- SALE ALERT - TOPSHOP MATERNITY

STOP!! Click on http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?beginIndex=0&parent_category_rn=61561&top=Y&viewAllFlag=false&langId=-1&storeId=12556&catalogId=19551&categoryId=73426 and start lapping up cheap, but chic maternity fashion in the Topshop sale starting from today! Here's my top 5 bargain buys...

1. Floral chiffon dress, £30. The sleeveless floral number gives a nod in the right direction to one of summer's hottest trends, romance. It's works well with flats for the day if you're looking for a delicate, feminine look, and can easily be dressed up for the evening with a glitzy clutch. Reduced to £30, this dress could see you through the BBQ season.

2. Every woman needs at least one pair of black leggings and mums-to-be are no different. Topshop's ankle length pair are a bargain at just £7. They sit under the bump - a fit that a lot of woman prefer in the later stages of pregnancy - and just above the ankle, so they're perfect for showing off your sandals this summer!

3. Ruffled edge shrug, £15. Team with a pair of skinny jeans, flats and a colourful Mamas & Papa's camisole, slip over a dress when the temperature drops at a BBQ or simply save it for a dinner party - this shrug is so versatile you'll wonder how you coped without it. Grey can be worn with pretty much any colour and the gentle ruffles can work in your favour by jazzing up a what-would-be plain outfit.

4. Plait bodycon skirt, £15. If you want to tap into the utility trend this summer then this skirt is perfect for you. Simple, slimming and gorgeous when paired with a crisp white blouse for the boardroom and then layered, mixing tones and fabrics for the evening. As it's a bodycon skirt it will help mould you naturally, showing off your bump.

5. Maternity Boutique zip tunic, £35. Navy is summer's version of black and that can only mean one thing, a LND is essential and with Topshop Boutique's maternity range it means it is also effortless! This zip tunic offers a flattering empire waist line, delicately draped sleeves and the perfect length for either leggings or nothing. This dress will carry over to Autumn too and teamed with tights and heels!

Email your favourite fashion finds to parenting.shopping@googlemail.com

Trend: Stripes

Stripes are a spring/summer staple and well worth the investment as they are fantastic for layering on the more chilly days. Ignore the traditional sartorial saying that horizontal stripes are unflattering and fattening. Instead go against the grain while you're pregnant as the stripes will define your bump and emphasis your natural shape giving you a curvy silhouette. If you're in any doubt just take a look at Jools Oliver!

Asos maternity always offer an array of stripes; thick, thin, horizontal, white, blue, black etc etc so make sure they're your first port of call. The Puff Sleeve Stripe Dress, £28 is a good length while the buttoned shoulder and ribbon bow softens the bold stripes, giving the dress a more feminine feel.

M2b's Striped Tunic with Angel Sleeves, £21 is ideal for large-chested mums-to-be as the draped neckline will distract the eye from following the stripes horizontally. What's more, the angel sleeves hang more delicately on the top arms, so you won't have to worry about your bingos!

Topshop's button striped tunic, £35 is perfect for pregnant women in their third trimester. It's floaty without being overly bagging and can be teamed with leggings or on it's own.

Congratulations Stella McCartney

The fashion designer is expecting her fourth baby this year and by the looks of things she's taking it all in her stride. Get her maternity look with Next's full circle metallic blazer, £95, J Brand's low rise grey skinny maternity jeans, £245 available online and at Harrods and chain embellished canvas tote, £620 and cork wedge sandals, £315 both from Stella's spring/summer 2010 collection available online at net-a-porter.com

 

Top 10 Maxi Dresses

Black maxi, £38, Topshop and Embellished bandeau maxi, £545, Temperley at Mama-la-Mode

Paisley print maxi, £45, Seraphine and green floral maxi, £25, Next maternity

Colour block maxi, £25, Mamas & Papas and purple tiered maxi, £86, Mama-la-Mode

Animal print maxi, £42, M2b at Mothercare and blue grecian maxi, £159, Isabella Oliver

Black maxi, £149, Cecily Plum and Empire waist line maxi, £38, Asos

Isabella Oliver A/W Lookbook

Yes, summer has only just arrived, but when next seasons Isabella Oliver lookbook landed in my inbox I couldn't keep it underwraps. Winter fashion is notoriously harder to pull off than summer, especially if you're about to enter your third trimester. Luckily Isabella Oliver has done it again, offering stylishly chic maternity fashion in flattering fabrics and colour to show off your bump this Winter without looking like a giant snowball!

*GET THE LOOK* Sam Taylor-Wood

Mum-to-be Sam Taylor-Wood proves you can look stylish even if you're just about to pop (although I wouldn't recommend the killer heels, ouch!).



Topshop Boutique has recently launched a small, but chic maternity range offering gorgeous dresses at high street prices. What's even better, it's available online, so it's well worth a look. This black, draped dress is the perfect evening dress for any heavily pregnant mum-to-be. The empire waist line means the dress doesn't cling to your bump, while the relaxed, scoop neckline won't emphasis your more-than-ample chest. Available in black for ultimate flattery and at just £60, it's a bargain!

While Sam went for toe-crunching, gold sparkly stilettos, your feet might thank you if you opt for a more sympathetic height. These gold peep-toe heels from Office offer leg-slimming height without the pain as they're only 7.5cm high. Remember to pack a pair of pumps just in case though!

Metallics are still very much in this season and this eye-catching gold clutch from LK Bennett, £195, will give any outfit the glam factor.

*Get the Look* RACHEL STEVENS

Last night Rachel Steven wowed at the Glamour Awards in a navy sheer-sleeved dress from Topshop, £50 teamed with a pair of black court shoes.

Sporting the Bump

Spring into step with this season’s sportswear trend – bump n’all.
Photography by Chantal Storrs- Barbour
Styling by Victoria Hall

*Get the Look* DANNII MINOGUE

Effortlessly chic singer and X-Factor judge, Dannii takes pregnancy in her stride.




Stripes are a spring staple and great for layering on a slightly cooler day. To recreate Dannii's look check out Blooming Marvellous 3/4 length sleeve top, £16 or see Asos maternity for more feminine stripes with detailed bow backs. Team the top with simple black leggings (Isabella Oliver easy leggings, £35, are perfect for this) and an on-trend denim jacket - show off your bump with a cropped jacket like Dannii from Mama.licious, £32 rather than an unflattering square cut one. Accessorise the outfit with a beautiful tie-dye scarf from H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams, £15, sunglasses from Accessorize, £15 and a stone coloured Urban Stud Underarm bag, £35 from Warehouse. Get Dannii's shoes on a budget from Guess at Asos for just £90.