Maternity dresses that aren't black?!

[OptimisticRealist2024]

Very much a First World Problem, but feeling a bit put out that most maternity clothes I can find are just really boring.

I was hoping to find some dresses that will help me feel a bit more myself for the second and third trimesters, but struggling.

I normally buy from brands like Joanie or Emily and Fin (colourful but smart, classic fit and flare midis with retro patterns -- nothing mad) but they don't do maternity lines. 🙁 The only brand I can find that doesn't seem to just do black is Frugi but is just too children's presenter for me. 😬

Any recommendations? I really hate the baggy/oversized look like Lucy & Yak and BeyondNine (especially dungarees and jeans). I never ever wear black or navy so am really bummed out! I tend to avoid trousers because I just never feel comfy in them.

I know it's not forever, but thought I'd treat myself and buy a few bits that really feel like me instead of baby oven and milk machine. I'd sew them myself but lacking brain space atm. 🙃

I had a few from Jojo Maman Bébé. They mostly double as breastfeeding ones too.

https://www.stylishmum.co.uk/collections/the-complete-collection

And https://www.seraphine.com/en-gb/maternity-clothes/maternity-coats-jackets/

Have lovely things, suitable for breastfeeding too.

I struggle too. Seraphine isn't really my style and quality is poor for the price. I've got. A few dresses from Lyla and Leche which are branded as nursing dresses but have worked fine for me during pregnancy (and when not pregnant to be honest 😂). They have lots of different colours/patterns in the more voluminous styles which can manage a bump. I find them quite flattering too.

Isabella Oliver?

I found it better to buy larger regular clothes in charity shops choosing styles that are empire line rather than maternity wear. I then bought a pair of maternity jeans for weekends (worn with men's shirts nicked off my dad misty) and a couple of pairs of maternity leggings for the last 6 weeks as the size 18 ones I'd worn did get tight. I had one maternity dress because of a formal event which I wore twice and sold on.

163 on asos and 39 on new look. I filtered out black and navy.

I needed pregnancy clothes in the spring and summer so a bit different but I got a couple of bits from all the following places. I mixed maternity with larger normal clothes pretty much until the last few weeks at which point I was just in oversized sweaters and maternity leggings unless I had an occasion

Sweaty Betty - sized up. Gary pants are the best
Joules - sized up. Got 2 t shirts and a long sleeve loose dress. Wore the t shirts under existing jumpers to keep my belly covered. The dress is still fine now as long as I wear a belt

Lorna Jane - maternity leggings bit like sweaty Betty
Seraphine - 2 maternity summer dresses that i kept more for occasions
Jojo - maternity tops to go with leggings

Look on George Asda, some nice shorter length dresses on there and not too expensive. I have two so far, they are nice.

Isabella Oliver
ASOS
Tiffany rose

Vinted is great for maternity clothes, they have not been worn much typically and you can find a good range.

I have found Seraphine, Isabella Oliver, ASOS, new look, tilbea and h&M all to be great options