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?

Gap maternity trousers are freaking brilliant. In fact I still wear mine. Meh. :)

I'm in Sweden so had to get everything online too... :)

I found the first few months all I needed was to swap my jeans and leggings for maternity ones and that my normal tops and jersey dresses were fine. I'm just now getting to the point where they are not fitting great so I need maternity things all over!

ASOS has been great for me - cheap, not bad stuff, very good leggings (much better than h and m.,) not great for tights though (h and m better for those.)

It depends what shape and size you are really - some women look lovely in just a size up in normal stuff worn loosely but I found that didn't work for me (too short!) I've found leggings and tunics are good, or a nice top and jeans, but mainly I live in jersey dresses. ASOS are great. I try to keep away from anything too baggy or it swamps me, but if you're taller, floaty stuff is lovely in summer.

If you need smarter workwear, seraphine isn't bad.

One thing I didn't bank on was needing new knickers. H and m have been good for those. It's not that my normal ones are too small, all my weight is boobs and bump, they're just somehow the wrong shape!

Working in finance, so expected to be smart, have mainly blue summer dresses from seraphine wear with non maternity cardigan when cooler. Not wearing tights atm but found m&s ones the best. Casual got a pair of over bump jeans from mother care. Wear with floaty non maternity tops or have a couple of hand me down nursing tops. Plan on getting a couple.more vest type tops but will keep wearing pre pregnancy cardigans. Ps wore a t-shirt of husbands last weekend and felt frumpy and fat- don't do it!

Topshop underbump skinny jeans were great for me - comfy, stretchy and the bump bands on them are really soft. Still wearing them a few weeks postpartum. Lived in them for most of the pregnancy! Also found a great knee length work skirt in Topshop with a stretchy waist that I wore under bump in the later months and plan to wear with a waist belt when I go back.

Things I bought and didn't wear - loads of leggings, maternity and non-maternity. Jeans felt less like everything was on show. Also those bump band material things to cover jeans held together with a hair tie - they rode up and generally were a waste of time!

I found New Look maternity wear was good value and they have a massive selection online.
I bought a lovely wrap dress which was ok on it's own for a warm day but I wore it with a camisole underneath and a cardie or jacket in the winter. Maternity tights were very comfy but also very expensive.

This thread is brilliant.

When pregnant with DS five years ago I was a bit less comfortable in my own style than I am now, and a bit poorer. I lived in leggings and maternity tops, plus some nice wrap dresses for work. This time round I'm investing in some black skinnies, long tank tops, shirts, some more expensive maternity dresses and few other bits. I felt shite when I was pregnant last time so this time round I'm determined to look and feel nicer.

Thanks for starting this thread, op and thanks everyone for all the inspiration

I also wanted to add that I wouldn't invest in many non maternity clothes during pregnancy. You are quite likely to go up a size or two (unless you are one of the lucky few who don't put much weight on), so all the clothes you buy now might not fit once you lose your baby weight.

It's very hard to judge which size to get when your body is changing so much. It's really annoying how little shops stock maternity stuff - as if birth rates are in decline I'd say once you get bigger and need to order something online, I would order one size up that you normally are.

Hi Gouda! (Waves!) Glad you are doing okay, I have been thinking of you. This is a really useful thread, thanks. I am 10/11 weeks now and have bought some floaty tops for work. I have 7 weeks to go until the summer hols and I am hoping to hide the bump until then if I can.

Ladies, thanks for the tips, especially regarding the smart work clothes - really useful.

I'm 28 weeks, and so far grabbing the next size up in regular clothes (primark and tesco!) has served me pretty well for bits for work. I'm a primary school teacher so have to be fairly formal looking, I find dresses, leggings and pumps tend to work best for me.

Asos for jersey fabric skater dresses- they are very flattering as they're fitted at the bust and drop out in an empire line...I've huge boobs, so I find they flatter my shape the best. Buy from Ebay and they are even cheaper.

H&M are good but their sizing is BIZARRO! Trousers and jeans come up about 2 sizes small but tops/dresses come up bigger. Their leggings are good.

I haven't been able to find maternity jeans that aren't a nightmare tbh. They all drag down with my ass and hips and just are soooo far from comfortable

I have a couple of pairs of Topshop maternity jeans which I like. Also H&M for cheap, long vest tops that aren't cut so low that they show my enormous, neck high maternity bras.
I've bought a few things from Seraphine - a couple of nice dresses and a pair of denim shorts. I'm due in September so I know that I'll get a decent amount of wear out of them.

As for non maternity maternity wear, I've bought a couple of cheapy cheap jersey dresses from Primark and Uniqlo in a size or so bigger than my usual. I have from before a stretchy, jersey pencil type dress that will keep going for a while - I find this style a lot more comfy and feels less frumpy on me than empire line. I also have a couple of kimono style jackets/cover ups which will be great for summer.

I second vertbaudet. Also.... knickers! It was something i didn't really think about but normally I wear 'shorts' style knickers but from about 20 weeks I bit the bullet and embraced the full brief! This may not be sexy but I just bought a load of plain black full briefs in 2 sizes up from Tesco. I am now 29 weeks and I think they will do until the end and also for my 'hospital' knickers.

Apart from that I have a couple of pairs of over bump maternity jeans and leggings. I wore 'jeggings' up to about week 24 when they got uncomfortable. Most of my tops are non maternity long line ones. I didn't get on with maternity tights but that might just be me and the season

Hi Yorkshire!! I hope everything is going well for you - are you on the grads thread?

Thanks to all for the advice too. I definitely want to avoid buying clothes in a bigger size (but non maternity), as I want to do that post partum if needed.

It's funny how everyone has different preferences for under or over bump! And most DEFINITELY a major source of irritation that there's nowhere you can actually, you know.....try them out to compare before buying....

I think I will do as a couple of other have said - start out with maybe some maternity leggings/jeans in a few weeks, and then wait a bit longer until buying dresses/tops.

I have never actually worn leggings in my life, but so many pregnant people swear by them that I just assume I will be converted, lol.

Yes I'm on the Grads Fred Gouda, come back to us when you are ready!

will do!

I seriously recommend H&M's over bump jeggings. I couldn't wear under bump ones, the band was too tight and pressed right on where my baby was positioned. I got blue and black jeggings in November, lived in them right up until I was admitted at 36 weeks, and have been back living in them since 2 weeks post section (baby is 7 weeks old now). They're great for after the section because the band is so soft and I don't have to worry about trying to close them like my regular jeans because my stomach is still a bit tender and while I can close my normal jeans it's not comfortable.

A nice loose cardi that hangs as opposed to closes with buttons etc, a friend got me a gorgeous soft one from Zara, great for throwing over my jeggings and a plain top when I was getting big, and perfect now for breastfeeding and for snuggling with baby :)

Primark/Penneys string tops, they're really long and will get you extra life out of shorter tops, and again I've found them great for the hospital when I wanted something soft, comfy but looked relatively nice, and very easy to pull down under another top to feed now.

The under/over bump thing is weird and I think depends a lot on the design of the trousers?
If the underbump band is tight enough then it will hold up the trousers/jeans properly and not flash your backside at all and sundry every time you bend over. Early in preg though the band is often not tight enough and late in pregnancy it can become uncomfortable by the end of the day or force you to pee constantly.
The overbump style just stays up better but can be a bit hot in high summer and a dark bump band shows up under clothes - "bump VPL" if you like

It's really worth buying stuff incrementally and accepting all offers of clothing loans that may come your way too. My mat stuff has gone out to three different people now apart from the stuff I'm still wearing

Also baby event has started today and they are doing maternity leggings and vest tops, don't know if they are any good but their so cheap it might be worth a look.

Oh - cream/white tops and cardigans are really handy for post birth when the baby pukes milk on you constantly You stop changing your clothes and break out the wet wipes within about 6 hours

I got some great stuff in The White Company on sale. Their tops tend to be looser fitting which is handy post birth both for feeding and to camouflage a saggy belly, lots of nice classic colour cardigans too which have lasted for years

OMG I have the best hint. I just bought 5 pairs of new look maternity skinny jeggings. They hug just right and are sooooo comfy. They come in a few colours.

Having done pg wardrobe to a Christmas arrival, and working throughout the pg, what worked for me was:

I did get a mat suit (not Isabella Oliver but a specifically maternity brand that has since left Ireland) - a jacket that had a belt to loosen at the back as your front expanded, and a decent pair of trousers. PLain black.

I also got 1 mat shirt to go with that. But I had a few other shirts that were large enough to fit over bump for months, and then I just wore those open with a good vest under (see below) for the last bit.

I got 1 other pair of trousers, in navy, that were alright and that I could put a shirt or jumper over.

I used to wear a lot of my regular jackets, but left open (not an unusual look for me anyway) also.

As regards casual, I had 2 pairs of mat jeans that I adored.

I also got a pair of yoga trousers, for slouching, as the low belly on those went below the bump. I had a couple of belly warmers (not sure of exact name, but a strip of elastic'y fabric that went around the bump, partly supported but also covered any gap between waistband and bottom of tops) - from H&M. They were very useful.

I had a bunch of mat tops in plain black, plain white and a couple of colours.

A few of those were long sleeved, a lot were short or just "across shoulders to edge of the arm" sleeveless (so not strappy). Most of the sleeveless ones were "maternity vests" from Mothercare - but meant I could wear a shirt open over it, and be completely covered up and respectable without melting. Or a cardigan in casual time. I did get one that was more strappy vesty type , which wasn't great and had to be under a full cover-up/top/jumper.

I sacrificed 2 of my beloved black M&S poloneck jumpers to pg as they were stretchy, and they went out fine as needed but only had to dump one after (the older!) as the other went back into shape fine.

I got a long black cardigan, that tied with a little string (I'd just get one of the regular ones that are open now, or maybe a pg one if feeling flush) and that meant I could mostly get away with not buying a coat.

I ended up, even when there were frosty mornings, just layering up. So a pair of mat tights (coming over belly) under my trousers, black sleeveless top, belly band, wool polo neck over that, black cardigan and my old black wrap thrown over the lot, with a pair of gloves and a hat, meant I was still toasty outdoors but could strip down as needed indoors.

I tended to stick to black a lot, but that was a staple anyway at that time. I added a few more chunky necklaces and scarves to my collection to give it a bit more colour and variety - which are still worn now.

It also depends (imo) on how pregnant you want to look. A lot of the blouses / tops I got from ASOS skimmed / swung rather than hugged so when worn with skinny (maternity!) trousers or jeans just looked like normal clothes to the extent that no-one at work clocked I was pregnant til last week at 22 weeks.

You then have the other end of the scale with lots of maternity hugging / accentuating the bump (nothing wrong with that, but when I first got these I did a big "woah" moment as it's the biggest I'd looked!) and lots of places LOVE stripes. I quite like them myself but when pregnant it does accentuate things.

The other thing I'd love to embrace but can't as they look terrible on me is maxi dresses. I have a lot of pregnant friends who have sworn by these for summer but i just can't pull them off - probably cos I'm quite short to start with.

And its a yy to new knickers - I too am going to have to go the full brief route as the others all stop at a weird point now. One hint for bras - invest in bra back extenders if you can to save yourself from having to buy loads when you start going up 1/2/3/4 cup sizes

Im 39 weeks now and the best thing I bought for the last couple of months has been an ASOS jumpsuit: www.asos.com/ASOS-Maternity/ASOS-Maternity-Jumpsuit-With-Sheer-And-Solid-Insert/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5266509&cid=13893&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Black&totalstyles=21&gridsize=3

The one ive got has short sleeves so this is slightly different, but it's the same style in that you climb through the neck - practically no seams at all so incredibly comfortable and surprisingly smart, even at nine months preggers.

I went to h&m at the start, and bought 2 pairs of mat trousers.both are too small but were good up until around 20 ish weeks. Bump band was under bump style on both.

I also got some mat tops from h&m, still fit ok but I have to keep pulling them down. I think I've grown too much!

I then went to jojo (not much choice in my home town, and didn't want to buy online as I'm rubbish at returning stuff) and got a pair of black trousers which I've worn pretty much every day since I got them... soooooo comfy. The bump band is over bump.

I also got several tops, two wrap tops (and I already had one from my MiL), two tie-front nursing/mat tops (thinking they'll have a longer life) and another mat top. All very comfy and feel like good quality, but pricey.

Yesterday I got a pair of mat chinos from h&m - 2 sizes bigger than my normal size but so comfy and the material is super soft. The bump band is over bump (finding this more comfy).

I also got two 2-packs of tops. Plain t-shirts and some mat/nursing tops (again, thinking of making them last a bit longer).

I think I'll live in the chinos this summer outside of work, but jojo trousers for work. The tops are ok for either.

I'm also still wearing some Jersey summer dresses which stretch over the bump, and Jersey tube skirts with elasticated waist bands. I don't think I'll get away with the skirts for much longer though ....

I'm finding the lack of variety in my wardrobe difficult to get my head around, but it's not forever so I think I'll cope (just!).

1 pair of overbump and 1 pair of under bump maternity jeans from new look
1 pair of jeggings from Tesco not maternity just 2 sizes bigger than normal (fit me at 35 weeks)
Lots of bodycon dresses for work mostly non maternity just stretchy.
A pair of H&S maternity cropped joggers given to me by a friend which are the most comfortable things ever!
A few maternity tops.

My oh is French and from near lyon. I found that a bigger Kiabi store had quite a bit of maternity wear, or stuff that could be used as maternity, eg floaty tops.