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Here comes the summer – Find what your maternity holiday wardrobe needs

There’s nothing better to perk up your spirits than some sunshine, whether it’s on a bucket and spade break in this country or on foreign shores. The sudden return of great weather in the UK has got us thinking about maternity swimwear and all the other items you might be wanting over the coming weeks to ensure you’re ready to hit the golden sands and feel fantastic about your body.

Don’t be concerned that it’s difficult to dress for warm weather now you’ve got a bump, either – all you need to do is invest in a few pieces that will build you a comprehensive maternity holiday wardrobe and you’ll find it’s a breeze. This part is really key to body confidence – don’t try to make your old beach wear stretch and change to fit you now, as it just won’t provide the support you need. For instance, past bikini tops may buckle under the pressure from your expanding chest, while bikini bottoms even from last year could start travelling southwards as you move. Neither makes for a good look – and it could prove embarrassing!

Instead, take a peek at Seraphine’s swimwear collection, as everything has been designed with pregnancy in mind for comfort, support and a really flattering look. Here’s a quick taster of some of our favourites.

Swimwear

We have plenty of swimwear to suit all tastes, whether it’s a maternity bikini, tankini or one-piece you’re after. You’ll soon notice that all or items have special adaptations to suit your new curves – the bikinis, for example, have roll-top fabric on the bottoms where they meet your tummy, so you can pull them up or down depending on where on your bump you want them to sit. One-pieces are very on-trend this summer, while tankinis offer the best of both worlds – you can move them around if you want some air to your middle, or keep the top pulled down.

Get the look with Seraphine:

Cover-ups

We all know it’s not a good idea to get too much sun, so cover-ups are an essential for both beach breaks and picnics in the park. If you’re heading to the coast, you want something you can fold up into a bag so it’s easy to carry, but that also looks great when you pull it on. A maternity kaftan is the perfect solution, as it’s light enough to keep you feeling cool and also offers plenty of coverage. Go for one with plenty of shaping though, so it’s flattering as opposed to tent-like!

Get the look with Seraphine:

Purple Print Kaftan

Co-ordinating pieces

Even if you plan to do little else but relax on your holidays this summer, you’ll still want to leave the beach at some point. Consequently, make sure you pack plenty of maternity wear that can be thrown on quickly, leaving you comfortable and free to go exploring. A combination of maternity shorts, maxi skirts, light tops and dresses is your best bet, as this mini-capsule wardrobe will leave you covered for every eventuality. You can even mix and match it with your swimwear for an easygoing vibe.

Get the look with Seraphine:

All you need to do now is get your case packed and be ready for the sunshine – don’t you just love summer?

How to style your little black maternity dress – GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

The little black dress is a maternity wardrobe must have. It’s understandable to want to splash out on a whole new set of maternity clothes as you’ll need something to suit your changing body for every occasion.

However, the a little black maternity dress offers the best investment, as you can effortlessly dress it up for an occasion, mix and match with accessories for casual chic, or go for a smart professional look with ease.

Giving you plenty of value from what you buy, it’s the perfect way to ensure you get maximum wear out of everything – as most of Seraphine’s items can be mixed and matched with other pieces to make them suitable for an array of different events.

Our iconic little black maternity dress is the ideal summer wardrobe investment, as it’s made from light and stretchy jersey fabric, plus it has an empire line that skims the tummy and thighs. The sleeves are also super-flattering for the upper arms, as they’re an update of the traditional cap sleeve that lots of women love. The knee-length hem and V-neck add a hint of flirtiness too, which is perfect for this time of year.

1. Coral leopard print scarf 2. Tote changing bag 3. ShoeTherapy quilted ballerinas 4. Disk stud earrings 5. Sequin satin black belt 6. Ivory wrap blazer

Wear it on a day out

Whether it’s a picnic in the park or a shopping trip with the girls, our LBD is a great style choice. You can add a pair of ShoeTherapy Elastic Back Red Ballerina Shoes for comfort and a splash of complementary colour, as well as a Black Storksak Emily Maternity Bag (as worn by Angelina Jolie) to carry all your bits and bobs. We’d also add a Leopard Print Scarf to finish off the look.

Wear it out in the evening

Not just a daytime maternity dress, this LBD would be fantastic for a date night or a party. Keep the evening chill out with an Ivory Silk Sequin Shawl and add even more sparkle with Seraphine’s bestselling Sequin Satin Black Maternity Belt. All you need is an updo and some blingalicious jewellery and you’ll certainly turn heads.

Rock it at work

It can be difficult to dress for the office in summer, especially if you’re feeling the heat already. But our LBD can come to the rescue again, keeping you cool while also looking smart. Just add a Black Front Tie Blazer and some ShoeTherapy Black Python Ballerina Shoes and you’ll instantly achieve a professional finish. You can put a vest top underneath if you need a little more support at the bust. We’d also recommend our Grey Retro Print Storksak Nina Changing Bag – who says you can’t use a maternity bag for work before you use it for baby stuff?

Keep wearing your dress on cooler days

We’re busy enjoying summer now, but don’t think you can’t keep wearing your new dress when cooler weather eventually returns. Just add Seraphine’s Grey Tie Front Long Line Cardigan and Luxe Tailored Treggings and you’ve got a versatile piece for any season. You could also use a Leopard Print Scarf to keep you warm and looking stylish.

Why not take a look at some of our other maternity clothes too and see if you can come up with new ways to style them for all occasions?

GIVEAWAY! (NOW CLOSED)

Want to win this fabulous little black dress?

QUESTION: Which two actresses announced their pregnancies this week?

CLUE: Check out our celebrity maternity category 😉

Leave your answer in the comments below!

Terms & Conditions:

Competition opens: 6.06.13 & closes: 13.06.13
Automated entries are not allowed and will be disqualified
The winner will be drawn at random amongst the correct answers
The prize may be subject to size availability

WINNER:

Congratulations to Natalie on winning our LBD!

Celebrity pregnancy news for Kate Winslet and Jennifer Love Hewitt!

It’s been a busy year for celebrity pregnancy news so far in 2013, but after weeks of nothing much happening, two have come along at once! Congratulations to Kate Winslet and Jennifer Love Hewitt, who have both announced they are expecting babies later this year. It will be Kate’s third child, although it is her first with new husband Ned Rocknroll, who she married last December. Mia, 12, and nine-year-old Joe are no doubt looking forward to having a little brother or sister to boss around!

“I can confirm Kate Winslet is pregnant and she and Ned Rocknroll are thrilled. The baby is due at the end of the year,” said a spokesperson for the couple.

Meanwhile, Jennifer is expecting her first baby with her Client List co-star Brian Hallisay.

“We’re so thrilled and happy to start a family,” they told Us Weekly, adding that Jen is around three months along.

It means both women will be having babies around the same time – and we can follow how their maternity style evolves this summer and autumn! So, what could be in store for their wardrobes over the coming months? Let’s take a look…

Kate Winslet

We can cheat a little with Kate, as we can speculate what she might wear based on her previous two pregnancies – although they were quite a while ago, so she’ll definitely need to update her maternity wardrobe. Last time, we spotted her in a cute white midi skirt and denim jacket, which would still work. However, we think she might translate some of the more old-school Hollywood glamour she has perfected into what she wears this time around.

Kate almost always goes for figure-hugging shapes that flatter those hourglass curves and there’s no reason why this should change just because she’s got a bump – the look definitely suits her. She also gets pictured in lace quite a lot, which would be bang on-trend for maternity wear this year.

However, she looks equally good when she’s androgynous – she has worn several flattering trouser suits for special events over the years and blazers are ideal for wearing open during pregnancy. We also like to see her in striking colours like red, black and blue to suit that peaches and cream complexion – pale pinks would only wash her out.

Seraphine’s Kate-style top tips:

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer has a very different shape to Kate, as she’s dainty as opposed to curvaceous – although she’ll obviously change a little once her tummy starts to bloom! We haven’t got a past pregnancy to go on here, but the actress has a definite style and we think she’ll stick to it as she progresses through the trimesters.

We have often seen her wearing cute tops in pastel colours, which really suit her skin tone and silhouette. She usually favours crochet and chiffon, both of which will translate well as maternity clothing, so there may be plenty more of these to come. It will be interesting to see if she takes to maternity jeans too, as we could definitely see her in a pair of skinnies, maybe in grey.

However, Jennifer can also rock a formal, fitted dress when she needs to – she looks particularly good in satin and jewel tones, although black and red suit her equally as well as they do Kate.

Seraphine’s Jennifer-style top tips:

We’ll be following these two very different women with interest, then, ahead of their new arrivals!

10 DAYS TO GO… MOTHER AND BABY TREATS BY ANNABEL KERMAN

Fashion and Celebrity Stylist – Annabel started her career in television and stage design before moving into fashion styling. She worked as Style Director of a national newspaper for 15 years and now primarily styles celebrity clients. She has 2 (soon to be 3) children. She runs through a few mother and baby treats that have taken her fancy.

www.annabelkerman.com

Find me on twitter @akermanstylist

Only ten days off my due date and my thoughts are turning away from clothes. It gets to a point when the bump becomes less of a neat and stylishly clad fashion statement and more of an independent being with a mind of its own, knocking things over, getting stuck in doorways, you get the idea. At this stage minimising the impact and going dark and tight is really the only way forward when it comes to getting dressed.

So, where does that leave a fashion stylist? Refreshingly free to turn my attentions to lovely things like beauty products and baby treats. (And maybe a few post birth fashion essentials like stylish nursing underwear and chic feeding cover ups)

Here’s some of my current favourite things, also beloved of celebrities, that I hope will make my first days as a third time mum just that little bit easier.

Stylish Muslins

Australian label Aden + Anais has cornered the market in gorgeous muslins that can be used as anything from swaddling blankets to buggy covers. Their extra large size makes them feel that little bit more luxurious than your average muslin plus they come in gorgeous modern prints, including this star print I currently have my eye on. The label also features baby sleep bags made of layered muslin fabric, which I’m coveting in cool charcoal grey.

Celebrity fans: Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts

Sexy Nursing Undies

There’s nothing more soul destroying than swapping Agent Provocateur for a sensible nursing bra, so I was delighted to discover that nursing underwear has taken a big leap forward in the style stakes, and is now positively glamorous. I love the range that Seraphine stocks: practical enough for nursing but sexy enough for us to feel we haven’t totally lost ‘it’.

Celebrity fans: The Kardashians, Denise Van Outen

Ren Moroccan Rose Products

Throughout my pregnancies I have tried pretty much everything on the market aimed at keeping expectant mums stretch mark free, but Ren Moroccan Rose products have got to be my most successful find: Super moisturising and gorgeous smelling, plus free from any nasties you wouldn’t want to be feeding your skin when pregnant. I use the body oil at night and the cream for day, which I will continue once I’ve had the baby.

Celebrity fans: Victoria Beckham

Cover All Wrap

An essential for those planning on breast feeding, I have been wearing the Seraphine cotton leopard print scarf to disguise my bump and will continue to wear it to feed my new baby discreetly. However Seraphine also sell a beautiful pashmina feeding wrap that has specially designed poppers to make it less likely to slip off mid feed. Plus being made from bamboo fibres it is hypoallergenic and regulates baby’s temperature.

Celebrity fans: Jessica Alba, Lily Allen

Extra Special Baby Bottles

Feeding bottles are usually a necessity rather than a treat, but my discovery of stylish American bottle brand Born Free has changed all that. Last time around I was coveting their heavy glass bottles that had an old school vibe I love. More recently they have brought out new retro ‘deco’ designs in lighter weight BPA free plastic that are on my current baby wish list.

Celebrity fans: Leah Wood, Matthew McConaughey

Chic Baby Bouncer

Baby ‘kit’ can start to wear thin with a third child, however uber chic Dutch baby label Nuna has renewed my interest. This LEAF chair starts as a baby bouncer, or side to side rocker (hence the name) with toy bar, and graduates to hold a hefty 80 kilos so will be useful in years to come for all my children. Plus it helps that it’s super stylish and comes in 9 gorgeous colours.

Celebrity fans: Tess Daly, Miranda Kerr

How your pregnancy hospital bag can feature style as well as substance

Some great outfits in your hospital bag will be a real confidence boost before and after you give birth. You’ll no doubt have been told already that it’s a good idea to have a bag packed, put in the hallway and ready to go to hospital once you reach about 36 weeks of pregnancy. There’s no telling exactly when the baby will arrive and you don’t want to be scrabbling around in your wardrobe for clothes while you’re trying to cope with the early stages of labour, after all! It’s not going to be like packing a holdall for an ordinary weekend away though – what on earth are you supposed to take?

On top of all the practical items that your midwife and other mums will be able to fill you in on (like sanitary items, water, lip balm, baby clothes etc), we’d recommend putting together a few different outfits that will ensure you still feel like your stylish self both before the birth and afterwards. Don’t forget that you’ll have lots of visitors once the baby is here – and although they’re technically there to see your new arrival, you won’t want to feel like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards, especially if they’re armed with cameras. Here are our top tips about what should be in your hospital bag.

Something cool and comfortable

Hospitals can be really hot, so it’s a good idea to pack plenty of light layers and natural fibres. Don’t forget that you might be sitting around for a while before everything starts as well, so a couple of changes of clothes are best. Take some long-sleeved tops and a cardigan or two, as well as some maternity leggings, as they’re really comfy for lounging in.

Get the look at Seraphine:

Maternity Nightwear

The chances of an overnight stay are high both before and after the baby comes, as labour can take time and midwives usually keep you in if this is your first baby too. Make sure you don’t forget nightwear – this will ensure you don’t end up in one of those awful hospital gowns! You can go for pjyamas before you give birth, while a nightie is best for during and afterwards, especially if it has button-down panels to aid breastfeeding.

Get the look at Seraphine:

Nursing clothes

Speaking of breastfeeding, you’ll need nursing clothes too. Items that are specially adapted will mean you can feed your new baby comfortably and discreetly, which is ideal when you’re not used to it yet. A good breastfeeding top will also appear stylish in all your visitors’ photos, so they won’t know it’s not a regular top. We’d definitely recommend a shawl too, in case there are lots of people coming and going.

Get the look at Seraphine:

A going-home outfit

Finally, don’t forget a fabulous outfit for when you’re let out into the world as a yummy mummy for the first time. You’re best off with maternity clothes, as your tummy is still likely to be quite swollen and the rest of your body might feel tender, but choose good ones and nobody will know anyway. Maternity jeans with a nursing top are always a good choice, but a dress might be nice if it’s a sunny day.

Get the look at Seraphine:

Start packing now and you’ll have one less thing to worry about, plus you’ll definitely be the most stylish new mum on the ward!

Maternity fashion faux-pas and the real you

Kelly is mum to Isaac (2) and eight months’ pregnant with her second child. She has worked in media for over 15 years with roles spanning advertising, publishing and product management. She recently started blogging for MSN as their Royal Baby blogger on how it feels to be expecting at the same time as the Duchess of Cambridge http://style.uk.msn.com/royal-baby/blog/

As MSN’s royal baby blogger, I am transfixed by the royal pregnancy and all things Duchess of Cambridge currently. I admire the way that she has kept true to her tailored style and hasn’t morphed into someone she isn’t by swapping elegance for bodycon dresses and leggings. For me she’s an excellent example of someone who has stayed true to their own style but has ensured that pieces remain flattering and colours brighten her complexion.

On the other hand, thanks to the Mail Online. I am totally up to date with Kim Kardashian’s latest fashion faux pas. I applaud her for being normal and putting on weight whilst pregnant (although maybe not for declaring that her sister was bigger in pregnancy than she is – ouch); it makes a change to see a celebrity bloom in pregnancy rather than refuse to succumb to their cravings.

IMHO she had a very hot body pre pregnancy and still is a gorgeous woman but perhaps not all her previous clothes are going to suit her. It’s a lesson that all pregnant women learn. That empire line dress that you had pre-pregnancy and you thought would stretch through your pregnancy, at some point becomes indecently short at the front. Your favourite tight fitting jacket becomes a shrug. There are days where you literally have nothing to wear that feels comfortable apart from an old sweatshirt and leggings.

The other lesson is that if it didn’t suit you pre-pregnancy, it won’t suit you now. Dresses that look mumsy on you pre-pregnancy will look even worse, tops that show too much cleavage, will look playboyesque and colours that drained you, will do you no favours now that you’re knackered and nauseous.

I never learn this of course. In preparation for our babymoon I ordered several pairs of loose summer trousers online to try. I’ve always found trousers really difficult to buy (I’m an apple shape) and have never, ever, ever, ever managed to find a flattering pair of wide leg linen trousers. So here I am with a big bump (and no brain) imagining now is the time to try to conquer styles that never suited me before. Each pair looked more and more ludicrous than the previous ones, climaxing with a pair that were so clown-like I could see the big top before my eyes.

So my top tips are

1. Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you need to dress totally differently. Thankfully maternity smock dresses have been left in the 1980s.

2. Be aware of your changing shape. If your legs are still your best feature you can enhance them in skinny jeans and shorter dresses. The old saying “Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative” still holds true

3. If it didn’t suit you before it definitely won’t suit you now. You haven’t lost 20 pounds, you’ve gained 20 pounds (ouch!)

4. Try to buy some clothes from shops where you regularly shopped before. They’ll have clothes that are true to your own style.

5. Head to a specialist maternity fashion store like Seraphine for some wardrobe staples such as a great pair of flattering jeans, tops that flatter and skirts that don’t cut you in two.

Maternity fashion dilemma : Flat shoes as glamorous as heels?

If you religiously watched TV programmes like Sex and the City or Desperate Housewives, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only acceptable footwear for fashionistas features a sky-high heel. However, this mindset is increasingly being challenged by women who are fed up with tottering around with the balls of their feet burning like mad – and it’s great news for your maternity fashion options when it comes to special occasions.

We don’t know about you, but we’ve spotted lots of celebrities wearing flat shoes lately and they look no less glamorous than those who have donned Louboutins – in fact, we think they look even more chic.

The most recent and probably best case in point is Keira Knightley, who wore flat shoes for her wedding to James Righton in Provence last weekend. She donned a beautiful short Chanel gown from the spring/summer 2006 range, which was very similar to a Rodarte dress she sported pre-Baftas in 2008. It was accessorised simply with a band of flowers in her hair and a sweet bolero jacket, while her feet were kept comfortable and true to her usual style in a pair of nude ballet pumps. The outfit really suited the down-to-earth ceremony and intimate party afterwards and it just goes to show that you don’t have to be dressed up to the nines to look fabulous. Sienna Miller also recently wore flat red shoes for the red carpet of a film festival to great effect.

There is even more of a reason to make sure your shoes are supportive once you become pregnant though, aside from just the fashion side of things – it’ll save your body a lot of strain and pain. Heels cause the balance of the body to be disrupted and your weight to be thrown forwards, which affects the spine, knees, calves and ankles at a time when they’re already under pressure from the baby weight, while research from the US also recently found that your feet can grow between two and ten millimetres during pregnancy.

This will make cramming your feet into stilettos even more uncomfortable, so it’s important to choose pregnancy shoes that will look after your feet while also complementing your maternity wardrobe for special occasions – and fortunately, we can help you out here at Seraphine. We have designed our own range of maternity footwear specially made for pregnant women, ShoeTherapy, which features an array of elegant and fashionable flat styles that also have ergonomically engineered soles to stimulate circulation and correct posture. There is just a tiny heel to prevent fallen arches, back and joint pain, but you won’t notice it because it is moulded into the base of the shoe so there’s no wobbliness.

Better still, they will look just as good with your maternity dresses as any heel this summer. Try colour-blocking by wearing the red ballerina with a bow alongside our gorgeous purple peplum dress, or complement our bestselling blossom printed dress with a pair of python ballerinas with suede bows.

We think you’ll be reluctant to go back to heels once you’ve tried our ballet flats – and you’ll look just as great as Keira!

Cannes 2013 Red Carpet Style: Get the Look

We love it when Cannes Film Festival time arrives, it’s always full of our favourite A-list celebrities is fabulous red carpet style, and great for maternity occasion wear inspiration.

The stars turned out in force to celebrate 2013’s biggest silver screen offerings and we spotted lots of fabulous outfits, as well as some definite trends for this year’s summer season.

Here’s a quick round up in case you missed any of them.

Very vintage

The forthcoming arrival of The Great Gatsby in cinemas has had a huge impact on fashion for 2013, with 1920s style beading and dropped waistlines appearing everywhere. At opening night of Cannes on Wednesday (May 15th), you couldn’t move for vintage inspired outfits and we’re already eager to emulate some of them.

Carey Mulligan dazzled in a flowing gown that was the palest possible shade of pink and set off her creamy complexion perfectly, while Freida Pinto carried on the theme the following evening in a gorgeous flapper inspired gold dress.

Even the rain didn’t put them all off taking to the red carpet for photos, although it was umbrellas at the ready to prevent the frocks and hairdos getting ruined!

• Get the look: The Embellished Butterfly Sleeved Gown from Seraphine’s Luxe collection is pure Great Gatsby and is perfect for all your big events this season.

Marvellous monochrome

The screening of The Bling Ring took place last night (May 16th) and the celebrities had mirrored its glamour by opting for a mixture of black and white outfits, with Chanel and Dior in particular hitting the headlines.

Homegrown talent Emma Watson is one of the stars of the movie and she looked beautiful in a long gown with a black bodice that had just a few straps on the back and a complementary white skirt.

Indeed, almost all of her co stars were wearing black and white, so it lent a very prom like, formal feel to the proceedings.

• Get the look: Our Two Tone Empire Line Cocktail Dress is perfect for emulating Emma and co with sexy sophistication.

Stand out favourites

Of course, there were lots of different looks outside these themes and we had some definite favourites after spotting them in photos. One was worn by Isla Fisher, who went for a beautiful scarlet dress covered in feathers all over the skirt.

Totally different was the lovely Cindy Crawford in a white gown that was almost bridal with a huge train that she had to scoop up in her arms to avoid the rain.

Among the monochrome crowd, we loved Taissa Farmiga’s beautiful dress, which was almost Edwardian with its fitted skirt and lacy top, while Zhang Ziyi stood out in a Carolina Herrera dress covered in a brush stroke style pattern.

However, if there was a top prize for style we would give it to Nicole Kidman, who shone on opening night in a midi length gown that had a full skirt and was overlaid with gorgeous embroidered pastel flowers.

• Get the look: Our Silk Printed Maxi Dress is a dead ringer for Zhang Ziyi’s frock and we have lots of floral prints in stock if you loved Nicole Kidman’s country garden vibe. To copy Cindy Crawford in white, why not pick Seraphine’s Silk Halter Neck Wedding Gown? Nobody will know it’s bridal wear, especially if you accessorise it with plenty of gold jewellery like she did.

As you can see, our spring and summer collection is full of Cannes celebrity lookalike maternity dresses so although you may not have had the chance to get to Cannes this year, you can easily get the look with some savvy shopping!

Summer maternity occasion wear – by StyleNest’s Charlie Barnett

Charlie Barnett from StyleNest roundups up a few of her favoruites…

Us Brits aren’t used to the heat but when the long awaited British sunshine arrives, it really hits us with full force. Transport for London, aren’t prepared, our makeup is melting and we’re regretting not giving ourselves that mini-pedi last night so our feet can see the light of day. And before you know it, the sun has gone and the brollies are out.

Summer dressing however becomes even more of a challenge with the forthcoming wedding season. Bump or no bump, there really is nothing harder than shopping for occasion wear.

Although you may be daunted by the season of weddings, races and summer parties, help is on hand to ensure you feel fabulous. You might not be able to drink the champagne and your feet may be swollen, but with these top tips you will no longer size up another non-pregnant woman again as we guarantee you will be looking chicer and more glamorous than her.

To avoid any Kim Kardashian catastrophes, first rule of thumb is to dress for your bump and be comfortable.

Issa Gathered V Dress £425

Ideal for weddings, this elegant and classic nude dress will cover your bump neatly with the beautiful wrap detail, whilst the plunging neckline will highlight your brilliant new cleavage. With a simple colour palette seen at the SS13 shows including Celine, JW Anderson and Preen, not only will you look bang on trend with this number but you will also have something effortlessly stylish to wear post pregnancy.

Valentino So Noir Leather Sandals £600

Nothing makes me feel happier than a new pair of shoes. It’s like a fairytale story of Cinderella and the glass slipper, every time I find that pair. We’ve spotted numerous celebs sporting these bad boys, from Emma Stone to Alexa Chung and we understand what all the fuss is about because they are irresistible. If you’re going to be on your feet all day, this sensible heel height is elegant enough to give you a bit of height without making you hobble ungracefully around the dance floor. I love the candy pink and nude combo to add a contrast pop of colour to your sensible dress and the signature golden studs gives the whole look a tough-luxe finish.

Pink Laser Clutch Bag £22

I love this pink floral laser cut clutch to complete your summer wedding outfit. Big enough to fit an iPad so if you have a little one they will remain occupied all day yet chic and stylish so it won’t compromise your outfit.

Long Gold Open Style Cuff Bracelet £14.95

I love a bargain as much as the next person and this gold finish cuff statement bracelet with faux leather inlay detail is the perfect way to finish off any occasion wear outfit. With this, you don’t need to worry about earrings or a necklace as the cuff says it all.

Seraphine Navy Sleeveless Maxi Knot Dress £59

Now, if in typical British form the weather takes a turn for the worst, Seraphine’s navy sleeveless maxi knot dress makes for the perfect dress to wear to wear to a special event. It will cover your legs, if you’re feeling a little self conscious and the gorgeous knot detail flatters your bump perfectly. The great thing about a maxi dress is that you can wear sandals and flats without losing any glamour stakes.

Olympia Le-Tan Madame Bovary Embroidered Clutch £1035

I love this gorgeous Olympia Le-Tan clutch embroidered with Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary novel. Not only does it carry your lippy and all your bare essentials but the bright pop of yellow allows you to add another statement colour into your ensemble.

To add the perfect finish to your look, your makeup is almost as important as the outfit. Coordinate your look with a statement pop of colour such as a bright yellow varnish or strong pink blush.

As these affairs are usually long, it’s important to keep your skin looking fresh so you don’t face the dilemma of melted makeup at the end of the day. Although you should already have that glowing look, it won’t hurt to enhance it a little more.

Bobbi Brown’s Brightening Finishing Powder £40 gives you’re skin an illuminated finish and is perfect to keep in your handbag for throughout the day touch-ups. Simply sweep over your nose, forehead and cheeks for that summer fresh look.

For more information on summer maternity occasion wear, visit StyleNest at www.stylenest.co.uk.

Pregnant paralympic gold medalist Dame Sarah Storey shops in Seraphine

Pregnant paralympic gold medalist Dame Sarah Storey visited our Kensington store recently for a little bit of maternity shopping with Cecile. Wearing our ¾ sleeved maternity knot front dress, she had a browse of our SS13 collection, on the hunt for some more stylish maternity wear. Wearing Seraphine to the Sports Industry Awards, she looked absolutely beautiful in our multi-way blue silk gown which she matched with a stand out pair of heels.

An inspirational woman and athlete, Dame Sarah has balanced pregnancy and her training effortlessly, and is already planning her next challenge! Find out more in her interview with the Guardian

Follow Dame Sarah Storey’s twitter and keep up to date with her journey through pregnancy.

Baftas provide great fashion inspiration for new mums

Despite the wind buffeting this year’s Baftas last night (May 12^th) and the red carpet in London getting hit by sudden gusts that wreaked havoc with some of the dresses, it didn’t stop the event from providing us with some great fashion inspiration. Lots of our favourite telly stars looked fabulous for the occasion and unlike at last week’s Met Ball, there wasn’t a theme so the dress code was much more formal. That meant we got to see plenty of gorgeous gowns on the ladies and tuxes on the men.

There was a really star-studded guest list as usual, but it was the yummy mummies that stood out for us the most – Sienna Miller, Romola Garai and Holly Willoughby in particular looked really great.

Sienna only became a mum nine months ago to baby daughter Marlowe and she recently told the Metro she’s got “much less energy” for stardom since then. Nevertheless, she looked stunning in a 1950s-style prom dress with a botanical print and showed that having a baby around the house needn’t mean an end to glamour. To get the look for yourself, see our lace maternity cocktail dress. The Hour’s Romola gave birth just two months ago, but she already looked slim and composed in a lacy dress, without even visible circles under her eyes. She did make an eye-watering joke about childbirth though – but we won’t go there! Meanwhile, Holly evoked old Hollywood in a scarlet frock with one strap and gathering at the waist to emphasise those curves. OK, so her little ones are two and four now as opposed to being babies, but she was still a great poster girl for busy mums everywhere.

You can emulate them really easily too – all you need is a little forward planning and a fantastic maternity evening dress and you can shine just as much as the Baftas girls. Luckily, we can help you with the latter as we have plenty of party-ready maternity gowns in our Seraphine Luxe collection – why not take a look ready for your next big event?

One other thing we noticed was that lots of the dresses last night seemed to be modelled on those from decades gone by – it must be the combined effect of Downton Abbey and forthcoming film The Great Gatsby! Take Tess Daly, for example. She looked stunning in a really unusual black lace and chiffon creation that was exactly like something Lady Mary might wear (except for the hint of cleavage, of course). She even had a 1920s-style beaded bag that we just loved.

This year’s biggest trends had been paid attention to by many of the invitees, with several coral outfits on show (Catherine Tyldesley from Coronation Street provided our favourite) and a lot of lace. However, some chose to do their own thing and wear something totally different. Mel Giedroyc was perhaps the best example of this, as she looked lovely in a white blazer teamed with black treggings that had a white stripe up each leg. It was androgynous yet managed to appear very feminine at the same time, so this is definitely one you could copy if you’re not really a ballgown kind of girl.

That’s not to say we didn’t love the more traditional frocks – comedy favourite Olivia Colman flattered her figure in a dazzling off-the-shoulder aubergine style and Sheridan Smith was beautiful as ever in a black dress that had structured panels over her chest. It’s worth looking out for pictures of the fashion amid all the snaps of skirts being blown askew by the gusts – there are quite a lot of those today!

The one that made us giggle the most is that of Sir Bruce Forsyth’s wife Wilnelia – as she posed for photos in a bright yellow gown, one of the floaty chiffon pieces flew up and covered her face completely. Perhaps it might be best to go for a figure-hugging frock like Olivia and Sheridan if you’re attending a special party soon, just in case that mischievous wind keeps up!

Maternity Fashion Trends – A sneak peek at what’s to come this AW13

Our recent A13 styled photoshoot gives an edgy look to maternity fashion. A firm believer that you need not lose your personal style during pregnancy, we mixed and matched key pieces of our upcoming collection with accessories and jewellery to create chic maternity looks.

We don’t want to spoil what’s to come, but we couldn’t help but share a few behind the scenes images! Taking place in a studio in London, our beautiful model was styled by Cecile, who created looks ranging from Parisian chic to evening elegance.

With gorgeous accessories supplied by Alva London, the final images were some of our favourites yet!

Are you excited for the next collection? We are! Let us know what you think in the comments below.