Maternity clothing, how much to buy?

[CardiCorgi]

It may sounds like a silly question, but as I am slowly starting to burst out of my normal clothes I´m wondering what sort of sensible "capsule wardrobe" can get me through the next few months without either bankrupting me, or leaving me feel like a complete frump. Two pairs of work-suitable trousers, two vest tops and a capri-trouser and top sports set are clearly not going to be enough. They are being suplemented by ebay purchases, loose cardies that I already own and my jeans with a hair-bobble through the top (not that comfortable any more to be honest). DH´s wardobe will also get raided for sports kit.

How much did you end up buying?

I guess there's a big difference between what you strictly need (not much) and what it's nice to have to keep you from becoming miserable and feeling like you have no clothes!

I would definitely add at least one pair of maternity jeans, a few more vest tops, and a couple of long sleeved tops onto what you have.

I recommend looking for bundles on ebay, you can pick up a load of stuff dead cheap that way (just search "maternity bundle size 12" or whatever). Also raiding the wardrobes of any friends/relatives who have maternity clothes they're not using at the moment!

I've got 2 pairs of leggings fom H and M maternity, 2 tunic tops/dresses from H and M not maternity and 1 ancient pinafore dress from blooming marv that someone lent me. i manage but it's not really enough as one pair of leggings is too hot at the moment so it's a bit one on one in the wash. I don't work so I'm sure you'll need more than this, but I get by and at 37w I'm not buying any more.

Luckily I was a fattie in the summer after DS was born so have loads of bigger sized tops I can wear now. IMO most mat clothes are a waste of money and/or hideous

Buy as little as you can get away with! Do you have any friends who you can borrow from, or pick up stuff 2nd hand.

I had a fairly limited wardrobe of mat stuff and was pretty much sick of the sight of it by time baby no. 2 was born. Couldn't wait to give it away!

I have a pair of linen trousers and a pair of jeans, so have one on and one in the wash- tend to wear trousers for 2-3 days before washing.

I have bought 4 maternity tops and have a few that are long enough so I'm still decent in at almost 30 weeks. I'd love to have more but I just don't have the money and it is only for a short period of time.

I've bought things from EBay before and have had them not fit so have hassle of re-selling them but if you generally fit most things in your size go for it!

If I were you I'd buy as you need, when you feel you really can't get things washed and dried in time or are totally fed up then you can go shopping for one or two bits.

Definitely get some jeans - I practically live in mine.

If you normally go for fitted tops, why not get some looser or empire line tops that will also do for after the baby is born (when you'll probably still want to camoflauge your tum more!). I'm using a lot of non-maternity tops that I had that are working well as maternity wear because of their shape.

I had underthe bump jeans early pg and am now in the most comfortable pair of over bump jeans ever that would have fallen down my ankles 6 weeks ago.

Ok, I have:
4 pairs of jeans (1 pair in hindsight a mistake as they chafe and fall down) which have taken me through early pg, late pg and probably post birth.
1 pair of cream trousers & 2 pairs of black
1 pair of combats
1 mat cardigan
1 mat dress
1 mat leggings
3-4 actual mat tops although have quite a few non-maternity stretchy tops, cardis(particularly from Whitestuff and DP) and also a dress that's had enough stretch to accommodate norks and bump. Ebay and sales mostly (Asos sale has started & others must be soon)

I have lots of unworn maternity clothes, but always got plenty of use out of proper maternity T-shirts, only they are long enough to stretch over bump, jeans I wore both side of the pregnancy, handy as you get smaller again also,I'm quiet small and I wasted money on maternity jog pants which I was lost in, instead I wound up buying cheap ones that were just one size up from my usual and really comfy for relaxing at home, a few pairs of them are handy,most important is a good pair of well fitted shoes for support, and towards the end because of swollen feet I had to switch to a really expensive pair of sandals, I had to wear my slippers into the shop to buy them and was so glad to find something which fitted.

Good luck

I've managed on not much at all. Bought two long sleved tops, one pair work trousers and one pair jeans. Have been wearing stretchy tops and tops that were looser round the tummy for quite a while, though that is no longer really working now my rib cage has expanded (33 weeks now). Also had a skirt in a stretchy fabric which is still really comfy sitting under bump and good for work. Last week bought 3 vest tops to keep me going, but actually still ended up buying non maternity ones as they fitted better! Just found some in a longer style to stop my bump pocking out and bought them in 1 size bigger then normal. Cardies are great - I bought an extra normal cardigen and that, plus what I had, have worked well keeping me warm over the two maternity tops and now vest tops if I need an extra layer, and I'll be able to wear them still after (but done up again!). Also bought 1 shirt which was again not actually maternity but still fits well, just one of those looser style ones. Mind you, my bump is fairly neat.

ebay ebay ebay....

maternity stuff is not only soooo expensive but I have found that there is just not enough choice. Have pretty much bought all my stuff on ebay but this is what I've got:

• one pair black skinny (can dress up if ned to) jeans
• on pair of blue bootcut
• 3 pairs leggings
• about 3/4 tunics (none are maternity but all that smock style in fashion now)
• one pair work trousers
• three maternity dresses (for work and out of work)
• 3 cardies (not maternity, size bigger and waterfall style as i don''t do up cardies anyway)

I can't afford to buy different things for work so just taking a more casual look (!) over the next few months...hey I have an excuse!

Thanks everyone, that´s great and has given me my list of essentials. I picked up an ebay top yesterday (the man at the post office nearly took the parcel off me again, but that´s another story) and am waiting for another.

I need jeans. Over- or under-bump? I have one pair given to me by a friend but they still fall down on me. She came over with a couple of bits and the instructions that I was not to give them back to her.

Casual is usually fine for work, but we do occasionally need to be smart. Let´s hope that the ebay wrap-dress that I´ve just won will do instead of a suit.

Oh dear, I´m the world´s worst shopper - I tend to try to buy decent quality clothes and then wear them until they fall to pieces; my idea of purgatory is H&M on a Saturday afternoon.

I bought the JoJo wrap around, ballet-style tops. The way you wrap them changes with your increasing bump, and they are good for work and play. Also they are much cheaper than the Is. Oliver ones.

It's hard to win with the jeans, I went with under bump and yep you have to hitch them up a lot I feel so hot when I'm pregnant I don't know how people wear the over bump ones even in winter. Keep adjusting the buttons on the elastic bit and they will stay up better, I was always forgetting to do this!

Those are nice LadySpratt thanks for pointing them out. Does anyone own one of the Isabella Oliver ones? I see that they have a sale on, but was wondering if the bandage-style wrapping gets fiddly? They look lovely on the models.

seashore good point. getting too hot has not been an issue here this summer (ha, what summer), but I live in hope.

Spent the weekend scouring ebay - fantastic stuff. One of my colleagues has also offered me some of her clothing which is great, I remember her looking really nice when she was pregnant.

Try and buy some nice tops/dresses that are not maternity, but will allow you to expand. That way you can wear them after, without feeling like you are still in maternity wear. My friend has just given me a bag of stuff, and none of it is maternity and most will fit til the end I think. Of course, they are tops. Bottoms are more tricky and I hate buying them. Have just bought under bump jeans from Mamas and Papas and I will be pulling them up, but I hate wearing over bump ones, so itchy and hot. Look for leggings and trousers where you have the option to roll up over bump or under it - these will also be handy after.

Accept anything people will offer you, but remember you may be a very different size. I think my DH just thinks that any old maternity wear someone gives me will fit, regardless of whether they are an 8 or an 18, so have had to tell him otherwise!

im 31 weeks and still in normal leggings - wouldnt worry too much about buying maternity leggings. asda have some cheap basics for maternity too!

35 weeks - and I have absolutely no maternity gear! I'm lucky as I don't need to dress smartly for my job, but I'm seeing myself through so far with:

normal jeans, done up under the bump (or not... especially after lunch) held up with braces, long vests (tucked in to cover bump, especially in aforementioned jeans undone situations) and any of my pre-pregnancy tops (or boyfriend's) that will stretch over the bump.

TBH, I've looked and just can't bring myself to buy any of the mostly hideous maternity gear I see.