Tell me what's in your maternity wardrobe

[1Wanda1]

I am 15 weeks and at the point where waistbands on my pre-pregnancy clothes are now too tight. I'm struggling to find clothes - whether "maternity" or non-maternity but suitable for maternity - to suit my lifestyle. For work (fairly formal and conservative working environment), I have to be smart casual, sometimes in more formal workwear.

Currently the clothes that fit me and I can wear for work are:

A Whistles Lola dress (sort of sack dress style).
A pair of smart but elasticated waist crepe trousers.
An elasticated waist J Crew wool skirt.
A pair of dark denim maternity jeans.
3 x loose-fit silky blouses.

I really need to get some more bits as am just wearing the same 3 outfits on repeat. Ideally I need another dress or two, at least one more pair of "smart" trousers, and some more flowy/loose tops. Maternity dresses mostly seem to be jersey wrap dresses, which don't suit me at all for work as I have massive boobs (32FF pre-pregnancy and have expanded) and wrap tops just emphasise this . I prefer less clingy things for work.

I have looked at ASOS, Gap, Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins (all too casual), Séraphine, Isabella Oliver (clothes too clingy).

What clothing items are good choices to combine for a reasonably smart work wardrobe? I'm not really showing yet (just look a bit fat) but I expect I will in the next few weeks.

@1Wanda1 try everything £5.com or primark to be honest I've lived in primark and they been fab jus bought bigger sizes. I'm now in the last 7 weeks and wear my husbands tshirts. Plus Lidl do fab maternity wear

Have a look at Cos. I had two jersey dresses from there that served me well until I went on mat leave. Also longer or oversized shirts with slim black trousers/jeans. I had a loose dress from Isabella oliver (tunic ish) that was very useful, not everything is clingy but I know what you mean. H&M pretty good for basics - normal as well as mat ranges. Stretchy black jersey pencil skirts, etc. Also - eBay! Mat wear (especially work wear) doesn't get worn for long at all so you can get some great stuff 2nd hand.

Congratulations!

Thanks both. Have been scouring eBay and found a couple of Séraphine bits which are good. It's the bottom half I'm finding harder. Will keep looking. Good call re Cos. Primark I find the fabrics too thin and cling to every lump and bump!

I found smart enough shirt type tops in H&M when I was expecting dd.

I’m 29 weeks now and managed to get away with buying only a few bits so far, 3 maternity dresses which I can wear for work and casual. I must admit it’s easier when the weathers warm because I already had loose style dresses etc. I’m a bit concerned now the weather seems to be turning, Ive still got 11 weeks and can see it’s going to be a struggle when I need autumn/winter clothes as I don’t want to buy much as I don’t anticipate being this size for too long after DD arrives

@Flamingo19 your jus like me I never wanted to buy a lot of clothes as you won't wear them a lot so I would jus be buying the bare minimum you need as I say I'm wearing my husbands tshirts as I'm refusing to keep buying tops