Too pregnant for new clothes

[creepypenisreaper]

It's not fair. I want to go shopping for clothes tomorrow as its mat payday and I've been skint for ages due to a payroll problem at work. I'm 34+2 and have been living in my stretchy tees, baggy jeans and leggings since I started growing, and now I just want some retail therapy to stop feeling like a baglady but what is the point if I'm going to pop in a month and a half thereby rendering any new clothes useless?

I know I should wait until my lo is born and wait and see what size I am, but since starting mat leave 2 weeks ago I've been lounging around in flat with my hair in a bun, feeling like I've got noone to look nice for, iyswim, so now I want to splurge a bit on myself. Now I have some doubloons I can finally meet up for coffee/ go shopping with friends and peruse around the shops.

So are there any staples I can buy that will serve me well post-natally? Even some links online would be fab.

(Side-note... I don't need to buy any more baby stuff just now. I'm sorted for that. That is partly why I had no money left over from last payday... So please, no snarky comments like 'Spend the money on your baby ffs'. I have been spending on my child whilst going without- hence the limited 4 piece wardrobe)

Sorry, I went on my maternity leave 3 weeks ago, not that it matters

BUMP!!!!!!
I'm feeling exactly the same! 33 weeks & too big for stretchy items that I'd been getting away with till now. Everything is too short in the waist thanks to girth!
I just want to feel nice but do not want to spend bucks on tents. I've been wearing longline vests & cardis but then my chest gets cold & I long for a nice warm jumpie & some lovely stylish leggings (as opposed to god awful maternity jeggings/jeans that either fall down or simply enhance the fact that my thighs have taken a brunt of the weight gain)
I feel 'ungainly' & 'cumbersome' too. It's even got to the point where my little girl groans when she bends to pick something up as she's heard me do it such much. My pelvis is starting to hurt & look

How about eBay or gumtree? People often sell quite high end mat stuff that's barely been worn, and if you get good quality like Isabella Oliver it might last for another pregnancy (if it's relevant) or at least for those awkward weeks after birth and before getting back into your old clothes.

I would say try eBay too and plan to sell on when you've finished with it.
Otherwise some cheapy basics from somewhere like H&m eg stretchy jersey type dresses. For the price you'll get plenty of wear over the next couple of months.
Or whst about a lovely thick chunky cardi and put a belt round and add a scarf for now, then do it up properly afterwards? I don't know if it's fashionable at all but seems practical?

Buy them! I put off buying a maternity coat because I was only 2 weeks till my due date so didn't see the point. That was 3 weeks ago and I've been freezing every time I have to go outside, I wish I'd bought it!

I was about 35 weeks when I ran out of tshirts that covert my bump so I got some maternity tshirts for 2 for £12 from New Look and a nice dressy jumper for going out and I've been wearing them constantly, I've definitely got my money's worth out of them.

Covert? Ha, cover...

It's frustrating, isn't it? I'd second the suggestion to buy a really nice chunky cardy that you can wear post-birth too. But realistically there is very little that will fit you now that will also look good in 6-8 weeks time!

So you can either buy cheap and cheerful mat wear now (H&M best bet for this) or hold out and really enjoy spending on your first shopping spree once your sprog's here.The only other thing I can think of is looking at maytwear that also works for nursing, but I'm not sure that will really fulfil your need for stylish stuff. .. Not much help, sorry!

When I was heavily pg first time I avoided mat wear and ended up cold. I bought an el cheapo £7.99 long jumper from H&M (non mat) and struggled along with that. Second time round I'd learnt my lesson and bought pretty much all of Isabella Oliver! Get yourself a couple of cheap basics and maybe a really nice scarf?

Thanks guys, I suppose that's a benefit of having a winter baby- I'll need to invest in some chunky jumpers and scarves as it's getting colder anyway and it's good to get these things oversized. I'm quite slim naturally so what fits me now might swing off me in a couple of months... I could maybe try and go for the grungy heroin-chic look .

mog I will probably be hitting the beautification section of Boots later. I've been on a bit of a make-up strike since I started my mat leave. My OH called me 'cute' the other day when I asked him if he thought I was attractive without it.

If you want to invest in something non-maternity that you can wear in pregnancy too, I'd recommend the Baukjen extra long t - I'm 39+3 and have been wearing mine over my massive bump with maternity tops layered over it. They are expensive but v good quality IMO.

Shoes, bags, scarves, cardigans, jewellery... baby clothes? Get your hair done? Beauty treatment? I'm addicted to buying Christmas decorations

As you can probably tell I have no problem spending whatever my gestational condition...