When you first get pregnant, it can be tempting to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe to accommodate your bump.
This can also be quite expensive! It is also tricky as many high street retailers only stock a small selection of maternity clothes and usually only in their major stores. This means a trip into Leeds or Bradford, which you can often do without as your bump gets bigger and moving around becomes more of an effort.
Size
As a general rule of thumb, you should buy maternity clothes in the same size as you were before you got pregnant. Although bear in mind that people put on weight in different places during pregnancy, so you may find you need a bigger or even smaller size.
Nearly New
Second hand maternity clothes are usually in excellent condition as they are only worn for a short period of time. Here are some ideas of where you can get them from:
- Freecycle
The idea of Freecycle is that people offer up unwanted goods for free – all you have to do is pick them up. There are sometimes bundles of maternity clothes. Failing that, there are quite a lot of baby items, so it is probably a good idea to join. There is a Freecycle group for Ilkley, Otley and Bradford. - Ebay
There are many bargains to be had on Ebay. It is also brilliant for second hand-baby clothes. You can buy a big bunddle of each size with all you could possibly need for around £40. If you are not already a user, it is worth signing up. - Nearly New Sales
There are a number of nearly new sales in the area. Those run by the NCT (in Ilkley and Saltaire) are very popular, but there are also a number of sales run by local churches and toddler groups. They tend to be held in the Spring and in the Autumn. See the MoorMums events calendar for local sales. - Friends and family
It is always worth asking friends and family if they have any maternity clothes you could borrow. For the second trimester, clothes in a bigger size than your own can be good. - Maternity clothes library
Local breastfeeding support group run by La Leche League have started a maternity clothes library for mums-to-be to borrow clothes.
Online retailers
- Isabella Oliver
MoorMum Barbara from Menston says: “Their clothes are really comfortable and, wash well but, are expensive. However, I always work on the basis that you can spend a tenner on something and wear it once or, a hundred on something that you wear loads!! Their stuff is designed to fit throughout your pregnancy and beyond! I’ve had loads of stuff sent through to try on and, they are really good about returns and, refund your money quickly. As an added treat, they arrive in a really nice box all wrapped in tissue paper which makes your purchase feel extra special!!” - JoJo Maman Bebe
Reasonably priced stylish clothes inspired by French fashion. Great for basics like jeans and work trousers. They also have a good range of baby stuff. - Vert Baudet
A great range of maternity clothes at low prices.
High Street stores
- Marks and Spencer
Fantastic for maternity and nursing bras. - Mothercare
A good range of maternity wear and underwear. - H&M
Very fashionable and bargain prices – great combination.
Your views
If you would like to recommend somewhere to get maternity wear from, please contact us.
http://www.moormums.co.uk/whats-on/mum-and-baby-groups/breastfeeding-support-group-ilkley/