Nice maternity tops!

[fififolle]

Any recommendations? I can see anything I like in Next/Mothercare/Mamas and papas and am running out of ideas. I'm 27 week and all my normal tops are now too tight. I've bought a couple in a bigger size but am bored of wearing plain things. I'd like something with a bit of pattern probably more casual than work wear.

jojo? blooming marvellous?

personally I did quite well buying non-mat tunic type things in Primark, but I rarely wear patterns so may not be the best person to advise you.

NB ime you will get lots of wear out of the 3-pk of Next vests thus as they are really long, don't shrink even when washed and tumbled constantly, and will cover your bump to the very end when it is hanging out underneath all your other tops.

(I am wearing the black one as we speak)

I found that there are loads of bump-friendly tops in the ordinary shop ranges at the moment - seems the high street's finally woken up to the fact that most women actually have a tummy (and tummies in general are getting larger) so you may find that the handy gathered-under-the breast, extra-material-over-the-belly style does the job nicely - plus, there may still be stuff left in the sales and you won't have to pay the extra premium because the clothes are labelled "maternity". If you get front-buttoning blouses, they'll do for BF as well.

Another tip is look for colourful wrap dresses - they look great when worn over trousers or not, depending on your preference and you can let them out as your bump expands. Dead practical and flattering and great for nursing too, so good value all round.

Apart from some tights and a couple of bras, I've only got two items actually designed as maternity wear - one was a present, one came from a charity shop. And yes, check out the charity shops - you can get some great bargains there and it makes sense not to shell out too much on maternity-type clothes if you're only likely to need them for a few months.

Happy shopping!

Try Seraphine via google. Their stuff is nice and stylish, a bit pricey but good quality and they have frequent sales on. I hates Mothercare-overpriced and really poor quality. The only thing I would say about Seraphine is that their sizes come up a bit large so perhaps go a size down. Good luck, I felt miserable before I found decent clothes!

Gap has a really nice white t-shirt with a watercolour flowers print on the front in their new collection. Will be buying soon.

H&M, Top Shop and New Look also do some nice bits and pieces.

Try H&M, not a bad selection patterned/plain. Word of warning their sizes come up a bit small.

Peacocks have great maternity tops! I am not usually a regular in there but at their prices you can pick up new and different tops nearly every week !! Quality is fab for the smal amount their clothese cost. Good Luck!