Maternity clothes - what to wear when you get really big?

[sanity girl]

Just wondering if any of you have advice about what to wear for those final weeks of pregnancy when you start to get really massive. First pregnancy I only got big right at the end and it was the winter, so I don't have anything from then that I can wear now. I am 33.5 weeks and have already grown out of a lot of the maternity clothes I bought this time! I find that under the bump trousers just fall down, tops don't cover enough bump, the only comfy things are leggings/tracky bottoms and stretchy dresses. Any advice on good places to look for nice cheap things, or does anyone have some size 12/14 stuff they no longer need and want to sell/pass on?

[Fuschia]

By the end with the twins I lived in a pair of yoga style pants (size 20 and I am usually 12/14!) from mothercare, a stretchy long skirt I had from DS1, and my trusty pjs!

[Fuschia]

http://www.mothercare.com/Moda-Support-yoga-pants/dp/B000M8GJK0?_encoding=UTF8&

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mothercare-M2b-Maternity-Yoga-Pants-Size-12-Cost-/260641428296

[Ruth_Baldock]

I resigned myself to wearing leggings from Primark and 'mini dresses' which served as tops, also from Primark. I also lived in a long cardi, but I was really really hugely pregnant in December so maybe not so helpful now :/

[Helen GV]

maxi dresses!

[edanna]

I had a couple of drawstring linen skirts from H&M that weren't maternity but were brill for hot weather. Their maternity stuff is pretty good too.

[Moos]

My memory of my last trimester (for me was April-June) was that by the end anything 'to show off the bump' was totally inappropriate, and only loose and floaty would do. Over the bump trousers much more comforting and comfortable. In the warm weather, maybe one open 'waterfall'-stye cardigan should do serve as the only extra layer you need. Long dresses or short dresses as tops over leggings work well. I got a few things from Topshop and the maternity range at Debenham's which were cheap and I wore them till they fell apart. A bump-band can keep the gap quite well covered too.

Generally my thoughts on pregnant dressing:-

- The type of clothes that suited you before will (roughly) still suit you now

- I reckon it's harder to be a pregnant pear shape than a pregnant apple shape as all your good bits (tummy, bust, waist) disappear and the bad bits (ankles, hips) stay bad. Pregnant pears - show your shoulders and bust. Pregant apples - show your arms and ankles

- Sorry about the guidelines on back alignment but high heels are cheering even if for short stints - as long as a pair of flats are stashed in your bag

- Hurray for forumites who are selling their clothes 2nd hand! New clobber without the guilt..

1st trimester- Wear normal clothes as long as you can and if you have any fat-day clothes they will be your friend

- It's bad enough feeling sick and tired without looking it as well. Get a good concealer and put your make-up on even when you can't be arsed (I didn't do this, and felt really depressed when I saw my grey face in the mirror)

2nd trimester- really good pregnancy jeans are a fantastic investment

- wear your bump with pride with fitted tops and dresses

3rd trimester- go for loose and floaty

- yay for accessories - it's fun to be able to shop for something, I raided lots of the highstreet stores for big chunky necklaces. Even if you have to wear the same tiny wardrobe all the time, at least you can put different jewellery on!

[alethea]

I've got some bits if you like, black wrap dress, black trousers, couple of tops, leggings, pretty much all size 12, was wondering what to do with them, pm me if you want them.

Ax

[nicolemodesti]

My summer pregnancy consisted of stretchy maternity trousers (Next) Smock tops, over the bump leggings (H&M) and dresses from H&M. I also found some linen maternity trousers at New Look. Sorry have passed mine on. Also found wrap round dresses to be brilliant. Oh yes and H&M did some great under bump shorts with adjustable waist band which also helped after birth.

Good luck I found it a trial to dress for the summer especially working!!

[Belle]

maxi-dresses are a great idea - I think that Celestial on Lordship Lane has some in that are quite cheap and would do for after baby is born too, maybe with cardie if it gets cooler. Think pretty pregnant have a sale on as do Jojo, though realise both still quite dear.

[sanity girl]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think leggings and dresses/floaty tops are the way to go. I will check out the dresses in celestial and alethea, I have PMed you, thank you. I did look in Jojo but their clothes are pretty useless if you are tall (tops end mid belly for me!). I will also make a trip to the fab new H&M in Brixton to see if they have anything that will work.

[Belle]

There's an h&m in Brixton?? Hurrah!

[sanity girl]

Yes, where woolworths used to be. It's great - especially if you go first thing when it opens in the morning

[fearnpw1]

I'm spending my last trimester in leggings with dresses over the top - if I get too hot I can always take the leggings off and pop them in my bag! Topshop has great for some cute maternity dresses.

[jollybaby]

Am afraid I'm much less glamorous - maternity tracksuit bottoms from H&M! When my sister gave them to me I was in my first trimester - and I swore that I would never, ever wear them but took them to be polite. A couple of weeks ago I spied them in my drawer and thought they look comfy . . . . I've barely been out of them since. I may have to find something a bit more glam for a party tomorrow though.

[Belle]

Zara have some lovely (non maternity but v floaty and comfy) tunics in that are nice with leggings

[Smiler]

George at Asda and New Look maternity wear is bargainous. Or ebay.

[dulwichmum]

Dear sanity girl,

I completely understand your situation. I was pregnant during high summer the first time and the second time I was enormous all through Winter. H&M is great for bits and pieces, but do check out Isabella Oliver online - their clothes are sensational and the sale is on now!

http://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes/uk

A couple of really well cut tops/dresses will make you feel human, and a few well chosen items can be worn after baby is born too, without looking like maternity wear. Mama-la-mode are having a sale too, and much of their clothing is 75% off. I still wear some of the clothes I bought from them and my youngest is 7!

http://www.mama-la-mode.com/

[esme]

i had some tracksuit bottom / stretch trousers from peacocks and they were excellent - stretchy waistband too so you could either roll it up over your tummy or down to under your bump. i literally lived in them and they only cost ?6 but were probably the most useful item of clothing i had during pregnancy. in this weather you will probably be most comfy with leggings that fit under your bump and loose fitting tops. good luck with the last few weeks, i don't envy you in this heat!

[kerry.finlay]

Got most of my maternity gear online at ASOS - free returns a godsend. Just order loads and send it back if not right. I'm 27 weeks and living in their gorgeous linen trousers and Gap wrap short sleeve tops, but my guilty pleasure is changing into ASOS leggings and dress or big t-shirt as soon as I get home from work! They have an ace sale section too.

[jollybaby]

Bought the most amazing trousers yesterday - lounging pants from Gap. Not from their maternity range but they have one of those big bands that you can fold over or under your bump. I'm wearing a large and they fit over my 35 week bump with ease (I wasn't particularly skinny pre pregnancy either). They're a really soft, silky cotton and look a lot smarter than my H&M tracky bums - I think I may go back to buy another pair as I think they're going to be great for hospital/post natal period too. Is it possible to be in love with an item of clothing?!

[mummynegin]

I also recommend Isabella Oliver. Their clothes are expensive, but this time around I've bought 2 beautiful dresses from there and they'll keep me going until the end of my pregnancy. I'm 34 weeks now and massive. Last pregnancy I bought lots of cheaper clothes and they just didn't look good and didn't last through to the end of the 3rd trimester. I'm really pleased with my 2 Isabella Oliver dresses and ok so I wear the same outfit every other day, but I often get complimented by total strangers and it's lovely to get compliments when your bump is the size of an elephant!

[RoseM111]

I would suggest Seraphine, their stuff are wroth it in terms of price, comfort and elegance. I love their dress range and have already bought a wide range of them including jeans, leggings, nursing vests and to spoil myself a chic baby bag too. One less thing to stress about for me.

[cellinenicky]

I prefer the maternity dresses, various of maternity dresses through the pregnancy process, cause the maternity dresses are convenient and soft, as well as many types for different occasions. Recently I got several times from amazon for my outdoor photo shooting and the coming new year party night with this guide

http://bit.ly/2GUXQwb