Dressing the bump: part 1

18 weeks and I am eeking out my “normal” clothes for as long as possible. But I know that I will have to concede defeat. I have had to discard anything too waisted (I am now at that Lego woman stage i.e. almost straight up and down), in favour of low-waisted jeans and trousers (I have three pairs in rotation). However, I am beginning to think that dressing a summer bump could possibly be more fun than a winter one. (But come back to me in July when I am a hot, sticky heffalump…)

 

I certainly don’t want to buy oodles of things I will never wear again. A pair of jeans are, however, to my mind, maternity essentials. On the high street, I rate the selection at TopShop (the Summer collection drops later this month, so if you cannot live without your skinny white jeans, you know where to go). Online, you can’t go wrong with Isabella Oliver – I love these classic skinnies in dark blue: chic, stylish and comfortable. I plan to wear them with pretty, floaty tops – an abundance of which I already own, although I have just bought this shirt from Mango which is redolent of summer days in Ibiza (hey, a girl can dream) and is splendidly loose-fitting (so much so I bought my usual size so I can wear it post-baby). Mango is actually having a bit of A Moment for loose, cool summer shirts which will look stylish rather than bump-boring.

 

From l to r: Embroidered ethnic blouse, £39.99; Striped embroidered blouse, £29.99; Tassel beaded blouse, £27.99

I’ll also wear long simple tees topped with cute little jackets. This one (also from Mango) is Isabel Marant-esque for under £50.

I am insufficiently tall to do that flowing pregnant thing – it just drowns me. So I am sticking to fitted and bump-baring. This dress from Cos (aka Alex’s Obsession/Ruin) ticks all my boxes. It looks like denim but is actually super stretchy jersey; it’ll look sweet with flats or, better still, when the weather warms up, sandals (I like these from Hush). I plan to knot a leather belt above the bump to demonstrate that, yes, I am pregnant, not madly greedy. (This also happens when you are short and preggers.)

Denim-like jersey dress, £59, Cos; Olivia sandals, £49.50, Hush

On the advice of the uber-stylish Laura Fantacci, of Wearing It Today, I bought these black leggings from Boden (I cannot overstate how soft and comfortable they are) which I will wear with longer length tops and shirts – I love this fresh white shirt from Topshop, or size up on a classic denim shirt.

One last thing… Maternity bras. I am not a fan but needs must. Topshop do the prettiest on the high street but the best in the business belong to Elle Macpherson Intimates. What’s more, some of her designs are on sale now at Asos.