Plus Size Maternity Wear

May 09, 2010 14 Comments by

Read about nursing pajamas in plus sizesWhen out shopping we are all familiar with seeing clothes at both ends of the spectrum when it comes to sizes available. From a tiny Size 4 to the more rounded Size 28.

We are also constantly made aware that the average dress size in the UK is a size 14.

With this in mind you would expect to find buying maternity wear in plus sizes easy, with plenty of choice and style on offer. Not so!

Listed below are our main maternity wear brands and out of these only four (highlighted) offer clothes in a UK size 20 and above.

  • Bellybutton
  • Noppies
  • Arabella B
  • Queen Mum
  • Boob Maternity
  • Boob Nursing
  • 9Fashion
  • Attesa
  • Valja
  • Emma-Jane Maternity
  • Carriwell Nursing
  • Fragile Maternity

Gorgeous maternity wear for any size has only really evolved during the last 10 years, so I do believe that brands are slowly expanding their size range. We all know that it shouldn’t be taking this long – but it is starting to happen.

As a maternity retailer we are acutely aware that there are many plus size ladies out there asking for more choice when it comes to dressing their bump. This is something that we feel very strongly about and is why we stock bigger sizes in any item that we can. If our suppliers add a plus size option then we grab it.

From calls and emails we receive with regards to plus size maternity clothes it’s extremely disheartening to hear that ladies have simply got ‘fed up’ of looking for elegant, comfortable maternity wear that fits. Many have given up after not finding anything on the high street. Discovering that there are in fact clothes out there that are made to fit their size and enhance their pregnant form can really alter how they feel about themselves during their pregnancy. I appreciate that options aren’t as available as they should be and it may still feel like choice is limited but there are gorgeous plus size clothes out there for you. Just remember you are entering a wonderful part of your life and you really do want people to know that you are pregnant. So dress to show off that growing bump of yours.

Shop online – maternity boutiques are few and far between, so online is the best place to look. Always check the returns policy, but buying online does mean you have a 7 day returns policy.

Shop in the plus size stores like Evans or Simply Be. Try tunic style tops, empire line dresses or even an a-line dress. My tip is to check your hem lines, wearing non-maternity clothes only works well if the front of the item doesn’t end up higher than the rear. Tie, wraps and uneven silhouettes all help to avoid this.

Shop online at US stores – they have a larger choice than here in the UK. However, be careful you will have to pay import tax, VAT or a handling fee on the goods entering the UK, but you may find yourself some gems.

The best advice I can offer when it comes to dressing your new shape is to invest in new underwear as soon as you start to grow. Make sure your undergarments are re-fitted regularly – starting with a good base is true for any size. We’ve all seen the makeover shows.

Once the underwear is sorted then buy according to your pre-pregnancy size.

Invest in the basics – opt for a good pair of plus size maternity trousers, a basic maternity shirt and a pair of jeans. Once you have these basics, you can add a splash of colour with non-maternity clothes – such as a sheer blouse that you can wear open.

Try and keep to one colour scheme, so you can mix and match easily. Bump bands can add colour if for example black is your basic palette. Noppies Maternity produces a colourful bump band in larger sizes.

Larger women vary greatly in their clothing needs during pregnancy. Some never need special maternity clothes while others need the special fit of maternity wear early on.

It is probably smartest to wait and see what you will need, clothing-wise, until you start to progress into your pregnancy and can determine your needs. Then buy either in larger sizes or in maternity wear (or both) as needed. Of course, some women don’t “need” maternity wear but want some anyway, which is perfectly appropriate!

This post has been contributed to The Bump Wear Project by Amanda at Everyday Maternity. If you’d like like to submit an editorial for posting, get in touch.

Spotted

About the author

The founder of The Bump Wear Project.