Cool maternity clothes - for non-mums mums!

Berkhamsted and Tring Photographers Rachel Powell and Ceri Besent specialise in Family and Newborn Photography across Hertfordshire and from their cosy photography Studio.

For two months I have been scouring the internet and high street for cool maternity clothes that don’t make me feel like a mum! I have to admit that I felt completely overwhelmed when, three months ago, I was faced with the world of maternity wear six years after I thought I’d left all that behind. I had no idea where to start looking for mat clothes that wouldn’t break the bank or my already flagging body confidence. I’d hardly call myself a style icon, but I like nice clothes and like to make an effort - I also like clothes which are a little different which seems to be the hardest thing in mat wear. And even though I’ve been a mum for almost 9 years and I’m almost 3 babies in, I have no intention of turning mumsy!

Forget the high street!

It makes me so sad to say this as I’m a huge advocate of shopping local and supporting our flagging high streets but there is NOTHING when it comes to maternity wear actually in the shops. If you know of a local gem, please comment and let me know and I’ll be down there with my credit card as quickly as I can waddle. But, apart from my local Jojo Maman Bebe, who didn't have my size, and a frankly poor selection at Hemel Hempstead H&M everything seems to be online.

Top of the shops

To save you the leg work, or risk of RSI, here are my best finds in terms of shops with Maternity Wear. All of my purchases have been made online despite my best efforts to shop locally.

Very early on a friend of mine told me to check out New Look’s maternity range. I must admit it isn’t somewhere I would usually shop. Go back 20 years and you couldn’t get me out of there, but it must be at least 15 years since I crossed the threshold. But she was right, its a veritable treasure-trove and won’t break the bank. The mat wear is well made, fitted the pregnant body well and was more than suitable for a 30-something (old enough not to reveal her real age). It is totally incongruous with the rest of their range but there you go! And their maternity t-shirts fit beautifully round and under the bump (unlike some that hang downwards.) I snagged a pair of their maternity dungarees before they sold out and have lived in them ever since (Next and Asos sell similar ones now for around £40.). Unlike their standard clothes the maternity range are generously sized so size down.

My second surprise shop, again somewhere I feel a little old to shop nowadays, is Topshop. My lovely hairdresser, who is a month or so further along than me, tipped me off about some super comfy jeans, in their Joni range. I’ve just ordered my second pair as they stay up, stretch and feel a little like PJs as they’re that super comfy. I opted for the over -the-bump style as I HATE the under-the-bump style but they come in all colours, styles and length. Sizing is big. My only bugbear with Topshop is that postage is slow and expensive.

My third favourite new maternity clothes store is ASOS, somewhere I do actually still shop regularly. They have a huge range here and if you are on the other side of 35 like me there is a lot of cropped tops and mini skirts to scroll past, but if you take the time there are some real gems to be found. I have to say that the sizing is HUGE! - I’ve sent size 6 tops back as they hang off me (and i’m definitely no longer a size 6!).

Another big surprise for me has been Dorothy Perkins. I used to love that shop but it has definitely gone downhill in the last 10 years, so much so that I never bother looking anymore. However their online maternity range is fantastic. There are some really nice pieces and its well worth taking a look. I lived from 11 to 18 weeks in a pair of their black maternity jeggings - once the hairband around the waistband trick stopped working!

Other places to check out are Seraphine (beautiful clothes but a little more pricey, I also have my eye on one of their lovely skin-to-skin tops for once baby is here), Jojo Maman Bebe (who can be a little too classic but have some nice spring jumpers at the moment) and Next who now sell a really useful range of third party clothes if you’re feeling lazy.

If you have any maternity wear gems please share them in the comments!

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