Maternity clothes - what's necessary? Calling all pregnancy veterans

dizziblonde

I'm plus size and therefore finding maternity clothes is a pain in the backside anyway. I also wear a lot of empire line type tops normally (the ones that flare out under the chest) to hide my backside. Because of that I found I got through the entire pregnancy on two pairs of black jersey maternity trousers, one pair of maternity jeans and my existing collection of tops and slobby jogging bottoms for around the house.

I didn't put on much weight though (I was back in my normal jeans within a week - don't hate me!) and never really got a good-shaped bump - I remained a ridiculous peanut shaped bump throughout - and never got to the hugely massive stage as she arrived at 33 weeks anyway!

boat_girl

I had 2 pairs of maternity jeans, 1 dress and everything else was mostly stretchy normal clothes, leggings etc. As with all aspects of pregnancy and babies, you can go as crazy or as mse as you like.

suki1001

My best buy was a pair of normal jogging bottoms from New look. I struggled in the last few weeks to fit comfortably into my maternity trousers, but these were amazing. It helped that they had a wide waistband and no tight elastic. They stretched for ages, but didn't go baggy. They were so comfortable.

Then I could wear them normally, so I wore them through my 2 pregnancies and then normally after and then my sisters used them through their 2 pregnancies and after. My sister had recently had a baby and she was wearing them, they did to be honest look like they'd seen better days, but lasting 12 years and 6 pregnancies - I'm impressed, definitely a brilliant buy! They were a different shape to me and still found them very comfy.

I never bought nursing bra's or tops and I breastfed. Like others said - see how you go and aim for things you can wear after.

janninew

I think a lot depends on how you dress for work, I have to look smart so ordered a few pairs of Next black maternity trousers and a few smart blouses. For dossing at home I just wore my usual jogging bottoms but kept them below my bump. I think you need a least one pair of maternity jeans as normal jeans get quite uncomfortable and start to dig in. Also I found maternity leggings to be dirt cheap and much more comfortable than 'normal' leggings, I think if you bought the next few sizes up they wouldn't fit well round your bum or legs! I didn't buy any new nightwear or knickers, but did go to Debenhams for proper maternity bra's.

I've just sold loads of maternity stuff on Ebay, I had a few bits with labels still attached as I had my baby at 28 weeks so never wore them, I sold them for a good amount, so if money is tight maybe check Ebay for bargains!

KateLiana27

Thanks everyone for the great advice! That's really helpful.

I have a good few empire line style dresses which I was hoping to get away with. They look roomy enough, but I just don't know how big these bumps get. Guess I'll find out...!

It's reassuring to know I don't need to budget for a whole new wardrobe. Phew.

Nicki

KateLiana27 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the great advice! That's really helpful.

I have a good few empire line style dresses which I was hoping to get away with. They look roomy enough, but I just don't know how big these bumps get. Guess I'll find out...!

It's reassuring to know I don't need to budget for a whole new wardrobe. Phew.

It's not just the bump unfortunately. You may find your "bangers" as Gok calls them, expand to unbelievable proportions, so the dresses look a bit odd on. I went up one band size and about 4 cup sizes in my last pregnancy, so if I had tried to wear an existing empire line dress, the seam which should sit below the bust, would have ruled a nice straight line between my nipples . Which would not have been the look I was aiming for :rotfl:. Also as the tummy gets bigger, your dresses may get a lot shorter at the front, but not at the back, so a maxi could be mid calf length or even higher at the front and just above the ankle at the back, which can also look a bit strange. But you won't know until you are a bit further along what will fit from your existing wardrobe and what will just look and feel uncomfortable. Your best option might be to keep a small pot of money in reserve so you can buy a few more bits of maternity wear if you need them, or spend it on baby equipment after the baby is born if you don't.

muffintop

If you need a formal reasonable skirt for work, Topshop currently have stretchy jersey black maternity pencil skirts (£25). I've got two and I wear them almost constantly for work, together with a maternity business jacket I got from eBay - a brand called Business Bump (thank God for the seller - I've found nothing like that on the high street).

elmer

I complained to John Lewis that all their maternity clothes were huge, during my first pregnancy, I didnt realise I had a very small bump, I went into hospital to have her with my normal coat buttoned up!!

I found out with my second that you do need maternity clothes that size after all, so I would wait and see what happens, you might not need any maternity clothes at all.

elmer

KateLiana27

elmer wrote: »

I complained to John Lewis that all their maternity clothes were huge, during my first pregnancy, I didnt realise I had a very small bump, I went into hospital to have her with my normal coat buttoned up!!

I found out with my second that you do need maternity clothes that size after all, so I would wait and see what happens, you might not need any maternity clothes at all.

elmer

Yes, I've heard that the bump tends to be smaller with the first, what with you still having abdominal muscles to speak of...

Haha, poor John Lewis

cottonhead

I got by with 1 pair of work trousers and an elasticated skirt a pair of maternity jeans for weekends. Then some baggy tops which I had anyway and 2 nice tops for going out. I was lucky they were donated to me so it cost nothing but I see your point that maternity clothes are so expensive for such a short time. Perhaps a second hand maternity wear shop is a good business idea actually....! Dont forget the bras and also pajamas for hospital.