Maternity clothes - eco chic on a budget

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Just discovered you're pregnant, and need to refresh your wardrobe?

The obvious thing about maternity clothes is that you'll only need them for a few months, so it doesn't make sense to spend loads of money.

Even better, wearing pre-loved clothes means you can consider yourself 'eco' and 'chic'.
Try these ideas for free or cheap maternity clothes, you might even strike lucky with some stylish or designer maternity wear. Good luck!

1. Friends
Ask friends who’ve had babies recently, or are a few months more pregnant than you, if they've got any clothes you can borrow or have. Chances are they’ll be only too pleased to pass them on.

2. Affordable Maternity
Great online store for affordable, and designer, maternity wear. They sell ex chainstore surplus, or last season's stock, at around one third of the original price. Includes petite maternity wear and clothes for plus size maternity clothes. Visit Affordable Maternity.

3. Experiment
Try regular clothes in styles you might not usually consider, eg wrap around dresses, stretchy tshirts, leggings, etc. For some inspiration, check popular maternity styles from JoJo Maman Bebe then look for similar when you're out hunting for bargains.

4. Charity shops
OK it’s obvious, but maybe you need to try some new or larger shops to find maternity wear. Find shops near your home or work with this charity shop locator.

5. Accesorise
No, not the shop. Add jewellery, scarves, etc, to distract from the fact you might have a limited range of clothes!

6. NCT sales
Besides maternity wear, you‘ll find all sorts of other useful baby stuff. Find your nearest NCT sale.

7. Ebay
Nuff said. Take a look and pick up some bargains.

8. Adapt
Adapt what you can of your existing clothes. Move buttons so that your trousers or jackets last a bit longer, let out seams if you're handy with a sewing machine, or try one of these adjustable trouser extenders.

9. Freecycle & Freegle
Yep, my old favourite. Post a message, and watch the offers flood into your inbox. Check out Freecycle or Freegle.

10. NetmumsFind clothes either on the ‘the ‘Nearly New’ boards, or if you’re lucky, the ‘Free’ boards. Visit Netmums.

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It's a wrap

Every time I use it, someone asks me where I got it. This eco friendly wrap'n'mat from Nigel's Eco Store is one of those simple yet brilliant designs, you wonder why you can't buy them in all the big high street stores.

I use it most of the time to take lunch to work - sandwiches, cake, a slice of last night's omelette, or whatever else I can grab from the fridge. And they're great for the kids as they're really easy to open with a velcro thingy - perfect for picnics and packed lunches.

Most of the time I just wipe it clean, but you can stick them in the washing machine.

All we need now is more sun so I have an excuse for a few more picnics...

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