Maternity coat (and other clothes!)

[Kopparbergkate]

I'm only 6 weeks at the moment but DC2 will be due in April so I guess that means I'll definitely need a warm, waterproof maternity coat (DD was a November baby so I managed without). I'd rather wait to buy but I've been caught out buying coats before - loads in the shops in summer/autumn, nothing left by actual winter. Any recommends?

Also, I've recently lost 3 stone. I was intending to treat myself to a personal shopper session at JL to update my wardrobe but that needs to wait now! I really don't want to do what I did when I was pregnant before which was buy loads of cheap stuff in bundles from eBay that didn't fit, didn't suit me and I felt rubbish in.

I'd like to put together a capsule maternity wardrobe and I'm prepared to spend a bit if it means avoiding the "buy cheap, buy twice". Any recommends for that too? I've had a look at Isabella Oliver, cus that seems to get recommended loads, but it all seems way to smart for me. I'm more of a skinny jeans/ leggings + tunics/dresses type than a body con dress type. I thought Boden might be the place but all the prints are so frumpy :(

I know this question gets asked loads but for the life of me, I can't find any of those threads and I didn't bother reading 6 weeks ago!

Here's my list of places to look for maternity clothes:

• H&M
• Gap
• JoJoMamanbebe
• Isabella Oliver for smart/work stuff (but not now the sale's over!)
• Seraphine
• Dorothy Perkins
• Asos
• White Stuff and White Company (no maternity range, but quite a lot of empire line tops and dresses that will work until the last stages)
• Boden
• PrettyPregnant (though I haven't seen anything I like there yet)

H&M and Gap get lots of recommendations on here for basic maternity clothes. Seraphine is supposed to be good for dresses. Asos can be a bit hit and miss on quality (but easy to return).

I too hate the Boden prints (when will they get the message??) but quite a lot of their maternity range is available in plain colours.

Maternity coats are quite hard to find though TBH. I need one too as am due in December and I get cold easily so by October I'll be freezing! Haven't found one yet but it's been summer ranges till now. I was wondering about getting a non maternity coat in a "swing" shape, but not sure whether I'll get too big for it.

If anyone wants to add to my list that would be great!

I agree with all the suggestions above and would add New Look and Topshop's maternity ranges to the list. I'm due in early January and here are a few things I'm looking at (at various price points):

very expensive for a maternity coat, but probably my favourite

slightly cheaper

very good value and a casual style

biker jacket

I think more will come along in early September, though...

Oh yes that reminds me - Tiffany Rose are another place to look.

Drat you darkness, I love that Isabella Oliver one, but can't justify £300+ on a maternity coat!

Also, it might be worth having a look at Next's maternity collection. There's a lot that is frumpy but some decent pieces. I love this dress for example, but I need smart dresses for work...

minipie you could always ebay it afterwards - IO holds its value very well *enabling emoticon

thanks all! Love the Isabella Oliver coat but it is very expensive.... and not waterproof.... and too smart really for what I need.....goodness but it is lovely....

I also hadn't realised that Top Shop had such an extensive maternity range - some of its really nice too. Things have definitely changed in the 6 years since I had DD. Gap Maternity didn't even exist in the Uk then!

I'm marking my place too! I'm due in jan and really want a nice warm waterproof maternity coat for the school run. There is a nice parka on asos I've seen. Also a brand called noppies do maternity coats but I think they might look a bit old ladyish?

I can recommend H&M for basics. I really liked their denim mini skirt and leggings. Very comfortable and washed well.

I found Topshop maternity Leigh and Baxter jeans excellent and wore them right through to the end.

I'd take a look in French Connection too. Their tops tend to come up big and they have some really nice soft, drapey ones in for autumn.

That coat is gorgeous.

IO or whatever it's called now used to do flash sales - I got a lovely maternity pea coat this time last year with 60% off.

I gave birth in April this year and for the last few months lived in a plain navy maxi dress from Boden. Was very useful during that warm weather in March and April. It was so comfy I spent most of my labour wearing it too.

DD was born in March and I bought a cloak to wear last winter. Meant that I could have worn it again if I wanted, although tbh I was so sick of wearing it that I passed it onto my sister (who isn't pregnant).