Bargain maternity fashion item of the day: Batwing maternity t-shirt from Zara

With the UK supposedly entering summer - someone may want to give the weather that memo- we're continuing to pick up staple pieces for our wardrobes.

And mums-to-be looking for those key pieces definitely need this bargain maternity t-shirt in their lives.

Coming in at a cool £9.99, this batwing maternity t-shirt from Zara's maternity range, is a perfect capsule piece going with just about anything in your wardrobe.

And the best thing is it comes in lots of colours from simple black and white to on-trend orange or bright pink.

Stick it on with a pair of maternity skinny jeans and wedges or layer over a vest top for a simple breastfeeding option after the birth.

Top five: Summer maternity cardigans

Fear not, we've not turned into your granny with today's post. We're just a little bit in love with the versatility of cardigans.

Over the years these little wardrobe staples have moved on from the traditional Dot Cotton style, bringing any mum-to-be stylish warmth in the British summer weather. And it seems the maternity and mainstream world agrees, offering a huge range of amazing styles to choose from.

The great thing about buying a maternity cardigan - we know they can be slightly pricier - is that they have been designed to stretch with your bump, which is great for mums-to-be looking for the traditional button up style. Others have also been created to double up as nursing aids, providing coverage when buttoned up and easy access at the same time, which in our eyes makes them a great investment. 

However, mums on a budget needn't miss out with mainstream styles also an option here too. Opt for a wrap cardigan, which can be adjusted as your bump grows or go for a waterfall style that stays open meaning you won't have to worry about it becoming too small as your bump grows.

Below are some of our fave maternity cardigans available on the virtual highstreet.

Wear loosely over a maxi dress or team up over a vest top and maternity jeans for a casual summer look.

ASOS Maternity Exclusive Wrap Cardigan in Neppi, £28

Breton Stripe Waterfall Cardigan, £29, Jojo Maman Bebe

Non maternity option: Linen Waterfall Cardigan, £18, Matalan

Blue Linen Waterfall Maxi Cardigan, £52, Seraphine Maternity

Maternity Cardigan, Vertbaudet, £35

Kate Middleton to show off her maternity style at the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

Fans of Kate Middleton's maternity style will get their fashion fix next week.

According to the lovely ladies over at Marie Claire, the Duchess will be making an appearance at the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

She will show off her baby bump, alongside other royals, including hubby Price William, on the 4 June at a special service that will take pace at Westminster Abbey.

However, it seems that nearly eight months pregnant Kate won't be staying for the after party, with reports that she's been given leave after the ceremony.

And fans of Kate's fashion will have to embrace the appearance as this seems to be  one of the last appointments for the Duchess until the impending birth. 

We can't wait to see what she'll be wearing.

Summer beach maternity tankinis and tankini tops

With many of us swapping the UK's fickle weather for warmer climes, the need for beachwear has never been so in demand.

And if you're anything like us, we bet you can't wait to show off that bump, whether its just sprouting or a little bit more obvious, on the beach.

Although Kim Kardashian and Gisele opted for skimpy bikinis to show off their baby bodies, we know that these aren't for everyone.

We also know that some yummy mummies-to-be may not want the restraints that come with a maternity swimming costume and this makes a maternity tankini a perfect compromise.

We heart the fashion implications this little piece of swimwear offers, allowing you to mix and match bottoms and tops, while being comfy and supporting your bump at the same time.

Opt for a floral top and buy a few bottoms to update the look or stick to bold contrasting hues, which channel the block trend perfectly.

Below are just some of our fave finds.

Maternity Halterneck Mirror Floral Tankini Top, Marks and Spencer, £22.50

Floral Tankini, £30, Mamas and Papas

Black Gather Tankini, £20, Next

Maternity Stripe Tankini, £19, Topshop

F&F Ditsy Print Maternity Tankini Top, £12, Tesco Clothing

Summer maternity dresses for the office and formal events

Finding that perfect maternity dress for the office can be a difficult task.

Not only does it have to be comfortable but also smart enough for those meetings.

It also has to be versatile enough to grow with your bump and curves as well as not look too "officy" if you decide to wear it to a formal event.

We recommend picking two frocks which will form the staple part of your work based maternity wardrobe.

A wrap dress is a perfect option for this type of event offering classic formal style, while accentuating curves.

A ruched dress is also another option for showing off that bump as well as ensuring you have a style that grows with you.

If you're more of a LBD kinda girl then opting for a linen number will ensure you stay cool throughout the summer, whilst opting for a polka dot print will channel an on-trend office look.

We've picked some of our fave styles, which can be accessorised up or down for any formal or office occasion. 

Judy Maternity Wrap Dress, £95, Isabella Oliver

Stripe ruched maternity dress, Next, £25

MAMA Dress £12.99, H&M

Black linen midi dress, Jojo Maman Bebe, £39

Key Hole Back Spot Dress, Crave Maternity, £95

Top five push present ideas

Push presents are traditionally a US practice and are basically what they say on the tin - a gift from the hubby to the mum after she's had a baby.

However, they are now becoming increasingly popular in the UK with new mums asking their other halves to recognise their efforts of labour.

And with Prince William hinting Kate Middleton would be getting a few push presents of her own after the birth of their little Prince or Princess, this trend looks to grow more and more for us Brits.

A push present is often a piece of jewellery - many men opt for an eternity ring - but it can basically be anything you fancy. As long as it screams luxury and is purely for you.

For example, I'm not really into jewellery so I managed to wangle a pair of Louboutins out of my other half after I had my little one - shhh don't tell him I can't walk in them.

I've put together a little luxury list of push presents from jewellery to bags. Tell him to get saving now.

Mulberry Flower Mini leather shoulder bag, £395, Net-a-Porter

Pamper spa day voucher, £100, Red Letter Days

Diamond and Ruby Ring in 9k White Gold, £299, Diamond Manufacturers

Simple patent pump, Christian Louboutin, £485

Delicate Pearl Studs, £165, Pandora

Maternity fashion reader question: Where can I find over the bump skinny jeans?

As many of you will already know, I set up Does My Bump after I struggled to find those perfect maternity clothes when I was pregnant.

After one too many shopping trips when I came home with nothing but swollen feet and a headache and after speaking to many of my pregnant friends, I decided I'd start a site where women could find all the maternity fashion inspiration they needed under one virtual roof.

I love getting questions about maternity fashion from our readers and trying my best to help them out, so today this post is for Colette who came to us after she struggled to find a pair of over the bump skinny jeans.

The problem many pregnant women find when searching for a pair of maternity skinny jeans is that quite a few are designed with a narrow band that sits under the bump.

This is because the cut of the jean works better this way.

However, it doesn't suit everyone and it seems Blooming Marvellous has woken up to this fact, designing this pair of maternity skinny jeans with an over the bump option. At £30 the jean sits in the average price for denim and is great for providing the support your bump needs.

It comes in bright blue, which is great for channelling this year's colour trend, or a simple timeless black. Buy them now from Mothercare.

Maternity summer little black dresses inspired by Halle Berry and Kim Kardashian

The maternity little black dress has made a huge stance on the celebrity style front.

Over the past week Kim Kardashian and Halle Berry have opted for one of these classic frocks to show off their bumps.

However, they both chose totally different occasions to wear them.

Kim opted for a Yves Saint Laurent leather trim number for a night out in New York, while Halle dressed her LBD with a hooded cardi down for the school run.

We heart how versatile this classic frock can be, and think it's an essential addition to any maternity wardrobe.

Dress your maternity LBD down with flats for a day at the office or a summer day out, or style it up with heels for a night on the town.

Below are some of our fave summer maternity LBDs.

Blooming Marvellous Black Maternity Dress, £20, Mothercare

Maternity Dress with Chiffon Skirt, Jonna, Rock-a-bye-Rosie, £65

Black Short Sleeve Shift Dress, £38, Seraphine Maternity

ASOS Maternity Swing Dress In Acid Wash, £18

 

Black Linen Maternity Dress, Jojo Maman Bebe, £39

Kim Kardashian shows off baby bump in leather trim Yves Saint Laurent LBD

Image: Kim Kardashian Instagram

Her maternity style has been notoriously hit and miss, but Kim Kardashian got it right over the weekend when she turned up in New York showing off her bump in a little black dress.

The reality star looked stunning in a black sleeved Yves Saint Laurent frock with leather detailing on the neckline as she stepped out to support boyfriend Kanye at the Rockefeller Centre, where he was performing.

We think the dress is a great hit for Kim who recently admitted to Grazia that her body confidence had fallen and she was resorting to anything that fitted and was comfortable for her growing figure.

We just hope that this is a style she keeps to.

Top five summer sandals for your maternity wardrobe

Summer sometimes isn't kind to yummy-mummies-to-be, especially if you're in the later stages of your pregnancy.

Not only does our body temperature rise more than the average persons but our feet are more likely to swell, making wearing those heels or wedges a bit of a nightmare.

However,  there's light at the end of the fashion tunnel and it comes in the form of flat summer sandals, which are great for teaming up with summer maternity dresses or maternity shorts. Go for  on-trend neon, studs or leopard print or keep it simple with a pair of Gladiators.

Ladies suffering from the dreaded swelling can also opt for a simple strap style or go for a sandal that's been designed for wider feet.

Accessorise with painted toe nails - if you can't quite reach them get your other half to help - and you're all set to step into summer in style.

Ravel Leather Multi Leopard Toepost Sandals, £30, Barratts

Office Incarnation gold glitter sandal £32

Studded sandals, Zara, £39.99

Buekers, £45, Aldo

Judy leather toe post flat sandal, £49, Dune

Get the Look: Halle Berry's maternity sportswear

Halle Berry showed that baby bumps look just as good in maternity fitness gear as they do in red carpet dresses this weekend.

The pregnant actress was spotted showing off her growing bump in cropped black lycra trousers with a grey fitted tank top and baseball cap in LA over the weekend, hinting that she'll be continuing to keep fit during her pregnancy.

Halle has set a great example amongst mums-to-be showing that pregnancy shouldn't mean the end of your fitness activities - speak to a fitness expert or doctor to find out how to tailor your regime to suit your bump.

Take inspiration from Halle and invest in specialist maternity wear, which will  help support your growing bump and expanding cleavage.

We've picked out a few in the gallery below and we'll see you on the cross trainer.

 Mamma Support Top, available in Hot Pink, Charcoal or Bright White, £44.99, FittaMamma

Dark grey crop pants, £49, Asquith

Training For Two Racer, £33.99, Fit and Fabulous

Maternity Knee Length Leggings, £29.99, Maternity Sportwear

Top five mum-to-be jewellery pieces

Finding out you're pregnant is an exciting time and if you're like us you'll want to shout it from the rooftops.

And once you've had that first crucial scan you can tell as many people as you like.

However, some ways are a lot more stylish and cooler than running over to the nearest person, jumping up and down and telling them your news - not that we know anyone that would do that, ahem- and that's with a fashionable piece of jewellery.

Over the past few years companies have woken up and realised that mums-to-be want to show off their expectant status as well as have a keepsake to remember their nine months by.

And this has resulted in some gorge ranges from bracelet charms to printed pendant necklaces.

We've had a little look and found some of our faves, which as always you can see in the gallery below.

 Mum to be Charm, £45, Links of London

Jazzy Beads - Mum to Be Bracelet, £5.45, Mum Stuff

New mummy silver stork necklace, £25, Love Lulabula

Footprint charm necklace with personalised names, £20, Stampsational

Forever Pendant, £79, Babes with Babies. Pendant engraved with quote by Elizabeth Stone: "Being a mother is to have your heart forever walk around outside your body".

Maternity summer dresses for under £20

If you're a regular reader of Does My Bump Look Good in This? you'll know that maternity fashion can range hugely in the price tag department.

While it's lovely to invest in that luxury item, sometimes the pennies just don't stretch that far, and sometimes it's just nice to be able to splash out on a piece of maternity clothing without feeling guilty.

There's a range of ways to get hold of a piece of maternity clothing at a reasonable price from rummaging through the rails of charity shops to scouring sites such as eBay.

But if you want something new in a hurry the best place to turn to is the highstreet, where you'll find some great maternitywear at reasonable prices.

Today we've done the virtual footwork and scouted out some of the best maternity summer dresses for under £20.

All you have to do is get your credit card ready.

MAMA Dress £14.99, H&M

 

Maternity Printed Maxi Dress, £18, Peacocks

Maternity Crossover V-Neck Floral Print Wrap Dress, £17.50, Marks and Spencer outlet

Maternity Monochrome Stripe Cap Sleeve Midi Dress, £14.99, New Look

ASOS Maternity Exclusive Sleeveless Swing Dress With V Neck
£18

Friday Fantasy Fashion item: Charlotte smart maternity dress from Madderson London

We've gone full circle today with our maternity fashion advice, but it's Friday, and it's also a woman's perogative to change her mind, right?

Today's  Friday fantasy fashion item flies in from luxury maternity brand Madderson London.

Set up by Sara who missed the range and glamour of her pre-pregnancy clothes when she was expecting, the maternity range focuses on gorge dresses and tops for smarter occasions such as parties and office meetings.

The Charlotte dress, £275, is just one example of the brand's fab frocks and channels this seasons sixties trend perfectly.

We think it'll also look great teamed with flats for a more casual style.

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