Maternity clothes in the early days or best alternatives

[Used2bthin]

Trying to cheer myself up whilst feeling really sick. To really make it worse I've gained a fair bit of weight at 10.4 weeks already despite feeling that I'm barely eating, no booze calories etc. I guess I'm way less active and also what I am eating is mainly bread based
Anyway I'm thinking about clothes to cheer myself up and ridiculously I need some new ones already. Where is good these days ? Probably more H and M budget than Isobella Oliver but nice to look at all options! Any recommendations for things that have worked this early and lasted or been good afterwards ?

Hi @Used26thin !

I don't have much advice, first pg here and I'm 10+6 today so similar to you, don't worry too much about the weight gain - its supposed to happen! (I know easier said than done) I know I've gained so much already, I don't dare weigh myself.

I'm already finding normal clothes restrictive, I usually wear high waisted stuff. I've turned to leggings quite a bit or summer dresses. Asos have really good/cheap maternity range at the moment as well!

I'd highly recommend a "Belly Belt" - it's a bit of elastic with buttons and slits in, to allow you to stay in your current trousers for longer by extending them. I'm 29 weeks now and my "maternity wardrobe" consists of that + three tops (Gap, Primark) and a few loose tunics I had anyway. Total cost - £29. Only now looking at "proper" mat stuff, and finding that Amazon have decent last-season stuff from New Look as well as good basics.

I'm normally not stingy about clothes but don't want to shell out for something to be worn for months only!

I have found all my H&M and New Look maternity clothes are still fitting, now 32 weeks with twins and I bought small size too. Quite a bit of it I got from ebay so it's worth looking there as much of it has not been worn much so is in good condition.

Also, stretchy tops from primark worked for me for quite a while but the last few weeks I've struggled more to get into them!

This is also my first pregnancy, I'm now 24 wks. But from about 10 started to struggle with my 'normal' clothes. First I just bought leggings and jeggings and comfy trousers one size bigger that last about a month but by 14 weeks I needs maternity trousers.
If you go online asda actually do some ok stuff. I struggled to buy in shop maternity as many places only do it online plus I'm plus size so more limited. Jojo mama bebe do great jeans/trousers as do vertbaudet.
I had assumed as I'm overweight and had a lot of sickness (still do) I wouldn't show very early and woukd easily get awsy with own clothes for ages but not was I wrong.
Good luck and hope your sickness settles soon.

Asos has lots of cheap but nice stuff.

BTW, if you're keen on Gap (good for basics) sign up to their mailing list - lots of % off emails/codes, so you'll get 40% or even 50% off without too much trouble if you wait a week or two.

H&M had a sale on and I got lots of bits from it. Next must be due a sale soon too.
I hadn't thought about Amazon.

Agree, ASOS is fab. Also bear in mind you might be in maternity clothes for a while after the baby is born - ASOS Maternity has a nursing line that you can BF in (if you plan to BF of course) and the clothes don't scream pregnancy.

I honestly didn't buy too much... a handful of pairs of mat leggings and most of my normal old tunics and dresses which have stretched with me and I'll need to replace....but I'd rather have a fresh new wardrobe once back to normal than buy lots of things just to use for 9months iyswim. Tip. Jojo leggings are horrendous as they don't have elastic band at the top of the bump so fall down all the time. I liked h&m best but much thinner.

Thanks everyone ! That's given me some great ideas. I am also reassured that I'm not the only one to be feeling the need for looser clothes already.
I'd love to just buy a few bits but I know I Wi end up getting carried away in an attempt to feel better! I will have a look at asos. Already checking out eBay but the returns thing is an issue so need to try stuff on initially I think to get an idea of sizing.
I'll also look at belly bands, do you undo the jeans and wear them? Mind you my thighs and hips seem bigger already from the lack of gym!

I think what I really need is long tops and tunics actually thinking about it. Then leggings or one or two pairs jeans to go with them. Problem I think is that my tops are too short so can't do the hair band and elastic band trick. Also got a very long body which doesn't help !

I really want to get some maternity leggings but the last lot I got from asos I ended up using as pajamas because they are that thin material that attracts fluff and pet hair - do you know what I mean?

Would like to find some thicker kind that don't get all fluffy!

also look at belly bands, do you undo the jeans and wear them?

They look like this, in a few colours/sizes per pack - they just go into your trouser buttons. I've loved this, it's kept me in my comfy jeans!

Ah thank you that's not something I've seen before so will try and order some now!

Yes I know what you mean Owltrousers ! I've got some cropped leggings from tescos but they are tight already
Have never tried maternity leggings but I have fat face standard ones that are lovely and soft and stretchy. Unlike the tescos ones which aren't comfy at all.

I'm 16 weeks and ordered some tops from new look, 2 for £12. Couple of vests and long t-shirts. Not obviously maternity and I'll wear the vests after (I did last time).

Don't bother with maternity cardis etc as normal ones will be fine albeit you'll have the wear them undone.

I'm going to try & manage with as little as possible this time!

I was in mat at 10 weeks due to bloating!

I bought a good amount of mat clothes as my old stuff quickly didn't fit (size 10 pre Pg). I found H&M, ASOS and New Look sales great opportunities to stock up. I'm 35 weeks now but in the early stages I wore the maternity dresses/skirts/jeans with normal size 12 jumpers and it worked well.

I'm envious of those who are able to wear normal clothes, they simply didn't fit me after 16 weeks.

Good plan accidental. I am just looking at similar on asos. Anyone know if the sizes will be huge at this point? I'm 14 but small 14 on top and wondering whether to order 12 or 14 ?

Missed your post sparkley! Yes I'm so bloated ! Seems unfair with the amount of water I'm drinking too!
I have found mat clothes tricky in the past as they are often cut for smaller builds ( I'm tall but shortish legs comparitively )

Misguided and boohoo which are both cheap as chips have some great stretchy midi tube skirts, not maternity but mine was used for almost my entire pregnancy they are so versatile and you can wear them over or under the bump. Mine was £10 and they do every colour you could possibly want. Double layered jersey so they aren't see through either which is especially good in the lighter colours.

I'm a 12 and ordered 12's from asos, they're roomy now at 18+ weeks.

I wish I could wear things like fab stretchy skirts and dresses, but my bump is odd and starts to come out from under my ribs first. With a bit of a fuller abdomen now I just look like I've a fat gut rather than a nice round bump because of my fat ribs!

If you're in between sizes I'd say go for the smaller size x

Tunic tops and flowy or jersey dresses will get you a long way, particularly during the summer. Check the sales in places like Gap and Fat Face. I'm mostly hating jeans at 6 weeks so I'm wearing dresses for work most of the time.

I will check out those silkypj's thanks! A jersey tube skirt is what I'm after then some longer tops I think and jeans or bump band then now.
Thanks for asos advice. They have a sale on so I will get just a couple of bits as it's such early days.
Foggymist mine too! And I'm sort of bumpy at the sides so can never wear fitted stuff at the best of times