Maternity style I found was a hard nut to crack, I didnt want to spend loads of money on clothes I wasn't going to wear for very long. I tried to stay in my 'normal' clothes for as long as possible and I didnt want to fall into the trap of purchasing everything 'maternity'. Luckily for me, my current body shape allowed for me to purchase clothes in my 'normal size' that would suit a bump - flowy dresses (perfect for both summer and could be paired with tights in winter) and oversized jumpers as most of my pregnancy has been within the colder season and found these easy to pair with maternity leggings. Don't get me wrong I tried to out smart the system and some items I purchased in my normal size aiming to suit a bump also made me look even bigger than I was but as they werent maternity (and from the sale section) I didnt stress too much as I knew I could re-use these when back to my normal size.
I also struggled to find any type of maternity clothes in Gibraltar - Mothercare had ZERO size 8's or even 10's and my usual go to's of Topshop didn't stock maternity so online shopping it was! #thankyouASOS as well as some pieces I picked up in Madrid and the UK whilst I was on holiday.
My non-maternity staples were:
1. Pleated skirts - I purchased these for 20 euros each from H and M in Spain in both black and green - super versatile and in a size up from my normal size but not maternity - these both lasted me until I was 7 months - I found these easy to dress up and down and comfortable as it could rest above my bump. I also hope these will last once I am post-partum and in my transition back to my normal size.
2. Flowy dresses - I purchased again 2 of these, one in green and one in orange from New Look and less than £20 each. In this case I stuck to my normal size and they have lasted me throughout my pregnancy as they are flowly and shape well around the bump.
3. Oversized jumpers - I purchased a few of these from Primark and usually around the £10 mark. Again I purchased these in my normal size which would sit well with maternity leggings.
Although going throughout my whole pregnancy without some sort of maternity wear would have been a miracle I stuck to purchasing a few staples that would allow me be comfortable but practical.
My maternity staples were:
1. Maternity leggings - I purchased three of these in different colours which allowed me to dress them up or down depending on the occasion. I purchased these from ASOS and as a savvy online shopper I waited for the sales or purchased ones on the cheaper side and luckily they lasted throughout and I hope to use them in the stage after pregnancy also. Each legging ranged between £8-14.
2. Maternity jumpsuit/dungarees - this for me I have really used. It was something that was casual but could be suitable for both the cooler and warmer days dependent on the tshirt or long-sleeved roller neck I could put underneath. Again from ASOS I purchased this for only £17.50 (Sale from £35!). The tshirts I would wear underneath were those I already had and roller necks I picked up two from Primark in black and white in a size up from my normal size so they could be re-used after.
3. Maternity tights for me were a must, but I have managed to stick to only one pair throughout my pregnancy. I found it easier to switch between tights and a black pair of maternity leggings than over buying on either of the two - again ASOS for £8.
Sizing - At the beginning I found this to be an absolute nightmare, do you just go up a size in normal clothes? or purchase your normal size in maternity clothes? Who bloody knew! I found what worked best for me was to order my normal size in maternity clothes.
All in all, my top tips would be:
1. If you purchase maternity, think is it versitile and worth your money.
ASOS sales saved me and honestly why would you want to spend more on something you know you won't wear forever. I would happily either check the sale, wait for the 20% off which they do alot, or even wait for BLACK FRIDAY which is what I did for my baby shower outfit.
2. Once you don't fit into something remove it from your wardrobe and into storage - it really helps when going through the trying on process! It becomes less stressful as us girls know stressing about what does or doesnt fit isn't fun! It also allows for you to 'forget' what clothes you do have and feel you have a nice new wardrobe to come back to when you can fit back into them. - BONUS!
3. Try and use the clothes you do have for as long as possible, pregnancy is an exciting time and I can understand the excitement of buying new clothes however also think of your bank balance when doing so! Also, buying so much early on means you might get bored of those clothes too soon, so try hold out!
Until next time,
All our love,
Baby C and Me X
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