Marvellous Maternity Wear

Trying to get through pregnancy by squeezing into your regular clothes is not a fashion forward way to go. But before you go on a maternity wear shopping spree, have a think about your signature style as you can adapt your favourite items to fit in with your changing body shape.

Underwear is a good place to start as what you wear beneath your clothes affects how you look, as well as how comfortable you feel. Maternity lingerie comes in all shapes and sizes and for real beauty beneath you should invest in a few decent key pieces. As it goes, your bust will change size throughout the nine months you're expecting so expect a few purchases. Getting measured properly is vital to ensure you're wearing the correct size underwear which ensures both comfort and smooth, clean lines beneath your outer garments.

And knowing which styles flatter a pregnant body can save time when shopping; after all it's important you put your feet up as much as possible. You can easily flatter your new bodyshape by opting for fluid fabrics which skim and glide over new bumps and curves; jersey, silk and lycra are all ideal.

Sizing can be a baffling consideration when shopping for maternity pieces but it shouldn't be a complicated process as your pre-pregnancy size should still apply. This is because your basic proportions remain the same, so well-made maternity garments will leave extra room in the thighs, hips, upper arms, and bust. Maternity wear hemlines tend to be a little longer as tops and dresses will ride up as your tummy expands.

Skirts, trousers and any items worn on your bottom half should have elasticised waists to accommodate your growing size. Panel free or below the tummy waistlines are other handy features to look out for.

Trusty staples for your pregnancy wardrobe could include a pair of well-cut jeans as you can dress these up or down to suit yourself. A few stretchy t-shirts and jumpers are great basic additions which can be teamed with jackets and cardigans enabling you to change your look to suit the occasion.

Dresses are another simple way to dress up or down. Essentially a one item outfit, you can play with accessories to find a look you like. And if you have any parties to attend, look out for wrap dresses and empire waists so you look your glamorous best.

You don't need to spend a fortune to look wonderful during pregnancy as maternity clothes can easily be mixed and matched with your pre-pregnancy wardrobe to create simple silhouettes, and curve-hugging cuts.

Therefore, investing in a few essential maternity items and combining them with existing items, such as pashminas and cardigans, will stand you in good stead until the little one is born and goes easy on your wallet at the same time.