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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pre-maternity clothing (i.e. the in between phase)

27 replies

Ronnyrambler · 07/07/2022 13:17

What are you wearing if you are finding normal clothes tight but aren't ready for maternity clothes? Now that I'm at the end of the first trimester I'd like to make the most of summer and get out more and that's making me want to wear flattering clothes.

I've seen tunic tops and dresses recommended as well as drawstring trousers and empire line dresses. I find that with drawstring trousers any top over it just looks really frumpy as it hangs over in a lumpy way (I should probably get used to this).

I've also heard that it's fine to get maternity jeans early on as they stretch to where you are. Is this true?

I'd like to try to get free / second hand clothes. Have you had luck with this on local FB groups/ other groups?

Would love to hear your thoughts on what works.

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Bellesjp · 07/07/2022 13:19

Leggings with loose longish tops!

DisgruntledPelican · 07/07/2022 13:23

I was in maternity jeans (H&M) from about 14 weeks as I wanted to be comfortable and my usuals were not. So would recommend that.

I wore a lot of midi and maxi dresses, and shorter dresses until the bump made the hem ride up too much.

Cyclingforcake · 07/07/2022 13:28

I thought it was worth getting a few things you feel comfortable in at this stage - they were also the clothes I wore for 2-3 months post birth.

mongoosebaby · 07/07/2022 13:28

As soon as put on maternity jeans I wished I'd done it sooner! 🤣 I would just get some H and M over the bump maternity jeans now, plus some dresses- if you are planning to breastfeed lots are both nursing and maternity so you will get the use out of them.

That said, I was still fitting into normal maxi dresses at 40 weeks so may be an option, especially if they are stretchy material

Original poster

Ronnyrambler · 07/07/2022 13:38

This is really helpful! thank you. Sounds like I need more dresses, should get on with the maternity jeans and get some long tops for leggings. I think I know what I'm doing now!

OP posts:

Allhailzoidberg · 07/07/2022 13:48

I found over bump maternity jeans really hot on my torso in summer, especially as I was only just into my second trimester then so not much of a bump. I had a pair of under bump maternity jeans which just had the soft elasticated fabric instead of a proper waistband, and they were great for when I couldn’t fit in my normal trousers any longer but didn’t have a proper bump yet.
Regular high waisted leggings were also great, I found stretchy primark ones with a thick waistband (not the thin elasticated ones on most of their leggings) and they lasted me most of my pregnancy. Same for stretchy bodycon type dresses.
Try Depop or Vinted for cheap maternity wear, I bought almost nothing new!

LillyLeaf · 07/07/2022 13:53

I wore just normal loose summer dresses right up until I gave birth, no maternity dresses. It's surprising how much room is in regular floatly, tired or jersey summer dresses. I also wore mat leggings, cropped tops and oversized shirt or kimono (not maternity) at home which was really comfy all the way through pregnancy and after too. I preferred wearing my regular clothes as mat stuff was pretty awful.

Yodaisawally · 07/07/2022 14:06

I didn't have any maternity clothes at all and I had twins. I used belly bands in the beginning and then when the bump was properly out I just wore my eg denim shorts or jeans done you under the bump. This time of year and with all the dresses around you'll be ok in those.

This was ten years ago though, maternity stuff may have improved but it was all really frumpy then.

Original poster

Ronnyrambler · 07/07/2022 14:18

very handy to know about over bump and under bump and Depop etc.

Dresses sound like they are going to be making much more of an appearance in my wardrobe, which is good as I wear jeans too much.

I like the oversize shirt idea - never really liked shirts much but have seen some oversize shirts which look good either open over a vest or closed.

Again, very helpful! thank you.

OP posts:

easyday · 07/07/2022 14:34

You can get bra extenders and similar for trousers (Amazon, John Lewis).

bobbythevet · 07/07/2022 15:09

If you loop a hairband through the buttonhole of your trousers and then over the button you can get a few more weeks out of them ime

Wildflower2 · 07/07/2022 15:24

I wore oversized dresses that I already had in that in-between stage, plus I could wear the leggings I already had for a while. I didn't want anything slightly tight on my belly from early on. I'm now 29 weeks and living in maternity dresses I've bought off Vinted. There's bargains on there and I'm loving my clothes. I found the maternity dresses didn't really look like maternity ones until I got a bump so they've been fine to wear for ages. I thought they'd be baggy around the belly and frumpy but they haven't been.

Wildflower2 · 07/07/2022 15:24

Bra extenders have been the best thing too!

babyjellyfish · 07/07/2022 16:02

Given that it's summer I would get loose fitting tops and maxi dresses which don't restrict you round the waist area but aren't actual maternity clothes. You should then be able wear the same stuff next summer if you haven't lost all your pregnancy weight yet.

You could also maybe get some shorts and leggings in a size up from your usual size.

The only thing I would say is that if you plan to breastfeed, you might want to look for dresses and tops with easy boob access, or specific maternity to breastfeeding tops and dresses which are designed for both pregnancy and postpartum, because hopefully you'd get two summers out of them.

For jeans, it's weather dependent really. There's no harm in getting a pair now, but with my first baby I didn't need maternity jeans until mid second trimester, which for me was around October/November time. If I'd been at that stage in the summer, I'd have just stuck to dresses I think.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 07/07/2022 16:11

I didn't really wear maternity clothes - really struggled to find anything I liked that wasn't crap quality polyester or really, really frumpy. I used to wear 60s style A-line dresses or jumper dresses in a size up. When it got to be really warm, I just wore stretchy maxi and midi-dresses.

I had two pairs of maternity jeans and that was it - I found it really hard to find a pair that actually stayed up :/

marinalambrini · 07/07/2022 16:18

I was in maternity jeans by 11 weeks with both DC. By the time I was six months pregnant I found anything other than maternity leggings uncomfortable. I did have a huge bump in both pregnancies. I managed to get all my maternity jeans second hand or in the next sale.

For tops, I bought long cheap tops in a few sizes up. I had loads of stretchy tops I wore up until I had DC. I also got a few tops from new look.

Unfortunately, I was not one of those people who looked graceful or glamorous while pregnant. So just embraced the leggings and looking like a slob!

YorkshireTeaCup · 07/07/2022 16:18

I could never get on with bottoms under my bump or on my bump itself. I don't know why - i just found it really irritating. I also didnt really like mat jeans and found it hard to find long leg versions. So i switched to mat leggings really early (m&s online and love leggings) then had loads of oversized tops / floaty tunics etc. From end of 2nd trimester, I bought a few summer dresses from JoJo, Seraphine and H&M and those saw me through all the rest of my pregnancy and post-partum whilst breastfeeding. Just buy the ones that are for bf and maternity as they have the openings for easy bf access. Some of them were so comfy i still wear them at 12months post partum now 🤣

bravotango · 07/07/2022 17:11

I've bought a pair of maternity dungarees and those along with a couple of long floaty things (skirts, dresses) and leggings have been plenty! I'm 21 weeks now still have plenty of room to grow into them - I'm more concerned about when it get cooler and I'll be bigger tbh!

houseofboy · 07/07/2022 18:48

Bellesjp · 07/07/2022 13:19

Leggings with loose longish tops!

This with t shirt dresses worked for me. Didn't need maternity clothes till 20 weeks worh either of mine but second I was really sick so found loose clothes more comfortable

roarfeckingroarr · 07/07/2022 18:51

Oooh I'm in this position. I'm wearing active wear type nice leggings when not in work with a loose top or floaty dresses.

rickandmorts · 07/07/2022 19:00

I bought a two pack of cycle shorts from tk maxx a few weeks ago and haven't taken them off since 😂 so soft and comfy! I'm 19 weeks and in that awkward in between phase where nothing fits but I'm not big enough for maternity stuff.

grey12 · 07/07/2022 19:13

Maternity jeans!!!!! YES YES YES!! Wore them afterwards as well 😉

For the tops I was ok with most of my wardrobe for the first half of pregnancy and then just got a handful of long sleeve/short sleeve maternity tshirts. It's more difficult when it gets to winter....

georgarina · 07/07/2022 19:14

I went to Primark and got some cheap bits. Loose swishy dresses and long tops.

grizzlygrump · 07/07/2022 19:52

For me, my normal floaty dresses, or regular high rise yoga pants did me just fine until third trimester. I find maternity clothes so grim!

annlee3817 · 07/07/2022 22:30

I've gotten most of my stuff from Vinted, saved me a lot of money and has all been good quality stuff :) dresses are good for the in-between stage, floaty ones and tiered like PP said

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