Help me through the minefield of maternity clothing and avoid OH t shirts and jogging bottoms!

[OMGBFP]

Been too busy thinking about baby clothes to think of maternity clothing!

How many pairs of maternity trousers will I need?
Trousers - under bump, over bump, narrow bump band, stretchy pocket bits?
Which would you say you found more comfy? Any good quality but reasonably priced brands?
I've lots of flowing style tops which should suffice so do I really need any specific maternity tops? Do I need nursing tops or can I just use normal tops with ease?
Are dungarees out?

Will maybe have to take a wee trip to the Gap then, nearest is about 40 miles away, but worth it for £4 tops!

I've been wearing my normal coat unfastened with long blulky scarves to cover the gap (but I do live in southern England).

I wouldn't buy a coat until next autumn now though unless you see a bargin: you don't know where you're going to put weight on and there's no point buying if just for it to not fit by the time its cold enough to wear it.

Don't leave getting a few basics as late as I did though. I ended up dashing to the shops in leggings and one of DH's t shirts as I had a conference and nothing else fitted that morning. Just got a few tunics to wear over aforementioned leggings at first though.

I would recommend Anita maternity/nursing bras OP.

I got them from figleaves and they do cost but are well worth it. So comfortable and supportive which is really difficult to find if you are indeed, as you say, 'booby'.

You may be able to find them cheaper elsewhere online but I couldn't, and if you sign up for their e-mails figleaves send you a discount code which gives you a good discount.

I found M&S maternity clothes very comfy and long-lasting.

Maternity trousers and jeans with elastic waistbands don't stay up very well, I always found myself hitching them up all the time. M&S's maternity jogging/lounge pants were my saviour.

best purchase i made (i'm same size as op) was a pair of black cord trousers from next.they are over the bump, go with anything and they were £12 in the sale! (they still have them online)
i also went for a size bigger in floaty tunics and tops and as most of mine were already loose i was fine!
i would really recommend over the bump trousers - i have got one pair with the stretchy band and one pair with the pockets and they just don't work for me being plus size. they don't stay up very well and it's quite annoying (i also get a cold bump/back!)

someone really needs to design some maternity jeans (at the more inexpensive end of the scale) which stay up! i found bump band type that fitted my legs/bum slid down as i walked around and elasticy/button/adjustable ones did the same or were too tight and the buttons dug in

I found under the bump jeans/leggings became useless by about 7 months - just fall down, even considered braces!

The comfiest trousers have been palazzo pants from Babes with Babies which are soft jersey and stretch right over the bump. Long vest tops with secret support from Seraphine/JoJo have also been good for slouchy wear. And I have invested in some baggy nursing jumpers with poppers that will work through both stages.

babeswithbabies.com/product_details.aspx?product_id=4023&ProductName=Perfect_Palazzo_Pants_:_Midnight

Top tip - set up an eBay alert for anything from Isabella Oliver or Seraphine in your size as they're lovely but obviously VAIR pricey. I got an ace cape for a fiver which will last me afterwards and some January Jones grey skinny jeans for a tenner :)

I have 32/34 DDs normally, going up to Fs and FFs while pg, and swore by Anita nursing bras (whilst pg, and for breastfeeding after obviously), they are "underwired" but it's a flexible, soft wire, and they were the ONLY BRAS that gave me anything like a "normal" shape. Seriously. I got the 5041 style which is very soft lace and honestly they were heavenly to put on, a bit like someone with soft hands was gently holding them in place for you (no, I am not an employee, I just know how bloody uncomfortable it is to have bigger boobs that go massive while pg and not be able to find anything but the majority of maternity bras which are totally useless for shape and support).
Apart from that, Dorothy Ps maternity leggings good for 0-18wks pg (after this the top starts rollling down) Topshop leggings good for 18-30weeks pg (ditto) and Mothercare good for the final stretch as they come up v, v big. I was a good maternity size 14 but still fit the 8s leggings at 40weeks pg.
Topshop leggings good for on the way down after the birth, ditto, DPs. So they aren't wasted.

Another recommendation for Anita bras too.

Actually I ended up with a tailor's bunion because I simply wore converse and havanas outside work hell heels during preggo
Chiropodist recommends some thing very well padded with arch support and attached to the foot...ie not flip flops, worth popping in for advice
honestly

very def yy to anita, fab in preg and nursing, i was sad to see the back of them

Just thought i would share that a friedn pointed me in the direction of www.bonprix.co.uk - my gosh it's cheap! Hope that doesn't mean crap will be ordering from them next month so will report back!