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

Brands we love: Rock-A-Bye Rosie - perfect maternity dresses for the Christmas party season and any special occasion

We're always getting excited about all the gorgeous maternity items available out there, but sometimes, just sometimes, one brand will make us fall head-over-heels.

And Rock-A-Bye Rosie has done just that.

The London based maternity brand that was born out of a desire to create beautiful garments for fashion conscious mums-to-be, has taken our hearts today with its gorgeous collection  designed for nights out and special occasion.

Taking inspiration from the latest trends and vintage pieces, the designers translate these into perfect garments for expectant mothers, creating silhouettes that will flatter your shape throughout your pregnancy.

We heart the intricate detailing, bespoke print fabrics and embellishments, which really make the collection stand out.

The range can be found in Monsoon, but even better, can be ordered directly through the company's website.

Log on now and get yourself that perfect Christmas party dress.

Below are just a few of our fave frocks from the collection.

Twilight

Annie

Charlie

 

Wendy

Wendy front Mushroom

Bargain bump: Maternitywear for £10 and under

We all love a little bit of luxurious fashion, but when you're pregnant, sometimes you just don't want to spend those precious pennies on that expensive item.

While we've covered lots of maternity lovelies over the past few weeks, today we thought we'd give you a little bargain treat, looking at what you can buy for £10 and under.

If you take advantage of sales, which can be found at almost anytime on the virtual highstreet, as well as delve into the world of supermarket stores, you can pick up an essential part of your maternity wardrobe for the fraction of the price.

Team up your bargain find with a higher end number, such as a pair of jeans or maternity coat and add some accessories.

We guarantee no one will ever guess you're wearing a bargain bump find.

See the gallery below for our best "under £10" picks.

This Collar Blouse Top, is perfect for a day in the office. Team up with a skirt or trousers for that ultimate working gal look. £8.50, Asda.

This casual top from H&M is a steal for £7.99

We heart this slinky dress, which is perfect for a night out with the girls. It's been reduced to £10 so get it now from Topshop

Dress this zip back top up or down. Now £6 from Matalan

Give a nod to the coloured jeans trend with these jeggings from Matalan. A bargain at £10.

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