Help me with my pregnancy capsule wardrobe!

[Crazycatlady]

When PG with DD I wasted literally thousands on buying item after item of clothing which still made me look like a blimp...

I'm now 14 wks with DC2 and busting out of my regular clothes. I'm desperate not to make the same mistake again. I need the help of Style and Beauty's most wise and avid .

Vital stats:

• size 12, 5ft4, pale skin, highlighted hair, brown eyes
• good bits - big but pert boobs, toned arms
• bad bits - big arse and legs

So far I have ordered:

• Isabella Oliver indigo jeans and some black leggings
• pair of bootcut Gap maternity jeans that are too long and keep falling down

In my wardrobe of non-mat wear I plan to keep wearing:

• taupe maxi dress (will need cardi of some sort)
• sand coloured short knitted dress with cropped bell sleeves (over leggings)

Looking online at both mat and non mat wear and I'm just baffled

So what do I need to get me through autumn and into winter? Baby due end of Feb.

I am 14 weeks pg too and I have ordered leggings and long tops/tunics/dresses. I've also ordered some vests that I plan to wear with skinny jeans from Gap and boyfriend cardigans and scarves I already have. Other than that, a couple of long sleeve tops to put under the dresses when its really cold. I've got most of my stuff from Next and Mamas and Papas and some bits from Gap and H and M. To be honest, I think most of it is pretty uninspiring but its reasonably priced and it'll do.

I'm now after a coat that'll see me through the winter for under £50 if you have any ideas on that let me know!

I never found that elusive coat last time around! Nothing under £200 anyway... so ended up with a full length camel coloured cardigan from Jojo Maman Bebe which I loved but DH said made me look like Yoda.

I just remember how much I hated my maternity wardrobe towards the end. Sold it all on ebay as soon as DD arrived!

The items I bought last time and have bought more of this time are:

• bump bands in black and White
• TopShop Baxters (dark denim and black). Great w ballet flats / flip flops
• TopShop Marthas (although not fitting as well this time - prob not as fat as last time due to chasing DD all day)
• ballet flats and flat boots (esp knee high black riding boots)
• have Americal Apparel leggings (wear under bump)
• wrap around tops, wraps (pin together w sparkly brooch), cardis, polo necks (just buy a size or two up in Uniqlo)
• thin long sleeved tops - Uniqlo do Heat tech thermals that I will be buying lots of when it comes back out again in a few weeks.
• ASOS for a day jersey dress and any evening dresses
• scarves / pashminas

basically I wear slim leg jeans (the Baxters) w a fitted top, bump band, ballet flats and cardi/wrap and scarf if need be. Tht sort of look. But my legs are my best bit. If you aren't loving your legs, how about lots of neck/bust/torso focus? How about the Marthas w interesting top/cardi and jewellery esp necklaces? Your bosoms sound like a feature so make sure you wear as low cut as possible while still feelig comfortable/warm? Sorry if too vague and not helpful!

basically, I am

I think I'm definitely more of a Martha than a Baxter girl , but loving your ideas!

How had I forgotten ASOS?

Never been into a Uniqlo, but sounds like it might be good for items that can be layered so will take a trip.

Thanks bunny

Have you looked for Marthas on eBay? Good sources of tops for me have been Massimo Dutti, H&M and Zara, too. Have bought maternity, just went up in sizes until got a good fit for bump. I do hear great things about Isabella Oliver long sleeved riches at tum tops. Again, plenty on eBay if you fancy a looksy. Since you have good arms, how about sleeveless or short sleeved cardi/wrap over the top? I think keep your tops as fitted as poss if upper body is best bit. Reverse situation for me!

see here today

this is a really good thread!
i also spent quite a lot of money last time crazycat - justifying it on the basis that i would wear it all again second time round. Unfortunately it has taken us much longer than we expected to have no2, and when i looked through all my old stuff the other day i was quite dismayed by most of it - dated, and too big or just didn't like it any more.
part of the problem is that DS was a summer baby while this new baby is due in January, so nothing from last time is the right size/season.
the things that do seem to work time and again are anything from isabella oliver. IO stuff is very good quality and so well cut. some of tops flatter even when you're not pregnant so i think it's worth the investment. my only complaint with IO stuff is that the range of colours is very limited and not very nuanced - it's basic black, white or blue, most of the time.

invest in a couple of fabulous scarves, they will fabulous up any mat vest / mat jeans & a long line cardi outfit any time x

Agree that IO do v limited colours. Meant to say I "have not" bought maternity clothes from Zara et al. Some styles of normal clothes work when pregnant. Re coats (also having late pregnancy in winter, but was summer last time), am looking on eBay at the French Connection Lark coat. The blue is brilliant and will wear it post preg. Maternity coats will make me look even more humpty dumpty-ish.

Good tip re the coat!

I know what you mean re IO colours. I have a pale/soft colouring so most of it is too bold or harsh for me.

I have found some nice loose fitting knits and jersey non-mat stuff on ASOS and Warehouse which won't break the bank and should stretch nicely. Along with a new pair of boots and some mat-leggings and mat-jeans I think this will be me sorted. Will post links later.

I have a whole drawer full of scarves oggy, I'm a bit of an addict, I just always forget to wear them! Am currently wearing a white cotton scarf with black polka dots, over a dark purple long sleeved tunic top, black leggings and black boots. Seems to look alright, bit wintery for August though