YOU fashion editor Philippa Bloom – due any day – picks chic pieces for blossoming bumps
Dressing for two? For most mums-to-be, the prospect is daunting – especially the thought of having to totally restock your wardrobe and invest in pieces you know you’re only going to wear for nine months. I felt that way for a while – particularly during the first three to four months with my hormones raging. I was bloated and uncomfortable and pretty much wanted to wear my pyjamas 24/7, as I felt that nothing in my existing wardrobe would suffice.
However, by the time I hit four months and started to show a proper bump (rather than just looking like I’d eaten a few too many cookies), I began to realise that dressing my changing body was a really special thing. I’m now eight months pregnant and have learnt a few tips and tricks along the way, which I hope will help all other mums-to-be facing similar maternity wardrobe woes…
Summer party
Dress, £45, Limited Edition at Marks & Spencer, marksandspencer.com. Shoes, £56, Topshop, topshop.com
Before I became pregnant, the only dresses I owned were my wedding gown and a trusty LBD that I brought out once a year during the festive season. However, I now have a selection that are the perfect option for days when a pair of trousers feels like too much of a squeeze.
Some of the maternity party dresses available on the high street are a bit naff, but the current trend for floaty frocks means you can still carry off non-maternity styles – simply go up a size or two and try to find one that has elastic under the bust. And if you are suffering with swollen ankles, I recommend a stylish mule as the most comfortable solution.
From left: Dress, £200, Lily and Lionel, lilyandlionel.com. Necklace, £250, Thomas Sabo, thomassabo.com
From left: Pouch, £470, Valentino, net-a-porter.com. Mules, £80, Dune, dunelondon.com
Weekend wardrobe
Trench, £79, Marks & Spencer, marksandspencer.com. Top, £119, Me & Em, meandem.com. Jeans, £160, 7 For All Mankind, from nineinthemirror.com. Bag, £975, JW Anderson, matchesfashion.com. Shoes, £585, Valentino, Fenwick of Bond Street, 020 7629 9161
Jeans play a huge part in my wardrobe. One of my biggest worries when I started to think about maternity wear was would I ever find the perfect bump-friendly pair? The answer is yes. In fact, the skinny jeans from H&M – the mama super skinny (below) – are the most comfortable I’ve owned!
And the trench coat has become my new best friend, especially for spring’s transitional wardrobe. It’s not necessary to buy a maternity style as there are so many lovely oversized offerings on the high street, and it’s definitely a staple you’ll want to keep in your wardrobe post-bump.
From left: Trench, £65, Next, next.co.uk. Maternity Jeans, £24.99, H&M, hm.com
From left: Shoes, £95, Uterqüe, uterque.com. Maternity shirt, £14.99, New Look, newlook.com
Bag, £29.99, Mango, mango.com
The fit kit
Top and leggings, £69 (part of maternity set including sports bra, headband and gym bag), Séraphine, seraphine.com. Yoga mat, £40, Sweaty Betty, sweatybetty.com
While I’ve tried to buy as few maternity styles as possible, certain items such as jeans and trousers are a must – and I’ve also found that sportswear is important. A good maternity sports bra and leggings have been life-changing for me, and with athleisure being one of this season’s biggest trends, it’s definitely worth investing in some key pieces. In the final weeks of my pregnancy I’m living in my maternity sportswear, even if I’ve given up my yoga class for the time being!
From left: Maternity vest top, £19, and leggings, £29, both Mamas & Papas x Frame, mamasandpapas.com
From left: Maternity top, £25, Mothercare, mothercare.com. Maternity sports bra, £29.90, Cake, cakematernity.com
Trainers, £195, Russell & Bromley, russellandbromley.co.uk
Workwear
Maternity shirt, £85, Isabella Oliver, isabellaoliver.com. Maternity trousers, £24, Next, next.co.uk. Shoes, £120, Carvela, kurtgeiger.com
Maternity workwear is probably the most daunting of all: looking smart but staying comfortable is not an easy task. That was until I found these essentials, which have seen me through thus far. I’m very impressed with Next’s tailored trousers – they are so practical and look really expensive! On days when I can’t face trousers, I’ve enjoyed wearing a knitted dress (I have this grey one from Gant, above, and also a black ribbed style from Cos), which looks great teamed with knee-high boots.
From left: Jumper dress, £165, Gant, gant.co.uk. Maternity trousers, £49, Séraphine, seraphine.com
From left: Waistcoat, £139, Massimo Dutti, ยาเหน็บ massimodutti.com. Maternity top, £32, Topshop, topshop.com
Shoes, £35.99, Mango, mango.com
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