First timer query - maternity clothes!

[FizzlesFirst]

Hi everyone,
I'm in my first trimester (approx 7 weeks) so not showing yet, but I'm thinking ahead to Christmas, and maybe getting a nice dress to wear for a work Christmas do (I'll be around 17 weeks).
How does maternity sizing work? Do you just buy your normal size, or size up?
What sort of size can I expect to be around Christmas?!
Or is it just one of those things where I should wait and go shopping the week before?
Probably a really silly question, but I like to try and be organised 😂
Also, apologies for mentioning the C word in October!

I'd wait until a couple of weeks before - it's really individual how big you'll be by then, so hard to predict. I was at two weddings last week at 18w and was still able to wear dresses I already own, as the waistband sat just in the right place above my bump, and I also still fit in a lot of my normal sizes, depending on style. I did buy a maternity dress this week in my usual size, and it's actually a bit big still.
Also it can change pretty quickly - I'm going on holiday in 3 weeks, and have got a couple of new swimsuits but am actually worried by the time we go/at the end of 2 weeks away that they'll be too small... The more last minute the better I think! (Which I appreciate is hard, as a fellow outfit planner!)

You probably won’t be showing too much around Christmas, I think I got to around 24w before I properly looked pregnant. I didn’t really buy any maternity clothes, I had a few floaty dresses that were fine and only bought maternity tights and leggings, then just paired with a normal oversize jumper.

Yeah agree. I show really early and even I can fit in my normal dresses at 18 weeks. Nothing really tight obviously, but stretchy or high waist or looser fit, no problem.

I am a size 6 and was about 7 stone when I got pregnant so I showed exceptionally early. I was about 15 weeks at Christmas and I was in maternity clothes.

my advice is wear whatever is comfortable and get maternity leggings. Honestly I never wore leggings before getting pregnant.

if you’re getting maternity jeans they’re so warm but I liked them and wore them until I was 36 weeks.

just get your normal size in everything maternity and just size up in normal fitting clothes.

I am pregnant again (9weeks) and I can feel things getting tight already. Although I tend to wear figure hugging clothes.

also a wee tip - I always go to the next clearance to see what they have maternity wise. It’s a bargain and good quality.

I’d wait until as close as possible. I was able to wear most of my normal clothes until about 25 weeks, especially dresses which weren’t too fitted. In theory sizing should be the same but I generally found I had to go for a smaller size, which was annoying as I bought everything from vinted so was a gamble if stuff would fit!

It's so personal and everyone is so different in bump size and when it shows/grows - sorry if that is unhelpful! I defo agree with others and recommend maternity tights/leggings as they're so comfy. And definitely go for comfort for a party....

I had dresses I fitted into until 30 weeks and I have maternity dresses I still wear at 4y pp!
The maternity dresses are fitted under the bust and then floaty and look as good without a bump as they did with!
Generally I would go with your usual size maybe +1/2. I was a size 6-8 and found size 8 was good. They are quite stretchy so if they are too big it's generally ok. I had a lot of mat wear in a size 10 that my neighbour donated when the shops were shut at the start of the pandemic and they were fine for pottering around the house in

All of these responses are really helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to answer! ❤️

I'm 16+3 and don't look pregnant at all although I'm already a size 18, I just look like my usual fluffy self 😂 I know it's super exciting the thought of having a bump. If anything I've bought a couple of pairs of maternity leggings in my usual size just because having any tight jeans or trousers around my tummy is uncomfy at the moment. I haven't had to delve fully into the maternity section just yet!

I barely wore maternity clothes, I just wore a couple of sizes up. I think I was unusual that even my second pregnancy i didn't gain much

I also only really used maternity clothes in last trimester. I tried maternity dresses on round about 12/15 weeks and they looked ridiculous as I was barely showing. It was something I phased in for example my dresses lasted me quite well, tighter clothes needed replacing earlier. I couldn't get on with maternity jeans so I put an elastic band through my normal jeans to fasten them up until about 28 weeks (obviously tops covered my waist) after which I lived in leggings until the end!

If you are planning to breastfeed you might want to buy nursing tops and dresses because they tend to work for maternity, and you will get much more use out of them in the long run.

I probably wouldn't buy anything until nearer the time (I know that doesn't help with planning)! I was barely showing at 17 weeks even though I had twins. Definitely would have still easily fitted into my normal clothes.

Normally you would go for your usual size in a maternity range, but depending how big you get you might need to size up for the last couple of months.
But with your first baby at 17 weeks you might get more choice by sizing up in a non maternity dress, or just choosing a looser style or stretchy material. You could hardly be showing at 17 weeks

Congrats OP!

I’d echo what others have said about waiting until nearer the time. With my first, I went to a wedding the day before he was born and just wore a normal dress with a tie waist that I made a bit looser. Freaked someone out at work at 38+4 as they had no idea I was pregnant.

Currently 16 weeks with number three and bump is about the same as it was at 32 weeks with number one, so suspect that trick won’t work any more. 😂 I hate maternity clothes though so have lived in Lululemon Align leggings and baggy jumpers/shirts for all pregnancies. I’d see how you go before buying stuff.

I just bought bigger sizes and wore dresses that were tighter under the bus and flared out with leggings to still give me shape but cover my bump. I also hated maternity bras so bought normal t shirt bras from Primark in three different sizes. I struggled to find shops that had maternity clothing in store.

Agree with others about waiting. I’m 27 weeks pregnant with my first and really struggling with clothes!! I’ve just about grown out of my size 12 jeans (although I am still in one pair that seem to be a bit stretchier round the waist). I was at a wedding last weekend and it was a nightmare to find something to wear, I looked ridiculous in maternity dresses, even in my normal size they had too much spare material on the belly, but in the end I found a lovely Zara dress (in my usual size) with an elasticated waist that fitted really nicely.

In case anyone’s looking for a nice dress it was this one (the belt was too small so I just used a longer one of my own) www.zara.com/share/pleated-dress-with-belt-p08741248.html?v1=375481570&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=mobile_sharing_iOS&utm_source=red_social_movil

I'm 20 weeks and still fit in all my clothes so far. Got a slight bump and my boobs are definitely bigger, but I have a fair few floaty dresses and big jumpers so will be okay for a while I think.

I've ordered some pairs of maternity jeans to try on as it's a struggle to do mine up now. I think I'm going to try not to buy too much maternity clothes, but will definitely invest in some good maternity/nursing bras and clothes that are breastfeeding friendly.

I stopped fitting most clothes at start of second tri and I’m huge now at 26 weeks, I have been very relieved to wear maternity clothes as they are so much more comfortable and flattering to the huge boobs and bump!

Thanks everyone! I will be patient and see what I'm like nearer the time. It sounds like I'll probably be able to get away with something I already own!
@loveshoe that dress is gorgeous 🥰

I just wore long stretch jumpers and leggings for the first trimester it was winter and then when I had to I found H&M great for maternity clothes your meant to buy in your own size but I got so swollen in the last trimester I went up a size for comfort