Top five maternity leather jackets to channel the AW 2012 trend

The Autumn/Winter catwalks were awash with leather lovelies with designers such as Valentino and Calvin Klein using this fabric to channel gothic, vixen trends.

We understand that dressing in full on leather pants and dresses may be that little bit too much when you've got a bump, but that doesn't mean you can't give a nod to this luscious look.

Leather jackets are a great way to do this and jazz up an outfit. And the best thing about them is that they never really go out of fashion, meaning you can store your purchase away for more pregnancies to come.

Go for a cropped number to style up that evening outfit or pick a biker jacket that will look great as an everyday number. Layer over a chunky knit or sweater to get that perfect AW 2012 look.

We've picked out some of our faves from the virtual highstreet in the gallery below. 

Blow the budget with this, Lucy Leather Jacket
£379, from Isabella Oliver. 

 

 

                                                  

Keep it simple with this timeless faux leather jacket from Mamalicious, £54.99, New Look

Go for an alternative to traditional black with this jacket from MOM2MOM, £49.95, Nelly

We heart this faux fur leather number, £76 from Topshop, via Nordstrom

Go for a different take on the leather jacket with this velvet faux leather number from Blossom Mother and Child. Buy it now for a special price of £101.50.

Get 25 percent off Isabella Oliver maternity coats

Christmas is not so quietly creeping up on us and a range of stores are getting into the festive spirit offering various money off vouchers.

One offer we're particularly excited about is from Isabella Oliver, which is running a short promotion on a selection of maternity coats to will ensure you and your bump stay stylishly warm and cosy in this cold weather.

Up until Midnight on Sunday 2nd December, customers can save 25 percent off a selected range of coats, all you need to do is enter the code WRAPUP25 at IsabellaOliver.com.

Don't say we don't spoil you.

Lara Stone announces she's pregnant and we pick some key pieces for her tall and stylish maternity wardrobe.

We were thrilled when David Walliams announced that his supermodel wife Lara Stone was pregnant.

Taking to Twitter last week, the Little Britain star and Britian's got Talent judge, told his followers: "Some wonderful news. My beautiful wife Lara is pregnant.

"We are having a baby! It is due next year and we both couldn't be happier."

The couple later on released a statement claiming they were "very excited" to be expecting their first child.

We've always loved Lara's laid back, yet fierce style and we can't wait to see what her maternity wardrobe will be like.

However, until then we've decided to put together a little fantasy maternity wardrobe for the model.

For practicality,  5'10 Lara should look at styles that will show off her tall figure as well as fit her bump. A wrap shirt or empire line top will elongate taller shapes, while longer style cardigans or longer knitted maternity jumpers, will also ensure Lara's bump remains covered while she stays stylish.

Style wise, Lara has a mix of looks that suit her, going from elegant black frocks on a night out, to a love of leather, jeans and long tops for less smart occasions.

We've mixed her style and added our tall tips to pick out some key items we think she may like. See the gallery below for our tops picks.

We think this simple, yet striking Draped Cocoon Maternity Dress, £120, Rock a Bye Rosie,  suits Lara's style perfectly.

Lara should opt for a longer wrap style cardigan, such as this one from Jojo Maman Bebe, £39, which will flatter her taller figure and keep her stylishly warn.

Longer length maternity jeans are must-haves for taller women. We heart this 36' leg pair from Yummy Mummy Maternity.

Channel Lara's love of long black dresses with a maternity version like this embellished number, £22, from Matalan

Lara's love of leather needn't be brushed aside with these amaze faux leather panel maternity leggings, £45, Seraphine

A long empire line tunic top is perfect for taller figures, elongating the torso and ensuring your bump stays covered. We love this one from MAMA at H&M, £24.99

Top five maternity nightwear pieces to add to your Christmas wishlist - from budget to luxury

With the chilly winter nights making their presence known there's nothing more than we like to do than snuggle down on the sofa and in bed with some comfy nightwear.

With Christmas not so quietly creeping up on us and a huge range of maternity nightwear available, these items are perfect for adding to your Christmas list.

Go for a two piece pyjama set, which will stretch with your growing bump and perfect for those lazy days after the birth,  or opt for a nightdress, which can also be used for nursing your newborn.

We pick our top five pieces -  from the budget to the luxury - we hope Santa's been busy saving.

This nightdress from Tiffany Rose, is perfect for those who like more than a little luxury in their lives. A must have for any Christmas list.  Francesca Night Gown, £95.

We heart this simple, yet stylish Mauve maternity pyjamas, £35, Melba London

Keep you and bump stylishly warm over the winter with Blossom Mother and Child's Whoa! Mamma frills long pant maternity set, £92.

Go for cute and girly with this polka dot maternity nightdress, £15, La Redoute

Go right back to your childhood with these super cute Blooming Marvellous Winnie the Pooh maternity pyjamas, £26, Mothercare

Rent a maternity Christmas dress from Hire Expectations

With the Christmas party season not so quietly creeping up on us, many of us are already panicking about that perfect frock for that special occasion.

And it's a trickier situation for those who are pregnant.

Although there's a great range of party bump flattering frocks to choose from, sometimes we can't justify spending those pennies on a dress we may only wear a handful of times.

That's why we're more than a little bit excited about Hire Expectations.

The online boutique offers dozens of stylish maternity dresses to hire without the designer price tag.

Founded by twin sisters Pippa Capel and Robyn Mason, the site stocks dresses from ten leading labels including Crave, Isabella Oliver, Keungzai and Butter by Nadia. The range features pieces worn by celebrities including Sienna Miller, Amanda Holden and Naomi Watts.

Styles have been carefully selected to flatter a range of body shapes from the first signs of pregnancy right up until the due date, for occasions from a casual lunch to a formal black-tie event.

A range of designer breastfeeding dresses is also available, all tailored to allow discreet breastfeeding.

Dresses are available to hire for either 5 or 10 days. Rental prices start at just £25, letting women dress beautifully yet affordably throughout their pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.

See some of the frocks available for hire below.

Top five Oriental inspired pieces for your maternity AW 2012 wardrobe

The Far East made an appearance on a range on AW 2012 catwalks, with intricate floral prints, kimono styles and silks all giving a nod to the Oriental trend.

And this look, showcased by the likes of Balmain, Zac Posen and Dries Van Noten, lends itself perfectly to the maternity world thanks to the silhouettes it channels.

Wrap style kimonos, billowing sleeves and loose silk numbers are perfect for dressing that bump.

And you can be as creative as you like here. Keep it simple with a printed tee teamed with jeans or vamp it up on a night out with a silk maxi number, which will give a subtle nod to the trend.

See the gallery below for some of our virtual highstreet takes of this trend.

The AW 2012 catwalks were awash with nods to the Oriental trend

Maternity Hyacinth Tee,  £36.00, Topshop

Tree of Life dress by Paulina, Blossom Mother and Child.

Print silk maxi dress, Print Silk Maxi Dress, £254.15, Isabella Oliver

Think out of the Oriental box with this Navy Kimono Labour Wrap, which can also be worn as nightwear. Jojo Maman Bebe, £35

Black flower print maxi dress, £37, Dorothy Perkins

Leopard print bikinis inspired by pregnant Gisele Bundchen - and few more maternity swimwear options

We were more than a little bit envious when we spotted pics of a heavily pregnant Gisele Bundchen showing off her baby bump in a teeny tiny leopard print bikini.

Chilling out on Miami Beach, the former Victoria's Secret supermodel, showed no signs of stretch marks, but more importantly was comfortable showing off her blooming bump in the strapless number - something we never could have done.

If you have the confidence and want to show off your bump Gisele style then take a look at some of Leopard print bikini finds below.

We've also picked some alternative swimwear options for those not so bump bold.

Leopard print bikini H&M

Take it one step further with this tie bikini from Amazon, £10

Yellow leopard print bandeau bikini top, £16, River Island

Navy & Red Tankini (Maternity) £22, Next

Blooming Marvelous stripe knot front tankini, Mothercare, £26

Red Polka Dot Maternity Tankini, £26, Jojo Maman Bebe