Which maternity cardigan should I get?

[BettyButterknife]

Really want something that I can cuddle up in but nothing to thick to add to my heaving bulk.

Have seen a couple on the M&S website but I can't decide between the black or the fuchsia.

I have dark hair and pale skin, and am size 16. I do wear a lot of black but wondered if it might be less obvious to get the pink one... Or will I end up looking like Mr Blobby??

Do you want to do the cardigan up or not? If you are just wearing it as a layer I'd wear a normal cardigan, get a lovely soft cashmere one and then you can have it post pregnancy and spend a bit more. This is what I normally do and with a waterfall style it will probably work even better. I do hate that maternity clothes are so often synthetic (those sweaters are lovely but they are 50% acrylic, which makes them sweaty sweaters for me!).

I have to say that my single best splurgey purpose, though, was an Isabella Oliver jumper.

I got this one: www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes/maternity-tops/isabella-oliver-maternity-shawl-wrap-cardi/D /30100/P/2:100:1010/I/TP025

which I wear with leggings on its own, with jeans and skirts and at home when I'm cold! It could easily be worn non-pregnant by shortening the sash.

They do a wrap/waterfall style well www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes/maternity-tops/isabella-oliver-maternity-the-wrap-ca rdigan/D/30100/P/2:100:1010/I/TP014

As it is nearing spring you might pick up a deal on Ebay.

But again I'd be tempted just to buy a regular cardigan in the size up!

Ooh, that first one you've linked is exactly the sort of thing I'm after, but I can't afford £109

I don't want it to fasten, necessarily, but just want there to be enough material that I can drape over and keep warm. I think if I had something that fastens I would look enormous.

Can anyone suggest a similar cardigan, but cheaper??

I have the first M&S one you linked to (in grey) and I love it. I bought it after reading a recommendation on here from sometime around Christmas.

That's good to hear - can you tell me a bit about the sizing? Do they come up particularly big or small?

I do love mine...have you looked at Ebay?

How far along are you and which pregnancy is this? (ie, how many weeks of cozy cardigan wearing will you get? Will you wear it again in another pregnancy?) I would imagine that after April you will not need to be snuggling so much and that might influence your choice!

The second IO cardigan I linked to is on Ebay

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Isabella-Oliver-Wrap-Cardigan_W0QQitemZ160404644866QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Clothes_Shoe sAccessoriesWomensClothesWomens_Maternity?hash=item2558dca402

PS to further add to the temptation: I wore the expensive cardi before I had a bump and it still looked lovely, so I do think it could be a non-pg purchase. i got mine with a 15% discount which is now long expired but I think the standard Mumsnet one is 10%.

I have the black M&S one (and bought a grey non maternity one after as i loved it so much). It looks v smart and I am still wearing it now post pregnancy. It washes OK, but mine did shrink a tiny bit in the arms but it was fine as the arms were quite long to start with. I can definitely recommend it for pg, I wore it to work and it looks great also with jeans with a stripy top underneath. Very versatile. Great for breastfeeding too as you can wrap it around you and baby so its nice and discreet.

if you want a waterfall cardi - you probably aren't limited to maternity ranges as they have so much drapeability

one that buttons at the top only is also still an option - (for summer i just wore ordinary ones and undid buttons as i got bigger..)

although i was sorely tempted by Isabella Oliver they even go for £££ on ebay so it was out of the question.

Hi Betty

I bought the Isabella Oliver waterfall cardigan when I was first pregnant (over three years ago now) and I still wear it. Obviously I wear it a little more closely wrapped now! They are expensive but they last for ages and they can be for more than maternity.

If you want a very beautiful white silk dress that looks a bit like a wedding dress that's only been worn once, just say the word and it's yours. I was a 14 but I think it's a fairly generous fit. It's another thing I couldn't bear to get rid of!

Oh and it has been cleaned!

nice from Kew

or one that buttons high up, and is a bit warmer, though probs not great for late pg/summer

a few in mothercare
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