Maternity clothes - grrrrrrrr!

[CityDweller]

I'm getting so frustrated with trying to find maternity wear. I don't remember having this problem at all with DC1, but I'm pregnant at exactly the opposite part of the year this time - so a different season (autumn/winter last time, spring/summer this time). I'm particularly looking for trousers (over bump as I am so fucking sick of pulling up under-bump ones, especially skinny trousers, every two effing minutes). Something comfy, but not frumpy, e.g. chinos or maybe some nice wide-legged trousers. Not 'business attire', but not too scruffy either. No polyester. I would also like to find some long-sleeved tops (not tunics) and/or a thin jumper to tide me over this in-between weather we're having at the mo, plus a few cardigans (for the same reason).

I ordered a load of stuff and none of it's suitable. It either looks terrible or is uncomfortable. I had some luck with Asos, but absolutely none with Seraphine or JoJo (and for both had to pay either for delivery or to return it, which makes me fume).

Have just spent the evening trawling online and nowhere seems to have anything decent on offer that I'm looking for, or if they do it's out of stock (e.g. H&M had some nice-looking chinos, but out of stock). I've looked at all the usual suspects' sites (TopShop, JoJo, Asos, Gap, Next, etc). I've just found a few bits on Verdbaudet, but have also just read some terrible reviews on here about orders taking forever and the customer service being terrible, so that's made me have 2nd thoughts about ordering.

Somebody help me! Ideally with links to actual things you've bought that are in stock that look good on you and don't (in the case of trousers) need hiking up every time you move.

If it helps, I'm a pre-preg 10/12, 5 ft 7in, with hips (!)

[BeforeIChangeMyMind]

I'm 36 weeks and I've abandoned maternity wear (save for one pair of jeans) in favour of jersey dresses, leggings in a bigger size and long cardigans. If you can get to a White Stuff, their sizing is generous and they do a lot of jersey dresses. My best buys this pregnancy have all been from there.

I totally agree that a lot of what is out there is just... yuk!

[misssmilla1]

What about Gap? I have maternity jeans and trousers from them, and fit wise, they're great

[Skiptonlass]

Try zalando - they have lots of brands. Or Isabelle Oliver if you're feeling flush.

Maternity wear is a nightmare. I've had some luck with h and m basics ( their skinny ankle length jeans are great for short ladies) but finding nice workwear or just anything that's not sodding polyester is hard.

Be aware that if you order from the USA, you'll pay tax on it. There are services that will let you ship to a postal box in the U.S. And then they ship onto you to get round this.

Will try pea in a pod, thanks for the tip!

[BabyBNumberThree]

my last 2 pregnancies I wanted all dressy stuff and smart maternity things from next & dorothy perkings this time however I can see me living in leggings and long line vests/Tshirts or maxi dresses through summer! that said I'm only 6 weeks pregnant so ill see how I feel when I get bigger.

[Bue]

Zalando is great.

I was struggling a bit until I found Boob Design - shop.boobdesign.com/. It is a Swedish company that makes nursing wear but a lot of it is suitable for maternity too, thus killing two birds with one stone in terms of cost! It is quite expensive but I have got a lot of stuff at great sale prices from the NCT online shop. It's also available from Zalando and a lot of smaller online retailers in the UK.

[Turquoiseblue]

I forgot to say I have tube skirts (hush, baukjen, topshop) and layer with tank tops and sweater or tee s and cardi s.
It a just not an easy shape to dress is it ? Pinterest has not got much inspiration either to be honest.

[hannahwoodward28]

I've bought a few really nice things from next. I find their jeans especially good, especially if you need something a bit bigger in the hips

[StarSpotter]

The Gap over bump band on skinnies is really good and comfortably tight so stays up well. I also second the three-pack of New Look long-sleeved tops.

[3rdbump]

New look do a pack of three 3/4 length sleeved tops which I have basically lived in throughout my pregnancy. They are mega comfortable and ideal to throw a cardigan over when it's chilly.
H&m do some fab over bump leggings that are quite thick too so no see through crap!! Beware of new look leggings, utter crap and far too thin!!

[Sherbet38]

I've bought some nice over bump jeans from Next, they're narrow, but not too skinny, so can be worn long or rolled up to crop just above the ankle which I like.

I've also had some nice black linen trousers with an over bump band from mothercare. They can be rolled up to cropped trouser. They're really comfy and cool in the warmer weather. Bargain at £22 and they do them in navy as well

[Mutley77]

H and m are brilliant for cheap and fairly decent looking mat wear but agree they come up small. Lots of fitted tops which fit well, plus jeans or trousers. They don't have loads of range but a fairly fast turnover of stock so I would pop in weekly.

Also you won't need maternity cardis, just wear your normal size and leave them open. If it's really cold add a scarf

[CityDweller]

mutley had no luck at all with H&M last pregnancy - their stuff just didn't fit me well at all. But will try again this time.

And pretty much all my 'non-maternity' cardis are quite fitted or short, so look rubbish and ill-fitting once I've got a bump and my hips start spreading. So I find I do need maternity ones (or need to buy some non-mat 'waterfall' ones, but that's not really something I'd wear much when not pregnant. And anyway, I can't seem to find those in the shops either at the moment).

[Mutley77]

Fair enough. My pg shape sounds different to yours as hips didn't particularly change for me so perhaps hm cater more to my type of pg shape! I also therefore didn't have the same issues with cardis, although I did buy a couple of longer styles that I wouldn't wear when not pg but they were comfortable and looked pretty good during pregnancy (cheaper than buying specific mat wear and potential to re-wear) . In fact you've reminded me I probably need to rehome them as haven't been worn in two years since youngest dd was born!!

[Librarina]

I have one perfect pair of maternity trousers and one perfect pair of maternity jeans.

The trousers are from Babes with Babies and are a lovely stretch Jersey, good quality and a very comfy waist that works right to the end of pregnancy.

The jeans are from 'Queen Mum' and are so ridiculously comfy, flattering and skinny that I think I will wear them when not pregnant. Hope they work for you too!

[aletea]

I've just got a nice dress and jeans from new look. Alas the second pair of jeans and dress were horrific. Ugh.

[Gr33dyeggs]

Mine are 7 years old now but the blooming marvellous and pumpkin patch ones were great. I've just checked and I think they're still available on line.

[Nocta176]

I've just been at Westfield Shepherd's Bush and this is what I found in the shops there:

M&S - 3 rails of maternity wear, not to my taste at all
Mothercare - tiny selection of stuff again not to my taste
Debenhams, Red Herring - largest selection of nice stuff, but still only 3 rails, I found that their clothes fitted me the best - got 2x 3/4 length sleeve tops, 1 smarter top for work, 1 dress, 1 jeans, 1 black work trousers
Top Shop - 3 rails of clothes, but tops, trousers and skirts all really odd fitting on me
Mamas & Papas - small selection, looked nice, but a bit more expensive than Debenhams, only place with swimwear
New Look - found a bargain pair of jeans randomly shoved on the sale rail, but wasn't clear that they have a maternity section

Nowhere else (Next, H&M, etc appeared to have any maternity stock in store.

Hope that summary might be helpful to someone!

[CityDweller]

Ok, so here's my verdict from the c. £250 worth of stuff I ordered online from JoJo, Seraphine and Vertbaudet.

JoJo - Grrrrr! I'm done with ordering online from them as their stuff just doesn't fit me well, especially their trousers. I find the 'crotch' really short - so you have to wear really long tops to cover the bump band/ elastic bit. Also the fit/ cut of their clothes in general is a bit odd. E.g. tops that are hugely baggy on the arms/ boobs and then tight fitting around the hips. Although, I am keeping a flared denim skirt (not my style at all, and doesn't fit that well, but comfy and useful for summer), a swim suit and possibly a cardigan (although the quality of that isn't great). Overall, I think the quality and fit of their clothes is poor compared to the price and having to pay to return it really irks me. And everything is sodding navy, or navy and white striped!

Seraphine - I've tried a couple of bottoms (skirts and tops) of theirs and again, didn't like the fit. Bought a cardigan and a jumper and am keeping, even though v. expensive. They'll both be useful and the jumper will work after the birth too.

Vertbaudet - pleasantly surprised. Stuff arrived in reasonable time and I liked the styles/ cuts of all the trousers I ordered (4 pairs all around £20 each). They have a really good selection of trousers in styles I like in colours beyond black and navy. Sizes come up very small though, so I've re-ordered the next size up. Free delivery (over a certain amount) and free returns.

[theaveragebear1983]

Maternity shopping is depressing this time around, nothing nice In Any shops, everything online practically. The one time you need to try various sizes and not traipse around the shops, they stop stocking it. I'm miles from London, so none of our stores are flagships, we have a small rail of clothes for teenage mothers in new look and a few black tops in our matalan and thats about it. And I don't think I can stomach a 'hands off the bump' tshirt, no matter how desperate I am. eBay has been my saviour, noppies stuff is nice, ASOS maternity seems to be well sized, and mothercare blooming marvellous jeans. Plus have got one matalan pair from previous pregnancy which I'm wearing a lot. Work stuff is tricky, I work in a very male environment where I can't have any flesh on show, Lycra, short skirts or leggings. I'm definitely trying White stuff this weekend!

[CityDweller]

Seraphine is good for work stuff theaveragebear if you can bear their steep prices and it fits you (I tried trouser and a skirt from there and they were very unflattering on me, but I've read others on here raving about their stuff).
Also JoJo for basic staples and quite conservative stuff (again if it fits you).

I'm in central London and even here I find the range in the shops that do stock mat stuff in store is absolutely terrible. Even Top Shop on Oxford Circus had hardly anything. Online is the way to go, as irritating is that is. But now, out of principle, I'll only order from places where I can get free deliveries and returns.

[Frasras11]

Marks and Spencer now do a maternity range. And it's in store too. I've bought a few things there now. Trousers have over bump bit which I love as hate pulling the effing things up too!

[Empem288]

I bought various bits from RedHerring @ debenhams/ H&M and New Look but the best place I've found is Ebay! I'm due October and have a wardrobe to take me to then and didn't cos the earth either. I just bought vests in a larger size and wear these under everything. Asda George is also very good x

[Turquoiseblue]

I ve also gotten some stuff from eBay - seraphine and Isabella Oliver - as the search was just disheartening instore (plus this is my last baby) and I also seem to change size every couple of weeks so am rapidly outgrowing stuff