View Full Version : Plus Size Maternity Clothes?
Hi all,
I'm a tall sz 22 (statuesque & proud of it!) & I'm thinking it's going to be pretty hard to find nice (not tent like) maternity clothes to fit me. Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm only 6 weeks pregnant so I have plenty of time to look around, but I just thought I'd ask for any tips!
I live near the ACT but I also travel to southern Sydney and Wagga Wagga quite a bit.
So are there any bigger beautiful mums who can clue me in?!
Thanks!
Becbabe.
Hi Mandy,
Well thanks for that anyway, there are plenty of pumpkin patches in Canberra so I can have a look anyway. A friend of mine got a gorgeous shirt from there so if they do come up to larger sizes I'll be very happy!
I did look on my old friend Ebay but there were only 3 listings which isn't great! I currently ship a lot of my clothes from the US so that might have to be an option again.
Bec.
Hi becbabe, I bought a lot of regular clothing in stretch fabrics, ie jersey and wore them right throughout my pg, maybe this could be an option for you as well. Another place you might be able to find some stores is the back pages of any parenting mag, I found a couple of good shops that way.
I also wanted to ask, how you go about getting clothing from the US, can you give me any info?
Ciao,
Brooke.
I get a load of clothes from US website Torrid www.torrid.com about 4 times a year. They have such cool stuff for plus sizes, that you could never find the likes of here! I used to buy a lot of their stuff on Ebay, then I decided to cut the middle man & order direct.
It costs a packet in postage, about $90 per box, that's for about 12 things. I usually spend about $400, but think about it, how many items could you get in Myer for $400?
So you sign up & wait for their "half price clearance" sale, where everything in their "clearance" bin (already reduced) is half price again. In my last lot I bought a gorgeous soft white suede & fur jacket with embroidery on the sleeves for about $28US. (originally $168US!)... plus a whole bunch of other beautiful things.
ANything that doesn't fit or suit, I sell on Ebay, which usually makes back the postage.
Check the website out anyway & let me know how you go!
mumoftwoboys2005
10-02-2006, 21:51
I am a size 20 so I know what it is like to try and find maternity clothes in big sizes. Try Cosmic Clothing. The address is www.cosmicclothing.com.au They have got some great stuff there.
Hope this helps.
Joanne.
They do have some nice things! Don't you love the $10 price rise for plus size items? C'mon, do we really use that much more fabric??
I love internet shopping but it's always tricky at first with sizes. I have a rather enormous bust too which can make problems (18E!) What are the sizes like?
Mischief
13-02-2006, 15:50
Hey there, try Target....I'm not sure what size their clothes go up too, but they are cheap, and generous sizing....I havent been a size 10 for a LONG LONG time...usually about a 12-16 in tops, but I havent bought anything bigger than a 10 from Target.
They dont have a great big range, but get new stock every couple of weeks.
They do have a nice rang of Big is Beautiful size clothing....lots of things with baby doll style in at the moment, could be good for once the tum starts popping out! :)
Goodluck finding some clothes, you are beautiful no matter what size, how big or small, and what better time to celebrate your body than when you are pregnant?! :)
mummy sam
13-02-2006, 16:05
Hi i'm about a 20 to 22 to 24 and when i was pregnant i found it hard to find maternity clothes but i did find chain reaction great with there "big a" range. i dont know if you have one near you. good luck
oh the other is big city chic
HannahBannan
13-02-2006, 16:19
its a sham you didnt leave in melbourne (ormond) as there is a place that sell's cheap but nice clothing thats were i bought all my stuff from.
Hello!
I'm a size 22/24 and I agree with Joanne, Cosmic Clothing have great stuff. I got a denim skirt, pants (which were fantastic for work) and a t-shirt from there. I also found buying size 26 stuff from Big W, Target, K Mart was great. I brought a lot of tops and just rotated my jeans, pants and skirts. It really annoys me that most specialised maternity shops only went to size 16 or 18. It really got me down and depressed during the pregnancy.
Anyway, give that a go. ALSO! Definately invest in a Belly Belt! They are just the coolest, they let me wear jeans up until about 7 months! You can get them online (I think Bump 2 3 are having a sale on them at the moment) or from Bra's and Things!
Good Luck!
Thanks for the good wishes Kat, you're right - anyway the baby doll style has always made me look pregnant, so finally I can make the most of that!!
Sam, there is a chain reaction in Wagga (I go there a lot for work), I have bought a lot of cheapie stuff there in the past so I'll check it out again.
hannah - I've never even been to Melbourne so I'm thinking that's out!
Kuz - I did like the look of their stuff. I have a great workplace in that we all dress pretty casual, so if I can get a few good "bottoms" the rotation system you mention should indeed work well!
I haven't bought anything yet as I don't need it yet, & I'm a bit afraid of tempting fate (silly I know). I had heard of Belly Belts but they didn't look that comfortable? Anyway I guess I'll be driven to giving anything a go as I get bigger!
Are the Cosmic Clothes sizes bigish, smallish or pretty standard?
I had heard of Belly Belts but they didn't look that comfortable? Are the Cosmic Clothes sizes bigish, smallish or pretty standard?
Hi!
Just to answer your q's:
I found the belly belt okay, it was uncomfy at first when the fabrics bunch up between the button. But when you get bigger it works a treat and they have 3 different sizes!
Cosmic Clothes - I got the 4XL and they were big on me! So I'd go with a 2XL or a 3XL, remember you can always exchange it!
Happy Shopping! Yay! :p
Ah yes, shopping for any reason has to be good - now I have a cast iron excuse for some new wardrobe pieces!
I'm actually struggling at the moment with my normal work pants - I sit down all day & with the nausea I can't stand a firm waistband... might have to start wearing skirts to work more often as they are more forgiving! I haven't put on any weight by the scales (lost a bit actually from the whole not wanting to eat) but it's too early to be my uterus, right:confused: ?
That's the great thing about net shopping from Australian sites - the return policy! Not so good with US sites.
BTW someone suggested Pumpkin Patch? I checked their website & they stop at an XL which is about an 18 - no good to me alas.
I'm actually struggling at the moment with my normal work pants - I sit down all day & with the nausea I can't stand a firm waistband... might have to start wearing skirts to work more often as they are more forgiving! I haven't put on any weight by the scales (lost a bit actually from the whole not wanting to eat) but it's too early to be my uterus, right:confused: ?
Oh no! Don't go one day longer with uncomfy pants!!!!!! Definately have a look at the cosmic clothing black pants. They are just soooo good! The waist is higher so it doesn't 'dig in'! And even though you haven't put on any weight by the scales, your body shape will be changing! It's soooo exciting!!! Make sure you are comfortable ALL the time! It will help you feel good about yourself! :D
Thanks Kerrie - all good sense & I know it's true, I'm going to have to go to Canberra & hunt out some more forgiving clothing. It's not the waist band exactly that's hurting, it's just the firmness across the front of my belly (like where the fly is). I have one really loose pair of jeans and a few skirts for work at the moment and that's it... one of the girls I work with commented the other day that I had lost a lot of weight because my jeans looked really loose - if she only knew!
The Cosmic black pants are sold out in my size! :( But I'm sure I can find something comfy if I look around. Might be time to head into the world of stretch rather than fitted. My partner can't complan as this time I really do need new clothes! :D
My body shape is definitely changing - my partner and I are amazed at my boobs right now - any bigger & they're going to explode! Did anyone buy a bigger bra while they were pregnant or was it straight into maternity bras?
The Cosmic black pants are sold out in my size! :( Did anyone buy a bigger bra while they were pregnant or was it straight into maternity bras?
Bummer about the pants! Grrr! I hate it when that happens! :mad:
I went straight to maternity bras because they have like 50 (okay I'm exageratting) things to do up at the back so it grows with you as your ribs expand. As for the cup size, I was a bit stumped with that issue as I didn't know what cup size to buy! I only went up 1 cup size but I've heard people going up more than 1! Plus I found the maternity bras were more comfy as they had no underwires and weren't digging in.
Mummabear
15-02-2006, 20:24
BTW someone suggested Pumpkin Patch? I checked their website & they stop at an XL which is about an 18 - no good to me alas.
Oh Becbabe, don't be put off by that. I wear a size 24 on the bottom and I was wearing Pumpkin patch XL jeans during pregnancy with ease. Some of their pants that were made with non-stretchy material weren't too good, but most of their stuff had a bit of give and was fine (and I don't like tight fitting clothes). Also most of their tops were fine too. I love some of my maternity stuff from there so much that I miss wearing it :p
Belly Belts - you can get these from Target also, for around $30. I loved mine. Took a bit of getting used to in the beginning but withing a week I didn't notice it anymore. To get past the issue of finding tops to cover the undone zip (without looking like I was wearing a mumu ontop) I got stome stretchy material and sewed some 'belts' to cover that area and then put a normal top on - it just gave the layered effect that is in fashion now. Awesome! I need to get some more material so I can sew some that fit me now as it looked so good!
Target sizings are very generous - some of their stuff is boring, but their stretchy tops are great value for money. They last forever, wash up well and are super comfy.
As I said, I wear a size 24 on the bottom, but for just getting around home comfortably I got a pair of Bonds size 18 trackies. They're the ones made out of the thin t-shirt type material and they have a band at the top that you can either fold down under your tummy or pull it up over your tummy, whichever you find more comfortable. They didn't look like I'd squeezed my size 24 ar$e into size 18 pants, I guess they're made to be super baggy 'hang of the hips' type pants, but on me they just looked like bootlet leggins. Sounds gross just typing it, but really it wasn't bad :o (G*d I sound like a boagan just typing the word leggins, lol).
I went straight for good quality maternity bras as I am also an 18E. I found underwires started to annoy me so rathe than fight with them I opted for the more comfy maternity ones. I got 2 bras and they said to come back when I had a couple of weeks until I was due to get fitted for another couple as I would out grow those ones. I never grew anymore than that so I never needed to be re-fitted. Do they have Innerware where you are? They are so awesome - not pushy at all and very good with their fittings. I also ended up sleeping in my bra as my boobs became so heavy that my back would ache if I didn't :eek:
Well thanks for the advice ladies, I'll be sure to go and get fitted for some new ones in a couple of weeks. At the moment I'm just starting to bulge a little bit at the top of some of my smaller fit bras (fayreform have such a small cup, I'm an F in those!) and the lacy ones are irritating that tender skin!
I've never heard of Innerware, I'll do a search on the net & see if I can find some stockists. Getting fitted is always the hardest thing - I'll never let Myer do it again!
Mummabear - thanks for all the great tips. I've never liked the Target stuff normally as it seems to deny the existence of a waist, but I guess pretty soon that's what I'll be looking for! I'll be happy if I can fit into any of the pumpkin patch stuff, I've always liked their clothes.
Good to hear that the Belly Belts are disguiseable - there's a seller on Ebay called Fashions_by_moi that sells wide "boho" belts made to order, by the way - she might be helpful to you for a new one!
Don't worry about the leggings call - you didn't tell me to wear them with a flanno and ugh boots after all!:D
Just thought I'd let you know. Pumpkin Patch has a great sale on at the moment.
I got a pair of jeans for $29.99 reduced from $69.99 and a top reduced to $16.99. Really nice, good quality and cheap! They had heaps of sizes too.
Happy shopping!:D
Well I intended to head into Canberra to check out some of these shops this weekend, and to buy some more forgiving clothes for work, but by the end of the week I was so tired (also had some dizzy spells on Friday) that I have spent the whole weekend couching!:o So we will probably go next weekend. I will be sure to keep all the great tips in mind. I don't plan to buy much yet, as it's ridiculously early to be thinking "maternity shop", but I'd like to know what's out there.
mummy sam
19-02-2006, 20:25
Sorry to hear that becbabe, i hope your starting to feel better. Good luck with the shopping and have fun with it too.
Oh i think i only ended up having to get some tops and a couple of pairs of pants for the prg but i don't have an office job though. I also only put on 6kg during the preg so that did help with not having to buy heaps of clothes.
Thanks for the sympathy, Sam!
I do have an office job, but it's great cos we can dress very casually. During winter I wear jeans or pants and a jumper to work every day, and my summer "uniform" is 3/4 pants and a collared top. Definitely not a suit job! So that should help with finding something comfy to wear.
I was just looking at Ebay yesterday and there are a lot more plus size maternity clothes than I realised - I was just looking at the wrong section! I am watching a pair of tan 3/4 pants with elastic waist bits, they look perfect for work.
Just had my 8wk checkup and all's well - hurrah!
Mummabear
20-02-2006, 21:40
Just had my 8wk checkup and all's well - hurrah!
Yay! Excellent news :)
I put on 20kg+ during my pregnancy and still managed to get away with most of my own pants using the belly belt if that give you any sort of indication as to how far it will allow your pants to stretch ;)
Wow well that's helpful, definitely better get me one of those. Although I admit, the lure of buying new things is always there! But if I can grab a belt that will tide me over for a while anyway. I need to check them out. Need to go to Canberra! I checked our Target here but they didn't have them.
Most of my work shirts are pretty long anyway, so covering the belt secret wouldn't be too much of an issue.
Can't wait til everyone knows and I don't have to be sneaky anymore!
mummy sam
21-02-2006, 07:46
Great to here that all is well becbabe...
good luck with the shopping ;)
Hi Mandy, hope the checkup went well, wow 31 weeks - I am just itching to get to 12!
Definitely going clothes shopping on Sunday, looking foward to it. I'll let you know how I go!
lilsprout
22-02-2006, 08:18
CONGRATULATIONS!! BECBEBE
I am starting to look around for maternity pants, I can get away with the tops, but need some pants and don't want to buy "bigger" as I think in the long run will be a waste of money ... thankyou for starting this thread, before now I didn't realise that plus-size clothes in maternity is in such short supply ~ there is a great little niche for someone with a clothes design backround:smiliedance:
Yes, it is a great niche market, I never have any trouble selling any plus size clothing on Ebay so there are certainly buyers out there like me! And maternity wear is a narrower field again!
I think I'm just going to have to shop around - I don't want to buy full on maternity stuff yet, but I definitely need some more comfortable clothes (pants mainly) for the time being. So I'm going to have to try on a heap of things to see what I can get away with!
I've always been right into fitted clothing, as I wore a lot of stretch, elastic waisted stuff when I was a teenager and it never flattered me (but at the time I couldn't get anything else!) I think I need some things with elastic sections in the waist, and softer fabric. Going to be a big change for me!
Good to hear everythings fine, AdelaideMandy! :D
Don't know if anyone's still watching this thread, but anyway...
I had THE most depressing day of shopping on Friday - I took a day off work to go into Belconnen (Canberra) to find some looser work pants and some new bras. Well first of all there are NO outlets selling bigger maternity clothes than an 18 (no surprises there). So I tried a few pairs of pants that were brands I like, just bigger sizes, but they are SO big in the butt/thighs they looked ridiculous! I finally bought a pair of pants in Kmart that are a bit too big but less silly looking than the others.
Then I went bra shopping. I thought I would be right just to go up a cup size. But wouldn't you know it, 18E is THE biggest cup size any of the shops stocked! So I got in early ordering some maternity bras - now is it just me or are they the ugliest underwear you've ever seen! In that revolting tan colour!
The sooner I actually start showing and needing actual maternity clothes, the better. At the moment I seem to be in fashion "no man's land"! Not putting on weight anywhere else, just around the waist is getting bigger.
I'm buying a couple of pairs of pants off Ebay in desperation. They're both maternity brands that I don't know so I've no idea if they'll fit or not.:o
Hi everyone - i went into Sussanegrae today - they had some really great stretch stuff - im a 14-18 - pants size 16-18 and they had a lot of stuff - one of those being a great crossover looking dress in black. Wear that with some pants u already have - roll down the top or get some from Target - they have heaps i noticed that are larger size - and it would look so good. im not even pregnant yet but im buying stuff now - most of it on sale! Winter or summer that dress would look HOT on a pregnant mumma!
I also bought some wrap around tops you can just wear a singlet under - looks good!(Blue and black - the blue one is a knit and the black a jersey/tshirt knit!)
Being near canberra and coming on winter - i suggest you go have a look at Sussanegrae (i dont work there - just some great stuff in!)
D
Hey D,
Thanks for the response - I haven't fitted into Sussan Grae stuff since I was at Uni though! I'm a solid 22 so 18s are just too small. However I have just bought a Belly Belt online so hopefully my normal pants are going to take me to the "buying maternity wear" stage!
Enjoy the clothes buying - it's great no matter what the reason (excuse!):)
Cade's Mum
16-03-2006, 18:43
Have you tried Big W for Maternity Bra's. I like you went into despair looking for plus size maternity wear, when I was pregnant, I am a size 22-24 and all of the underwaer was hideous. I then found lovely white lacey maternity bras at Big W - That was a good day. :D My local Big W still stocks them so you may have luck with yours if you have one nearby.
Good Luck.
Hi becbabe - any luck yet with shopping? What about the clothes adds they have on the home site for bubhub? I havent checked them out yet.
By the way - where do you live? My Sis is in Cooma.
D
Cade's Mum - thanks for that - I haven't tried Big W yet but will give anything a go! My mum (who is right into sewing) found this website which I haven't looked at yet, where they will make a bra up to your specifications. I had one made a few years ago and it was beautiful, so I might give it a go. Might get me through until I really do need maternity bras!
Hey D - I had a bit more luck in one of my local stores the other day, bought some lovely candy pink linen pants, that look like they're supposed to be loose. They have a little drawstring on the waist, so I can let them out as I need, and they're not enormous around the butt like so much of the other stuff I tried! I've also just bought some white maternity capris in a 22 from Ebay, haven't got them yet but I'm hoping they fit. I'll then be set for work clothes until the chilly weather sets in.
I live in Bowning and work in Yass, on the other side of Canberra from Cooma. I go through cooma a bit on the way to visit my friends in Bega though. Why - do you know of some good clothes shops there?:)
mysterygirl2
19-09-2009, 01:52
I am larger as well, but I found alot of hideous maternity clothes in Target/Kmart, and only a couple were nice. I ended up going to the Big girls section and getting my mum to make it fit, alot nicer looking.
What annoys me is that size 14 is considered XXL in some places! geez!:no:
angellee80
19-09-2009, 07:35
Hi all,
I'm a tall sz 22 (statuesque & proud of it!) & I'm thinking it's going to be pretty hard to find nice (not tent like) maternity clothes to fit me. Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm only 6 weeks pregnant so I have plenty of time to look around, but I just thought I'd ask for any tips!
I live near the ACT but I also travel to southern Sydney and Wagga Wagga quite a bit.
So are there any bigger beautiful mums who can clue me in?!
Thanks!
Becbabe.
if u type dream diva in google check it out its really good !!
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