style: the thing about maternity clothes

Advance warning: this post may contain content of a ranty nature!

Why do shops make maternity clothes shopping so difficult? And why is it all so dull?

Honestly, it seems the majority of high street stores don’t stock their maternity collection in store and most of the time it is so limited and so dull. I’m all for creating a capsule maternity wardrobe that revolves around a few core pieces with a lot of basic essentials to mix and match but most maternity collections seem to be just the basics.

Unless I want to spend a fortune on more bespoke pregnancy wear brands who seem to have a little more imagination, I end up with the same jeans, leggings, nursing vest and wrap top combos. Yawn.

Why is it so difficult for retailers to create pieces that women actually want to wear? I’m a huge fan of H&M. I also need to shout out to them because they do actually stock some maternity wear in some of their stores. But they don’t follow through the designs of their core collection to their maternity range. For example, this dress (below) would be great for a pregnant body but just needs a little alteration in the design to make it fit properly. I have considered buying it up a size but then the arms and shoulders are too big.

So this is my appeal to stores like H&M and New Look to create maternity pieces that reflect the core collections and don't just offer the boring basics. Obviously there is a place for the basics and I don't want these stores to stop stocking them too, but expand and offer something a bit more exciting than another wrap nursing top. Just because we're pregnant doesn't mean we've lost all sense of style.

While we're on the subject of maternity dressing, I spotted this post over at Dress Like A Mum which has some super handy tips for dressing through pregnancy and beyond.

brand: Isabella Oliver - plus 20% off discount code

One of my favourite non-maternity brands is Baukjen. Baukjen was launched in 2009 by the founder of maternity brand Isabella Oliver to provide fans with a ready-to-wear collection that would work all of the time. Baukjen originally launched as Isabella Oliver 365 but three years later rebranded as Baukjen, after Baukjen De Swaan Arons, the creative brains behind both brands.

So it was only natural that when I found out I was pregnant, I would look to the maternity collection by Isabella Oliver to get me dressed.

In their own words, Isabella Oliver creates effortless outfits you can wear again and again. Prints are pared-back, colour palettes are subtle and every piece must pass their "can I wear this 100 times?" test.

They know that your body and tastes constantly change throughout your pregnancy. Whatever your preference, they design shapes that fit you perfectly, in fabrics that grow as you do.

Isabella Oliver source the finest quality fabrics. The ones that are kind to sensitive skin, wash well and flatter you completely – at every stage of pregnancy. While you look after your bump, their clothes look after you.

If you're looking for wardrobe essentials that will see you through your pregnancy, for work, for play, for dressing up and for dressing down, then look no further than Isabella Oliver.

The best thing too, is that the clothes at Isabella Oliver are designed to grow with your bump but also to fit post-pregnancy too. So you're investing in pieces that will last beyond the nine months.

I've picked out my top three favourite pieces from the collection that will help to build the foundations of your maternity wardrobe:

1. The Betty Stripe dress is perfect for a growing bump. Stripes are always in style and this dress could be dressed up for the office - add a blazer and a pair of flat or heeled court shoes - or dressed down for the weekend - just add a pair of your favourite trainers and a denim jacket and you're good to go. This is top of my list right now!
2. The Harris maternity cardigan is a great but that will certainly see you well beyond your bump. It's a great cover-up for cooler weather - can totally see myself wrapping this around me in the evenings.
3. The Libby maternity shirt tunic is another piece that will work well for the office. I'd layer this over leather leggings with boots for a day in the office.

Plus, Isabella Oliver has a great offer for all newly expectant mums right now - 20% off your first order AND free UK standard delivery and returns. To get the offer, use the code NEWMAMA before midnight GMT on Sunday 20 March.

style: leather maternity leggings

I've always loved the leather legging look but never found the right pair. Maybe I need to look at real leather but, for me, they always seem so expensive! Then I got pregnant and found the perfect faux pair! These were totally a spur of the moment "add to basket" that I didn't give much thought to. I was ordering some maternity swimming costumes to try from the Next clearance when I spotted these leggings and figured I had nothing to loose. All of my other maternity trousers/leggings have been over the bump style so, again, I was unsure about these.

But the minute I tried them on, I knew they were for keeps! They have just the right amount of elastic in to hug my legs but also mean that they are easy to put on. The under the bump band also works fine - although I'll reserve judgement to see if they last for the latter stages of pregnancy.

Plus, Next do different leg lengths for their maternity wear, which for a shortly like me is a godsend! We don't all grow taller just because we're getting wider!!

If you're looking to splurge, these Dover Maternity Leather Leggings by Isabella Oliver are just the ticket.

If you're on a budget, these Next maternity coated leggings are just £12!

I'm loving my faux leather leggings by Next - they are so easy to style. I'll be dressing them up for the evening with a lace top for evening and a pair of embellished flats (or heels if you fancy). For day, I'll be teaming the leggings with an oversized shirt and crisp white trainers:

Images via Pinterest here and here