Could i get away with a maternity dress for my plus size non pregnant belly?

[Auldspinster]

I need some inexpensive dresses for work and have seen a couple of maternity dresses that i like on the Sainsburys website. I carry all my weight on my front and am quite busty, would the maternity dresses look odd?

I wore plus size clothes rather than maternity when I was pregnant - it was cheaper! So I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do it the other way around - unless it has an obvious 'bump' shape to it.

have you got a link?

I know that one year fashion was for empire line gathered tops, they were lovely, I had a bit of a post baby tum and bought one. Big mistake, I looked very pregnant.

So I think the style and cut will matter

I'd be cautious about this. Maternity dresses are usually cut to show off your bump rather than smooth things out. So you might find that they simply make you look pregnant! Sorry, I know it's annoying - I often find myself hankering for pretty maternity frocks too...

I look pregnant anyway. Got a couple of empire line dresses from Evans a few years back and they look pretty similar.

I am the same shape as you by the sounds of it. I am bigger all over but my tummy is my worst feature. I have tried various dress shapes and don’t like myself in any of the shapes/styles of any of them at the moment. Personally, I don’t think this would work for you. Depending on your age and style maybe follow some bigger ladies on instagram for inspiration.

Sometimes if a dress has too much fabric it can make you look bigger than you are so depends really on the style.

PS I have thought about trying some maternity jeans as I can’t stand to wear any jeans at the moment as I find them so uncomfortable on my tummy.

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/MATERNITY-Black-Scoop-Neck-T-Shirt-Dress/138525643-Black?searchTerm=:newArrivals:size:22_103&searchProduct=

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/MATERNITY-Black-Tiered-Maxi-Dress/138518013-Black?searchTerm=:newArrivals:price:%C2%A310-%C2%A319.99:size:22_103&searchProduct=

Many years ago I accidentally bought a maternity dress from Debenhams. I didn't realise until I got it home. It was my favourite summer dress for years, I loved it and I don't think it made me look pregnant. It was very flattering.

I have worn maternity clothes before and it's often fine but I do think the dress you've linked to is very maternity looking. I would expect some comments on whether you were expecting if wearing those to be honest

Maternity dresses are usually cut to show off your bump rather than smooth things out.

This... also, those dresses look very maternity, so you might encourage people to comment. They shouldn’t, but they probably will.

I’m currently pregnant and have started buying some maternity clothes, but they all seem designed to make you look even more pregnant.

Maybe follow one of these. As others have said usually maternity outfits are cut to flaunt your bump.

Something like the green dress from the weirdone may work.

What size are you anyway? I imagine there are better options out there

I'm a 22-24. I usually get stuff from ebay, it was just they were inexpensive. Been seconded to a different civil service department and it's a fairly strict dress code. Thanks for your thoughts!

I think shirt dresses would look good, you don't necessarily have to belt them? Next have a nice black one.

What's the dress code?

(I'm a similar size to you so can help you look, I'm also very cheap! 😄)

Try different styles on

Clara Whelan on the instagram page above is a 20-22 and she often gets clothing from TU Sainsbury’s or other cheaper retailers Shein etc.

Smart - skirts, blouses, tailored trousers. I'd got away with non denim skinny jeans in my last department but was pulled up on them.

Ah in that case - move to treggings instead? Then you can keep your usual wardrobe and you'll probably wear them after?

I wouldn't. Although you will have to sort through some chaff - I've found a lot of plus size clothing to be craply made/nasty fabrics - there is still some decent smart stuff out there. It's not a particularly original suggestion, but look at M&S. their range goes up to a size 22, and they have their 'curve' range which also has some decent items (again, check fabrics etc).

I'd recommend the Mia trousers - stretch but smart, up to size 22 - and possibly one of the longline tweed jackets from M&S for a smart but comfortable look that will give you coverage. a plain t-shirt underneath will be fine and give a smoother look than a shirt which could gape and might be uncomfortable.

also, keep an eye on ebay for Marina Rinaldi - it has some really beautiful items: full price is pricey (the couple of things i've had from there were actually worth it, price per wear, but it's a significant outlay i the first place), but it's the kind of thing that might crop up on ebay or other preloved clothing sites.