Maternity wear is massively hit and miss. It’s so easy to slip down the ‘frumpy’ route and end up looking uncool and so far removed from your usual style, it’s depressing. Bad prints and oddly fitting tops and dresses can leave you looking far bigger than you actually are.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ashamed of my bump, in fact I’m very proud of it but I don’t want to look like I’m wearing a ‘tent’ – especially at the end when everything is so heavy and uncomfortable you already feel like a whale.

Having been pregnant twice before, I thought I’d share my Top Maternity Wear Tips and Tricks. This is how to successfully style your bump without the frump.

1) Buy good basics – maternity vests, t-shirst and long-sleeve tops. These are inexpensive and will help you create ‘maternity outfits’ using your current clothes, as they can be worn under open cardigans, shirts and jackets. I’ve got some fab plain black and white ones from Peacocks maternity clothes for as little as £5.

2) Invest in some good thick black maternity leggings. They’ll help support your bump and again allow you to wear baggy tops and jumpers you already own, without you tummy popping out.

3) Have look on eBay, Mumsnet, Netmums and NCT sites for people selling their old maternity clothes. In most cases you don’t know what you’re buying but for as little as £10 you can end up with jeans and dresses that will help you through the period in a very inexpensive way. Usually the bags are divided into sizes so you know that the clothes will fit.  This is also a good tip when you want to make some money after you’ve finished with your pregnancy clothes.

4) These Belly Belts from Love Your Bump are great for making your favourite ‘usual jeans’ last a lot longer. They expend the middle with the use of buttons and elastic, it’s such a simple but genius idea. I’m currently wearing these every day. There are three different sizes in each pack so you can use them well into your pregnancy. Just make sure you wear a long top!

5) Invest in a couple of good maternity jeans, you won’t need more than two in my experience (as I just live in comfortable leggings) but every now and again you’ll want to get dressed up and wear some jeans. I really like these ones from Jojo Maman Bebe and Serephine have some cool looking ones too! If your budget stretches a little further Isabella Oliver have amazing ones! I’ve also been very impressed by my Peacocks maternity jeggins, which are only £14.

6) Go through your current wardrobe and see what you’ll be able to make use of, you’ll be surprised what can work. I’m currently wearing my non maternity Zara jumpers and they’re prefect!

7) Don’t buy too much maternity wear, buy well and you’ll be fine with some maternity leggings, basic plain tops and vests and a couple of pairs of jeans. I’ve also got a couple of good maternity jumpers and knits to see me through the cold winter months.

8) Keep your style and usual ‘look’ by accessorising with your favourite scarves, hats, sun glasses and lipstick. Just because your pregnant does not mean you have to lose your identity.

9) Be comfortable, so don’t be afraid of popping on your husband/ partner’s pyjama bottoms and old t-shirts at the weekends and evenings. My husband always fakes annoyance but I know he doesn’t mind and he always says I look better in them than he does ; )

10) This is just my opinion but once your bump gets big, usually from around 25 – 27 weeks, stop wearing lose clothes and opt for figure hugging comfortable jerseys. This is the point that it’s so easy to look like you’re wearing a tent. Show off and be proud of that amazing bump and oddly enough you’ll look smaller than if you were wearing a flowing top or dress.

Here are a few of my favourite maternity wear purchases and styles…

Follow

Over the last week, I’ve started to get a few things for the baby. I’m now coming up to six months and feel like I need to start preparing for our big arrival. I know that the run up to Christmas will be hectic and once we’re into the new year, I’ll be securely in my third trimester.

The first things that I’ve got are these beautiful swaddle muslin sheets from aden + anais. They are a brand I have loved for such a long time and now I finally have an excuse to buy a couple of bits!

These pretty and super soft muslin sheets are almost too good to use in the traditional way (to burp the baby) but as they are so big they can be used in so many other ways including:

– Swaddling the baby (which I really want to get into this time round)
– Sun shade over the push chair
– Feeding cover-up
– A sheet to place the baby to lie down on

aden + anais have a large range of different designs and products on their website. In fact, they have so much choice that I found it difficult to decide what to go for – especially in my over excited hormonal state!

In the end, I went for these gorgeous designs. The first set are from their latest collection called “wild one” which are made from their super soft bamboo muslin fabric…

And the second set I went for was the iconic “jungle jam” range, which feature cute cartoon giraffes and monkeys.

What I love most about aden +anais is how cheerful and eye catching their prints are. The colours are just beautiful and the fabric, especially the bamboo ones are incredibly soft and perfect for a baby’s soft skin.

Another feature that makes theses muslin sheets essential, is that they can be thrown into the washing machine and tumble dryer – and apparently the more you wash them, the softer they become!

My aden + anais Wish List

My obsession will continue next year, when aden + anais launch their beautiful new range in collaboration with Disney. This has to be my favourite ever Disney collaboration! They’ve done it so well, as the prints are beautiful and very much in keeping with the aden + anais style.

They’ve done three sets; Bambi, Winnie the Pooh and Jungle Book, which are all gorgeous.

If I had to pick my favourite it would have to be the more ‘girlie’ Bambi print but I also love the map design of the Winnie the Pooh set.

For me the other must-have items from aden + anais have to be the baby bath wrap, which literally wraps the baby up in a beautiful bundle after a bath. As well as their versatile and beautiful dream blankets!

Yes, as I mentioned in the title – I’m a little obsessed! I have a feeling I’ll be revisiting this website a lot over the next few months. Especially once the Disney collection is available in February.

Follow