Buying maternity clothes

[Fuschia]

Where should I go?

I rarely go clothes shopping full stop, then usually M&S or primark. I am not a great consumer.. 1st pg I went up to marble arch IIRC and went to a few shops (my boyfriend seemed to have some inside info that H&M and Dorothy Perkins sell maternity stuff)

With the twins I got stuff on ebay.

But I sold all that stuff, now I need to start again and TBH I should bite the bullet and go on a shopping trip.

[Ruth_Baldock]

When I was pregnant, I went a bit insane and saw it as a golden oppurtunity to buy loads of new clobber. Fair does. 'Blooming Marvellous' is really good- a bit more pricey but the clothes are nicer and better quality than some of my topshop stuff which went a bit baggy and naff. The nearest store is in Bluewater I believe. Hennes were also pretty good, especially for jeans.

[Fuschia]

I must confess I have never been to Bluewater and the thought makes me feel a bit pale but needs must, maybe. When I say I am not a great shopper, I mean I avoid shops as far as possible.... onlien shopping isn't very good though if you are not sure what size you are going to need.

[ludoscotts]

hi fushia, I got a lot of mat clothes from new look but not all of their store do there mat range. But if there is a way of finding out which ones do then its worth a look, def most reasonable and comfortable that I found and good price for clothes you will only wear for a few months. Think combat style trs and jeans were ?8-12.

Ive never been to blue water either so if you fancy a virgin shopping trip let me know, leanne

[candj]

I think H&M do sell maternity clothes as does Top Shop which I bought a few 'trendy' things from. Also bought stuff from GAP maternity which I really liked as they were simple pieces like khaki trousers and jeans which come in a variety of waistband sizes and styles. I didn't buy too many maternity tops as I was able to wear normal shirts, blouses or tank tops most of the time. For special events I would buy one dress/outfit from Formes but they are uber expensive for an outfit you would literally wear once!

Have fun shopping!!

[nikki73]

Also second Gap. I got a couple of pair of jeans from there and a pair of black trousers which was perfect for work. I bought the jeans around this time of year and they were a tenner or so in the sale. I also bought a couple of T shirts from New look - the one in the City stocks maternity wear. I think they also have their collection online so you can check whether you like the style. I think formes has closed. Lovely stuff but pricey. On the whole though I mainly bought "regular" tuniques in slightly bigger sizes. Got most in Zara and a couple in Cos. And bigger size tank tops in H&M. Retrospectively it would probably have been worth investing in breastfeeding tank tops at the time. Oh and one of my colleagues who had v nice outfits would get them from mamas and papas. Better stop now I could go on for hours...

[nikki73]

Fuschia just saw a separate post on maternity vests which might be useful

[amydown]

Hi Fuschia,

I am in the process of setting up an on-line shop specialising in maternity/ breastfeeding clothes. Currntly concentrating on smart clothes for work/ weddings but am widening my range to casual stuff too.

I currently have a stock of sample clothes that I have ordered and you are welcome to come and try them on! I will be launching the shop more formally this summer once I have everything set up.

[Fuschia]

If I went to BlueWATER can I assume all these shops are there in one place?

[katgod]

Yep agree the fashion for tunic type tops generally means much less need for maternity gear. New look jeans are great. The summer sales are on - got most of my tunic tops in french connection sale last year.think I have a black staight office type skirt lurking still that u welcome too-have passed the rest on already. Even sainsburys will have tunic tops that will work with bump I am sure

Bluewater has gap new look bloomin marvellous marks (also so mat wear) and H and M (cheap and cheerful mat range in there) dorothy perkins and top shop altho not sure top shop there has at range and TBH I feel too untrendy for top shop now!!! Is quite overwhelming there but good changing facilities and lots of cafes and nice and flat if have buggy with you.

[EDL]

H&M, Topshop, New Look, GAP, Mothercare - I found good maternity gear at all those shops. GAP maternity jeans were the best.

I also bought a couple of things from Pretty Pregnant on North Cross Rd. The quality was not all that frankly - I'd stick to the high street.

I just took the 176 to Oxford Circus and hit GAP, Topshop and H&M (Regent St branch does maternity). Mamas and Papas is also on Regent St and they had some lovely maternity clothes. And of course Bravissimo on Margaret Street for maternity bras for v big boobs.

[Pickle]

My favourite maternity clothes came from Pumpkin Patch - their maternity jeans are fab and they do a good range of tops, skirts etc. If Bluewater scares you, you could go to Bromley, Pumpkin Patch is there as well as H&M etc. and a lot of the stores there do maternity lines.

P x

[Clazza]

Bluewater isn't really that scary. Avoid weekends if possible. Loads of parking. Nice & light/airy. Yes everything is under the one roof.

[slh2009]

I'm a self-confessed shopoholic so have been a bit disappointed in the maternity ranges in stores, and have resorted to online shopping where there is a much wider choice generally. I know it is a bit of a pain re sizing but I have some lovely linen trousers and jeans from Next. They have lots more things online than I have seen in their shops. Had not thought of looking in Gap for jeans (not sure why as my "normal" ones are from there!)....so thanks for that tip. Happy shopping! :)

[Smiler]

Second the recommendations for New Look - don't normally shop there, but many bargains and very nice, comfy and stylish jeans for ?14, also smart linen trousers for about the same.

[jollybaby]

Oh maternity shopping . . . . . . where to start. I'm feeling ridiculously guilty after having a big blow out yesterday at Mamas and Papas on Regent Street. By the time I made it to gap I felt so bad I didn't buy any more but agree their jeans and trousers were lovely and fitted really well.

I've bought a couple of things from Pretty Pregnant - one dress that I've a feeling will be a total waste of money but would really recommend the black jersey skirt from their Queen Mum collection. I've been wearing it almost every other day to work and almost dread the days when it's in the wash.

Jeans wise - I'd avoid the top shop maternity ones - both my friend and I have them and agree you spend most of your time pulling them up. I wish I'd gone to gap at the start. I haven't ventured into New Look or H&M yet (though soon will be to get my vest situation sorted) but was very disappointed with the M&S maternity range. I think I may ahev heard zara do maternity too but I've always found their shops hard to navigate round for normal clothes so haven't given them a try. My far more shopping savvy pregnant friend also swears by ASOS on line.

[ClareC]

Def go to Bluewater mid week, remember it doesnt open until 10 am though. They do have all the best shops for maternity wear! H&M, Topshop, River Island, Blooming Marvelous, Gap.

Closer to home I got a few bits in Jo Jo mama babe and secon hand on this forum!

I got jeans in Gap which were fab, really comfy and flattering too! Topshop did great vest tops - the selection at Topshop Bluewater wasn't that wide, got mine at the Oxford Circus store, there is a maternity store on the Regent Steet entrance.

[Princess]

I like you, am not a big shopper and got quite a few bits online from http://www.seraphine.com/ Really good quality t-shirts, jeans, denim skirts etc and super easy to return things if they didn't fit. I also had some success with ASOS. Again it was easy to return the few bits that didn't fit or I just didn't like.

[Vickster]

Onlnie also try Crave Maternity

[Ko]

bromley has maternity clothes at next, mothercare, H&M and pumpkin patch. i particularly liked pumpkin patch and next had a good choice too.

[marscapone]

TopShop Oxford Circus had big changing rooms with seats and a water dispenser when I last went - was a real pleasure buying trousers there

[jalapeno]

Hi Fuschia,

I've several new pairs of maternity trousers which I never got around to wearing at the time of pregnancy. Am not sure if you'd be interested in them but thought I'd mention, given your reluctance to shop. You can have them free. (I think price tags are still attached)

One cream

One light brown, both 100% cotton - mothercare.

Do Pm me if interested.

[curlykaren]

I've still got my mat stuff, you are welcome to any of the stuff that fits/will fit you. Send me a pm and will meet you at park cafe one day x

[Fuschia]

Well, we ventured out to Bromley yesterday. I must say my shopping experience wasn't entirely pleasurable.. M was having a buggy refusenik day so MrF took the boys while I had her on reins... irst stop H&M where she lay on the ground scresming in the maternity aisle (I made a swift exit)

M&S, new look, primark I couldn't spot any maternity (quick dash in and out)

Mothercare - all horrible

Finally managed to buy soem tops in Next. Twins then covered themselves in icing at a nearby patisserie and tried to run off....

[snowboarder]

F - sounds horrendous. I like shopping but can't bear going with babysb. You need to leave them ALL at home!! And make it into a nice day, and go for lunch etc.