Sarah+

Hi Ladies,

I'm not quite in this section yet, so am just sneaking in to ask your advice on the best maternity wear items to buy. (We are currently living in Asia and the choice isn't great, so I'm going to buy some items through e-bay/on-line, so I'll need to get in early!)

What are your top pics? Which brands work? Any tips?
Especially for stuff that allows you to keep going with your regular items for as long as possible. e.g. belly bands.

Thanks heaps

esther

Since you are living in Asia it must get pretty hot and humid, similar to what I experience here in Australia. I found the best buys are a good maternity bra - get sized up at about 12 weeks and allow an extra cup size because they will grow more. Also nice flowy tops that don't constrict you too much and also a really nice comfy pair of pants and some nice summer dresses. I am still not ready for full on maternity clothes, I have a pair nice black maternity pants and a skirt for work and a few loose tops and then I just wear long maxi summer dresses every other time!

Sarah+

Yeah, it gets pretty hot here! I think the dress idea is going to be a great one, as I can imagine nothing worse than being heavily pregnant, in tight clothes and hot! Thanks

esther

Absolutely! I am struggling in the humid heat here at the moment and it is only going to get hotter by February. So definitely get loose flowy materials that don't suffocate you, its the worst feeling having a growing bump and having your clothes cling to you. There are heaps of really lovely summer maxi dresses on ebay, so you should definitely check them out. I have bought a heap off there - and they are great because you can get more formal ones as well as casual and beachy ones.

Ravelyn

I live in Ontario, Canada, and we of course are in the heart of our winter, so i don't have to compete with the heat, I sympathize with you ladies that do.

I purchased a lot of long loose fitting tops and basic track pants/spandex in larger sizes. I also invested in 4 larger bras. I'm usually an A36, and purchased 2 B36 and 2 C36 from LaSenza (Canadian equivalant to Victoria Secret) with large straps. I also bought one summer maternity dress, 1 pair of maternity jeans and maternity dress pants. I think I'll be good to go until the baby is born in May.

But I agree... loose fitting tops, dresses are your best bet. And definitely invest in GOOD bras. You do not want to purchase bras with no support or ones that are with small straps as they will dig into your shoulders and cause you back problems.

tasha41

Semi-loose fitting t-shirts (okay, that's confusing.. not oversized, just loose!) are something I swear by, I definitely feel most comfortable wearing these!!

I hate wearing jeans now that I'm pregnant? Maternity or other.. the cotton blends for dress pants, etc. are way more comfortable!

Boot cut & tight jeans aren't flattering on pregnant bodies from what I've seen.

Halle71

I agree with you about tight jeans Tasha, especially skinny fit that loads of shops seem to have in at he moment. I'm worried that I would end up looking like the Penguin from Batman with a big round body and skinny legs

I'm still waititng for a proper bump but I've stared buying stuff for when I have to stop wearing regular clothes.
I'm going for comfy 'boyfriend' cut jeans with tightish tops or vests to balance out my proportions and I've bought a few dresses that aren't maternity but are empire line so I can wear them afterwards as well. I don't want to spend much money on things I'll only get 3 months wear out of and I'm sure that I will need a bit of space after the birth as well.

I've got a load of stuff from eBay and you can get some good bargains...

oursarah

I'm buying tops that are one size bigger than I normally wear. I've got a pair of combat style maternity trousers from New Look that are the most comfortable pair of trousers I've ever worn! And a pair of smart black maternity trousers for work, also from New Look. I really need some more trousers that are suitable for work but I just can't find any I like!

oursarah

The main thing I'm having problems with is shoes! I normally live in high heels, but obviously that's not really convenient now! Someone suggested flat pumps but they really hurt my feet, and I just can't find any nice, flat shoes or boots that don't cost the earth!

Sarah+

Thanks for all the advice Ladies

Anyone tried Belly-Bands?