Author: THE MOTHERSHOP

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Earlier this year I was approached by leading maternity brand Isabella Oliver to write an article for their magazine recommending my top three tips on dressing whilst pregnant.

Being a stylist, I knew how I wanted to dress and I knew that I wanted to continue my original style rather than dress differently just because I was pregnant.

Working in the fashion industry it is essential I turn up on photo shoots looking stylish; be that pregnant or not! I obviously knew the current trends to follow but even so, until you’re actually in that world of styling out an ever increasing watermelon stuck to your front, you’re experimenting with what works and what doesn’t throughout your entire pregnancy.

Here’s the article with my top three tips and a little peak at some of Isabella Oliver’s SS16 collection. Enjoy!

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The Mother of all Gifts

Lets face it, no one shops as well as a Mum on a mission. So why not make your life easy, cut out the not-so-subtle hints and wishful thinking and just send a link of this page to your other half; he still has all of tomorrow to shop on behalf of your little ones. Sod the daffodils and chocolates, stylish Mum’s call for stylish gifts! And if that fails? Treat yourself; us Mums are definitely in need of a little luxury now and again.

From top left clockwise. Lipstick in ‘Jungle Red’ £21, Nars. Bracelet £45, Venessa Arizaga at Nine In The Mirror. Necklace £75, Monica Vinader. Cosmetic Bag £15, Charlotte Tilbury. Gorgeous Glow Balancing Facial wash £23, (100ml) Mama Mio. ‘Busy Bee’ Notebook £45, Smythson. Sunglasses £121 Chloe at The Outnet.com. Candle £42, Dyptique at Liberty. Eye Mask £25, Amara. Sweatshirt £45, Selfish Mother. Maternity Bra £38, Heidi Klum Intimates at Figleaves

THE LEATHER FORECAST

Brr! Don’t let this lovely bright sunshine fool you, it’s still winter after all and it’s still cold (even with your pregnant almost tropical inner thermostat). So what do you wear, without adding bulk to your bump with loads of layers or chunky knits? Yep, you got it; leather. It’s stylish, it’s timeless and it’s an excellent chill beater! Stop buying babygrows, and treat yourself to a really good biker jacket, I lived in my Whistles Roxy one throughout pregnancy (and beyond), it was the one item in my wardrobe that made my style still feel like my own.

Leather is great for flattering those areas aside from your bump, so if your legs are your best asset, go for a pair of leather (or leather look) trousers, H&M have a great pair that look like leather for just under twenty quid; perfect if you don’t want to invest in the real thing. Alternatively, Seraphine‘s faux leather leggings worn by the likes of Gwen Stefani and Anne Hathaway during their pregnancies.

£19.99 H & M

And if you’re feeling flush, head to Nine in the Mirror for some seriously discounted designer pieces from the likes of By Malene Birger and Iro. (Click on the images for prices)

By Malene Birger Cullottes was £565 now £170

£146 By Malene Birger at Nine In The Mirror

Iro at Nine In The Mirror was £980 now £294

Oh and we can’t not mention this great sleeveless jacket from Asos, which although isn’t maternity, it would see you through the first trimester and can be worn over a plain roll-neck and without the belt as your bump gets bigger.

£60 ASOS

So, whilst you’re saving your pennies by not boozing for nine months, think of it as a new way to get leathered…

AVOIDING THE ‘MUM BUM’

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Whether you’re sat on the floor at Gymboree, wedging the pram in the car boot or saving Sophie la Girafe from the floor for the nineteenth time that day; it seems there is no escaping the ‘Mum Bum’.

If you’re not au fait with the term, let me explain. You’ve had a baby, maybe not quite back to pre-baby weight and your once favourite jeans don’t fit as well as they used to. Now whilst wearing said jeans and finding out that 98% of your day is spent bending over; you have what can only be likened to a builders bum. Sat in coffee shops, at baby sensory classes, in the doctors waiting room; you can be sure to find an abundance of Mum Bums, constantly being rectified with a quick yank up of the jeans or pull down of the top but to no avail. The Mum Bum wins….every time.

Sound familiar? I know. I’ve been there. THE MOTHERSHOP has the solution with these crack-concealing (sorry) high street hero pieces…oh and some outfit inspo too.

£48 Topshop

Dungarees are maternity heaven; room for bump, easy access for feeding and no possible bum show. Winner every time.

[Pic credit: Pinterest]

Look for high waisted pieces; trousers and skirts. Wrap skirts are great for a bit of give for bending down, and loose trousers with a pair of Adidas Originals will work for park laps.

Stock up on the bum busters now; and leave the wardrobe malfunctions to the workmen…

: Massimo Dutti

: £19.99 New Look

: £40 Zalando

: £120 Jigsaw

: £30 River Island

: £39.99 Zara

Matchy matchy

T-shirts £18 and £28 available from Tease + Totes

Ok I’m not suggesting you head down to your local Sainsbo’s in an adult baby-grow, but I’m noticing a growing trend for Mum’s and their little ones in coordinating outfits and I’m liking it. We had a taster last winter when Dolce & Gabbana sent their models down the runway with a matching mini-me in tow and others have since followed suit. Tease + Totes have their brilliantly empowering ‘Girl Power’ tees (above), where proceeds go towards Worldreader, a non-profit mission to get digital to books to all children.

Now there’s ways of doing this, and doing it well as it could go very wrong indeed. Keep it simple, don’t go matching head to toe, a top or jumper works best. Like these sweatshirts; now I love a sweatshirt, I love a grey sweatshirt, I love a grey sweatshirt with a slogan on it (still with me?), so this little combo from Bob & Blossom is tres bon in my view…

Sweatshirts £38 and £24, available from Bob & Blossom

And it’s not just apparel either, Sophia Webster jumped on the twinning is winning bandwagon with her Mini collection. The ‘Chiara’ style below is very sweet in teeny sizes. I’m not sure I’ll be rocking the heels round Peckham Rye Common pushing the Bugaboo but then again you never know…

£294 and £95, Sophia Webster

If in doubt, keep it simple. These monochrome tee’s from Threaded Tees are a winner, just add a flash of red lipstick (on you, not the baby), your well-loved jeans and you’re good to go.

Threaded Tees £21.41, available from Etsy

This post isn’t complete without a special shout out to Selfish Mother. Any cool mama in the know has a ‘Mother’ sweatshirt in their wardrobe (or in their clothes mountain, or on the bedroom floor). The brain child is founder Molly Gunn and her clothes are a hit with celeb Mum’s such as Fearne Cotton and Myleene Klass. I live in mine and am contemplating getting a t-shirt for the summer. For those who aren’t familiar, Selfish Mother don’t just make quality cool clothes, they do a lot of good for the world at the same time. They’ve raised over £50K for charities including Women for Women International, The Refugee Council UK, KIDS, and Help Refugees UK so buying one of their pieces goes a long way. Do it.

£45 Selfish Mother

£13 Selfish Mother

Click on brand for stockists:

Feeding Time

If you thought styling a bump was limiting, wait til you get to breast feeding…Tops suddenly need to be easy access (ahem..) Of course there’s actual maternity feeding tops, but after nine months of wearing maternity clothes you’re gagging to get back to some of your faithful old favourites.

So from zips to wraps, buttons to pussybows, here’s THE MOTHERSHOP’s edit of the top 10 feeding tops on the high street. Enjoy.

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[Picture credits Asos, Cos]

Bags of Style

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Hurrah! Changing bags finally got cool. If you didn’t already know, Tiba + Marl is the place to go for a changing bag with a difference, offering trend inspired bags for parents with style. All the bags from the collection have a fashion led focus to this practical bit of parenting kit. The brains behind the mastermind are Mum’s Anna Tizard and Lydia Barron and with a career history of designing for Kurt Geiger and Sigerson Morrison and a buyer for Topshop and Urban Outfitters, the girls certainly know their stuff.

Delphine Bum Bag £45

When I was choosing a bag I remember thinking, does it really need to be a ‘changing’ bag, what’s wrong with a normal bag?! And no, of course it doesn’t have to be, but the well thought out design and crafty compartments certainly make life easier; especially if you’re using bottles.

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The thing I love most about Tiba + Marl is the street style look. Given that 80% of your time as a new mum is spent pram pushing, whether it be on your way to a NCT cake scoffing session, shopping for nappies or laps of the park willing your baby to sleep, the cool designs will fit into not only your style but your life too.

Elwood Backpack £120

Mabel Tote £115

James Satchel £

My personal favourite is the black Elwood backpack, its the ideal unisex choice so saves fashion conscious Dad’s from the embarrassment of carrying a girlie bag to change the baby. It has a padded changing mat included, an insulated bottle holder (yes, insulated – genius!) and the best bit? There’s extra padding in the lower back area because if like me, having a baby seems to go hand in hand with back ache.

To see the full Tiba + Marl range click here

Molly & The Wolf

£30 Fox Print

I stumbled across Molly & The Wolf when I was compiling a page of childrenswear for one of the Sunday supplements. I was pregnant at the time and didn’t know what I was having but found myself compelled to buy something…you know, as you do. I settled on the Fantastic Fox Jumper and to this day, I bring it out the wardrobe and try it on Florence only to find it’s still too big. Most days I find myself wishing she’d stop growing up so quickly, apart from this; I want her in that Fox jumper!

£55 BEAR CUSHION

£75 Fancynulle Rabbit

£36 BEAR BOOTIES

£47.75 Cotton Cashmere Playsuit

£35 Gold Crown

£29.95 Animal Nesting Dolls

£24.95 Elephant Push Toy

£30 Rat Jumper

Molly & The Wolf have nailed the quirky, cool and individual market. Whether you’re a Mum, a Dad, Godparent, colleague or friend buying a present for a little person, there’s endless gifts to choose from. Some such as the Balsa Wood Plane or Kaleidoscopes will send you on a trip down memory lane whereas the shark tail or Lobster bonnet & mittens are fun and unique in their own right.

Head over to the website now and grab a bargain in their amazing sale. Also you lucky MOTHERSHOP readers can enjoy a exclusive discount on all full priced items. Just enter ‘Mshop20’ at the checkout for 20% off.

As for me, I’m off to try the Fox Jumper on Florence one more time…

Back to Basics

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It’s official, Isabella Oliver just upped its cool factor to a whole new level. Yes, the collection has its strong statement pieces, such as the ‘Rowsley’ leather leggings or ‘Rosliston’ jumpsuit, but what gives the range its wardrobe welly is the variety of basics available; which is what I found hardest to get my mitts on when I was expecting. Yes, it’s easy enough finding a nice dress, or a good coat within the (not so) vast maternity market, but try finding a well-cut white shirt, or a layer worthy polo neck, or boyfriend jeans that won’t make your bottom half look as wide as your waist and the challenge began…until now.

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The clever clogs at Isabella Oliver have thought of everything. There’s the black turtleneck to layer under a collared dress or their grey ‘Lexi’ top. There’s the ‘Relaxed Maternity Jeans’ which are just the right side of boyfriend, and the wear-anywhere ‘Grayson’ and ‘Marlow’ dresses should be top of any wardrobe wish list for defs. Complete the look with the carefully edited accessories; cool sneaks, textured clutch bags and delicate jewellery. Job done.

£45 The Maternity Turtleneck

£75 Veja Arcade Trainer

£135 Stowe Maternity Tunic Dress

£42 By Boe Infinity Necklace

£79 Lexi Maternity Top

£138 Sol Sana Frost Mule

£109 Baukjen Clutch Bag

£99 Grayson Maternity Dress

£65 Extra Long Skinny Belt

View the complete collection here.

BOOT CAMP

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Pic credit: Pintrest

Being pregnant or having had a baby can often make buying clothes less enjoyable. The solution? Shoe shopping! Why not give your (probably swollen) feet a treat with a pair of swanky new ankle boots. If you’ve already had your baby, you’ll know by now that much of your time will be taken up walking, walking and walking some more. A Professional Pram Pusher will soon become your new found occupation; as you find yourself walking everywhere in the hope of getting (or keeping) your little one asleep. So whilst you’re racking up those miles pounding the pavements, keeping your footwear on trend as well as comfortable is key.

Pic credit: Pintrest

Many brands do a wide fit option now which will help whilst your ankles do their best to compete with your calves for width. Look for flat styles or a low block heel if you still want a bit of height.

Pic credit: Pintrest

I personally, have an unhealthy amount of black ankle boots (as I do grey t-shirts but we won’t go into that now). With no explanation; there’s studded, buckle detail, patent, faux fur (yes really), suede, chelsea, snakeskin, the list goes on. But, one thing I can say is I do wear them all. I’m not suggesting you go out and buy twenty versions of a black ankle boot like me, but my point being they are very versatile and stand the test of time. Believe me, the trusty ankle boot is going nowhere fast. Wear with skinny jeans during the day or a little dress, leather jacket and black tights if you’ve got the babysitter booked in!

Here’s a round up of the best from the high street to boot (sorry)…

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