We ransack our wardrobes every year to find those faithful Christmas-do dresses. Even when we find them we umm and ahh to find an excuse to buy something new! If this year you find yourself with the perfect excuse, a beautiful baby bump, we have the fashion tips you need!
Glamorous and flattering maternity clothes seem relentlessly hard to come by and you need no other excuse to be feeling a tad bloated than wearing some sort of potato sack?!
Here, us Janes have done the leg work to find your pre-baba fashion bible of what we believe to be glam and affordable, seasonal party pieces alongside expert advice on how to wear it right for you.
Investigate your wardrobe before you even hit the shops filter through the frocks and see what could work and what simply won’t! You will probably be able to wear a lot of your clothes for a while (most women don’t move into maternity clothes until their 5th month but most high street brands cater for women in their 7th month!) and when your belly starts to grow the hair tie around the button hole will keep you in your favourite jeans for a good while longer.
Look for dresses with empire lines that will fit around your bust but allow space for your belly to expand underneath- check the length though you don’t want anything too short! Think about what suits you now and try and stay true to yourself, you will only feel horrid in clothes you don’t want to wear but feel like you have too. On the flip side however this is a great time to experiment and adapting to a new fashion-you could be great fun.
Dress makers can do wonders for golden oldies, alterations by adding panels and elastic means you could totally re-work that fave frock around your growing bump and it’s more than likely cheaper than a new one! or dust off the sewing machine that’s been hidden in the cupboard and have a go yourself!
High street brands have been hot on the on-trend maternity wear drive with a few Christmas Mum-to-be LBDs in New look, H&M, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Next and online stockists like Asos.com and rock-a-by-rosie.com.
Maternity shape wear is also an expecting mums fave, with glittering reviews all over the web. Experts have said Spanx, and the like, are no harm to your baby and are designed so as you feel good and comfortable in them. A lot of women have said they even highlight your bump whilst evening out less smoother areas. These are generally available in any maternity section.
Online hire is a great option if you have a fancy party or wedding to attend and you simply can’t justify a new wear-it-once frock. We liked girlmeetsdress.com and hireexpectations.co.uk.
Mummy girlfriends will have a suitcase full of stuff that they would have used during pregnancy, so ask them to dig it out and re-vamp to suit your style.
‘Fit is important. Stay away from extremes – whether it’s too tight or too loose’ says designer, Rebecca Minkoff.
Kim Kardashian went wrong when she didn’t adapt for her bump and body changes. Jersey fabrics work with your shape and will stretch and shrink where you do. Peplum will only exaggerate your hips and don’t be afraid of bold prints and colours. Wrap dresses work well to fit you up top and enhance your beautiful bump.
Jackets are a great investment and can be so versatile. A cute tailored blazer or leather jacket can be worn over a shift dress with comfy ballet pumps, any maxi dress and even casual, stretchy leggings and a tee. We’re loving kimonos! They are bang on-trend this season and they add elegance, and femininity to any outfit.
Heels will become even more uncomfortable so embrace a lower wedge heel or a smart pair of flats like brogues.
For accessories, dangly earrings and chunky necklaces will draw attention to your neckline and shoulders taking away unwanted attention from any bits you’d rather disguise! Invest in some statement jewellery to glam up even a basic dress.
Your maternity glow will give you natural radiance and lustre so don’t go crazy with the make up. A good lick of mascara and some subtle pink lip gloss should work.
Here we have 4 of our favourite baby-bump-beauts!
Daphne Kimono from Boohoo £15
This kimono will look is an absolute bargain and will look stunning as a party dress cover up or keep it casual with jeans!
Mamalicious Colour Block Cap Sleeve Jersey Dress from Asos £40
This will flatter you in all the right places. The cute belt adds detail and shape to your bust and bump and you can always swap it for a brighter one for a splash of colour.
Maternity wrap panel bodycon dress from Topshop £38
This stunning cobalt number will wrap your bump in all the right places. Add a leather jacket and a chunky gold necklace for (soft!) drinks at a bar or perhaps a bit of faux-fur for a party.
Maternity Black side knot maxi dress from New Look £28
Ah the maxi! This is simple, elegant and a bargain! The side knot will bring you in above your bump to enhance that blossoming bust. Accessorise with colour, big earrings or a printed kimono.
So get creative with your beautiful baby bump this season and strut your stuff into that christmas party!
Where have you found great maternity wear? Let us know @tweetjanes