Blog Editor, Author at - Page 49 of 55

7 WINTER MATERNITY WONDERS by Rosie Nixon, Editor of HELLO!

Rosie Nixon has been joint Editor of HELLO! magazine for the last three years, having previously held senior roles at women’s glossies Grazia, Glamour and Red.

She relishes the busy hands-on role of Editor with a love of all things celebrity, royal and fashion related and can regularly be found dashing from office to glamorous event – putting on her heels in the back of a car!

Rosie lives in Clapham with her husband and their elusive cat Archie and is currently expecting her first child.

First trimester down. I’m now half way through my second and this is where things start to get a little…bumpy, when it comes to dressing for my new shape. My favourite Hudson jeans no longer fit, the nights are drawing in, I want to eat everything in sight – yet I don’t want to look like I’ve lost all sense of my former fashion-friendly self.

Wasn’t it so much easier to be pregnant and stylish in the summer? We always want the season we can’t have. Halle Berry would have been my summer pregnancy muse back then. With her cool maxi dresses, she only needed a gold sandal, cluster of bangles and a big smile and she was topping best-dressed lists the world over.

It’s not so simple when you live in Britain, the rain is lashing down and your hair’s been blown about so badly on the way to work you’ve arrived at the office looking like Worzel Gummidge, but with a bigger belly. Yes, looking effortless with the elements against you can feel like an art form and in my job – like yours – hibernation is not an option. So what to do?

To handle the challenges of a winter maternity wardrobe without layering myself up to the size of a sumo wrestler, I decided to pay extra attention to the dressing habits of the expectant stars we have featured in HELLO!, to come up with my list of the 7 winter wonders for pregnancy style. I hope it helps you too…

1. Invest in a fitted three-quarter length coat:

When in doubt, look back at the pregnancy wardrobe of the Duchess of Cambridge, who so neatly seemed to handle the transition of wash-board stomach to growing bump with the help of one key essential – the three-quarter-length dress coat. I adored Kate’s Mulberry mint tweed coat and she repeated this style endlessly throughout the latter stages of her pregnancy. The high street is full of coats in this length right now and pastel shades like baby pink are particularly on trend as are check designs – so don’t be tempted to plump for a baggy tent to cover yourself up, stick to clean lines and a fitted shape. Wear with maternity jeans or over a jersey dress and you’ll be snug and stylish wherever you go.

Shop her style: Seraphine Houndstooth Wool Coat £115

2. Embrace the bump:

Model mums-to-be may be able to carry off a structure-free silhouette, but for most of us, it is deeply unflattering, so instead of trying to disguise the fact you’re carrying around a precious mini-me under your jumper – make like Claudia Schiffer and let the bump do the talking. This photo of Claudia is from a few years ago, but I think her look is completely timeless – stripes perennially work, and they don’t have to mean unflattering.

Shop her style: Seraphine Blue & Black Striped Cowl Neck Tunic £49.00

3. Remember the power of a great LBD:

Kim Kardashian found herself in the spotlight for the amount of weight she put on during her pregnancy, but the moments she pulled off a good maternity look, were the times she remembered that less is more. Even though I’ll be twice the size I was last year, the clingy Little Black Dress will still be my best friend for the festive party season. Add a bit of Kim-style bling and you’re ready to rock around the tree (only maybe not quite as vigorously as you might have done last year).

Shop her style: Seraphine Maternity Cocktail Dress – Black Lace £159.00 or Black Long Sleeve Bodycon Maternity Dress £55.00

4. Don’t shy away from prints:

Winter florals are a huge trend for autumn/winter and an elegant statement print dress – either long for the evening or short for day – will help break you away from wearing black all of the time. If you’re less into flower power, leopard print is a major trend once again, so have a play with prints to add some variety to your winter wardrobe. Who wants a bland bump? Not me.

Shop her style: Silk Printed Maxi Dress £125.00 or Pure Silk Watercolour Print Evening Gown £119.00, wear with Black Angora Bolero £59.00

5. Be a trailblazer:

If you do have a favourite summer frock, there’s no reason it can’t work during some of the milder winter weeks if you team it with a blazer to perfectly fit your bump. Invest in the right one and it will create a really flattering shape, whilst sharpening up a look, as the Duchess of Cambridge proved with her polka dot Topshop dress and black Ralph Lauren blazer combo. Team your blazer with jeans and maternity trousers, as well as your favourite maternity dresses.

Shop her style: Seraphine Cropped Peplum Jacket – Black £85.00 wear with Seraphine Polka Dot Mock Wrap Maternity Dress £55.00

6. Stick to your signature look:

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen effortlessly nailed this paired down look with her black jeans, leather jacket and flat boots. Invest in at least one pair of good quality, stretchy maternity jeans, a comfortable vest top – GAP have a great range – and wear with your favourite open jacket, statement scarf and boots, for a look that will never fail on off-duty days, whilst still reflecting your personal style.

Shop her style: Black Maternity Skinny Jeans £49.00, Leopard Print Scarf £29.00

7. Leg it:

I am a big fan of Fearne Cotton’s eclectic style and thought she looked cool throughout her pregnancy – with special marks for never being one to sacrifice comfort over looking great.
This look emphasizes the point that a pair of snug, black maternity leggings could be your most versatile piece for the winter months because they create such a sleek look, whilst being super cosy.
I love the faux leather trim maternity leggings from H&M, as well as the many classic styles on offer from Seraphine.
Wear under smocks and dresses and add a pop of colour on your feet, a la Fearne.

Shop her style: Seraphine Seamless Maternity Leggings £14.40 and Blossom Printed Dress £55.00

Other Articles You May like:
Our top 3 Autumn fashion trends for pregnancy
High flying career women in Seraphine maternity styles
The kids are back at school – time for some new maternity work wear

What’s on your pregnancy reading list?

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, full of changes and new experiences – but this can also mean that it can be a time of unease, and never quite knowing if what you are feeling is normal. They do say that knowledge is power, and aside from treating yourself to some beautiful new maternity clothes from Seraphine, many women find that reading up on pregnancy helps them to feel more prepared for the inevitable changes to come.

There are books to help with every aspect of pregnancy from morning sickness to labour. Of course the internet is a fantastic resource, but nothing beats snuggling up in your favourite maternity jumper and settling down with a real book in your hands!

Everyone experiences pregnancy differently, so we’ve rounded up a few of our old favourites and some new bestsellers as our suggestions to you, and you can make up your mind which ones are right to help you through your pregnancy.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting – by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

This is a real pregnancy classic and has been reprinted time and time again to impart fresh advice to new generations of mothers.
It takes you through your pregnancy month by month and also has a special section for frequently asked questions that could prove invaluable when you wake up in the middle of the night in a panic about something that could be a completely normal feature of pregnancy.

Birth and Beyond – by Dr Yehudi Gordon

In his bestselling tome, the gynaecologist addresses pregnancy as well as the first nine months of the baby’s life – and it’s aimed at dads as well as mums!
This is great for parents who are looking into both conventional and complementary techniques for bringing up baby and the A to Z section is sure to be well thumbed once your baby is toddling.

The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book – edited by Dr Maggie Blott

Anyone who grew up with Dorling Kindersley books will know that they are renowned for their excellent photographs and diagrams and this one is no exception. It’s remarkably detailed and clear – and the hour-by-hour rundown of one woman’s labour is a stand-out plus point. Full of advice from experts, you’ll definitely want to keep this one on the bedside table for reference.

Your Pregnancy Bible – by Anne Deans

As the name suggests, this book aims to be a comprehensive guide to all aspects of pregnancy and birth, and is especially good for its chapters on the health and wellbeing of the mother.
It has been reprinted numerous times so is fully updated and has received some excellent reviews over the years.

The New Contented Little Baby Book – by Gina Ford

Love her or loathe her, Gina Ford is a fixture on the bookshelves of mums up and down the country. Some swear by her techniques and others insist they don’t work at all, so you might want to give this book a read and see for yourself where you stand. Her methods are based on routine so could be ideal if you like order – and you may find you’re converted if your baby starts sleeping through the night!

Hopefully this has provided you with a few ideas. And of course, never forget that a mother’s instincts are a powerful thing, so you don’t have to follow the advice given in the books if you don’t agree with it.

Finally, it is always wise to ask the advice of your GP or health visitor before making any changes to your routine, just to be on the safe side. Happy reading!

Articles You May Also Like:
Our Top 3 Autumn Fashion Trends for Pregnancy
The Kids are Back at School – Time for some New Maternity Work Wear!
Natural Ways to Induce Labour – Our Favourite Old Wives Tales

Our top tips for a better night’s sleep during pregnancy

It is a well known fact that sleep can be pretty elusive when there’s a newborn in the house – it is supposed to happen and you are likely to feel mentally prepared for it. However, many women are frustrated to find that getting enough quality shut-eye during their pregnancy can be almost as much of a challenge!

Russian photographer, Jana Romanova has produced a fascinating project called ‘Waiting’, capturing intimate images of expectant couples (40 to represent the 40 weeks of pregnancy) as they sleep in the early hours of the morning. These images clearly show that there is no right or wrong way of getting comfortable when pregnant – it’s all about what works best for you.

If you are losing out on sleep because of your pregnancy, don’t worry, as there are things you can try to help yourself achieve a little more shut-eye.

1. Think about your position

You could invest in a specifically designed pillow to take the weight off of your back, or simply wedge a few ordinary cushions between your legs and in the hollow of your back for a little extra support. Also, keeping yourself upright during pregnancy can be a good idea if you are suffering with heartburn or morning sickness that threatens to disturb your sleep.

2. Don’t stress, just relax

If you are having trouble sleeping, the worst thing you can do is to lie awake worrying about it, and you certainly don’t want to find yourself slipping into bad sleeping patterns. Instead, get up and make a warm drink (caffeine-free of course), or try some other relaxation techniques like reading a book or trying a little meditation or yoga. When you feel more relaxed, you can go back to bed and drift off again.

3. Invest in some quality maternity nightwear

The right maternity nightwear could revolutionise your quality of sleep. Invest in a pair of our incredibly comfortable Bamboo Fibre Maternity Pyjamas and you will be amazed at the difference they can make. Super soft, with temperature regulating qualities, these innovative pyjamas come in classic black or soft taupe and can keep you cool and comfortable to prevent tossing and turning late at night. Or why not try our stylish Button Down Maternity Nightie in soft stretch jersey which feels silky soft and allows plenty of airflow to keep you from getting too heated during your pregnancy. As an added bonus, all of our chic and comfortable maternity nightwear pieces make a seamless transition into your nursing wardrobe once your little one has arrived to help you sleep when all the odds are against you.

4. Sleep where you can, when you can

Finally, don’t feel as though you can only sleep in bed between the hours of ten and seven. If you need a nap when you get home from work, have one – and if the only place you can get comfy enough to rest properly in those last few months is the living room recliner, then take up residence there, by all means.

After all, cat-napping and catching up on rest during pregnancy will be good practice for when the baby arrives and sleep is even harder to come by…

Other Articles You May Like:

Tatler’s Mariella Tandy’s Pregnancy Travel Essentials

Products that Help You Cheat Sleep – Road Tested by Ellie Crompton

High Flying Business Women in Seraphine Maternity Styles

Our Top Three Autumn Fashion Trends For Pregnancy

Foggy mornings, leaves starting to turn golden, and the beginnings of a chilly snap in the air – yep, autumn is most definitely here and we are so excited to start experimenting with all the new maternity autumn fashion trends! We don’t know about you, but we have all been busy over the past few weeks, digging out our jeans, jumpers, ankle boots and scarves. After such a long, hot summer, it feels fantastically refreshing to start embracing all the new opportunities for accessorising that the colder weather brings with it!

But which maternity wear trends should you be tapping into this autumn, and how can you make them work for your blossoming pregnancy curves?

We have scoured the fashion pages, and put what we’ve found together with our own maternity fashion expertise to come up with our top three autumn fashion trends to try out this year and how you can make them work for your changing body!

1) Layer up your monochrome prints

Monochrome was big this summer and it’s going to be even bigger through autumn and winter! This season, it’s all about creating a luxe layered up look, by using contrasting patterns and textures.

Why not pair our Houndstooth Knitted Maternity Skirt with black maternity tights and our silky soft Black Draped Nursing Top, and finish the look with our chunky knit Black Maternity Coatigan.

Or you could try our sleek Leather Panel Maternity Leggings with our White Empire Line Maternity Shirt and our gorgeous Houndstooth Wool Maternity Coat.

Not only does this fabulous autumn fashion trend look fantastic, but textured layers can be a great way to disguise a blossoming bump in the early stages of your pregnancy, before you’re sharing your wonderful news with the world!

2) Subtle Sparkle

We all love a bit of bling every now and then, but this season it’s all about choosing sparkle that shimmers rather than shouts. Elegant, understated pieces with a subtly glitzy side to them are perfect for the winter party season.
Or you could add a touch of sparkle to your favourite maternity dress by adding a sequinned belt around your empire line, or a pair of sparkly shoes. This is a fantastic autumn trend for pregnancy, as a little sparkle always looks special no matter what shape or size you are!

Get the Look with Seraphine:

3) Lace

Daring, lingerie-inspired lacy looks will be huge this autumn. From luxurious full lace gowns for a special occasion, to cheeky peek-a-boo lace panels in your blouse, to a lace inspired print on your scarf – this season you should expect to see lace used in unexpected ways and in unexpected places! Here at Seraphine, we love a touch of feminine French lace to add a little something special to your outfit, and with our special Seraphine stretch lace, you can wear your lacy pieces throughout your pregnancy! If you are looking for something extra special, then shop our LUXE Collection for some exquisite evening dresses made in sumptuous silks and fine French lace!

Get the Look with Seraphine:

So there you have it! We hope we’ve given you a little inspiration for creating your on-trend autumn look. Have fun experimenting with the new autumn fashion trends, and enjoy dressing your bump for the colder weather!

Zara Phillips wears a Seraphine maternity evening gown to the Ball!

Just when we were beginning to miss one Royal source of maternity style inspiration, we have gained another!

Here at Seraphine, we were so excited over the weekend to see Zara Phillips in a stunning Seraphine LUXE maternity evening gown at one of high society’s newest and most popular events, the Boodles Boxing Ball!

British equestrian star, and granddaughter of the Queen, Zara Phillips is expecting her first child with Rugby playing husband Mike Tindall some time early next year, and is embracing her new curves beautifully!

She looked simply dazzling in our Silk Colour Block Maternity Evening Gown as she entered the Boodles charity event, in vibrant shades of azure and ultramarine which really made the most of her glowing complexion. Made in Britain, the gown itself is part of our LUXE collection – a stunning range of maternity occasion wear made in pure silks and the finest French lace.

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Sep 23, 2013 at 1:47pm PDT

The stunning maternity evening gown that Zara wore is made of sumptuous stretch silk and inspired by traditional oriental design, with origami pleats at the front which emphasise the empire line and short kimono style sleeves.

The plunging v neckline showed off her pregnancy curves, and soft gathers cascading down from the empire line over her blossoming bump created a truly flattering shape.

Zara secured the silk ties at the back to define her shape, and these ties can be used to adjust the fit for every stage of pregnancy, meaning that this beautiful maternity evening gown can be worn throughout pregnancy and for years to come!

Articles You May Also Like:

Another Royal Baby! Zara Phillips Announces her Pregnancy
The Duchess Wears Seraphine for Baby’s First Day Out
Royal Maternity Style – Charlotte Casiragh is expecting

High Flying Business Women in Seraphine Maternity Styles

If you are a regular reader of our Seraphine blog, you’ll know that we love to see our fabulous maternity styles on expectant celebrity mums. But just recently we’ve started to notice some of our favourite maternity dresses on some very high flying business women!

A couple of weeks ago the lovely Nicola Rees wore our gorgeous Teal Knot Front Printed Maternity Dress on TV, on the BBC Local programme: Inside Out Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The busy blossom pattern looked fabulous on screen and the rich blue colour made Nicola’s radiant pregnancy glow really stand out.

Then over the weekend we were so excited to see Business Minister Jo Swinson giving a speech at the Lib Dem conference, wearing our gorgeous Turquoise Colour Block Maternity Dress! Jo, who is expecting her first child with fellow Lib Dem MP Duncan Hames commanded the room in our on trend colour block maternity dress, and looked confident and feminine on the stage.

Our versatile maternity styles are designed to look smart and feel fantastic for all day comfort, which makes them ideal for a full day at work. We are so pleased to see our fabulous maternity dresses being put through their paces by some real career women doing what they do best – and of course these examples are only the ones that get on TV! We are sure that there are high flying mums-to-be rocking Seraphine maternity styles in offices and boardrooms all around the country.

Do you wear Seraphine to work? Leave us a comment and let us know which styles work best at the office.

The right maternity jeans – shop with confidence

A good pair of maternity jeans will take you right through pregnancy and beyond in style and comfort. Everyone has a special pair of jeans that they always look great in – whether it’s the cut, the colour or both, you can rely on them not to let you down. If you’re anything like us though, you probably just love jeans in general – they can be dressed up to the nines, dressed down for casual days around the house and will go with just about everything, making it an absolute breeze to put an outfit together. And no matter what you might have heard, denim is your perfect partner during pregnancy. As long as you buy maternity jeans specially designed for a body with a bump, you will find yourself going back to them time and time again for all kinds of occasions.

This is where lots of women fall down – they simply buy bigger versions of their ordinary jeans, find they won’t fit in any of the right places and then assume jeans aren’t quite right as maternity clothes. Actually, you should wear your normal size but with a few adaptations, such as an expandable tummy section so your denims grow with you but don’t swamp you. Seraphine’s jeans have won rave reviews and have also been worn by a host of famous faces, so we know a thing or two about designing them with pregnancy in mind – read our brief round-up below and we’ll share the inside info with you.

Maternity jeans – what you need to know

When it comes to maternity denim, you have a choice about where on your body you want them to sit. There are those that cover your bump and stretch as it grows, or those that sit under your abdomen if you don’t want too much of a departure from your usual style. It’s personal preference really, so try both and see which you like – you may find under-bump jeans are best in the early stages when you haven’t got much of a tummy yet. Do be prepared to spend a little more on your new jeans than you would on ordinary fashion styles, as you will wear them so frequently they’ll be worth every penny.

Which will be your favourite style?

Skinny

We love our skinny maternity jeans, as they look bang on-trend but are also unbelievably comfortable. Jessica Alba went for our grey ones when she was pregnant, but there is also black and classic blue to choose from.

Bootcut

If you only want to buy one pair of maternity jeans, we’d recommend one of our bootcut styles no matter what your body shape is like. They’re so flattering that they look as good as designer jeans, plus they will go with everything.

Coloured

We fell in love with colourful jeans a couple of seasons ago and the trend has proved so popular that it just keeps coming back. New for this season, we have coloured maternity denim in cobalt blue, coral and sea mist on top of classics like black, so you have plenty of choice. Wear them with a black top for a really dramatic pop of brightness this summer.

Cropped

Don a pair of cropped jeans and you’ll instantly feel like summer’s back, even if it’s grey outside. Our white style looks fantastic with navy, but you can also pair them with a flowery tunic for a relaxed holiday look. Did we mention we have some great shorts too?

Give Seraphine’s amazing maternity jeans in any style a try and you’ll never look back!

Pregnancy Made Me More Stylish – By Honest Mum

Yes you read that right. Pregnancy, a time when my body was blossoming, helped me find my fashion mojo. Don’t get me wrong I’ve always adored clothes, bags and shoes (like most women) but my love began at a early age. My Mum informed me that I actually selected my first shoes myself aged 1. 1! The shop assistants couldn’t quite believe how adament I was about wanting the shiny red T-Bars over the black, so young. This girl has always known what she likes but I do feel my first pregnancy and particularly post first baby, were real style turning points for me.

I conceived my first son Oliver in 2009 and desperately wanted to look pregnant as soon as the test showed up positive. A neat bump throughout, I didn’t properly appear ‘with baby on board’ until about 6 months gone which I found frustrating. I wanted the world to know I was growing a little person inside of me, that I was special and inpregnated and that that tube seat should be mine! Frantically, I searched maternity lines for clothes that would accentuate my bump and fondly remember rocking a wrap over ballet style maternity top from Jojo Maman Bebe with a standard Topshop skirt at 5 and a half months pregnant, proud my little bump was finally becoming visible. I soon discovered beautiful dresses from Seraphine and other online stores to flatter my growing bump and I enjoyed mixing looser designer fare with tall and maternity ranges from the high street, keeping my look ‘classic Parisian chic’ as I called it, with flattering, tight dresses and structured jackets, striped jumpers and long skirts.

Fast forward to after the birth and despite a healthy 2 and a half stone gain, I actually put on weight post emergency C-section. I think it was the trauma of the birth and feeling rather out of my depth with my first born but my concern was surviving day to day not dieting. I did naturally start losing weight when Oliver turned 6 months and once we moved back to our hometown when he was 11 months old, I rediscovered my love of running and within months went from a Uk size 14 to an athletic size 10, smaller than my pre pregnancy 12. My confidence returned as did my desire to shop again; my style choices became bolder, more vibrant filled with colour pops as I stopped hiding away in post baby black.

My second pregnancy was a different story as I showed quite quickly with Alexander and naturally lost weight faster post birth which was stress-free and joyful. Pregnancy and babies have taught me to seek out clothes which truly flatter me, be it showing off the bump or skimming my post baby shape, then back again with a new body. It’s shown me how to find pieces which work my curves and suit my frame without losing my personality or style. Now my second baby is 6 months old, I’m back into some of my pre baby clothes and will soon will ready to hit the shops again…Becoming a Mum has evolved my style and made me appreciate just how amazing our bodies really are. They created life and for that they deserve a huge high five (and Mulberry bag)!

You?

Did pregnancy change your style?

Vicki is a former Magazine Editor and award winning screenwriter and director. You can read more of her musings on motherhood at her popular blog: www.honestmum.com

She has recently launched a style blog www.mummysgotstyle.com

You can follow her on Twitter @Honestmummy

Photograph © Peter Broadbent

Thandie Newton announces her pregnancy and shows off a tiny bump

Actress, Thandie Newton has announced that she is expecting a baby with husband Ol Parker! This will be the couple’s third child – a little brother or sister for their two gorgeous girls Ripley (12) and Nico (8). The pregnancy announcement was made as they walked the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival this weekend, to promote Thandie’s new film – Half of a Yellow Sun.

A spokesperson told US Weekly: “She couldn’t be more happy. You can barely tell she has a bump and she’s been dressing different because of it”.

During the first trimester, most women will hardly show at all, which is usually a good thing as it is common practice to keep your wonderful news fairly quiet to begin with. But once your first trimester is up and you are wanting to share your pregnancy with the world, it can be frustrating if your bump is still barely there. Thandie was in fact spotted in two very different outfits over the weekend, one which concealed her tiny bump and one which showed it off:

Concealing your Tiny Bump

She first appeared at a variety studio in Holt Renfrew (a large Canadian department store) in black trousers and a gorgeous multi-coloured striped blouse which gave absolutely nothing away. This is a fantastic look to disguise a small bump while your pregnancy is still a wonderful secret between you and your partner – black trousers teamed with heals slim and lengthen your legs, while a skinny vertical stripe on a structured blouse completely conceals the beginnings of a bump. A nice flowing empire line dress would work equally as well, with plenty of gathered fabric skimming your curves.

Get the Look with Seraphine:

Flaunting your Tiny Bump

Later she stepped out on the red carpet in a striking Stella McCartney shift dress in black and white, with a beautiful feminine, curve contouring design which showed off just the tiniest hint of a bump. The curvy monochrome design of this form fitting shift dress framed and showcased her barely-there bump perfectly. So if you simply can’t wait to share your news and want the world to see the subtle changes in the early stages of your pregnancy, then a figure hugging dress in simple block colours is the way to go, and a design that frames your belly is ideal.

Get the Look with Seraphine:

Whether you are wanting to hide it, or show it off to the world, dressing your small bump at the start of your pregnancy is easy with the right maternity clothes. We here at Seraphine are very excited to see how Thandie’s maternity style develops as her bump grows – such a serene beauty and experienced mother, we reckon that Thandie will make it look easy!

Other Articles You May Like:

The Duchess of Cambridge wears Seraphine for the first family photograph

What can I expect in my first trimester

Celebrity Pregnancy news for Kate Winslet and Jennifer Love Hewitt

Hannah’s top fashion tips for pregnancy

Finding out that you are un-expectantly pregnant a matter of months after launching a brand new business is scary to say the least. While everyone else was wishing away the next 9 months, I have to say, I had a mini panic attack wondering how on earth I was going to balance the playground, client meetings and social excursions through this pregnancy without resembling an ill dressed baby whale!

Unfortunately, this being my second child, the stretchy clothes requirement came quicker than I had anticipated, and after a horrific trail along the high street, moaning and sighing at the awful, bland maternity clothes on offer, I resigned myself to wearing bin liners for the next few months! Even Finn, my 5 year old, observed my trauma and helpfully informed his teacher that the reason we were running late for school was because “Mummy was having a strop because she said that she didn’t have anything to wear!”

Let’s face it, no one likes to look bigger than they are, and when you’re growing another human being inside you, your body seems to be changing out of your control, so it’s more important than ever to feel amazing about yourself and how you look. Thankfully, Seraphine has gorgeous, fashionable pieces that will see you right through your pregnancy and those first few months afterwards! I have been following these simple rules, and with a bit of help from the Seraphine fashionistas, am sailing stylishly through, (touch wood).

Avoid baggy clothing

Wearing baggy jumpers and shirts is going to do nothing for you when you’re sporting a huge bump. The best way to embrace your new shape during pregnancy is to show off your gorgeous curves, whether it’s your new womanly hips or feminine bust, with fitted clothes that make the most of your new shape and show off your bump to its best.

The Seraphine black shift maternity dress is fantastic for flattering your bump and is versatile enough to dress up or down.

Accentuate your bump

Belts might not fit your hips anymore, but you can accentuate your curves by placing it just above the bump/under your boobs (which are also probably huge at this point) to really show it off. It gives you a “waist” back and flatters your new/changing body shape. We want to show our bumps off because after all, they’re beautiful! So use a belt to accentuate your bump, whether it’s over a dress, vest top or blouse, it’ll look fab!

Seraphine have some gorgeous maternity belts, my favourite is the double wrap skinny belt, only £15!

Wear solid colours

Solid colours really help to flaunt your bump. Patterns have far too much going on and tend to make you look larger than you really are. Solid coloured maxi dresses, maxi skirts, or a brightly coloured pair of skinny jeans with a neutral top can be easily accessorized with bags, scarves, belts, and jewellery – your options are endless!

Check out the Seraphine Cobalt blue slim leg jeans, currently in the sale for only £19, I love these. They also have a range of gorgeous accessories to perfectly finish any outfit, one of my favourites is the Seraphine Tote Changing Bag, I can’t wait to put mine through it’s paces.

Invest in clothes that will grow with you

You want clothes that hug you in the right places, ruched maternity vest tops, body con style dresses, maxi dresses and skinny jeans with an elasticated bump band will all grow with your bump. Not only do these styles look great but they’re comfy as well. Whether it’s a casual or professional look that you are going for, well fitted, flattering styles will see you right through your pregnancy to the full 9 months.

I love the navy braided strap maxi dress that really shows off your waist and new pregnancy bust. The Seraphine basic vest tops with built in support are excellent wardrobe staples as well.

So with a packed new £1000 maternity wardrobe, thanks to the Seraphine Royal Baby competition, I seem to be set and now happily getting through “the change” (though my partner might have something to say about the “happily” part). Either way, it certainly looks like I’ll have to think of different reason to be running late for primary school in future!

Other Articles You May Like:

1. Meet Our Competition Winner Hannah Damary-Thompson

2. Our Top Tips for Transitional Maternity Style

3. Break the Rules for Great Maternity Style

Seraphine brings European maternity styles to LA!

Here at Seraphine we are so excited this week, as our fabulous creative director Cecile is currently touring around the TV studios in sunny LA, giving interviews, appearing on American TV, and generally sharing our gorgeous maternity styles with our friends across the pond!

It seems that the marvellous “moms-to-be” in the US can’t get enough of our chic European flair and our versatile maternity styles – and who can blame them!

We’ve been selling to the US for a while, and Seraphine’s maternity styles have long been a popular choice with Hollywood A-lister Moms-to-be.

To name but a few:

Halle Berry wore our Black Crochet Maternity Tunic Dress (both Long and short sleeved versions) while expecting her Daughter Nala back in 2008

Jessica Alba wore our Brown Floral Print Maternity Maxi Dress and flaunted her bump in our gorgeous Purple and Pink Band Maternity Bikini on her relaxing babymoon during her first pregnancy

Jennifer Garner loved our Black and Sand Long Striped Maternity Jumper

Kate Hudson wore our Black Halter Neck Maternity Swimsuit

Now it seems that the rest of the US are taking a leaf out of the celebrity maternity style book, as we are receiving more interest than ever from the States.

Cecile will be showing off our gorgeous maternity styles on some big name programmes over the next few days – She has already filmed interviews for Entertainment Tonight and E! Entertainment all about Seraphine’s growing success, and will be appearing live on Access Hollywood at the end of the week with 4 fabulous “mommy-models” who will be strutting their stuff on the catwalk, showing off our chic maternity styles!

We cannot wait to see Seraphine all over the US TV, but keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages over the next few days for some behind the scenes action from LA. We’ll be posting pictures and updates as they come in!

The Kids are Back at School – Time for Some New Maternity Work Wear!

It’s that time of year again: we bet you’ve been busy rushing around town trying on new shirts and shoes and searching for that perfect winter coat – no, not for you – it’s back to school time for the kids! You’ve probably spent the last week or so kitting your little ones out with new school uniforms, shoes, pencil cases and lunch boxes.

Well now it’s your turn – autumn is just around the corner and this is the perfect time to treat yourself to some brand new maternity work wear!

The trick to a fabulous maternity work wear repertoire is to master the art of mixing and matching your key pieces to create new fashion combinations. Team neutral pieces in black or grey with key autumn colours to achieve a polished professional look.

And make sure to choose specific maternity pieces that will grow with you throughout your nine months for a perfect fit at every stage of your pregnancy.

Here are our top tips on choosing your key maternity work wear pieces:

Maternity Trousers

These are a maternity work wear staple, try our Black Bootleg Seamless Band Maternity Trousers, with an over the bump band which fits like a second skin, providing all day comfort and sitting discreetly under your shirt.

Maternity Shirts

A well tailored maternity shirt like our White Empire Sash Shirt is an essential item in any girl’s maternity work wear wardrobe. Stretch fabric allows these shirts to grow with you, and they are just as stylish worn with maternity jeans at the weekend!

Maternity Skirts

Maternity skirts like our Hounds Tooth Knitted Maternity Skirt are fantastic for mixing and matching with different tops and blazers to create new maternity work wear looks every day. Mixing your monochrome patterns will be a huge autumn winter trend so this skirt is a maternity must have!

Casual Maternity Tops

Team some of your casual maternity tops like this fabulous Side Ruched Top with smart trousers or a skirt and blazer to create a chic office wear look. Perfect for a smart casual office, or a stylish weekend outfit; comfortable casual maternity tops are a great investment for your pregnancy.

Maternity Dresses

A couple of stylish maternity dresses in different colours will make sure that you are never stuck for something to wear to the office. Our classic Maternity Shift Dress is available in black, navy and claret red so you can choose your dress to suit your mood.

Maternity Blazers

No maternity work wear wardrobe would be complete without a statement blazer to slip on over your dresses and shirts for a bit of extra professional oomph. Our gorgeous Black Wrap Tie Blazer ties up at the front which is not only a chic fashion feature but also allows you to adjust the fit to suit your blossoming bump.

Accessories

Finish off your polished professional look with a few well chosen accessories. Our chic Leopard Print Scarf provides a fashion lift to any outfit, or highlight your empire line with our Snakeskin Printed Belt!

So in short, the secret to fantastic office style is to choose key maternity work wear pieces, which are specifically designed to grow with your changing shape, and to mix and match these to create a varied work wear repertoire that will last throughout your nine months and beyond!

Other Articles you may like:

5 Ways to Wear your LBD by Helen Canning

The Right Maternity Jeans, Shop with Confidence

Top Tips on Staying Fit and Healthy During Pregnancy