Maternity or Bust

Alison Parmar suggests some stylish, funky and comfy maternity wear.

JoJo Maman Bébé's lovely soft material means their clothes won't make you hot or itchy. I snapped up a smart white shirt, perfect for work or with a pair of jeans, for just £26.00. Their clothes look more expensive than they are, which is always a bonus! Plus while you're in store, you can get all day dreamy looking at the tiny baby clothes. Ahhh....

TopShop maternity: fab for the party season just gone, TopShop maternity range is another great store for soft stretchy maternity clothes at great prices. Their recent stripy blue and white top has a classic look that won't go out of fashion from one pregnancy to the next, but being TopShop they also have really funky stuff, too (studded shoulder pads, anyone?!). Plus you can buy online if you can't make it to the high street.

For day-to-day wear I find jeans invaluable, as well as a pair of comfy trousers to change into in the evening. Topshop's maternity jeans offer a good choice, as do New Look. But it's been Isabella Oliver's super soft black trousers that have seen me through three pregnancies. The top rolls up or down over your bump, depending on the amount of warmth and support you want. Lovely.

ASOS might sound a little Wag-ish for the pregnant mum, but this online store is worth a look if you have a wedding or party coming up and want something a little different. I've seen some gorgeous party maternity dresses in their range.

As you get bigger, certain items become essential. At 26 weeks I've already succumbed to the Velcro shoe, but fear not, it's not an old man's slip-on. A pair of TopShop Velcro fastening trainers means I can get out the door having bent down and done my own shoes up, clever me.

Then of course there's the underwear! Maternity tights will keep your bump warm and not cut off the circulation to your legs. Bras can be overbearing and made of reams and reams of black jersey, unless you check out Hot Milk's gorgeous lingerie, available through ASOS.
Whatever you find, enjoy your changing shape. It probably won't happen many times in your life!

Alison Parmar runs TWMumsinBusiness and Millyrose.co.uk and is looking forward to the arrival of her third child this March.

Websites

JoJo Maman Bébé
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

TopShop
www.topshop.com

Isabella Oliver
www.isabellaoliver.com

ASOS
www.asos.com

New Look
www.newlook.co.uk