Category: Featured

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

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!

 

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Mariella has been the Executive Retail Editor at Tatler magazine for over 4 years so knows a thing or two about shopping. Previous to this she worked at Vogue and this year saw the launch of her vintage fashion website Wardrobe Connect.com.  She lives in Chelsea with her boyfriend and two dogs and is presently expecting her first child. She has taken the time to share a few of her pregnancy travel essentials with us!

 

I travel- a lot! Lots of my recent journeys have been while pregnant and so while I squeeze in my last few trips before the ‘No Fly’ rule kicks in, here are a few pregnancy travel bits I can’t fly without.

Bralicious by Spanx– the most comfortable bra you will ever own. It fastens at the front and its elasticated straps and back panel feel like a second skin, so you don’t get any strange plastic bits digging into you.  I love everything from Spanx. The Mama Spanx are great too for added support under jeans or dresses.

 

Pregnancy Pillow

As you get heavier throughout your pregnancy this pillow becomes a dream. Much longer than the usual snake pillows it is filled with bean bag filling and gives the best support of any one I have tried. It’s size makes it challenging to travel with for a shorter break but for a week or more it is totally worth it.

 

Wakaya Ginger Powder

Many women use ginger at the beginning of their pregnancy to ward off morning sickness. I have used it all the way through. Mixed with water, it boosts your immune system against the germs that may find their way through the plane’s air conditioning units.

 

Tata Harper Multivitamin Roll On Oil

If there is one product I can’t live without it is this. Tata Harper’s multivitamin oil is a wonder for dry plane environments. Because it is a roll on it won’t explode in your bag. I use it all over my face to keep skin hydrated.

 

Flight socks

I am not talking about the ones you buy from the airport, these are proper full on pharmacy grade ones. They go up to mid-thigh and come in different levels of pressure. If you don’t want swollen legs and feet these are a must.

 

Water

Hydrate hydrate hydrate. It is an obvious one but I always buy the largest water bottle after check in and get the cabin crew to refill it throughout the flight. You feel so much less tired at the end.

 

Ilia

I don’t like to wear much make up when travelling so rely on a bold lip to feel made up. The Ilia lip crayons are incredibly hydrating and provide long lasting colour.

 

Del Rio shoes

These shoes are just the most comfortable thing. Sort of like a hybrid between a flip flop and a shoe, they stay on and have tyres as the soles, so you won’t slip ever. I also love all of the different colour and leather options.

 

Longchamp

I always find you do lots of bending in airports or digging for your passport boarding card and phone. I like to use a smaller cross body bag that contains all of my essentials that gives me easy access to the things I need. Then I swear by the Longchamp Pliage bags for everything else. Super hard-wearing and light, they really are a pregnancy travel dream and if you don’t need them on one of your travel legs they are as light as a feather and can be squashed into even the smallest luggage.

 

Epsom salts

Nothing is better at the end of a long day than a bath. I always pack a little bag of Epsom salts to take the strain away from any pregnancy travel related aches and pains.

 

I use the Huile Tonic as a bump and body moisturiser, and a bath and shower oil. It’s scent is divine.

 

Seraphine skinny jeans

I never travel in anything other than jeans. The air conditioning can get so cold. I have tried MANY a pregnancy jean out there and these are the only ones that truly stay in place no matter what.

 

Cellagon

This stuff is incredible. It contains every different fruit,mineral vitamin that you could want during and after your pregnancy. You will never be undernourished or deprived of important vitamins when taking this. I decant some into a smaller bottle and take every morning.

 

Gowri Wrap

If back pain is really getting you down and all of those cars trains and planes are playing havoc with your back then this is great at giving extra support. Not only does it look far more pretty than some of the options out there, it comes with three different hook and eye settings so you can adjust it throughout your pregnancy.

 

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