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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Just because I'm pregnant, it doesn't mean I want a...

132 replies

GentlyDoingIt · 12/07/2009 21:37

...wrap-around top

...comedy slogan t-shirt ("Does my bump look big in this?" aaaargh!)

...black wardrobe - I am not in mourning

...pair of pyjamas/nightshirt with Winnie the Sodding Bastard Pooh on them

...in fact pair of pyjamas with any kind of slogan or picture motif on them

...pyjamas & tops with those tiny little adjustable bra straps that just fall off in bed and give you a dead arm - I want some wide straps please!

Sorry, been doing a bit of online shopping and am starting to despair. Why is it so hard to find clothes in colours other than black, grey and navy? If we must have dark colours, how about a bit of teal or purple? Or can we go mad and have a print that was designed after 1996?

I really want a pair of crisp, white pyjamas or nightshirt - proper ones, with buttons and a collar (yes I know they will be ruined but I WANT THEM.) Where are they?

And if I read the words "soft cotton jersey" once more... I want linen! I want cheesecloth! I want broderie anglais!

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prettyfly1 · 13/07/2009 15:39

oh. just looked for a link and apparently littlewoods doesnt exist any more. So now I have nowhere that I like that does maternity wear. fxxxin great.

prettyfly1 · 13/07/2009 15:40

www.very.co.uk/rf/vry/p.do?D=578922677&SNtk=littlewoods_search&thisprod=578922677&Ntk=group_s earch&SNtt=HZ400&Nu=thisproduct&N=0&Ntt=578922677&Dx=mode+matchall&Np=1&product=578922677&Nty=1&Ntx =mode%20matchallpartial&SNu=pcaid

wioooohoooo found it and there are some new bits. much better and reasonably priced.

HeadFairy · 13/07/2009 15:41

here here!!!

I think mamas and papas are doing some really lovely clothes at the moment. I went in at lunchtime and they've got some lovely folk-y type tops, really nice linen and lace white tops, and lots of really nice clothes... well I think they're nice anyway, and not a stupid slogan teeshirt in sight!

HeadFairy · 13/07/2009 15:42

I'm planning on getting these and wearing them with a white vest. I might even splash out on this too as I'm not due until Dec and will definitely need something snuggly.

HeadFairy · 13/07/2009 15:45

Not quite broderie anglais but very pretty nonetheless

MrsTittleMouse · 13/07/2009 15:53

Yes yes yes to the rant about maternity swimwear for women without breasts. They are the first body part to expand you idiots! Pregnant women need support and aren't usually too keen to put veiny breast on show thanks to two tiny triangles that would struggle to cover my non-pregnant breasts.

Thank goodness I'm never going to be pregnant again!

HeadFairy · 13/07/2009 15:55

I also agree about non supportive swimwear... I just resort to resting my boobs on my bump

bellatrixiata · 13/07/2009 16:14

I had a mini rant in Mothercare about the swimwear and the salesperson agreed - she apparently has been trying to tell them for years that we need MORE support because they are so tender as they swell but they aren't listening....grrrr

Anyone want to start a maternity swimwear company with me? I quite fancy going on Dragons' Den

HeadFairy those links look lovely, cheers for the tips

lazylion · 13/07/2009 16:24

Maternity pyjamas are terrible if you have a c-section. The mamas and papas ones sit right on my scar, so do hotmilk. Mothercare pyjamas have hideous tops that look like outsize crop tops. I just found a solution that might work for you if you are tall - gap men's pyjamas sit nicely over bump and scar, then get a nursing top to sort of match.

Helen31 · 13/07/2009 16:43

I bought a WtsoddingbastardP nightshirt from Mothercare for labour, expressly thinking it would get ruined. Of course it survives, and I have to admit it has been very useful...

MissyBellatrix · 13/07/2009 16:53

If any maternity designers are reading (if indeed there are any maternity "designers" ) please can you incorporate the following:

MORE dresses in nice fabrics ie cotton, chiffon etc LESS dresses in stretchy clingy jersey. On Ebay the maternity dresses that fetch the most are almost always chiffon-y, tea-dress style, semi fitted but not clingy and can be dressed up or down.

(Yes it's nice to show off your bump, but not the lumpy thighs and saddlebags in a stretch wrap dress at the same time!!)

MORE tops that fit nicely under the bust and over the bump and LESS tops that have a "bubble hem" below the bump - don't want to look like a comedy jelly bean thanks!

Supportive bikini/swimming costume tops for our expanding boobs.

MORE floaty big cardigans. ie big (lots of fabric) but thin, so we don't sweat to death. This is so we can cover our bottom half if we want to, or even cover our bump (ie when at work or in a meeting).
Also it's nice and cosy.

MORE workwear/smart clothes, there again not in jersey. I personally felt quite self-conscious wearing a stretch wrap-around top at work and would have much preferred a pretty patterned chiffon blouse.

LESS of the stupid logo stuff.

MORE basics ie nice maternity T's in black & white; cardigans; polo necks - basically things you can mix and match or wear under or over other items.

ameliaandme · 13/07/2009 16:54

www.mamafeelsgood.com maternity shirts totally rock , extra long length so no builders bump.
Breastfeeding tees are way cool too

ameliaandme · 13/07/2009 16:56

www.mamafeelsgood.com maternity shirts totally rock , extra long length so no builders bump.
Breastfeeding tees are way cool too

Helen31 · 13/07/2009 16:59

Seraphine have some very expensive but supercomfy bamboo pjs - they were so soft before and after my emcs.

HeadFairy · 13/07/2009 16:59

Can I add to that list.... bias cut isn't flattering (unless you have the figure of an ironing board) at the best of times, so leave the bias cut out of all maternity wear please!

I second the big floaty cardigans. I wanted a really fine knit draped cardy... not a neat little button up the front one, a draped one that looks like you're wearing a pashmina draped over your shoulders, but has sleeves. Can I find one (in Europe's largest urban shopping centre I hasten to add)? Can I heck! Yet, when I'm looking for nice fitted neat cardies I can only find unstructured drapey ones... Are all the buyers in high street shops spying on me and waiting for me to get pg to withdraw all the nice drapey cardies!

Scorps · 13/07/2009 17:00

Headfairy - try isabella oliver, they have what youre describing!

Scorps · 13/07/2009 17:01

here

Schulte · 13/07/2009 17:02

Buy non maternity dresses and tops in bigger sizes, you can still wear them after the baby has arrived. I found trousers the biggest challenge and ended up wearing the same jeans day in, day out. Maternity wear can be a complete waste of money IME because it never fits properly.

Trikken · 13/07/2009 17:09

or if you happen to find nice trousers that fit they dont bloody well stay up and have to pull them up from your knees every time you get up or bend down to do something. grr!

HeadFairy · 13/07/2009 17:10

That's lovely scorps but at the price. Still, birthday next week, I may have to put in a request to dh!

hencath · 13/07/2009 17:12

I also have had swimwear problems, bought a terrible tankini from mothercare with no support and originally too big around the bottom of the bump (had to tie it in a knot to avoid looking indecent). Tried it on at 32 weeks and didnt cover the bottom of my bump. Absolutely no support for boobs either - it wasnt cheap either.

Recently popped into mamas and papas and tried on a tankini there and was amazed. Support for boobs and elasticated at bottom of bump so no bump hanging out. I cant recommend enough. Was also the same price as the mothercare one. Mamas and Papas clothes are lovely too but quite pricey, great when sale on though.

Maternity wear has been a real pain to find in general. I hate the fact that the only decent stuff is on line. I need to try things on more than ever at the moment - internet shopping just isnt the same. Also why are maternity bras so terrible, not only do they make your boobs look saggy but they are generally hideous looking too. I also agree with the nightwear. Why do designers think that because you are pregnant you completely loose all fashion sense? Grrrrr....

willowstar · 13/07/2009 17:16

I am 29 weeks pregnant and have given up looking presentable for work, i just can't afford to buy lots of stuff. My main hate is that so many of the maternity tops i have bought are indecent on me...I am no shrinking violet but I can't walk down the street in some of them they are so low cut. My boobs haven't gone up in size at all, maybe that is why.

But completely agree, the lack of choice is awful and the dresses that are available...barf.

oh and trousers...I am afraid to run for the bus because every pair i have bought fall off me, both over and under the bump.

humph.

Heebiejeebie · 13/07/2009 17:29

swimwear - bought brilliant tankini (non maternity) from Bravissimo with proper support

bevlin · 13/07/2009 17:32

headfairy Monsoon have a lovely navy long cardigan, thin cotton, short sleeved (but not too short), very very flattering. Im sure it was £35/£40 and I live in mine! Now that im expanding I just leave it sitting open with tops and skinny jeans (hides your bum) or cotton dress and looks fab.

blondieminx · 13/07/2009 17:34

oh god this is all so true!

Am struggling to find nice trousers/workwear - like the other poster, why do most stores assume you won't be both tall and pregnant at the same time ffs?!

Or that in desperation to find something to wear that you might be inclined to wear scaled up kids pj's (well if they've got cartoons on them....) GRR!