Budget maternity fashion tips: Accessorise with a scarf

Jonathan Suanders S/S 2013

Scarves have been wrapping their way around the fashion world for a good few years now providing a great way to update a tired or bland outfit.

This season they made their way to the top of the 2013 must-have accessories list with Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Saunders and Louis Vuitton just some of the designers to show off this trend on the catwalks.

And these reasonably priced gems are perfect for that maternity wardrobe on a budget.

Updating a simple top with an on-trend patterned or bold coloured scarf will give it a new lease of life, meaning you don't need to splash out on hundreds of maternity tops. And the same applies to that trusty black or block colour dress.

We also love the fact that you can continue to wear these after the birth, as well as consider them as a subtle breastfeeding aid.

Buy one or two scarves and mix and match for an instant style update. 

Below are just a few of our faves.

Cream rose print lightweight scarf, £15, River Island

Asos Butterfly Image scarf, £12

China blue scarf, £12, Oasis

Shimmer scarf, £12, Jane Norman

Animal Border Print Scarf, £20, Warehouse

Bette Midler offers Kim Kardashian maternity fashion advice. Do you think that she needs it?

Let's be honest, Kim Kardashian hasn't had the easiest ride from fashion critics when it comes to her maternity style.

And although we love the reality star we have to agree that some of her bump outfits have been a little bit hit and miss. A few examples being the leather skirt she recently squeezed into and the peplum trousers she opted for earlier this year.

However, it now seems she's found an unlikely fashion Fairy Godmother in the form of Bette Midler.

According to The Sun, the 67 singer decided to send a not to subtle hint to Kim over Twitter claiming: “I know it’s so last week, but @KimKardashian would look adorable in the maternity clothes they have just on my block!! I buy them myself!!”

And it seems Kim may have taken up the offer, Tweeting back that the pair should hit the shops together.

We're not sure if it will ever happen but we'd love to see what styles she'd be channelling if the pair ever got together.

Do you agree that Kim needs a little bit of maternity fashion advice or do you like her unique style?

Leave your comments below and let us know and keep reading for our thoughts on what Kim should be wearing to really show off her bump.

Maternity fashion trend Spring/Summer 2013: Stripes. How to wear them and our picks of the top five tops and maxis

Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2013

Stripes have been a key look for more than one season, finding their way into dresses, tops and most recently trousers.

This season they are set to be hot fashion property with the likes of Marc Jacobs and Peter Som making these key looks in their Spring/Summer 2013 collections.

And they are also a key part of a maternity wardrobe, with many pregnant fashionistas opting for this style to highlight and really show off their bump.

However, this trend isn't without its controversy with many yummy-mummies-to-be worrying that stripes will make them look bigger than they actually are.

By following a few simple tips this however doesn't have to be the case.

If you want to show off that bump in a stripe top then opt for a slightly longer than average tee or go for a tunic, which will elongate your torso and make your bump stand out. Team with dark leggings or black or indigo maternity jeans to really make the stripes your focus.

If you want to be a bit bolder then there is an abundance of cute striped maxi frocks on the market, which work perfectly for those who are "all bump", really helping you to show off your new figure. Go for a maternity option or pick a frock from the highstreet.

Buying a size bigger will ensure there's space for your bump to grow, while teaming with a skinny belt post pregnancy means you can make the most from this dress after the baby arrives.

If you're still not sure about stripes but want to join in on the trend, then dressing them down is a good option here. Team up with a plain cardi or blazer, which will tone the look down while still ensuring you remain stylishly stripey.

See the gallery below for some of our top highstreet stripe picks to suit any bump.

Blooming Marvellous Stripe Maternity Dress, £22, Mothercare

MAMA Top £6.99 H&M

Bargain Find! Stripe Everyday Maternity Dress £24.75 reduced from £99, Isabella Oliver

Maternity stripe rib vest, Next £6

ASOS Maternity Exclusive Maxi Dress In Stripe
£35

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