Maternity clothes for work

[AussieMum28]

Evening all!
So I'm currently 19 weeks and have suddenly "popped". None of my work clothes fit me and I start a new job at the beginning of September. I'm a teacher so haven't had to worry about clothes for the last month. I'm working all the way until December so will need suitable, smart casual clothing. Any suggestions about where to look? I'm going to need some dresses as well as black trousers and some blouses/tops.

Thanks so much!

My sister had the same problem there's not many shops you can try stuff on but she found next, top shop , boohoo & Debenhams were best for her work clothes. X

I’m a teacher too. I just got some black trousers and a black dress from next, then a couple of tops from H&M. Nobody cares that you wear the same three outfits, it’s only a short period of time so just not worth spending more

Im a teacher too. I got a couple of staple items - black maternity trousers from next, and a black maternity pencil skirt from Mothercare (blooming marvellous). Then I got a few oversized blouses and tops from Primark to go with them. I also got a handful of really cheap maternity dresses off eBay - Seraphine clothes are amazing but pricey (even on eBay). My fave dress was a black maternity one from Next. All these clothes saw me through from around 15 weeks to now (34 weeks). The thing I found most frustrating is that most stores only sell maternity clothes online. H&M is one exception to that and work having a look at. Otherwise, I'd try eBay... Next sizes come up bigger, New Look sizes come up smaller. I'm usually a size 10-12 and I found I was the same in maternity sizes depending on the brand (Next size 10, New Look size 12..)
It's worth thinking about the seasons too. You might want some thicker dresses / tops as you approach winter.

Bodycon dresses saw me through my pregnancy work wear struggles. Blooming Marvellous, ASOS, Topshop all good - just bung a blazer or cardi over the top, wear with maternity tights (bliss!) when cold and size up loafers (my feet were huuuuuuge by the end) and you’re set. I was biggest in summer, so I didn’t need a maternity coat, but I’ve heard from friends that a belted coat plus scarf is the way to do it if you don’t want to splash out on a special coat.

I think an investment in a staple like black trousers from seraphine is worth it-mine have done me two pregnancies with frequent washing. Then marks and Spencer’s black and white sleeveless tops which have also washed and worn brilliantly and H&M for everything else.

H&m
Dresses from seraphine

H&M, New Look, Dorothy Perkins all do quite cheap work stuff & staples - only needs to last a couple of months so not worth spending too much, I would've thought.

Boohoo have a huge and varied selection and is very very cheap.

It’s not going to last through multiple pregnancies but if you’re anything like me you’ll be sick of wearing the same 5 combinations anyway!

I'm at teacher too. I've been lucky to be at my most pregnant in the summer term but I got three wrap dresses from jo jo maman Bebe. I got two at the same time so saved £10. I've then worn each for two days before washing and they still look new. You could then just add a cardigan for warmth.

I'm a teacher too, I had a couple of wrap dresses from Dorothy Perkins (one maternity, one not) that got me through!

Thanks everyone! This is so helpful. Going to order some this week so I've got something for September!

I would defo recommend Dorothy Perkins mat dresses they fit really well and not too expensive I got 4 dresses in the same style ruched at the sides, I’m still wearing them now and am 29 weeks almost :)

Thanks again all!! I may have gone slightly overboard with the shopping and I'm looking forward to seeing my purchases arriving over the next few days 😀