Maternity Clothing. Need Help!

[EM4]

Hi

I'm desperate to find out the latest on maternity clothing. Know nothing about it and need to know what I'm looking for?
Where are the best places to shop, whats the most comfortable must have pieces that will last throughout my pregancy, whats the best fit and most comfortable out of all of the bump band options?
Any help would be great
Many Thanks )

 

[charlie84]

Lots of the bigger retailers have maternity sections such as H&M, Dotty Ps, New Look, Peacocks. Then there are the companies that specialise in maternity wear just google maternity wear and loads will come plus mothercare, but i found them to be quite expensive

A few key essentials for me were a pair of comfy work trousers and maternity jeans for when not at work. Also stretchy jogging bottoms did for when i was just lazing about at home.
I had a few maternity work tops and thats about it really. Everything else was stretchy vest tops and jumpers.

I never used bump bands but will be looking to get some for my next pregnancy just so i can stay longer in some of my normal clothes.

Ebay is also a great place to have a nose for cheap maternity wear

 

[Krystal]

Dorothy Perkins is good and prices aren't too bad. Ebay for cheaper second hand things. Next directory for nice going out things although bit more pricier. New Look has some trendy things in

 

[aramintalovegrove]

Buy and sell on here has lots of maternity stuff lately

Also remember to look at regular clothes that will accommodate a bump especially dresses leggings big jumpers/tops.

I actually fnd alot more of my regular clothes accommodated my huge bump than will accoommodate easy access for booby feeding

 

[andreag]

I got most of mine from ebay. You should just be able to buy your normal size in a maternity fit, but I went a size bigger just to be safe.

I find over the bump fittings for trousers to be much more comfortable than nder or on the bump - although I do feel a bit clownish with my pants pulled up to under my boobs!

I also found some of my regular clothes still fit if they have plenty of stretch in them - mainly dresses with some lycra in the cotton.

I think I had about 4 pairs of pants for work and the same for home - but could also wear jogging pants for most of the pregnancy. I got about 6 maternity tops for work, and again the same for home/going out.

I found it difficult to get a winter coat, so have bought a few ponchos instead which I think will do (not planning on any mountain climbing!).

I would get a few things in before you need them - there is nothing worse than getting dressed and finding that not a single pair of pants fit!

 

[nori]

Maternity clothes are such a rip off. If i had the time and energy i would love to set up my own business selling reasonably priced trendy maternity clothes.. i swear it would take off.

Anyway, back to your question.. I would say new look for reasonable and trendier options, dorothy perkins for a few bits and bobs. Red Herring in debenhams for moderately priced items and Next for nice going out clothes. I think you will find it easier being pregnant in the winter as many jumpers and longer tops from places like H & M will be fine to cover the bump. I only bought under the bump jeans but i have heard the over the bump ones are far more comfy. When you get to the end of the pregnancy you will find good old jogging bottoms the most comfy id say.

For maternity bras id say M & S or Debenhams.. again.. a bloody rip off though! I did get a couple off ebay and they lasted me a fair while.

Claire x

 

[moss]

All of my things were from H&M (but they stopped selling it here in Dundee), New Look and Debenhams (I had one special top from there and my work trousers). I didn't have a lot though. Maybe four tops and two pairs of trousers, also one pair of jeans. I personally found it much more comfortable to wear under the bump trousers, especially when I got big because I was hot and found most things restrictive. For that reason, I ended up hating my bump band. I got it from Toys R Us. It was lycra and I used it a lot at first because I felt like it supported me and stopped my tummy from sticking out, but sitting at a desk all day, it ended up just cutting in and being completely unbreathable. Yuck I was so happy to get rid of it!

Oh, I had one top from Mothercare but I wouldn't recommend them at all. I found their sizes to be completely off, expensive, and everything was made wrong. The trousers ran small and had no give around the waist, and their tops were cut badly and didn't allow for bras, and were either far too long or far too short. Blooming Marvellous has some nice things, but I never ended up buying from there.

 

[EM4]

Thank you for the info.
So are Peacocks and New look better for price and styles they offer? Does anybody know what they quality is like as you'd want it to last.
Whats the most comfortable out of under the bump and over the bump? The over bump doesn't look the nicest!

 

[nori]

Thank you for the info.
So are Peacocks and New look better for price and styles they offer? Does anybody know what they quality is like as you'd want it to last.
Whats the most comfortable out of under the bump and over the bump? The over bump doesn't look the nicest!

I didnt find much in peacocks apart from my nursing nightshirts im taking to hospital. New looks quality i cant really fault. Ive only had under the bump jeans but i'd say when you are at the end of the pregnancy they tend to push on the bladder a bit too much so over the bump maybe better.

 

[Magic Monkey]

I hardly bought any actual maternity clothes -

I had 1 pair of work trousers that were from Topshop and were SOOO comfy, I also had a couple of pairs of jeans, a pair of combats and a pair of jogging bottoms from Next. I was absolutely HUGE and I never needed maternity tops, I just bought long jumpers/tops in a bigger size, and they accomodated my bump easily. I had a coat that was a normal one from Tesco, that just buttoned at the top. As I was big at xmas I bought a normal stretchy dress from Jane Norman that was a couple of sizes too big and I wore that too all my xmas parties.

With regards to over/under bump, I think it is personal preference and depends on the shape of your bump, so it is best to try them on and see. I personally preferred under the bump, but they had to actually sit under it - my jeans from Next sat a bit too high and therefore cut into the bottom of my bump.

I also found that maternity clothes were a rip off, so stuck to essentials that I will wear again next time, and didn't buy fashionable stuff.

 

[Hazel]

I would only buy a couple of things as and when you need them. I made the mistake of going and buying lots of things with the idea they would last me all pregnancy then I got a fat arse halfway through and had water retention so ballooned everywhere so had to go and buy more clothes in bigger sizes.

I personally preferred under bump as was hot with the over the bump stuff bt it was middle of summer, the belly bands were a lifesaver for me as none of my clothes met in the middle towards the end