Maternity clothes recommendations

[mrsmandm]

Thought I'd start a thread so we can give each other recommendations on what clothes are in the shops at the moment. What have been your star buys and what have you regretted getting?

So far my best things have been:
grey wrap dress from gap - was about £35 and wear it all the time, starting to bobble already though
black trousers from topshop for £28 - ones in DP and Mothercare were shiny and look cheap, these are lovely
red wrap top from Isabella Oliver £62 wih 10% discount, colour not the same as online but get lots of compliments on it.

Worst things:
Bump band - too small for my bump and pre-preg clothes look silly now
Skirt from Mamas and Papas, totally unflattering
Dress from Picchu, £34 in the sale, material shows every celulite lump

Anyone found any jeans that aren't really tight?!

Benetton for my two favourite tops, wear all the time. Bit different from the normal places!

beanpolebumps.co.uk for all tall clothes!

Gap outlet (if you're lucky) for ridiculous 99p dress!

Pointless purchases
-things from mothercare bought in a panic - either don't wear much or taken back!
-bump band - haven't worn once. Though apparently they can be useful once you're trying to get back in your clothes post baby.

Find I keep going back to:
long sleeved bump-covering plain t-shirts
over-bump leggings
big comfy wrap cardi from Esprit (feels like am wearing dressing gown = great)
black long-length polar neck

Bump bands = useless so far, just add extra bulk.
On the lookout for a decent Christmas party dress now, possibly knee length or above, can brave heels for one night (flats in handbag)!

I was lucky in that my bump was tiny until the very end and I never got huge, so was able to wear normal loose clothes for ages. The item I wore most both times was a JojoMamanBebe denim skirt, which was smart enough for casual days at work and wearable for any occasion otherwise. They had some good tops as well, and vg feeding tops, too. First time around, wore smart black trousers from Isabella Oliver most of the time at work, but they gave up the ghost before the end.

My maternity uniform last year was jeans, nice LONG maternity vest and cropped cardigan.

Long maternity vests are the holy grail for me, the only ones that did me for the whole pregnancy were Topshop. Have just invested in some H and M ones though and they are pretty long too.

Worst buys -
I have an M&S maternity t shirt that is too short even when I am not pregnant

Some linen Mamas and Papas trousers I got off ebaby. they are over the bump though and very wide legged so your bump goes out but doesn't look like it comes in again - they make you look like one of those really, really overweight men who end up tucking their bellies in their trouser legs.

I got brilliant wooly dress and jeans from Noppies. Absolutely lived in them. Everything else was from H&M and a bargain to boot.

I've worn various t-shirts alot. I bought a load of jumpers but I'm so hot they're not getting as much wear as they should have.

My jeans from Seraphine were great in the beginning but now, at 32 weeks, really uncomfortable.

I think I bought too much stuff in advance without realising that even if I put on no more weight than you're meant to, my pelvis would widen and trousers/jeans would gradually become uncomfortable. So buy loose to begin with and don't buy anything a season in advance.

I said I would never resort to leggings but now have, just to be comfortable. I've also got a couple of pull on skirts to wear over them which are also comfortable and hide my not so great thighs. And just ordered some roll top trousers from Seraphine which feel like leggings only a bit smarter as the fabric is heavier.

I think buy little and often is what I would do second time around, depending on what is fitting at the time.

Bras have been a nightmare, but eventually found some Mothercare ones comfortable.

Cariwell bumpband was a waste of money.

Best Buys

Trousers/ leggings from Seraphine - sooo comfy.
A mamas and papas cosy wrap cardigan in lovely brown/ grey/ black pattern that goes with everything and I am living in.
Finally, this is simply lush! So comfy and warm. Would have bought one in each colour if they werent so expensive.

Worse buy
Maternity jeans - was constantly either hoiking them up/ getting builders bum syndrome. Have given up wearing them.

I'm 22wks and this is my second pregnancy.

Best buys

Hot milk bra - AMAZINGLY comfortable and beats any other granny-type maternity bra hands down.
Grey cord trousers, Mamas and Papas - comfortable for work
Black v-neck stretchy top, new look

Worst buy

ASOS grey jeans, I'm not sure whether I'm just a smaller size but they just don't stay up and don't have belt loops at the front so I can't even use a belt.

29 weeks, 2nd pregnancy

Great buys:
Isabella Oliver Tie Knot dress
Seraphine boot cut jeans (under bump) tend to slip a bit but stay up fine if I wear a top tucked in
Blooming marv camisole top (better than IO and half the price)
Blooming marv deep v neck knitted top in purple

Bad buys:
Seraphine tailored trousers - gape badly at back when sitting
Mamas and P black trousers nasty cheap fabric and awful waistband
Also hated my mothercare nursing bra from last time - relegated it to wearing in bed only