18 weeks - what are you wearing?

[Katnisnevergreen]

I’m at that awkward in between stage where most of my (non elasticated) bottoms and dresses are feeling quite tight, but it seems too early to go full maternity.
Is everyone just sizing up? Or have you bitten the bullet and gone maternity?
I’ve only put on about 5 pounds so far but seem to be MUCH more solid around the mid section

I’m 17 weeks and haven’t put on any weight but have a relatively significant bump.
I’m just wearing stretchy trousers and vest tops.

I hate maternity clothes, they are all so ‘mumsy’ and hideous.

I have a few maternity jeans but it’s far too hot for that yet.

I'm currently 20+3 and just living in maxi dressed at the moment for work and out and about! I haven't bought any maternity stuff yet just a few stretchy items, it's just horrible in this heat though especially for us pregnant ladies!

@justvent I agree, and I kind of feel if I go into them now it’s soundibg the death knell for clothes for the next 5 months.
I’m not suffering in the heat really, just around the waistline.
I’m loath to just buy bigger too as I won’t be this size again (hopefully) so don’t want a load of useless clothes. I just want to look nice 😢

I’m 14 weeks with twins and I have just bought dresses in a size up. I have a bump but that’s it. With my son I didn’t buy any maternity clothes until 8 months, I’m hoping I can just size up this time.

I'm 14+5 and don't have a bump, but most of my jeans are either uncomfortable or don't fit.

I'm currently wearing a lot of DvF wrap dresses and have found some old trousers that have previously been too big (they still are), which are more comfortable to wear. I generally wear loose fitting tops, so I can still fit into those.

I've bought a pair of maternity jeans on sale as I think that sizing up will just work for a few weeks, maybe a month. A pair of maternity jeans should last a good while longer than jeans in a larger size - I think.
The jeans fit and look just like my usual jeans, the only difference is the under bump band vs. the usual zip and button.

I’m loath to just buy bigger too as I won’t be this size again (hopefully) so don’t want a load of useless clothes

eBay! I buy most of mine on eBay for a fraction of the price. The way I see it, I’ll only wear them for a few months and still want to feel nice so why not.

Maternity clothes are a rip off from actual stores

I went maternity at about 12 weeks. It feels a lot more flattering than just sizing up (for me).

I’m currently in maternity trousers and a maternity top. I’m so comfy I don’t think I want to go back to normal clothes 😂

I’m also 18 weeks and I’ve sized up in a few bits but find a lot of things look ill fitting and unflattering sized up so I’ve gone for my normal size but in more loose style dresses, particularly shirt dresses unbelted and t shirt style dresses. I find Zara do good options for more loose/boxy styles and ASOS is worth a look. These bits I’m hoping will be still useful after having the baby when I’m hoping to get back to my normal size.

I did try and attempt to buy some maternity options for my bottom half as that’s where I’m struggling to get in my normal clothes but they were still huge on me so it looks like I’ll just stick to dresses and wear them with tights as it gets cooler.

I'm 11 weeks and already in maternity clothes - though as it's an ivf pregnancy my ovaries have been huge and I've not fitted in my jeans since my bfp!

My first pregnancy I wearing my looser clothes and dresses at that point. I found sizing up didn't work for me as it was too baggy else where. A couple of bigger items (between maternity and normal) would have been useful for the first weeks after the birth though so if it does work for you, you may get a bit more use out of them.

This time I'll go into maternity as and when I feel like it as I've got bits I liked from my previous pregnancy.

16 weeks with my third and have a bump the size of my 30 week bump with my first!
I’m mainly wearing maxi dresses, H&M summer dresses and have bought a few maternity bits from ASOS. I find maternity stuff more flattering than sizing up, as you just end up with stuff that fits over your bump but is too big elsewhere.

I was a size 6 before pregnancy and I’ve been sizing up to a 10. Now I’m 19+5 weeks and I’m have to turn to maternity because my frame is too small for bigger clothes. I’m the same arm and leg size but with a bump!

I'm 16+2 haven't put any weight on (actually lost 3Ib).....my lower abdo is still the same (No bump) but my upper abdo is really flabby...but I've not put weight on....and its noticeable in my clothes...I'm confused.

I haven’t put on any weight either (HG) but have a massive bump! I’ve lost it from elsewhere and gained it on my bump I think (16+3)

I am the same. I’ve gained no weight, I think I have lost some.

My bump looks much smaller than other twin bumps but it feels massive to me. When I had my son I had a tiny bump all the way through

I'm 12 weeks and started wearing maternity clothes 2 weeks ago. I'm wearing my favourite ASOS maternity dress from my first pregnancy at the moment. It's probably the only piece I genuinely like the design of. First time round, I waited for ever until I bought any proper maternity clothes because I was too scared something might go wrong with the pregnancy and they would be a reminder of that, and because they are generally hideous. This time I treated myself to a few pieces early on as I feel so bloated and desperately needed something comfy to wear in the heat.

I'm with @Stephisaur. I gave in at 11 ish weeks and I never want to wear anything other than maternity jeans again. It's so comfy. 😍

That said I also had an IVF pregnancy and the bloating from my meds never really went away.

I bought some waistband extenders (belly belt by love your bump) and they were great as I could keep wearing all my own jeans/trousers/skirts as they can be used on anything with either a button or hook and eye fastening. I just covered the 'gap' with one of my longer tops or those cotton bump bands.

I’m 24 weeks and haven’t bought many maternity clothes. I’ve just bought a size up or am still in my baggier pre-pregnancy clothes.

Personally I'd just buy maternity clothes, as otherwise you buy the size up then you have to buy mat clothes anyway.

I've bought a couple of maternity summer dresses from h&m, and a couple of those patterned elastic waist trousers, all of which will look fine when not pregnant so I don't feel like it's splashing out too much, and are getting me over this small bump stage. At 20 weeks I'm almost needing full on maternity trousers but just too hot arm as a pp said!

I've mainly been wearing low rise jeans for the past couple of weeks (I'm 19+4) because my maternity clothes are still a little bit too big on my bump, but normal trousers/jeans cut me really uncomfortably across my bump. I wore leggings yesterday as I thought they'd be comfier but even with the elastic they hurt me after a while and I kept trying to pull them up higher above my bump, but they weren't quite high enough.

I'd recommend just buying some maternity clothes, eBay is good but can be a bit of a hit or a miss size wise. You will definitely need them towards the end and will probably feel better getting several months wear out of them rather than 2 or 3?

Hope you find something comfy soon!

I'm 37 wks and haven't seen a pair of jeans or leggings in about 3 months 😂 despite paying for expensive maternity wear at 15-20 weeks I've outgrown it all. I live in maxi dresses or anything loose at the moment. The heat doesn't help!!

I'm 37+6 and apart from 1 pair of maternity jeans I haven't bought anything maternity. I went on holiday abroad at 29 weeks and bought a load of maxi/midi stretchy dresses in next size up. Primark is your friend! Lol. Also wearing same leggings as before I was pregnant just under the bump with vest tops 1 or 2 sizes up from Primark