High street maternity fashion

[bristollady]

Hi everyone! I'm 12 weeks along and starting to show, so I think it's time to invest in a few new things as a lot of the stuff I usually wear isn't quite right anymore. I've had a look on the high street but hardly any of my usual shops stock maternity ranges and when they do, they only have one or two items. Where can I get decent, stylish maternity stuff that won't cost me a fortune?! Also, what are the key items I should be buying? I'm early 30s, quite petite and like a bit of colour!

Gap! Best quality maternity wear In My opinion and very comfy. You need jeans, comfy trousers that are a bit like yoga pants, leggings, long shirts or tops and maybe some stretchy vests with a long cardigan thrown over the top. In summer, I found dresses by far the comfiest thing.
You don't need everything now. Buy a fair bit and then add a few bits at the end as your needs will change. For example, at seven months I couldn't bear any jeans so needed more leggings/stretchy trousers.

ASOS is well worth a look if you don;t mind buying online. They do a few bits in petite maternity too.

Can I assume you live on bristol by your username?

If so h&m at cribbs was good when I was pg as was new look in Cabot circus.

I got my maternity stuff from Topshop, H&M and New Look. If you're 12 weeks now then you are going to be at your largest in summer so you're going to want lots of nice, airy maxi dresses in natural fabrics.

Thanks everyone. So helpful. It's really hard knowing what to buy as I have no idea how big I'll get! The belly is already busting out of everything! I'll have to make a list and hit the shops!

I found that none of the high street stores stocked maternity clothes anymore and had to order stuff online. Asos, H&M, New Look and Asda (if you ignore some of the diamanté appliqué items!) were best.
I also bought a few stretchy primark tshirts in bigger sizes, they were only £3-4 so not too worried about them not lasting (although I am still wearing one as a PJ top now)

Just been on a bit of an ASOS spree. Thanks for the tips guys! Found petite maternity leggings and jeans, which is brilliant. Now just waiting impatiently for them to turn up!

Have had a bit of a fashion crisis as I have a black tie do for work this week and none of my dresses will zip up anymore, but managed to find something in a larger size from the charity shop that I think will cover the bump. It's really difficult in these early stages because I can't tell anyone yet until I have my scan next week but I'm convinced everyone can tell because the bump is quite obvious!

Don't even bother going in the shops, they stock barely anything. Online is your friend and practically every retailer carries a maternity range online.

I liked Next maternity jeans - not normally a fan of their clothes but they were the most comfy. I would also recommend over the bump trousers as opposed to under the bump ones - so much better! H&M do good mat clothes too.

Have you looked on eBay? Because most maternity clothes don't get worn much you can normally get nearly new stuff in good condition.

Congrats btw

Just seen you are petite as am I - Next do great petite maternity jeans (I don't work for them honest I thought buying normal petite jeans was hard and then entered the hell of MATERNITY petite jeans!)

Is there a debenhams near you? Red herring do lovely maternity wear. If not, new look, asda and h and m are definitely worth a look!

I'm 12 weeks too! Congratulations!

Some online sites like jojomamanbebe and seraphine and Isabelle Oliver are good. Some of it is frumpy but they do have some nice stuff if you are selective. I found that apart from maternity leggings you only really need maternity clothes for the middle months. Once your bump gets really big you can just buy non maternity body con type dresses and show off your bump. Also if you do buy proper maternity dresses try and get some that double as nursing dresses if you plan on breastfeeding so can use them in the after having baby for the first few months that way you get your money's worth

I got everything in new look, debenhams red herring and on asos

Next maternity jeans are fab for me. H&M does lovely jumpers.

You're all making me want to shop even more! I put on my maternity jeans for the first time yesterday and they are amazing. The leggings are also comfy, although husband thinks they look a bit frumpy. I told him 'well you try carrying a bump around on your belly all day in your trousers and see how comfortable you feel'! LOL! I think I will have to invest in some dresses for work but hopefully I have a few more months to get to grips with that.

Can i ask is Cabot Circus any good for maternity wear? I literally cannot fit into any of my clothes now.

JojomamanBebe is good for basics but not very exciting, their stuff lasts well though.

As well as places already mentioned up thread I used to get some good things from TKMaxx, not from a maternity section but just because some of their stuff is such an odd shape for everyday wear that it works for maternity.

I also wore quite a bit of fat face especially during the early months as their tops are so roomy.