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thread: Formal wear when pregnant?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Question Formal wear when pregnant?

    Hi

    Hope this is the correct place to post this. I am currently just over 19 weeks pregnant and have a formal (black tie) dinner to go to on 21st June - so approx 5-6 weeks time. I have quite a few formal dresses but of course NONE of them will fit me at that stage

    Can anyone give me any suggestions of where I can get a nice formal maternity dress that won't cost the earth. I am looking for something that is full lenght rather than ****tail lenght. Am living on the Northern Beaches but can travel elsewhere if there is a good shop to go to.

    Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

    Meadsie

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    ...not far enough away :)
    1,413

    I'm not sure where you can buy them, there are several online shops but some of them are a bit expensive. I got a great dress, wore when I was 36wks....bought on ebay - love it. Thought I would never wear it again & what do you know I have a wedding in Oct & Nov.

    Only other suggestion is buying a dress in a bigger size, not a maternity one. Like perhaps a Maxi dress if you want something long. I have a beach wedding in Nov & will look into a maxi dress with belt for that one.

  3. #3
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Apr 2009
    3,750

    I was going to suggest ebay also. If you can get a bargain then even if you don't like it you can always sell it again. My brothers wedding I will be 25weeks and I am going to look on ebay for a maternity formal dress. Good luck finding your dress. Some dresses that are not maternity dresses are loose enough around the middle for your belly if you can find one of those. The only problem with a normal dress is you have to watch the front of the dress is not several inches shorter then the back of the dress.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    8,986

    I think a dress with an empire waist would work well if there is nothing you like in the way of maternity dresses. You could just have it hemmed so it's level all the way around.

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber & MPM

    Feb 2007
    Melbourne
    5,462

    Try Pumpkin Patch, they have an online store where they have lots of great specials or even look in one of their stores. My friend picked up a gorgeous formal dress from one of their stores for only $30

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Melbourne
    1,521

    I bought a formal dress from ripe maternity wear. It was a little expensive but it was soo gorgeous and I love it. I've worn it a few times since I bought it and it's the kind of dress I can put away for my next bub and could possibly wear even when not pregnant.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Thanks ladies. Will give all these ideas a go and let you know how I get on. Didn't want to leave it too long before I started looking but know that I will pop out quite a bit between now and then.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Oct 2005
    Cherry Tree Lane
    1,108

    i went to portmans fact outlet adn got and empre line evning dress for $20 woth a try

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    Dulwich Hill, Sydney
    23

    Hi Meadsie,

    there are some good things on eBay, but it can be a bit tricky buying with out trying I've found as everyone carries a bit differently. There's a store in Sydney which has a good range of brands and styles and I know they have evening/formal things too - they have a store in the Picadilly Centre on Pitt St and one at Killarney Heights.

    They're called Just Maternity and you'll find them on the web, but they don't have their range on line.

    Hope that helps!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    South West Sydney, NSW
    2,454

    I am going out this weekend to try to find something to wear to a wedding on 6 June 2009 - will be 25 weeks pg when the wedding is on - I am going to try to find something that is relatively fitted around the bust and then just flows cause I am not sure how much I will change in 3 weeks but don't want to leave it too late to get something! We are going to Parramatta Westfields as we will be out that way after attending the Pregnancy, Babies and Children Expo at Rosehill Gardens this weekend

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Add NaeNae on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    South Gippsland
    3,753

    I was in CityChick with my bestie a few weeks ago and they had some lovely evening wear in there that you could use for maternity easily. It is a bit on the exxy side but then you could always sell it on through a place like ebay?!

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Perth, WA
    408

    EziBuy is pretty good for maxi dresses etc and prices are good, just go up a size put a belt under your boobies and your ready to groove..

  13. #13
    smiles4u Guest

    Oh darn ... i just sold my gorgeous maternity dress i couldn't part with for 3years that i wore when i was 25wks preg for my 40th b'day party ... it was red & had a Marilyn Monroe style to it like when she stood over that famous vent

    If you know anyone in Melb the shopping strip for maternity formal dresses is on Glenferrie Rd, Malvern

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Sydney
    104

    Szabo Maternity often have gorgeous formal style dresses, they have stockists around the country and their catalogue is on their website. Have been eyeing some of their stuff off for awhile, but no reason yet to need to buy a formal dress while pg. Hope I do though cos I would love to wear a gorgeous dress with a big bump!

  15. #15
    smiles4u Guest

    Thumbs up

    turtlejane ... can't believe it as i was racking my brain trying to remember the label of the maternity dress i mentioned above and it was the label Szabo that you mentioned

    Was a gorgeous quality & beautiful classy formal dress, proper sizing (not a tagged L being a S) & i paid only about $120 for it a few years ago

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Thumbs up

    Thanks Ladies

    Looks like great minds think alike - so much for baby brain eh?

    Picked up a gorgous Szabo maternity dress at the weekend in Maternity Shop in Warringah Mall (Bella Maternity) Beautiful cut and really flattering - think it will get even better as I get bigger Also proper sizing like Smile4U said. $200 and won't need to get thing done to it - being a short arse at only 5ft I normally have to get dresses taken up.

    Thanks for everyones tips and suggestions.

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Sydney
    104

    That's great Meadsie! And I bet you look gorgeous in it too!

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    South West Sydney, NSW
    2,454

    Whoo hoo - another very happy Szabo dress owner here! Got my dress yesterday... it is so flattering and can be worn when not preg as well... fabulous! Will post a link to a piccie over the next few days

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