Guest Bloggers | Seraphine Blog

Woman & Home Fashion Editor Lynda Bell’s Maternity Fashion Tips

My name is Lynda, I’m a fashion editor and stylist, living in London and I’ve been married for 5 years. I’ve been working as a stylist for the last 10 years and am currently happily settled as Fashion Editor at woman&home magazine. My life has moved onto the next level since I found out in August that we are expecting our first baby and I am now 21 weeks pregnant!

I wanted to share with you my plan to not lose myself or my style thanks to my expanding waistline and changing life!

My standard style is quite minimal; I like asymmetrical shapes, slim-line jeans, layering, and I love a stripy top! You can see a blog post about my style B.P (before pregnancy) here. My waistline started expanding around 13 weeks and I treated myself to a couple of loose fitted shirts like the Seraphine Sheer Grey Maternity Blouse which I’m wearing with my leather panel leggings.

I’m really looking forward to growing a ‘real’ bump (mine still looks like I’ve just over-indulged at the weekend!) and I’ll be showing it off in fitted jersey tops and dresses… I’ve got my eye on a few already like this amazing bodycon maternity dress that Gwen Stefani wore, and the gorgeous Graphic Maternity Dress!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve picked up a couple of maternity fashion tips I’d love to share with you:

Buy a few bits every few months. I was pained to invest in a whole new wardrobe that didn’t feel necessary or ‘me’ so I chose to mix in my B.P clothing with slow changes. Also – intermittent additions are more exciting to get you through this challenging time! Pep up your wardrobe with something fresh every once in a while – this gives you the chance to try on your regular clothes again to see what fits, and what can be used… What didn’t suit you in month 3 might actually look great in month 6.

Don’t forget your signature style. I’m a magpie by nature and I love anything with embellishment and interesting details, so I’ve bookmarked this adorable Seraphine sequin cardigan which I’ll wear through maternity, nursing and beyond! I’ll wear it with my staple jeans as well as a special layer over an LBD. Adapt your maternity clothing to parallel your style – if you live in jeans, invest in some that you can enjoy with a bump!

Buy a pair of pregnancy leggings. I love this bamboo style which is hypoallergenic, and I’ll get a pair in black and grey to see me through the Winter.

Treat yourself. I always treat myself to a great pair of shoes or a statement bag (that doesn’t matter what size you are!). I will be tidying away my heels for lower kitten styles (thank god they are back in the shops!), loafers and cool trainers.

Grooming! Get a blow-dry, a manicure, wear some bright lipstick whatever makes you feel more glamorous when your changing body is out of your control.

For more from Lynda check out her blog Elle Belle Fashion, or follow her on Twitter @ellebellfashion and on Instagram @lyndabell1

Other Articles You May Like:

Scandi fashion maven Sanna stays true to her style through pregnancy
Zoe Saldana’s Seraphine style: Casual chic to Hollywood glam
A charmed pregnancy – treat yourself with Stella & Dot

Scandi Fashion Maven Sanna Stays True to Her Style

Sanna Buckhoj is a Swedish graphic designer with a passion for fashion! She lives in London with her fiancé Martin, and runs her own business very Buckhoj. The couple are expecting their first baby in January! Sanna is determined to stick to her own personal style throughout pregnancy – and we quizzed her on how she is managing it.

1) What inspires your personal style?

My colleagues! I share an office with three super stylish women who are all in the fashion industry, and they dress in such an inspiring way. I also read blogs that inspire me! Elin Kling is my muse.

2) Sum up your look in 3 words.

I would say my style is: Scandinavian, clean-cut & basic (but teamed with funky accessories and fab bags!)

3) Has it been easy to adapt your style for pregnancy?

Well at the beginning i was able to use a lot of of my old clothes, but since my bump began to grow, discovering Seraphine has made it so easy to adapt my style! I just bought some new maternity denims – I love the Premium Under Bump Maternity Skinny Jeans and the Black Peplum Maternity Blazer. I team them with a cashmere sweater or a tight t-shirt.

It’s been really important for me to try to keep my style and not change it just because I’m pregnant.

4) We are confiscating your makeup bag – you’re allowed to keep three essential cosmetics. What do you choose?

Easy: My Mineral foundation from Bare Minerals, and my eyebrow pencil & mascara from YSL. DONE!

5) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece?

Definitely my maternity jeans. My second skin every day.

6) What’s the funniest thing that’s happened so far this pregnancy?

Hmm… I threw up at Barclays bank while setting up my business account. Easy to seem professional… nja!

7) Do you have a favourite non-maternity style that you’ll be wearing even after you can’t get the zip up?

My black wool coat from Filippa K. It looks fab even if I won’t be able to close it!

8) What food can you not get enough of right now?

Sandwiches! OMG, I munch at least five a day. And apples… loads and loads of apples.

9) What has been your favourite moment of pregnancy so far?

Our first ultrasound. When me and my fiancé got to meet our Junior for the first time he/she danced for us! Amazing to be a part of.

10) Tell us your idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is to enjoy your everyday life. We can all enjoy a holiday, but what goes on everyday is far more important. To love your work & have inspiring colleagues, come home to a welcoming and cosy flat and close contact with friends & family. Since I met my fiancé, of course he is now my main source of happiness – and my Junior!

Other Articles You May Like:

Glamour Magazine’s Victoria Ibbetson shares her pregnancy style
Pregnancy goes couture: power to the pregnant lady
Victoria’s Secret angel Doutzen’s pregnancy story

McBusted Mama Giovanna Fletcher Supports Seraphine #Justforlove

The lovely Giovanna Fletcher has been looking gorgeous in Seraphine maternity clothes this week!

The actress, writer & wife to McFly member Tom Fletcher, is expecting her second baby early next year – a little brother or sister for 1 year old Buzz. And we are thrilled to see her supporting our #Justforlove charity campaign for Tommy’s!

We are in love with this video

Giovanna loves her Seraphine Love T-Shirt and wore it to record this beautiful singalong duet with her husband Tom.

Spread the Love for Tommy’s

We are aiming to raise £100,000 to help Tommy’s set up the UK’s first medical research centre specifically dedicated to preventing early miscarriage. You can get involved by buying the Love T-shirt – we’ll give all the profits to Tommy’s!

When your Love T-Shirt arrives, snap a selfie like Giovanna & upload it to our #justforlove page. We’ll donate an extra £1 for every picture you share!

And it’s not just the Love T-Shirt that Giovanna’s been rocking – we spotted her looking gorgeous on the Lorraine show on Wednesday morning wearing our Cerise Dot Maternity Dress!

We are loving your style Giovanna, & thank you for supporting the #justforlove campaign!

Heart Radio’s Charlie O’Brien on pregnancy, proposals & little treats

Charlie O’Brien is a radio presenter for Heart and gets up at 3.45am to host a breakfast show. She is also a lifestyle and popular culture blogger and runs her own blog realgirlramblings.com. Charlie is expecting her first baby with fiancé – radio and TV presenter Jk (Jason King) who also works for Heart. They live in South East London with their very lazy lab, Isla.

I’m discovering that looking good in pregnancy DOESN’T necessarily come easily. I had ridiculous, misguided illusions of being all glowing-looking for 9 months with thick glossy hair and a cute little bump that would just magically appear at 12 weeks. A bit like the lady on my pregnancy vitamins packet?! Wrong! From being a small size 8, I felt bloated and lumpy literally from Day 1. I’ve also been ridiculously tired, a big part of which I put down to getting up before 4am five days a week to host a radio show. Under-eye concealer has become my best friend. I did also have a tricky start to my pregnancy and had to be on a lot of medication, which added to the general feelings of grottiness.

Add to that the bizarre changes in my skin (adult acne anyone?) and the tough time finding things to wear, and I am probably the complete antithesis of the romantic preconception I had about pregnancy!

So at 21 weeks I’ve decided to take the bull by the horns and do something about it. I’ve booked in for a facial this week and next weekend I’m off for a delicious spa break with the girls. I was also quite literally over the moon to stumble across Seraphine whilst googling ‘nice maternity clothes’! I’m so excited to try some of the dresses, so I don’t have to be in the same one pair of maternity jeans for the next 4 months! When you work on the radio, you can literally wear your pyjamas to work if you want, it’s not very glam. But I think every woman wants to look her best from time to time, especially during this very magical, but sometimes tough time.

Life has actually been a bit of a rollercoaster recently because as well as expecting our first child together, my partner Jk also proposed to me last week! We were on a cliff top in Cornwall so I was wearing trainers and a hoodie at the time! But we’re going to go for some posh cocktails (non alcoholic for me of course) at the hotel where we had our first date, so I’m looking forward to dressing up for the first time in ages and feeling good about the way I look. Although I expect we’ll be home by 10pm in front of the TV with a hot chocolate …

I do think us ladies have a tendency to neglect our own needs a bit in pregnancy. We’re so focused on making sure baby has the right vitamins, we’re eating the right foods, and doing everything by the book that we forget about ourselves. So if you’re feeling the same as me – do something lovely for yourself. Book a manicure, order a pretty maternity dress or just have a bubble bath. After all, we might not have much spare time in a few months!

Charlie

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5 style tips for new mums – by What to Expect editor Kim Conte

5 Style Tips for New Mums – by What to Expect Editor Kim Conte

Kim Conte is the editor at WhattoExpect.com – the online home of global pregnancy franchise – What to Expect When You’re Expecting, where you’ll find expert advice and mum to mum tips on everything from preconception to potty training and beyond! Kim lives in New York with her husband and new baby daughter Ida.

I absolutely love being a mum. But my life isn’t baby coos and cuddles all day long – for every wonderful moment you have as a parent, there’s a stressful one right around the corner! It’s all part of the journey, I try to remind myself.

One thing I decided early on that I wasn’t going to stress about was how I looked postpartum. I have enough new mum friends to know that for most women the pounds don’t immediately come off in those first few months (and even in the second few months), and there are other changes that happen to your body that take a while to bounce back from, too.

The way I saw it I had two options: I could put a lot of worry and energy into trying to get my body back to how it was before pregnancy. Or, I could embrace my new body – using it as a fun opportunity to experiment with my style — and spend that energy somewhere else. Here are the 5 ways I’ve tweaked my style since having my little girl:

1) Easy access

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on Apr 14, 2017 at 4:32am PDT

First things first, I’m breastfeeding, so most things I wear now must offer easy access to the food supply. I have a few nursing tops and dresses that I’m in most frequently (including this sparkly striped Seraphine nursing tunic). But I’ve also gotten creative with easy-to-slip-off-the-shoulder tanks under a floral shawl or fitted jacket and cute slouchy tees with wide yokes that I can just pull down when she’s hungry.

2) No underwire

And while we’re on the topic of breastfeeding, I should mention that I’ve had to rid my lingerie drawer of underwire bras — because they’re way too uncomfortable – and find other ways to support the girls. It used to be that finding a pretty (or dare I say it, sexy) nursing bra was an impossible task; but these days there are more options. I love my black Seraphine nursing bra with the lace trim and I’ve found some other nice ones in Nordstrom’s lingerie department, too.

3) Less is more

Before pregnancy my closet was bursting at the seams with old-time favourites, trends and one-hit wonders to match my every mood. These days I don’t have a lot of time to get ready in the morning, so it’s a lot more edited: I have a lot fewer items now, but every piece is carefully chosen and fits me well.

4) Fun makeup!

What do I do to pass all the time I spend pumping breast milk when I’m away from my baby? Well, I have a new guilty pleasure: watching makeup tutorials on YouTube! Then, on those days when I’m not feeling my best, I’ll experiment with a new lipstick or shimmery eye shadow to draw attention away from my problem areas (at least that’s what I tell myself to feel better!).

5) Embrace the curves

My go-to look pre-pregnancy was skinny jeans and tailored tops. Now, instead of trying to squeeze myself into fitted clothes, I’ve welcomed the opportunity to try more relaxed styles. I’ve been wearing distressed boyfriend jeans with airy tunics on the weekends and a black romper for date nights. It’s been fun to break out of my usual clothing routine – plus, it allows me to set a good example for my daughter by showing her how to flaunt what you have (instead of being stressed about what you don’t).

Photos by Kendra Callari – Kim (wearing the black Seraphine nursing wrap dress) and her daughter, Ida.

For more from Kim, follow her on Twitter @Kimconte

Other Articles You May Like:

Maternity & nursing bras: busting the myths wide open
Breastfeeding your baby just got glamorous
Things i wish i’d known about nursing – By Rosie Nixon, editor of Hello! Mag

Celebrity Stylist Kimberly Lavey’s 6 Top Tips for Styling Your Bump

Kimberly Lavey is a freelance Online Fashion Editor and Celebrity Stylist working on Strictly Come Dancing. She spends her days dressing stars such as Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman, and Dame Kelly Holmes, styling commercial shoots for the likes of L’Oreal, and writing/ editing for online publications such as InStyle, LOOK, and Marie Claire amongst others… Follow her on Twitter @Stylistatlarge

It’s hard to believe that I have just reached the 16 week mark of my first pregnancy. It feels like an eternity ago that my husband and I first found out our exciting news and now hitting my second trimester, the reality that a baby will arrive in less than 6 months is finally starting to set in! However, with all the nervousness there is of course excitement, coupled with worry, raging hormones, fatigue, headaches, mood swings and nausea; just a few of the early symptoms which, so I’ve been told, are perfectly normal.

Due to my miniature size (I’m 5’ 1”) I showed super early and now have quite a rotund tummy when other expectant mothers’ belly’s still appear to be flat. But there is of course a silver lining: With my insider fashion knowledge I am aware of what will work for my body shape and others’, so here are my top tips for surviving early pregnancy with a telling bump…

1) Picking the Perfect Underwear

Just as my body is expanding, so too is my wardrobe; gone is the sexy underwear and in are the super comfy pants! Just remember that throughout pregnancy it is imperative to make sure you get measured regularly as your bust and derriere will (sorry to say) widen during this period of time, and having correct underwear will be key to feeling snug in any outfit.

2) Maternity Jeans

You will also need a pair of perfect go-to maternity jeans or leggings that help keep you comfortable all day when shopping or spending time friends: this also includes casual Friday’s at work and especially on long drives during a mid-summer break.

3) Managing your Shape and Bump

I love maxi dresses, which are lightweight and show off your expanding tum perfectly and are flattering on all shapes and sizes. You can also try swing style tops in A-line shapes and elasticated dresses which nip you in at the empire waist. But of course don’t be afraid to show your bump off by wearing form fitting dresses, tunics and work wear.

4) Cover Up in a Kimono This season the style du jour that all the celebs are adorning is the kimono – therefore choose a colourful print to wear with a skinny belt, jeans and heels if dressing up at night or throw on over a dress or shorts for hot summer days.

5) Dressing for an Occasion

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on May 27, 2016 at 4:31am PDT

Just as pregnant model Ashleigh Good hit the runway for couture week in July (you can thank Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel) you too can emulate the perfect maternity look with a range of luxe dresses for less. Let your pièce de résistance be a jewel coloured gown (ruby red is set to be on-trend for AW14) which will help get you noticed in a sea of LBD’s this coming winter.

6) Look After the Skin You’re in

Last but definitely not least is to treat yourself to a nourishing body butter or oil such as Elemis Japanese Camellia Body Oil (Victoria Beckham swears by it; £29.50 for 100ml), Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil (£39 for 100ml) and of course Bio Oil (from £5.99 for 60ml); they may be pricey but are 100% natural and will help firm and tone the elasticity of your skin and prevent stretch marks from appearing.

My final piece of advice for any worrying mums-to-be (just like me) is to purchase Heidi Murkoff’s best selling book “What to expect when you’re expecting”. Jam packed with helpful hints and tips, plus week by week analysis of baby growth, an A-Z index which covers every scenario plus parent-to-be tips, how to cope post-pregnancy and a section for dads – it really has been my baby bible and worth a read at any stage of pregnancy.

Other Articles You May Like:

What to read when you’re expecting: summer pregnancy reads
Pregnancy goes couture: Power to the pregnant lady
Maternity style and pregnancy yoga – by Pollyanna Woodward

Glamour Magazine’s Victoria Ibbetson shares her pregnancy style

Victoria Ibbetson is the lead tablet designer for Glamour magazine, after starting her career at Marie Claire magazine. She has worked in the extremely busy and creative art department of the country’s leading women’s magazine for 6 years, and loved every second of it. She lives in southeast London with her husband and very spoilt cat and is expecting her first baby in August.

1) Describe your pregnancy style? Has it changed from your regular style or mostly stayed the same?

For my pregnancy style I have tried to stay as true to my regular style as possible. I haven’t wanted to spend a huge amount of money on clothing but I invested early on in some skinny grey maternity jeans which I could team with my regular Breton tops and ballet shoes. These days (7+ months) in the heat of the summer I am living in maternity dresses and flat sandals, which allow me to look stylish and keep cool!

2) What is your go-to outfit? Any fashion staples?

My go to outfit is a navy blue pleated maternity dress that keeps on growing with me. It is smart enough for work or drinks in the evening but very comfy too.

3) Fitted or flowing for your bump?

I spent the first few months drowning myself in baggy shirts until a good friend advised me to ‘embrace the bump’. Since then I have been all about showing off the bump. I have really struggled with not having a waist but I figure that I won’t look like this forever (even though sometimes it feels that way) so I might as well proudly show off those curves whilst I can!

4) What’s your favourite Seraphine piece in the collection and why?

I have struggled to find any maternity skirts so it was love at first sight when I saw the Grey Marl Maternity maxi Skirt! It is made out of the softest tshirt material and looks really fab teamed with a vest top and leather sandals. I’m going to be very sad when the baby arrives and I can’t wear this anymore!

5) Do you have any top tips to share with other pregnant mums?

Comfort is key but that doesn’t mean that you can’t look like ‘you’ anymore. I think a happy mum means a happy baby so it is really important to do some things for yourself whilst pregnant, and if that means spending some money on a few key pieces that will see you stylishly through the 9 months then there is no need to feel guilty. Build up a wardrobe of key pieces that you can mix and match with your existing clothes (baggier) and you won’t feel limited by your maternity wardrobe.

6) What’s your favourite maternity accessory?

A big glitzy jcrew necklace! It can take some of the attention away from my ever expanding bump. I love high heels so not being able to wear them has meant that I have over compensated in the bags and jewelry departments.

7) What has been your favourite moment during pregnancy so far?

Telling my friends was a very special moment. There were a lot of tears involved. I am the first one in my group to have gone through this so seeing them being so excited and fascinated with my changing body has helped me come to terms with the fact that when I look in the mirror I look so radically different.

Other Articles You May Like:

The Gadget Show’s Pollyanna Woodward shares her top 3 baby buys
Create a capsule wardrobe for a long weekend in St Tropez
Pep up your pregnancy diet and indulge in delicious summer smoothies

The Gadget Show’s Pollyanna Woodward Shares Her Top 3 Baby Buys

Pollyanna is a television presenter, most recently on The Gadget Show. She and golfer fiancé Paul Casey are currently expecting their first child and have been busy preparing for their new arrival.

A post shared by Pollyanna Woodward (@pollyannawoodward) on Mar 12, 2017 at 2:24pm PDT

So the swollen feet have just kicked in….. It started after a day of tottering around Wimbledon on 2 inch heels – my feet showed their thorough disapproval and not discreetly. They looked like they’d gone 3 rounds with a swarm of bees! On the plus side, it lead to some TLC and a foot massage off the other half which was an absolute treat! I decided to wear my Seraphine long maternity maxi dress in purple for the event as purple and Green are Wimbledon’s official colours so it matched the occasion perfectly and most importantly I felt glam. And to be honest I haven’t had the opportunity to feel like that through most of my pregnancy.

Tiredness is starting to take hold again now so I’m trying to get as much organised and arranged as I can – it would be nice for the last few weeks to be able to just relax a bit more and wait for our new arrival. However, I am more than aware that the next time I’ll get to completely relax after the birth will be a long way away!!

I haven’t gone too crazy with things for the little one. In fact if anything I’ve gone for just the basics and necessities, as once it arrives If I find I need something I can always get it then – otherwise the costs spiral out of control. I had no idea how expensive it would be just to prepare! However there are a few really useful Gadgets I’ve come across during my prep for the arrival that I wanted to share, as you may also find them useful.

1) The Magic Mitten

One of my earlier purchases was the Magic mitten – I demonstrated this on “This Morning” a few months back and it worked brilliantly – it’s to assist with relaxing and calming your baby if they are upset or distressed for no apparent reason. It emits white noise (the kind of noise they’d have heard in the womb) and a few other sounds on a frequency for baby. You hold it against their free ear while you hold them against you and it helps calm them! And it’s on a 10 minute timer so you don’t have to worry about switching it off.

2) The Snuza Go Baby Breathing Monitor

Another one was the Snuza Go baby breathing monitor. I first discovered this in the US and then looked for it in the UK as this could genuinely be a life saver! It’s a clip-on baby breathing monitor (it has no wires and is portable) which is going to be perfect for travelling or visiting people, and it connects to your Smartphone. It clips onto baby’s nappy with a rubber end touching their tummy, and it monitors their breathing. If they stop for over 10/15 seconds it vibrates to try and shock baby into breathing and if that doesn’t work it’ll send an alarm to your smartphone so you can quickly check on them. Ideally this will never have to be kicked into action, but even so I consider it to be my most invaluable buy.

3) The Keep-it Kleen Dummy

And lastly dummies that close by Keep-it-Kleen – Not the cheapest dummies out there but these are super smart. As an auntie to 13 nieces and nephews I have seen on so many occasions my brothers and sisters having to suck and wipe clean dummies that have fallen on the floor. So when I discovered these, it was a necessity as a soon-to-be-mum – the less dirt I have to clean off the better! They have a built-in case around the teat that opens widely like a normal dummy but once dropped, it snaps shut before it hits the floor, protecting the teat from it’s surrounding environment – clever little device!

Watch Pollyanna demonstate the Keep-it-Kleen dummy on This Morning

I hope you find some of that useful! They are definitely a few of my must have discoveries.

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Maternity style and pregnancy yoga – by Pollyanna Woodward
Kimberley Walsh and Holly Willoughby’s boho style in Seraphine
Claire Sweeney in a Seraphine gown at a red carpet premier

My nursing wardrobe – by fashion writer Kerry Law

Kerry Law is a PR consultant and owner of KL PR + Communications. She also writes about fashion and style for a number of clients including Fashion London magazine. She welcomed her first baby into the world this April.

My little bundle of joy (Max) has now arrived – and with him, a new host of wardrobe issues that I thought I’d left behind in the delivery room.

Because now that I can start easing out of the maternity clothes that accommodated my ever-growing bump (although not immediately of course), I still can’t utilise the rest of my neglected wardrobe as I’m faced with the challenge of dressing practically for the next few months of nursing.

For breastfeeding, it’s not just about ease of access. When getting dressed in the morning I look at every top, tunic or dress and also find myself considering how ‘discreet’ or ‘modest’ that item may be if there’s a chance I may be breastfeeding in public that day. Because sadly in our society, breastfeeding within sight of a stranger is sometimes frowned upon and even considered taboo. Some people believe that the most natural thing in the world – feeding your baby – should be done away from the public gaze and shamefully carried out in a locked cupboard (if they had their say!).

Thankfully, high-profile incidences, such as the mother who was labelled a ‘tramp’ by an unidentified troll on Facebook, has galvanised people to stand up for the right to breastfeed in public. Actress and ex-model Jaime King was deemed to be making a political statement when she recently shared an “intimate” snap of herself on Instagram breastfeeding her eight month-old son – “breastfeeding should not be taboo” she added.

So, I’ve decided to take inspiration from these women and ensure my wardrobe choices aren’t strangled by feeling I must hide away when nursing. Luckily, the nursing range at Seraphine is too good to hide away in!

Accessories

My grey leopard print Seraphine scarf has already enjoyed a lot of outings for those times when I feel a bit of drapery is required (sometimes you may want to spare other people’s blushes, especially when you’re with friends or family who you know are too easily embarrassed). It’s large enough to amply cover breast and baby, and lightweight enough not to suffocate him in the summer heat. And it doesn’t look like an apologetic cover-up; just a really cool accessory!

Dresses

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on May 17, 2017 at 2:18am PDT

I’ve got my eye on a few Seraphine dresses – the wrap dresses (loved by the Duchess of Cambridge) offer very easy access without compromising on style. I’m also currently wearing an ‘A Wear’ flamingo print dress that saw me through pregnancy as its wrap style is now perfect for nursing.

Tops

As with dresses, wrap-style tops are great nursing choices (my Top Shop wrap top from several seasons ago was ever present throughout my pregnancy, and is now a nursing wardrobe staple), but sometimes you need a change from the ‘same-same’ wrap style. Button-down shirts and blouses are great (and can soon, I hope, be tucked comfortably into my jeans again), especially bold colour and prints to add style and interest to an outfit with almost no thought or effort required (essential after nights of no sleep!). I still wear my Seraphine maternity tunic and long-line top as they both have shoulder zips or shoulder poppers to allow access for breastfeeding, while still offering a high neckline. I’ve also got my eye on the Seraphine striped long-sleeve top (great to wear with jeans or denim shorts) to keep up with this summer’s trend for stripes.

Now with a refreshed nursing wardrobe, I feel freer to get out and about and there’s no need for me and my little one to hide away!

Other Articles You May Like:

Maternity & nursing bras: busting the myths wide open
Seraphine’s top 5 tips for simple and stylish breastfeeding
Seraphine’s video guide to nursing clothes – with Jocette and baby Roxette

Maternity style & pregnancy yoga – by Pollyanna Woodward

Pollyanna is a television presenter, most recently on The Gadget Show. She and golfer fiancé Paul Casey are currently expecting their first child.

I don’t think I could ever fully prepare myself for impending motherhood. Even now as it looms closer, I still feel pretty overwhelmed by it all, but at the same time I’m also really excited! I will be very honest and admit that I’m not one of those mums-to-be, that has fully embraced pregnancy and is completely at one with it. The changes my body has gone through and is still going through, (that I have no control over!) have taken me completely by surprise. The ever increasing dress sizes, the dry skin, the tiredness and the dreaded ‘baby brain’ (!) are all aspects that I have found really hard to accept, especially being a bit of an adrenalin junkie! But knowing what my body is creating, has left me in complete awe of the gift us ladies have. It never ceases to amaze me what is actually happening, especially when I’m feeling it kick and move, it makes accepting my ever changing body an easier pill to swallow!

A post shared by Pollyanna Woodward (@pollyannawoodward) on May 8, 2016 at 4:48am PDT

Throughout my pregnancy so far, style has been one of my biggest challenges, and I know this seems to be a common complaint with women across the land! To be honest I think I’ve only just found my comfort zone and realised what works for me….. long flowing maternity maxi dresses with under bust gathering – still feminine, comfortable and beautiful, but brilliant at disguising all my “unsightly” bits, whilst enhancing my best bit ….my bump. Finding these dresses had been a huge struggle until I recently discovered Seraphine ….. It was one of those eureka moments. I could kick myself for finding them so late, but as they say, better late than never! I think during pregnancy that’s one of the most important factors in feeling good; finding what suits YOU! Our shapes during this time are so individual, you just need to wear what makes you feel great and comfortable.

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity) on May 9, 2017 at 4:52am PDT

I have also started yoga, as I am unable to workout like I normally would, so I decided to try and help my body remain supple and strong – not only for baby but also to help recovery after birth and to be as fit and healthy a Mum as I can. Yoga seemed like a great way to do this and I must admit I have found it extremely beneficial. I try to do it 3, sometimes 4 times a week if I’m not too tired – it is relaxing, soothing and does help with strength, but isn’t grueling like other workouts. And let’s face it; as a mum-to-be just being up and about is tiring! I decided to do it via a fantastic DVD from Tara Lee, as I have been travelling a lot during my pregnancy and this allows me to do it wherever I am in the world. I got the trilogy so I can do post natal yoga and yoga with our new arrival too! I really do think this is something I will continue, as I found the benefits so helpful, and as mums-to-be will know, anything that makes you feel great and relaxed is a bonus.

Really thrilled to be blogging for Seraphine – in my next blog, I’ll be sharing some of my top baby tech purchases, some of which are essential in terms of baby’s health and well being and others which are just lots of fun!

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Getting into Maternity Wear – By Ana Santi, Deputy Editor at Drapers

Ana Santi is the deputy editor of Drapers magazine and has worked in the fashion industry for over eight years. She is currently expecting her first child and plans to look fabulous whilst pregnant. All the images used are of Ana wearing our Dove Grey Multiway Maternity Dress at her sister’s wedding.

It was the water cooler that did it. Whilst refilling my glass, a fellow officer worker did a strange double-take at my stomach: an expression somewhere between surprise and embarrassment. “That was one hearty bowl of pasta she must have scoffed down at lunch” were probably her thoughts.

In fact, I was 21 weeks pregnant and, jeans aside, I was still wearing my normal clothes. But I knew then that it wouldn’t be long before I needed to buy new stuff, and the thought scared me.

I’m a fashion journalist, so what I wear matters. I also like tailored clothes. Two factors that, when combined, don’t make for easy, carefree maternity dressing.

So I decided to consult my pregnant friends and those who already had children. They told me: Invest in skinny jeans. Avoid skinny jeans. Buy normal clothes a few sizes bigger. Don’t buy normal clothes a few sizes bigger. Buy cheap maternitywear – you’ll be sick of the sight of it after the birth. Invest in quality.

At first, the mixed messages were overwhelming, but I soon realised that they made perfect sense. These are friends with their own, individual styles. They dress to suit their tastes and body shapes. They like to – and do – look good, and did so whilst pregnant, but without altering their pre-pregnancy style.

From then on, I actually started to get quite excited about a maternity wardrobe and showing off my bump in a proper pregnant way. Whether I’ll regret it later on, I’ve decided to go for quality (I may have a second child later on) and buy several key pieces for each season. Any excuse to buy new clothes…

But the first thing I did was go through my existing wardrobe. I counted two short, loose dresses that I can wear with tights right from winter through to summer. I found, right at the bottom of a drawer, another short black dress that I haven’t worn for years (don’t ask me why, it’s still pretty) with a sort of empire line (but without being billowy; silhouettes that are too loose-fitting can actually make you look much bigger than you are) that will be perfect for smart work occasions. My legs are probably my best feature, so I realised that shorter lengths on skirts and dresses and skinny jeans would be good investments.

Still in my wardrobe, I saw that a floral print skirt with an elasticated waistband would be perfect for spring, as will several loose fitting tops for summer. One friend pointed out the brilliance of blazers – they maintain a fitted silhouette and you can still fit into them. I have a couple of those in my wardrobe.

I then made a list of clothes to buy. I’ve invested in three pairs of skinny jeans: black for winter, grey for all seasons and cropped white for spring and summer. I’m considering buying just normal blue jeans too…

I also bought a smart white shirt and a short grey skirt, which is really versatile and can be worn with or without tights. That’s it so far (underwear aside, of course).

Also on the list but not yet purchased (buy in stages as you don’t know how big you’ll get how quickly) are stretch jersey or cotton tops. I’ll be buying these as soon as the weather allows me to put away my jumpers and the bump gets too big for existing tops. Figure-hugging maxi dresses and a pair of shorts are also part of the summer spree.

Finally, don’t just think about clothes. Flat shoes are on-trend right now and will be next season too, so invest in those. Several of my friends swore by great pedicures during pregnancy. And experiment with make-up and jewellery.

But the most important thing is to be yourself. If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you care enough about how you look during your pregnancy, so have fun with it. My bump won’t flatter a jumpsuit this summer, so I’m considering some dungarees instead. Every cloud…

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Recommended by a Friend – By Beauty Editor Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith

Sarah Jane is a freelance beauty editor based in London with a self confessed obsession for designer shoes, pugs and pink lipstick. She has written on all aspects of health and beauty for big publications including Tatler, Zest, Look and Fabulous. She is currently expecting her first baby.

I have two beliefs in life. Firstly, do whatever makes your life easier. Secondly, if three or more people recommend the same thing whether it’s a mascara, hairdresser or restaurant, then you’re onto a winner. With less than two months until our baby arrives we have bought the big-ticket items (buggy, furniture etc.) but it’s the smaller things, and perhaps the products I’ll be using all day every day, that have alluded me.

Where do you start? I decided my best buying strategy was to merge my two beliefs and only go with items that came with three or more pregnant or new-mum friends recommendations with the promise they would make my life easier. Here’s that magical list:

1) The Cocoonababy

Sleeping is one of my favourite hobbies but I’ve heard these babies don’t always share the same enthusiasm for it. So when friends told me about the Red Castle Cocoonababy Nest, and how it got their little ones sleeping soundly from an early age, I thought ‘this is for me/ us’. It’s an ergonomically designed mattress that keeps the baby’s head higher than its tummy, mimicking the foetal position, limiting gastric reflux and maximising comfort. I can totally understand why you may look at it and think it’s faddy however the common story I’ve heard is friends started with a conventional Moses basket and their babies wouldn’t settle. After nights of trying to cajole their babies off their chests and into the basket, they bought this hoping it would work, and it did, immediately. That’s no fad, that’s a genius buy.

2) Seraphine Long Line Popper Nursing Top

I honestly hadn’t given much thought to the whole subject of feeding (am I a terrible mother already?!) apart from that I wanted to give breast-feeding a go and hope it will work. But when friends told me that there are clothes that can help you do it more easily and discreetly, I was all ears. The Seraphine Long Line Popper Nursing Top is the top all my friends have stocked up on at the end of their pregnancies to fit over their burgeoning bumps and to wear on the other side, to help them feed more easily on the go – and I can see why. It has easy to un-do and do-up poppers and it’s long length covers up any wobbly bits, which I have a feeling I’m going to have plenty of. I’m also buying their Knot Front Maternity Top which you may recognise as the top version of the dress that Kate Middleton wore in her first official picture with Baby George. Also designed to be worn during pregnancy and for breastfeeding. Well if it’s good enough for Kate…..

3) aden + anais Muslins

Muslins are apparently an absolute essential for life with a baby. Friends have told me they used them during labour to tie their hair up when they realised they’d forgotten hairbands (note to self: remember to put hair bands in hospital bag), wiping off sick, swaddling, using as a blanket. Basically, if in doubt use a muslin. And when it comes to muslins it has to be aden + anais, it’s the brand that Kate turned to for Baby George, and if it’s good enough for Baby George…

4) Caboo Carrier

There’s a whole new set of vocab you learn when expecting a baby. And ‘Caboo’ is one of those words. The Caboo sling has been designed so you can carry your baby in the ‘frog legged position’. This helps prevent too much pressure being put on their hips and knees. That’s the technical side of things. What I’ve witnessed is friend’s popping their babies into their caboo, where they nestle down and go straight to sleep, leaving mum or dad with their hands free to enjoy a drink. I’ve also been told they’re exceptionally handy for when you take your baby to have injections as it keeps them calmer.

5) Water Wipes

As a Beauty Editor I have tested many make-up wipes and found most to be packed with alcohol which can leave skin feeling dry and tight. If I’m not happy using them on myself I’m not going to use them on my baby, so I was thrilled when friends told me about Water Wipes. As the name suggests, these are literally just water on a wipe. No nasty ingredients, no alcohol and perhaps most importantly, can be used instead of having to find cotton wool, water and a bowl for top and tailing. Plus, I’ve heard these are genius for cleaning up those first few sticky nappies when the last thing you want to use is fluffy cotton wool that gets everywhere. I have placed a bulk order.

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