To help you look great and feel fabulous, Mamas & Papas provides a stylish, versatile, and comfortable range of maternity wear available online or at any of our stores throughout the UK and Ireland. Whether it’s for kicking about the house on a Sunday afternoon or jaunting off to that big wedding, Mamas & Papa’s maternity wear collections can see you through your pregnancy for work, play, and those special occasions.
To help you get the best out of your retail therapy, here are our top ten tips for buying your maternity clothes:
- Buy maternity clothes in your pre-pregnancy size rather than buy normal clothes a few sizes larger. Maternity clothes are specifically designed to give you extra room where you need it: in through the bust and bump.
- Choose natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen. During pregnancy, your blood volume and your metabolic rate increase and you’ll notice that you’re feeling hotter: that’s because the blood vessels in your skin are dilating, making your body temperature rise slightly. It's also common for skin to become sensitive to man-made fabrics, resulting in hot, scratchy rashes. Clothing made with natural fibers instead of man-made “breathe”, allowing air to circulate to keep you more comfortable.
- When you’re four months along, maternity clothes seem HUGE, so don’t be tempted to buy small. You might want to try using a small pillow when trying on clothes to get an idea of what you’ll look like at eight or nine months. Many tops and dresses are designed with an adjustable back tie to take up the extra material before you need it. By the time your third trimester rolls around, you’ll need that extra fabric!
- A little stretch goes a long way. Buy basic items in stretch fabrics. Cotton jersey is wonderful, and a little spandex is even better since it adds that bit of extra “give” and allows clothes to retain their shape.
- Make sure waistbands have plenty of room for expansion. You don't want to buy maternity clothes only to find you've outgrown them a month later. Look for rib top, drawstring, and adjustable waistbands to accommodate that growing bump.
- Plan your wardrobe carefully. Pick up items you can mix and match as much as possible. This will make you feel and look like you have more outfits than you actually do.
- Splurge on a couple of outfits that make you feel great. It could be a slinky dress that shows off your terrific curves or a funky pair of trousers.
- After your baby is born, remember that no one leaves the hospital in her pre-pregnancy size. You may need to wear your maternity clothes for a while after the baby is born until your body gets back into shape. And if you’re planning to breastfeed, choose styles that will be practical for nursing: easy-to-undo or pull-up tops.
- As your feet swell in the third trimester, you might need new shoes in addition to clothes. Comfortable flats, clogs, low-heeled mules, or slides are good choices, especially since you don't have to bend over to put them on. Make sure they fit well so you don't turn an ankle and take a nasty tumble.
- Ensure the right support for your newly growing bust. Get fitted for bras regularly to ensure you’ve got the best and most comfortable support going for your new cleavage.
