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.

Maternity fashion tips for plus-size and curvy women - Isabella Oliver tells us how to stay stylish and comfortable

Although we're still in our new born stages, we've had a great amount of support from mums-to-be, with many asking us for specific advice when it comes to their maternity style.

Some of the most common questions we've had are from plus-size women who are afraid that some outfits aimed at showing off their bump will also show off their curves. However, they don't want to be left with a choice of tent-like creations either.  

We like to help our readers as much as we can so we got in touch with Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the Founder of Isabella Oliver, who was perfectly placed to give advice on this topic.

"It is completely natural to gain a little weight during pregnancy and we have designed our clothes to allow for that," she told us.

"It can be tempting to go up a few sizes, but although the extra fabric will fit over your bump, it will also swamp the other parts of your body and create an unflattering look.

"Isabella Oliver uses special design techniques to create flattering pieces that celebrate your bump whilst offering coverage where you need it."

Baukjen pointed out that going for a ruched design would create soft pleats across your bump resulting in a fitted look with extra fabric that can be adjusted as your body changes shape.

Wrap tops and wrap dresses can also be adjusted with as much or as little fabric as your bump needs.

"Cinch these styles at the waist, accent your cleavage and allow the rest of the fabric to drape effortlessly over your curves," Baukjen advises.

 When it comes to cuts, Baukjen recommends picking maternity clothes that make the most of your best features, show off your neckline, shoulders and décolletage.

The company's wrap designs are particularly great for this as they flatter your curves.

"Finally, go for pieces with special design features that draw attention to the areas of your body you feel more confident about," Baukjen advises.

The company has a gorgeous range of wrap and ruched pieces to choose from.

And if you order a jersey dress before midnight you'll also receive 30 percent off in the company's flash sale.

Just enter the code FLASH at the checkout online.