What were/are your maternity wear essentials?

[goodnessgraciousgouda]

Hey all,

Even though I still have quite a while to go before I will need maternity wear, I am nonetheless already thinking about what I should be getting a bit later down the line. I don't have a huge amount of money to spend, but since I have been working with a very very limited wardrobe for a couple of years now, I am also excited to finally get some new stuff!

Unfortunately I will need to start wearing maternity stuff in the summer, but will have my last trimester in the depths of winter . If anything could double up as nursing wear then that would be good as well.

So I'd love to know what really worked for you, what was a total waste, and what you'd do differently next time round.

So far I am thinking (not to get all at once)

• Some maternity leggings (I've heard new look and h and m are good?)
• A pair of underbump maternity jeans (apparently these are also good post partum? Is that true?)
• some soft black loose trousers (like the lovely bamboo ones seraphine does)
• A number of cheap vest tops/t-shirts
• A shirt and a couple of nice coloured (non maternity) cardigans
• A midi length dress I can wear in summer, or layer up in winter
• MAYBE a tube skirt (I think new look do them).

Am I forgetting anything very obvious?

Maternity bras! I don't think everyone needs these but I grew out of my normal bras very quickly and found anything with underwire uncomfortable x

I highly recommend H&M for maternity leggings and I got some maternity black skinny jeans from Debenhams. These have been my staple. Tops and dresses from New Look which are v reasonably priced.
A few cardigans, one black normal non maternity from New Look and one blue from maternity section sale in NL for £5!
I've also got some normal non maternity vest tops from Dorothy Perkins and Sainsburys in a larger size which work well. Layers are good so you can take cardi off when warm but good when cold. Scarves also good to add colour! :)

I had to start wearing maternity wear in early spring and I'll be in it over summer. I found underbump stuff FANTASTIC for when I just started to need maternity, but it tends to fall down and dig into the bottom of the bump and make me need a wee now. I basically live in dresses and leggings!

I had a baby in December last year so was in a similar boat.

My absolute lifesavers were a couple of pairs of lightweight harem/yoga type trousers from Uniqlo, some maternity tank tops from Gap in black/navy/grey to layer under things for longer length bump coverage (they enabled me to wear my usual tops for longer). A pair of jeggings from Debenhams. Some tunic-y type t-shirt dresses from H&M.

Right at the end I lived in a pair of comically vast over bump harem trousers that I'd bought in H&M sale for £7 way before I was big enough. I thought I would never ever fit in them, but by 8.5 months I was so grateful for them. Paired with a lightweight long line cotton knit cardigan from Gap (sale again) a tank top, converse, and a massive scarf they got me through to December (helped that it was a mild autumn).

I should add that I work in a very casual environment so all of the above doubled up for workwear as well.

My pregnancy was the other way around. For context I work in the City and I am expected to look smart for work.

Maternity leggings - didn't do this - developed legs like sausages and couldn't wear for work anyway.
Straight legged Yoga trousers - my "go to" staple when I got home from work. I didn't buy maternity ones as the regular kind have a big fold down waistband which I could fold up so nicely supported bump without being tight. Godsend post C-section / VBAC with sore nether region.
Huge thick cotton maternity cardigan from Gap was v nice
Several maternity white t-shirts from Gap, non ruched but stretchy and have held shape well. Still have them and wear them regularly [DD's are 5 & 2.5]
Maternity cami style vest t-shirts [thin straps that unclip] wear under shirts, jumpers and handy post partum for feeding. I don't have huge boobs though.
Two pairs black maternity trousers - chino style fabric Gap. Wash and wear. Difficult to find smart maternity trousers in any other colour though.
Two wrap dresses from Isabella Oliver. These were good quality but skimpy on fabric/came up small and didn't last the whole pregnancy. Worth buying if you see some second hand. You'll need a vest underneath though.
Two white shirts from Gap. Smart white cotton with a normal cardi or a "boyfriend style" blazer and I was set for work.

All in all it was a pretty boring "uniform" but it did the job. Never wanted to see it again afterwards but it all held up well. JojoMaman do some nice pieces if you can splurge and it's worth keeping an eye on their sale section.

I got a few casual summer tops in Next in a larger size and wore a vest underneath for decency when the weather got warm. They had to be large to go over the bump but would gape a bit too much around the boob area.

Top tip from MIL was not to wear your woolly jumpers as they will never go back into their original shape. A few old ones got sacrificed though.

Anything that fits to be honest

I'd wait and see what you need and buy it as and when. I was in my own clothes with my 1st up until about 6/7 months, and looks like it'll be about 5 months second time around.
I ended up having a c section I wasn't expecting so under bump and tight trousers were no use for after - I was quite swollen, but that might not happen of course.
I've got some big cardis (not maternity) that are great
Top shop jeans have quite a lot of choice
I didn't want to do the legging thing but gave in right at the end!
Bump bands, I couldn't get along with by others swear by so worth a try as they're only a couple of pounds

Am watching with interest as I'm in the same situation...except I think I'm going to need something a little roomier soon...and I'm only 8 weeks! Agh!

I d agree with the others, disparate oregnancy you might not need maternity gear for a while and usual clothes can be worn or adapted for a good while

1 long tank tops - hush and h and m ; are fab for layering and in the summer. I wear them layered under t shirts or with lumberjack type shirts, and under sweaters

2 use a hair bobbin or get bump band extenders - I m still in my normal stretchy jeans (a few older pairs from h and m, oasis and zara ) at 20 weeks just need the button hole extended so these have been life savers

1. Plain white / black t shirts - have these from h and m

1. Tube skirts - isabele a oliver one that never fit properly when I was not preg now fits fab! (Worn with tanks, tee shirts, and open shirt or cardi , blazer

1. This maternity dress ruched black kardashian dress from seraphine maternity is a life saver - dress up with biker/ blazer/ heels - or down with cardi, denim shirt and flip flops or sparkly sandals

I can wear normal t shirts but in comparison the maternity t shirts flatter the bump a bit more!

I have just gotten a big new look orðer today for my summer hols!

These silk joggers are keepers! Fab
and this
this too is nice thick material but not too heavy and again I hope will last till due date!

considered this but have enough black dresses

this was a hormonal choice and going bpstraight back

really wanted this but it s not in my size

I also have a pair of black under bump jeans I swear by !

Plan it. I didn't plan it, I probably looked a mess. Make sure things go with something else.

What I really needed was couple of trousers and skirts for work, as that was where I really wore most of my maternity stuff. Matched it with a few jumpers and lots of vests with cardigans (I never found I needed maternity cardigans, so that made it cheaper), which all looked fine for work. Bought a few dresses from places like Dotty P's and New Look, which did for work and the few occasions I dragged myself out.

At the weekends I lived in one good fitting pair of jeans with the same tops.

I only made it into the leggings and tunic type stuff at the end when I was on maternity leave - it never felt smart or comfortable enough for me.

But mainly don't buy random things - it's only a few months, really, buy things you like and make you feel ok!

I didn't buy a single thing that was designed for "maternity". I wore my own clothes until I couldn't fit them and then I invested in some cheap leggings from new look but bought them in a size 14/16. They say on my bump well and still have the right look on the legs. I bought some nice jumpers and long vest tops on a bigger size from primark and they were all cheap. I wouldn't go spending a fortune yet. I was huge with my DD, but with my DS 10 years ago my bump was t even showing until I was 6 months and even then it was small, and I had him a month early so I never had to buy anything except a couple of pairs of loose trousers. I'd wait and see if I was you as you ha e no idea how your bump is going to be xx

I had my DS mid November so was quite similar. I had quite a few floaty summer dresses (and it was a hot summer!) so just wore those until I was 6/7 months.

I only bought 2 maternity tops, as anything longish and stretchy was fine right till the end. I guess it helped that I had a small bump as well.

Under bump jeans were good to wear post partum, but I would get over bump too as under bumps ones tend to slide off as the bump gets bigger which can be a bit annoying.

Nursing tops are not necessary. You can just lift up whatever top you're wearing. Some mums wear a vest underneath so that you don't expose any flesh. But then if you feel anxious feeding in public you might invest in those. I think H&M do quite cheap ones.

If you are uncomfy in regular bras and need non wired, get nursing ones with clip off cups for feeding so that you don't have to splash out again when you're bfing. I really recommend investing in nice looking ones - it can make a world of difference to your confidence when you feel fat and miserable pp.

And I will second pp in buying things as and when you need them.

Thanks for views so far everyone. No, I'm not going to go and buy things right this minute, but I'm based in Lyon, so will have to either get everything online, or buy when I am next back in the UK. I don't know what it's like back home, but over here maternity stock is pretty much non existed in store.

Wearing non maternity stuff for months on end will not be an option for me.

1. I'm only eight weeks and already have to do the hair tie trick with my jeans - they fit me on the legs, but were already slightly too small for me before I got pregnant (bit of weight gain and accidentally tumble drying them). It's just bloat, but tbh they were quite uncomfortable beforehand too when done up.
2. I've been through my (tiny) wardrobe of clothes and my clothes are either not suitable, or so loved that I don't dare stretching them out.

I do want to try and avoid wasting money, but at the same time I want to be comfortable and not look ridiculous stuffing myself into clothes that don't fit anymore!

I was a student when I had DC1 and also had very little money. I found the best buy early on were a couple of maternity vest tops. They were really long and covered the tops of my trousers easily, so I could cover the fact that I had threaded a hairband through the buttonhole of my flies to expand them a bit! I carried on with them right through pregnancy, they went under loads of different combinations and allowed me to stretch my non-maternity wardrobe for quite a while. I have to say though, I feel the cold more than most pregnant women I have met, so maybe this isn't good for a summar option for everyone!

I also found that buying nice normal (not maternity) cardies and then just wearing them open was a money saver - I carried on with them when breastfeeding too, when you definitely don't want to wear jumpers or have to undo lots of buttons. In fact, it felt really weird when I first put a jumper on again after pregnancy and 14 months of breastfeeding, like I had put a coat on backwards or something.

Everything else you write sounds sensible! Congratulations on your pregnancy.

It's mainly all online in the UK as well OP which is a right pain!

Don't buy special maternity bras, get non under wired nursing ones. Get well fitted, and have a pack of bra extenders handy.

Primark tops come up long and are good for layering

I find under bump and normal-with-hair-bobble jeans press right on my bladder so are more hassle than they're worth!

Look for free click and collect and return to store. My local asda does both and has a changing room so you only need to make one trip if you don't like stuff (I hate online shopping, this is the best compromise I've found)

It's all on-line here too apart from the speciality shops which is a total PITA as you have to ship anything you don't like/doesn't fit back again so it's probably best to stick with brands that are available in the EU.
www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-maternity-wear.htm/2?ViewAll=False
These people seem to have a nice selection. Prob cheaper in France too.
www.asos.com/women/maternity/cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=5813&via=top Free shipping if you spend over €25 but return costs are on you and a refund could take up to a month by the sound of things.

I wore a lot more dresses and skirts than I ever did before but hosiery was a total PITA and really awkward to get into when heavily pregnant so beware. I used to shred the blasted things struggling into them. At least you can wear opaque tights by winter time

I don't know about the French but most preg women are receptive to being stopped in the street and asked about something they are wearing. We all know how difficult it is to buy something nice.

Stick to cheap maternity clothes - I'm now 35 weeks and massive and some of the maternity clothes I bought earlier on in pregnancy don't fit any more! H&M do some good cheap basics so I'd recommend looking there - I wouldn't recommend spending a fortune on maternity bras in bravissimo only to find they don't fit a couple of months later!

Also look at jojo maman bebe online when they have a sale on - I got some smart black trousers for £9 plus some nice flattering stretchy tops too.

I bought some lovely good quality oversized wool cardigans that don't fasten at the front. They weren't maternity but because of no buttons they could accommodate the growing bump. And I could wear them afterwards so not a waste. Cheap maternity tank tops to wear under tops are nice too. I also sometimes bought non- maternity skirts in bigger sizes which landed up being cheaper than forking out for specialist maternity brands. Look for items with soft waistbands that will accommodate stretching

I'm currently 35 weeks and finding the end stages pretty hard to dress nicely and comfortably. I actually think winter maternity is much easier - lots of big baggy jumpers with vest tops underneath, with either over bump trousers for work, or jeans out of work.

So far I have managed to get through work with one pair of Next comfortable over bump trousers, a tube skirt, a midi dress and a couple of jersey dresses off eBay a size larger (not maternity). I have managed to get some nice summer dresses but its not been warm enough to wear them. Next or New Look have been my salvation this time, definitely just buy basics and accessorise! Not a fan of H&M Maternity, I struggle to get the size right.

I bought a few of these vests in black and white and wear them under everything! If I don't have a clean one to wear, I get in a panic It means I can wear my normal tops without worrying that my belly is sticking out.

m.topshop.com/h5/product?productId=17664656

I'm 24 weeks but so far I love my maternity tunics and leggings, with cheap stretchy sports-bras from TKMax. I splurged on a variety of maternity clothes a few weeks ago but haven't worn most of them yet. I don't like the under-bump jeans, they slip down yet band digs in! I've got some trousers with elasticated panels that are comfortable but not as comfortable as leggings. The T-shirts all feel too baggy, and the dresses are nice but not warm enough in this weather.

I can see myself staying in tunics and leggings the entire pregnancy TBH! Oh and very comfortable shoes.

So far I've bought a pair of skinny jeans from topshop and some black maternity leggings. Other than that I've gone for a few baggy bright t-shirts in a size 14 (I'm normally an 8) I'm wearing them baggy with vests underneath and they look lovely, just falling off the shoulder so can also wear after baby is here. I've also got a couple of floaty tops from h&m again not maternity but will fit now and after baby is born... Flip flops...

I have to look smart for work, but in total have bought:

3x pairs of overbump smart trousers; 2black, one check
2 x pair of overbump jeans, one skinny, one (horror of horror) bootcut from gap.
2 x cheap dresses from H&M (can be worn to work with jacket or at weekends)
2 X cheap dresses from ASOS that will do over summer
2 x pairs of shorts (gets v hot here so essential)
few cheap tshirts from H&M, and ASOS
2 x shirts
3 x smart tops which suit going out and work
1 x maternity legging (god send..)
3 x maternity tights from ASOS
1 x maternity jumper from pea in the pod on sale

And then mixed and matched this with the non maternity stuff that still fits (open jackets and cardis mainly)

ASOS (imo) has the best range and are well made; H&M is ok, but I've found their tshirts really flimsy even after 3 washes they're not doing very well.

I found over the bump more comfortable from the beginning, altho the fit was a bit weird til about 18 weeks as I didn't really start to fill clothes til then. I persevered with my normal trousers but they were really uncomfortable by the end of the day. I would recommend maternity wear instead of going up a size in normal clothes as i found stuff was way too big round shoulders and boobs but still didn't quite cover the belly.

However, you can find swing cardis, a line dresses and tops etc that aren't maternity in places like H&M which depending on how they are cut will do the trick