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.

Fashion advice: Maternity style tips for tall women

Maintaining a fashionable wardrobe when you're pregnant can be tricky at the best of times.
However, if you don't have that average figure, shopping for maternity fashion can prove to be a nightmare.

This is particularly the case for taller women who after the initial few months begin to struggle to find clothes to fit their changing figures.

"I had to buy extra long normal tops and stretch them over my bump," and "jeans just aren't the right length," are two of the most common complaints we've heard.

A spokesperson for maternity fashion retailer JoJo Maman Bébé, which has a range of pieces to suit taller women, agreed, telling Does My Bump Look Good in This: "When you’re a taller woman It’s often difficult to find tops and cardigans to cover your ever growing bump.

"Jeans can also be tricky, when you pull the bump band up to where it should be you’re left with chilly ankles."

Thankfully over the past few years, designers and highstreet stores have woken up to these needs with JoJo Maman Bébé, Dorothy Perkins, Long Tall Sally and Isabella Oliver, are just a few of the stores that offer maternity jeans for the taller lady.

Choosing a wrap shirt or empire line top, which will elongate your figure and show off your bump is also a good option, while longer style cardigans, such as these from JoJo Maman Bébé, or a longer knitted maternity jumper, will also ensure your bump remains covered while you stay stylish.

Here's some of our must have picks from the virtual highstreet.

34 inch jeans, Dorothy Perkins £43

Opt for a longer style cardigan like this one from Jojo Maman Bebe

Take a belt off a knitted dress to allow for height. We heart this one from H&M

Wrap top, £29, Jojo Maman Bebe

Ruched long top, £75, Isabella Oliver

Top five highstreet maternity jumpers for winter

A winter jumper is essential. Not only will it keep you and your growing bump warm, but chosen properly, will form a staple part to your maternity wardrobe and ensure you don't spend hundreds on a collection you won't be wearing for too long.

Thankfully the highstreet has a range of maternity jumpers available to suit every need and trend.

Go for a Breton stripe number, like this one from Asos, which is perfect for wearing under a blazer for work or with a pair of jeans for a casual weekend look, while Topshop's stud grunge jumper is great for ladies who want to stay on-trend and perfect teamed up with a pair of maternity skinnies and heels for a night out.

If you're looking for a jumper for the office then this lace knit navy blue one from Next is great teamed up with trousers or a skirt, while Mothercare's simple black knitwear is perfect for any occasion.

See the gallery below for our top five highstreet picks.

Mothercare

Asos

Topshop

Dorothy Perkins

Next