What are the problems with maternity wear?

[Sgibb113]

I'm Wanting to start a business and was looking at what problems women had when they were pregnant with maternity clothes and what they wanted to be available at the time?

I am currently pregnant and seem to hate everything maternity available on the High Street. Here are my key points..

• There is a definite need for decent coats and jackets for winter. Not a fan of these extra panels as they scream 'I'm pregnant'.
• Over bump is best for leggings & jeans.
• Decent underwear also needed - tights, pants & bras (they are all so grim!)
• Not too many items with stripes.
• Colour!!!! Everything seems to be grey, navy and black which is very dull.
• Nice blouses & tops to wear with skirts and trousers.
• Smart work wear is currently very limited - most things seem to be much more casual.
• Nothing that stretches out of shape as then you can't wear again after pregnancy.
• Good value - no one wants to be paying through the nose for stuff that -they will only wear for a few months.
• Shops to try on or easy returns by courier collection to avoid the Post Office.

Agree that fabrics are naff and give you sweaty pits. Everything is dark coloured. Too expensive. Socks are unwearable. They are never long enough either past 7 months.

I'm not too bothered about buying things that are on trend when I'm pregnant so quite happy with plain coloured tops, skinny jeans etc and I find enough maternity clothes to fit that bill. My main grump is the fit of jeans. I'm a 10 normally and 5'5 and find it ok to find jeans when not pregnant. But now (I'm 23 weeks) every pair of jeans rides down my arse - I'm sure they make the butt smaller in maternity jeans - and they're all really long. I bought a pair of size 12s the other day and butt is fine but they're saggy in the legs. Can't win.

Currently in third trimester so leggings and dresses are all I'm in. I'm huge and uncomfortable so soft fabrics and layers help. Clothes that can expand/ contract sound promising. Best of luck

My main problem was starting off pregnancy as a booby woman - lots of empire style tops which no way would my expanded boobage fit into.

Didn't have a problem with stripes - but there was an over-abundance of pink which I hated.

I personally quite liked wrap dresses - had a lovely Jojo one which lasted 3 pregnancies.

Really what I wanted was normal clothes from a normal store which were adapted for maternity.

Breathable cotton fabrics. I was boiling hot all the way though pregnancy & BFing & many of the nice clothes I bought are still in pristine condition (somewhere at the back of the wardrobe) as I couldn't wear them. Layers are better if you're cold!

Under bump waistlines - fine but they need to be stretchy or adjustable (or both). I had some trousers for work that were fine standing, but bit under the bump when sitting, not nice.

Agree that leggings & big tops are a good choice - if you can find the tops! I bought several pretty vest tops from a regular clothes shop about 4 sizes up & put darts in the bust, but not everyone can (be bothered).

37 weeks here and refusing to buy any more maternity clothing. Generally I've done quite well with ASOS and Topshop but suspect that was because the bulk of my pregnancy was during summer - I'm really struggling to wear anything other than plain tops, jeans/leggings and cardigans now it's colder. Glad I don't have to go through the whole winter!

Things I've discovered:

• Far too many stripes. I like stripes but I'm sick to death of them now!
• Tops are baggy and shapeless
• Under-bump anything is useless and so uncomfortable
• Maternity tights are rubbish
• Lack of skirts!

I loved the nursing tops but they all shrank when tumble dried. Good quality but easy care fabrics please because with a newborn time is slightly limited!

Plus size! And tunic tops which cover cleavage and bump, I can't stand showing bosom or camels toes! also plus size nursing tops, again which are long and fall to the low hip...maybe they could have a tie at the back so as the baby bump weight is lost the tops can still be used?
Good luck op, and I'm sure plus size maternity wear would sell really well, I had to import mine from the states, which was eye wateringly expensive because of import duties and tax.

No stripes, dots, flowers or butterflys! I'm pregnant, I do not want to walk around looking like I made my dress from my mums 1970's curtains. My favourite items are my skinny black trousers that go from trouser to over the bump material smoothly - no bulges or pretend waistbands to make them look like jeans. Tops that flow over bump but have definition under the waist so you don't look like a shapeless sack!

I've not read the full thread but tall maternity clothes are like gold dust. I like the asda tall over bump jeans that are only £16 but I just can't get hold of them!