Maternity Wardrobe Essentials

Step 1: The Trousers

It's really worth investing in just a few key items of maternity wear. A great one is just a pair of simple plain trousers for work, and then also some maternity jeans. Get a lovely elastic waist and a bump, and you can define whether you feel more comfortable wearing them under the bump, or over the bump. You'll be able to get anything that you'd be able to get in a normal high street fashion store in a maternity range as well, so you don't have to compromise on style just because you're pregnant. It's worth just going and trying a few things on and finding out what you find is most comfortable.

Step 2: The Wrap Dress

Another item that you can wear all the way through your pregnancy and look either smart or casual; dress it up, dress it down, is a wrap dress. This lovely soft jersey fabric that just drapes really nicely over your bump. It's really important that you still feel feminine and you still feel like yourself while you're pregnant.

Step 3: The Jersey Sweater

So another good thing to stock up on is either a nice long jersey sweater, or some jersey tops that sort of suit to any occasion. You can wear these over jeans, over a skirt; and again with this nice jersey stretchy fabric, they'll grow as you do.

Step 4: The Non-Maternity Wear

So if you do decide to go for non-maternity wear, it's a good idea just to buy in one size bigger, and then just have a look out for the style. I mean something like this is lovely. It's got a nice adjustable waist band, so again you can fit that over your bump, and you could team that with just a pair of plain black leggings.

Step 5: The Fabric

Now pregnancy hormones can make your skin a little sensitive, so it's a good idea to choose natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen that allow your skin to breathe. It's always a good idea just to wash the clothes that are going to come into contact with your skin in a non-biological washing powder.

Step 6: The Lingerie

Now maternity lingerie has come a long way in the last few years. You don't have to worry about the big old scaffolding and big old knickers anymore. As you can see, you can get some really pretty, very sort of feminine stuff. It is important to avoid underwire, so go for a bra where you can actually just go for the first row of eyes, and then obviously as you grow that will grow and expand with you.

Step 7: The Accessories

Now don't forget you can also have great fun with your maternity wardrobe as well. You could take a maternity top for instance, and just really go to town with your accessories.

Step 8: The Shoes

Now obviously as your pregnancy progresses, and your bump gets bigger, you'll want to feel comfortable, particularly when it comes to shoes. Also, your feet can swell as well. In the winter it's good to wear something that keeps you nice and supported, and also keeps your feet warm, like a pair of ugg boots. Obviously in the summer, you might want to go for something like some flat ballet pumps, and there are lots of these around at the moment. They're really pretty, they're really fashionable, and they'll keep you comfortable too.