Top five on-trend flat shoes for the later stages of your pregnancy

When I was pregnant the one incident that sticks firmly in my mind was when I decided to go to a business meeting at seven months.

Wanting to channel the smart trend I opted for a pair of midsized heels to go with my tweed dress, but what should have been an enjoyable day turned into a disaster when I experienced the dreaded feet swelling.

Walking down the Kings Road, I was struck down with pain in my toes, which was far worse than the morning sickness I'd experienced at the beginning stages of my pregnancy, and my leisurely stroll turned into a hobbling  nightmare and an expensive emergency stop at the first shoe shop to buy a pair of hideous flats.

Although my saviour shoes are now sitting unused at the back of my wardrobe, I learnt an important lesson that day - heels for a prolonged time at seven months pregnant just don't work.

A style expert at Kate Kuba agreed, telling Does My Bump Look Good in This: "We would suggest avoid high heels  and opt for comfort as well as style."

Thankfully the fashion world has moved along from boring flats, with a range of great alternatives to heels.

The flatform, which is hot this season, is a great way to stay on trend and stay comfortable, while the iconic penny loafer, once channelled by Audrey Hepburn, has made its way from the fashion wings onto the highstreet shelves.

Below are a few of our faves from the virtual highstreet.

Gibbran, £130, Pied a Terre

Leopard Print Flatforms, £49.99, Kate Kuba

Polka Dot ballet pump, Oasis at Asos

Stud ballet pump, Topshop

Bump crush:Madeleine Thompson luxury cashmere slippers

Every girl needs a little bit of luxury in their lives, and when you're pregnant this is even more important.

With the winter nights drawing in and a possibility of feet swelling in the later stages of pregnancy- we know all about that - then what better way to treat yourself than with a pair of these luxe cashmere slippers.

Forming part of the new Madeleine Thompson loungewear range, these little knitted delights are cute and practical, offering an extra bit of give to accommodate growing feet, as well as comfort and warmth for after the birth too.

However, there's a little catch, with these knitted numbers, available exclusively from Net a Porter, ringing up at £190. 

We know what's going at the top of our Christmas list.

Top five faux fur maternity coats and jackets to keep you warm in style

The catwalk was awash with faux fur creations with the likes of Burberry, Kenzo and Christopher Kane, to name a few, channelling this trend.

Appearing as a subtle trim on coats and jumpers or as a feature piece on 70s style gillets and short jackets, this is one must have look to have in your maternity wardrobe.

Go for an everyday take on this trend with a fur trimmed coat or show off your bump in style with a gillet, which looks fab layered over a maxi dress and accessorised with lashings of bangles for that boho look.

See our top five picks from the virtual highstreet in the gallery below.

Give a huge nod to the trend with this jacket from Asos

Emmie Faux fur lined coat, Topshop

Gillet, Isabella Oliver

Red Herring maternity at Debenhams

Quilted jacket, New Look

Peaks of London Autumn/Winter 2012 breastfeeding fashion collection

Breast feeding in public has in the past been a contentious issue.

But with a range of government initiatives and new laws enabling this natural process to take place in almost any public area, the days of having to hide away in toilets or rushing off home to feed your baby, are long gone.

However, that now leaves another problem and that's of course breastfeeding fashion.

Thankfully this trend has moved on from the traditional hoisted T-shirt or an artfully draped pashmina, with a range of companies introducing stylish must-have pieces.

Peaks of London is just one of the many, and has recently launched its highly anticipated AW12 collection, which lets you breastfeed without compromising on style.

The collection is injected with jades, warm tomato reds and crisp blacks, whilst vibrant feather prints give a Japanese edge to feminine silks. Cotton sateens and soft knit stretch fabrics are also key to creating a soft silhouette.

And there's a choice for any occasion, from a top paired with jeans for a relaxed day at the park, or a divine dress for a special occasion.

The Drape dress, a favourite with Sienna Miller, can now be found in a luxe silk, and in our opinion can be worn long after breastfeeding stops.

See the below for a few of our faves from the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection.

AW 2012 trends: The Polo neck - we pick the best styles for your bump

Christopher Kane AW 2012

Roll necks made a huge statement on the AW 2012 catwalks with the likes of Pringle, Christopher Kane and Erdem giving a huge nod to this trend.

Appearing in chunky knits, dresses and moulded into thin jersey fabrics, this classic trend was transformed into the styling tip du jour.

And the trend has filtered into the maternity style world this season, with a range of cute roll necks available for your bump. Choose from a playful striped number, teamed up with a maternity skirt or jeans for a casual look, layer a jersey number under a maternity shirt for a smart work look or opt for a block colour, to really make a statement.

See our faves from the (virtual) highstreet, below..

Black Turtle Neck Isabella Oliver £55

Stripe chunky knit, Jojo Maman Bebe, £29

Loose jersey grey polo neck nursing top, Mothercare

Grey polo neck £18, Next

Autumn/Winter 2012 trends: Lace - we pick the best dresses for your bump

Lace is a hot trend this season.

Appearing on the Autumn/Winter 2012 catwalks of Jason Wu and Erdem, to name a few, this trend has been given a dramatic darker and moodier make over from the soft pastel forms of last season, with blacks, deep blues and berry colours forming the main colour palate.

The best thing about this season's look is that it can be worn subtlety thanks to the number of designers choosing a delicate lace applique on blouses, dresses and trousers,  or very obviously as an all over fabric for dresses and add on sleeve- a style that's fast becoming a trademark look for Kate Middleton.

And the trend hasn't forgotten the maternity world with a range of designs filtering down into cute dresses and tops.

Today we're focusing on the statement black dress, which is perfect for an upcoming special event or Christmas party season. Choose from a slinky sleeved number that will show off your bump, or go for a 50s style tunic frock, which can be worn with a pair of ballet pumps for a more casual look.

Below is our pick of the top lace black dresses available online and on the highstreet.

Lace Katie dress, £40,  New Look

Black Lulu lace dress, £139, Isabella Oliver

Slinky lace dress, £40, Asos 

Mid-length belted dress, £169, Tiffany Rose

Tunic dress, £40, Topshop

Sites we love: Isabella Oliver World maternity fashion

We all know that maternity fashion can be hard to get right.


You've gone from having your pick of the highstreet rails, to having to find that look that suits you and your growing bump.

Not only is this why we've launched, but also something fashion brand Isabella Oliver has been working on. 

The maternity arm of the company, which is a fave for pregnant celebs,  earlier this year launched Isabella Oliver World, an online ‘destination’ where women can live and breathe style during pregnancy.

Coming from a designer point of view the site gives pregnant women all over the world a chance to learn about the Art of Pregnancy style.

Baukjen de Swaan Arons, Founder and Creative Director at Isabella Oliver said earlier this year: “After eight years of dressing pregnant women, we wanted to share everything that we have learnt and provide support to women in one of the most beautiful times in their lives.

"Isabella Oliver World was conceived as an idea over a year ago and I am so excited to see it become available for women to enjoy.”

With Isabella Oliver World and Does My Bump Look Good in This, you're sure to be the belle of any bump ball.

Yes, we know, we do spoil you.