Maternity clothes - what basic pieces and how many bits do I need?

[FabFiona]

I had to buy maternity jeans long ago, but I've been able to manage on the rest of my normal clothes. Because I lost so much weight in the first trimester, my normal clothes have lasted much longer than I expected. In the last few weeks I've been able to get away with just wearing a band thing under my tops.

However, I've come to a crunch point. I can no longer fit into my normal, trusty work pants. My tops are just not really working any more. It's all gone bad!!!!!

So, I'm trying to work out what I need. I'm not a big shopping fan, largely because I walk around for 20 minutes then get sick of it. I don't want to spend a heap of money.

My work attire is professional. Not suits or anything, but certainly dress pants / skirts, shirts and other office wear.

What do people think I'll need to keep me going? We are coming into warmer weather so I'm also aware of that.

[CrystalBoo]

I can't help as far as professional wear goes, but have you tried one of the waist extender things on your normal pants and skirts? Just a piece of elastic with a button and buttonholes really. Then you could cover up with a belly band.
Also, maybe online shopping is more for you. Try ebay even.
Sorry can't help more.

[Nai]

A good pair of balck stretchy pants with a fold-over waistband is a must! I wore mine almost every day to work and on weekends - dress them up with a shirt and jacket or down with a t-shirt. They wash and dry quickly and don't need ironing. I also wore them for a few months post-birth.

Then you will probably need a few t-shirts, shirts and singlet tops as well as a light skirt and sundress for warmer weather.

[Peach*]

I think it depends on your style too, do you need clothes for work as well as the weekend?
For casual clothes I just got about 4 singlets in large from cotton on and wore those with wrap around skirts and denim shorts with waist bands over the buttons.
I only bought 2 'maternity' items in total, one being the belly-pant-button expander thingy CrystalBoo mentioned and a black dress off ebay.
Not too sure about work though... I think kmart is cheap for maternity wear??

[Fuzzywuzzy]

A good pair of balck stretchy pants with a fold-over waistband is a must! I wore mine almost every day to work and on weekends - dress them up with a shirt and jacket or down with a t-shirt. They wash and dry quickly and don't need ironing. I also wore them for a few months post-birth.

Then you will probably need a few t-shirts, shirts and singlet tops as well as a light skirt and sundress for warmer weather.

I got a couple of pairs of these pants from big w for like $15-20 each. They were fantastic and i wore them everyday to work

[Miss E]

I found leggings were the most comfortable thing ever when I was pregnant. I'd wear them with a simple dress over the top or quite often with just a t-shirt and a long cardie. Still wearing them now actually because my pre-baby clothes are still a bit tight lol

[grub17]

hey there, I use the expander belt someone else mentioned but also went up a pant size. But lately i found skirts much more comfortable than pants.

i work in an office too and have gotten away with mostly regularly clothes and 1 pair of black maternity pants... until now. I've only 3 weeks left at work and relying heavily on dresses with tights underneath and skirts and tops.

as for shirts, a cousin lent me a huge bag of maternity tops - including 5-6 ones that really suit the work environment.

lately i've found large, roomy, soft and comfy clothes much much more appealing. I have found the pants even with the belts uncomfy in the arvo when i'm sitting at my desk and my belly is at it's biggest.

good luck with it hun.

[*Infinity*]

A good pair of balck stretchy pants with a fold-over waistband is a must!

Yep, definitely! I got mine from Target, plus a couple of 3/4 length pants with roll down waist for summer. They got worn to death, and they're fine now even post-preggo!

Buy some stretchy staple tops - I went for black. Cotton On clothing are good for basics. The main thing to look for is their LENGTH. You need that extra bit to go over the tum. Try and find a few little cardies (or shrug type thingos) that can jazz up a plain black top. Long flowy tops in baby doll style - they can stretch over your belly, and you can still wear them afterwards too. Long shirts, put a belt under your boobs to jazz it up.

The only 'maternity' item I bought was jeans and I lived in them on weekends and post birth too.

[NaeNae]

I have 2 black over belly slacks and 1 over belly jeans in the way of pants. In tops I have a bit of a collection as some things were handed down to me, but I mainly wear now just my Mat t-shirts with my Mat cardigan (if its cool).

I have also just recently brought off ebay some breastfeeding singlets for summer and figured I could probably get away with them and a cardi before the seasons get cooler.

A lady in a shop suggested 1 good jean, 1 good black pant 2 t-shirt 1 lighter long sleeve top and 1 warm top so that you can layer.

Hope this helps OH BTW if you ar eplanning on buying stuff look for things that you can use for BF as well. My fav 3 tops will reveal my belly if I wear them for feeding.

Nae x

[*EJ*]

I'm also not much help on the professional wear side of things but i second the black stretchy pants (got mine from Big W also) they may be useful for work and casual.

I mainly bought non-marternity clothes in large sizes (was a bit cheaper that way) and was able to wear them for those few weeks/months after the prenancy still.

I lived in the stetchy breastfeeding singlets, went well under things or as a top under a cardigan. Obviously wore them and still wear them now 7 months after giving birth.

I think i had maybe 3 actual maternity tops that i was able to get away with throughout the whole pregnancy.

All i can say is think comfort, it'll be a must for you if it isn't already.

The belly belt was useful also.

I hope that helps a bit