans etc need to be maternity. I've been in maternity clothes earlier in this pregnancy than ds (I think this is relatively common) so buying a bigger size would've been a bit of a waste as I would only have been in the a couple of weeks.

penguin yeah you're probably right. I was all belly last time, but since having dd, my tummy muscles haven't gone back to how they were, so I've gained a bit of weight but I don't want to buy the next size up if I'd be better off getting maternity clothes :/

I would advise maternity clothes. This pregnancy I tried to cut corners and just buy big sizes which have got me to this point (36 weeks) but my mum bought me a maternity top the other day and I was amazed how much nicer and fitted it looked. It really does make a difference

Look at maternity wrap dresses, you can wear after also as just tighten, and have tighter now.

Otherwise do you have any stretchy dresses now you can use for a while?

Yeah some maternity clothes are really fitting and look nice :) I bought a stripy nautical looking top from new look and loved it. It didn't take long to get a hole and I had to bin it I'm no further than 3 weeks though

I tried bigger clothes but they didn't work- I hadn't changed size just developed a bump so they didn't fit anywhere else.

However in late pregnancy I have discovered that supermarket clothes are made very large so
Have managed to buy a size 12 fleece which zips up
Over (37 week!) bump and a jersey dress in size 10. I am a 8-10 usually so amazed! Worth a try?

Maternity clothes all the way. They will be fitted across the arms and back and so more flattering than a top or dress that's just big and baggy all over!

Plus you can sell maternity clothes on EBay or FB selling sites afterwards - bigger clothes and you'll be tempted to keep them and not lose the weight

I loved my maternity jeans, I lived in them. For shorts I just used those bump bands for my pre PG ones.

I bought some mat tops early in the pregnancy but because I was quite slim (maybe not now post PG ) and obviously got very large I grew out of them. I got a few more but spent a lot of time bumming around the house in OH's t-shirts in my last couple of months!

I would advise getting one or two nice maternity tops but if money is an issue and you'll be on mat leave then just do whatever is comfy the rest of the time, that's what I'd do for my next PG.

Oh, I meant to add if it wasn't clear, definitely new maternity jeans if you can.

I needed maternity jeans / trousers, swimsuits and some dresses. For tops and other casual dresses I just bought cheap ones from places like H&M or Zara in 1 or 2 sizes bigger, (as the maternity ones are expensive and less fashionable).

Bigger tops are ok but I couldn't do without stretchy trousers!

As in maternity trousers!

I'm no good at this at all, what's a bump band and how do you wear non maternity trousers with it?
Sorry for the hijack!

I would always say maternity clothes though as others have said big all over doesn't always fit.

I found that swing dresses work really well, still wearing them at 32w. H&M maternity dresses were not bad but bump had a growth spurt last week and I find them uncomfortably tight above the bump now.

I lost all the baby weight last time but with dc2 i am way bigger all round and already at 28w none of my trousers from last time fit. So you may as well start wearing your mat clothes from last time as you might not get the full 9 months use this time!

I've just ordered maternity skinnies and leggings. I'm all tummy and only 6 weeks but third dc ..that's my excuse anyway

Just tried on my mat jeans from last time....my god they look awful I nearly cried. looks like I've got to get the next size up I reckon. they're skinny jeans but a size 14 :( got a few tops I can wear but I'm not a happy bunny now

Just relax and go a size up..who cares? Be comfy.

I'm 21 weeks and not needing anything yet but intend on buying a pair of maternity jeans and some bump bands. Baby due in July so I'm hoping to get away with maxi dresses or long tops and leggings. I've lost 4 stone since last summer so my summer clothes will be big on me anyway.
My work uniform top is supplied so I don't have to worry about paying for that and my trousers are really stretchy. I guess it depends on ur own situation and finances.
New look have nice maternity clothes that aren't too pricey, the jeans I'm looking at are £15.99 a pair!

I'm 19w and been wearing maternity jeans since around 12w instead of buying bigger sizes as I'm carrying twins so was showing earlier. For tops though I'm just getting a size up they're all stretchy anyway and can be layered with a wooly jumper

You could save on maternity tights by buying larger size normal ones which have a "bum panel" and turning them around so it becomes a "bump panel"! Or, if you're handy with a sewing machine, buy a pair of cheap jeans and cut out a semi-circle from the front, replacing it with a drawstring bit. Both ideas come from my sister (midwife).