Thursday 20 December 2012

New Year's Eve maternity party outfit ideas: The sophisticated jeans and blazer look.

We've already given you the lowdown on our fave New Year's Eve maternity dresses, but we know that some ladies out there may not be a fan of frocks.

And just because you're pregnant it doesn't mean your style has to change.

If you're more a trouser and top gal, then you needn't miss out on looking glam at that New Year's event with a range of different options available, and just to make it that little bit easier we've put together an outfit, channelling that classic jeans and blazer trend.

The great thing about this look is that you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion, and since a blazer and pair of jeans are a must-have for any capsule maternity wardrobe, they can be worn again again, making them a great buy.

This New Year's Eve bring the classic look into 2013 with an on-trend gold and silver top, which channels the metallic looks shown off my the likes of Gucci and Prada on the AW 2012 catwalks.

Accentuate the top with a simple bangle and team up with a mid-length pair of heels - but don't forget to back those flip flops.

See the gallery below to get the look.





Take a simple black maternity blazer like this one from Next, £45
This gorge top, which channels the metallic trend, is sure to make you stand out at any NYE party. Get it now from Asos for £28

A classic pair of maternity jeans are great for an outfit such as these. MOTO Maternity Leigh Jeans £38, Topshop
Accentuate and accessorise the colours in the top with this  Multi Facet Edged Bangle, £3.25, Miss Selfridge
We know heels can be a no, no, especially towards the later stages of pregnancy. However, opting for a mid-length heel and an open panel, means you can strut around for at least a few hours. Just remember your flats. Very, £44


Wednesday 19 December 2012

Wishwantwear.com offers designer maternity dress hire for the Christmas party season and beyond

We're big fans of the dress hiring trend here at Does My Bump and firm believers that sometimes you don't need to spend a fortune to look like the belle of the ball on a special occasion.

And it seems we're not alone.

According to discount website NetVoucherCodes.co.uk, there has been a 15 percent increase in searches for dress hire companies in the past week alone as many of us look to this in a bid to save the pennies.

Wishwantwear.com is one site that offers pregnant women the chance to don a range of designer maternity dresses for a fraction of the price.

Offering current season dresses and accessories that aren’t available for hire anywhere else and stocking the likes of Temperley London and Matthew Williamson maternity frocks, this site is our dream come true.

Rental is for four or eight days, and to ensure that there are absolutely no fitting problems a free alternative size is included with every delivery.





See the gallery below for just a few of the maternity dresses available for hire.

Martina Gown by Temperley London, £185 for 4 days hire

Playful Pleats Mini by Erin Fetherstone, £55 for 4 days hire

Under The Rainbow Gown by Nicole Miller. £29 for 4 days hire

Violet Dress by All Dressed Up, £65 for 4 days hire



Tuesday 18 December 2012

Isabella Oliver offers up to 40 percent off selected maternity dresses for New Year's Eve

We're going a little bit New Year's Eve crazy today here at Does My Bump towers.

Not only have we been scouring the virtual highstreet to bring you some our fave maternity frocks for the party season, but we've also heard a not so quiet whisper from the lovely ladies over at Isabella Oliver.

The brand is offering up to 40 percent off selected party frocks for the New Year, up until 1pm on 20 December.

Below are just a few of our faves.

Credit cards at the ready ladies.....

Annabel Maternity dress - 30 percent off

Ruched one shoulder dress - 15 percent off

Willow Maternity Dress - 40 percent off

Wrap maxi dress - 40 Percent off





Best maternity dresses for New Year's Eve

Christmas is almost upon us, and many of us will have already attended those festive work parties.

However, that doesn't mean the celebratory season has ended, with New Year's Eve on the not so distant horizon.

This year there's a great selection of maternity dresses fit for those New Year's Eve parties.

A sequined number, is perfect for a night on the tiles, while embellished maxis or just above the knee frocks are great for a sophisticated dinner or house party.

We've picked out our faves in the gallery below.


Stand out in this gorge red sequined frock from Asos, £41

We heart this kooky dress from Rock-A-Bye-Rosie, which has also been reduced to £120. Get it now before it goes.

Show off that bump with this empire line embellished dress, £160, Crave at Next

Maisy Sequin Maternity Dress £199, Isabella Oliver

Black embellished maxi dress, £20, Matalan

Maternity Knot Front Dress £15, Topshop

Maternity slashed neck flared hem dress, £45, Marks and Spencer

Monday 17 December 2012

Why hair falls out and thins post-pregnancy and some tips to help improve and volumise your locks

For many of us, pregnancy means our dull lanky locks are transformed into swish worthy barnets any Pantene model would be jealous of.

But once baby is here it's a different story with some new mums complaining of thinning hair and locks falling out for longer than anticipated.

This happens because our hormones produce more more hair, plus our bodies work to retain it. 

According to Toni and Guy your hair goes between an active growing phase and a resting phase. At any one time, about 90 percent of the hair on your head is actively growing at a rate of about half an inch a month for two to six years.

The remaining 10 percent are in a resting phase where they will stay for two to three months before falling out.

However, when we're pregnant our hair doesn't go through the last stage, meaning that all this then begins to fall once baby is born.

However, there's light at the end of this hairy tunnel.  It doesn't last forever and there are a range of things you can do to help bring back bounce as well as having a little bit of bonus you time too.

Firstly experiment with different hairstyles or volumising hair products such as label.m mousse, to give your hair a fuller look during this transition period.

Regular cuts - even tiny trims - are claimed to keep hair as thick and healthy as possible, while using an intensive conditioner, such as Dove's intensive repair conditioner will not only help you strengthen those locks but also give you an excuse to take a nice long soak.

If you have a few pennies to spare then invest in professional shampoos and conditioners such as these from Bumble and Bumble at Boots, which don't leave a build up so your hair doesn't snap, while Pantene's Full And Thick Shampoo and Conditioner is an option for barnets on a budget.

Although you may be tempted to style that spiky, wispy, hair, which is slowly growing back, avoid using hair straighteners. These can frazzle new locks and make them seem more fly away.

Maternity fashion tips: Tall, petite or plus size maternity styles and how to wear them

Finding styles that suit our shapes can be difficult at the best of times, especially if you're tall, petite or plus-size. 

Just as we've found those perfect staple pieces, that positive blue line comes along and challenges us all over again, especially once that precious bump begins to grow.

We decided to wave our magic wand to give you some maternity fashion advice on how to dress your body type.

Tall maternity fashion

Thankfully a range of designers and high street stores are waking up to the fact that tall women don't want to be left with chilly ankles when they pull their jean bump band up to where it should be, with Dorothy Perkins and Jojo Maman Bebe just some offering maternity jeans with 34" and 36" legs.
Team up with wrap shirts or empire line tops that will elongate your figure and show off your bump. Longer style cardigans or knitted maternity jumpers also ensure your bump remains covered.

Plus size maternity fashion
According to Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the Founder of Isabella Oliver, going up a few sizes to fit your bump will swamp other parts of your body, creating an unflattering look.

A ruched design, like this from Isabella Oliver, will create soft fitted pleats across your bump with extra fabric that can be adjusted as your body changes shape.

Wrap tops and dresses, clinched at the waist, will let you show off that new cleavage as well as allowing the rest of the fabric to drape effortlessly over your curves.

Petite maternity fashion advice


Tiffany Rose, a designer of evening and daytime maternity wear advises keeping it simple.

"Choose form-fitting styles with a smooth silhouette and choose fabrics with some stretch to give you the best fit.  Knee length is great for petite figures.  Avoid large or busy prints and opt for tonal colours, blocking or stretch lace," she said

"Emphasise the narrowest part of your body - your empire waist - by adding a contrasting sash.  Open necklines such as scooped and cross-over will flatter your décolletage.  Draw the eye up with a beautiful necklace," she added.

Also take advantage of the 60s turn up trend, opting for standard length jeans, which can be turned up to channel this, while maternity tops, made for "average" sized ladies, can also be worn as dresses.