New mum practical clothing for winter, tricks and tips or any advice?

[LDNmummy]

I'm due to give birth to my first in the next week and few days and have never appreciated fashion and clothing that fits properly so much in my life.

But the most pressing thing for me as I am having an autumn/ winter baby, is practical clothing. I have always felt the cold more than most and I am terrified of having to venture out for walks with the baby in the wind, rain and snow. Having to push a pram and/ or carry a baby, juggle various bags and tid bits all at the same time means a longing to be warm, comfy and practical at all times while out and about, yet still maintaining some sense of style.

So I figure I would ask the lovely ladies of MN for clothing and fashion tips for a winter mum. Any words of wisdom would be great.

So far I figure I need a good practical coat so my first question is which of these would you get, the shorter one or longer one, or is there and even better style of coat you could recommend?

(thanks to SueNarmy for the code on the other thread!)

Are cardigans really that great?

What kind of boots for all winter wear?

Should I invest in some thermal underwear?

My feet are still a size bigger 8mo on. And I just got my wedding rings resized because my hands are still bigger :(

I had a pouch - like about 5 mo pregnant - for a month after, then it suddenly went.

my feet went from an already large size 7 to an I want to cry size 8 (ligament stretching rather than water retention) and despite trying to squeeze my feet into 7's on nights out like an ugly sister I have now resigned myself to size 8's. Don't stress, just accept whatever happens as you'll have to in the long run...the uggs do make it much more comfy at first though.

Uniqlo heat tech is nice if you end up feeling cold.

Don't stray too far from the styles you enjoyed wearing pre pg. After I had dd (now 3yo) I felt I needed to dress a bit differently and was a different size and shape to before for the first six months. I started wearing clothes I'd never have worn before. I remember getting remeasured for a bra when dd was about 8 mo and moving back to my old more fashion conscious style of dressing and I felt reborn. Bras are very important imo. I bf for two years but stopped wearing bfing bras after 8 months and switched to tshirt bras with some lift and it was like I'd lost a stone. Really.

Agree on Uniqlo Heat Tech t shirts and long scarves. What's your coat budget?

Soft stretchy things are a must. Be prepared to still be in some maternity clothes for several weeks, or possibly months in the case of jeans. Leggings with knitted dresses (may not be that good for BF though) and comfy boots for walking (I have some bikers that I wore with ski socks when cold, and Hunters for when it's really wet). Coat that keeps your thighs warm with pockets and a good hood. The fronts of my thighs get so cold they burn. One gets quite hot walking so don't get a really thick one, probably best to get something that is just really waterproof and then you can layer up if it's very cold.

Accept the fact that you will want to be really comfy. So a really nice, soft pair of trackie pants (yes, really) in a cut that suits you, with a comfortable waistband, that are not covered in paint or borrowed from DH. Like this. Great for those days when you just can't get it together to get dressed. I know they are not stylish, but there will be days when you don't want to put on those stiff, newly washed jeans, or get tights on to go with a dress. And those trackie pants will be a nice alternative to the pyjama bottoms with baby sick on from the night feed!

If you feel the cold, get a sling and wear it inside your coat. This works brilliantly with a cocoon style coat, for example.
Keeps you and baby warm, and frees up your hands!
(I have Dec DD and one due in Feb- this is a practical tip!)

My other top tip is layers- when baby pukes all over one, just strip down to the next. I used to start the day in four tops and be in one at the end. God that sounds ridicuous when I write it down. I did have a very sicky baby.

I lived in Gap Real Straight Jeans, Breastvest breastfeeding vests to hide my flobbly belly keep my tummy warm, then loose tops and jumpers layered on top. Uggs on cold days, ballet pumps on milder days (DS was 1 yesterday :) - late Sept baby). A hooded parka for pram-walking sans umbrella, though in future I would buy one with a drawstring, because mine gives terrible peripheral vision, so to see to the side (eg when crossing a road) I have to turn my entire upper body, like Batman

My baby is 11 weeks old and I'm still at the 'looking shite even with make up' stage. I can heartily concur with the comfy clothing suggestions, my best buy being roll top stretchy trousers from The White Company.

Oh yes the white company roll top trousers were fab for those early days and also for cosy days at home.

I'd echo what everyone else has said but also suggest cashmere wristwarmers instead of gloves (basically fingerless gloves) which are fab for clipping baby into car seat/pram whatever as I could never do that in any type of normal gloves.

Long cardigans, double tops underneath and good scarves all invaluable and yes - just get some jeans in a size bigger than normal.

Good luck and enjoy this lovely time

Merrell boots - can't see if anyone has mentioned them but they are essential for not going arse over tit when out in the snow.

Count - I have just PMSL at your 'Batman'. I do that! And now whenever I do, I will think that I am being like Batman, and probably snort with laughter in the street.
Thanks for that

Generally though, you need dresses to wear with tights/leggings and boots. And a long cardi/cardicoat thing.

White Company have some v.nice things this year actually, I've got a dress which isn't fitted, and it has buttons down the front so that I can BF and it is working like a dream. Also doesn't need ironing which is a major bonus.

My feet never did return to pre-preg size. I gave 40+ pairs of shoes to the Oxfam shop.

oh yes I did that too wom - I wore a Close carrier under a cocoon wool coat from French connection. It was great but only for short walks because had to take th e coat off to feed etc

I wish I'd bought a couple of new things, stretchy and comfortable, and just lived in them....

Invest in some of these: MummyMitts

As a mumsnetter you get 10% off and JoJo do free delivery.

Can you tell I'm excited about my new buy?

OMG! I was already a size 41 shoe! [Sad] I'm tall so it was just about proportional, but if they stay this size, I'm going to look like I have elephant feet.

@ count, I can just imagine myself doing 'the batman'.

Mummy mitts sound brilliant but may have to sell DH on them first.