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.

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

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

AW 2012 Trends: Military inspired maternity wear

Military influences were in full force on the London Fashion Week AW 2012 catwalks.

Big brassy buttons appeared on double breasted tailored coats, while structured, wrap dresses and jackets gave a more subtle nod to the trend.

Traditional khakis and blacks were joined by bright neon colours, thanks to bold moves by Prada, while studs shown by the likes of Burberry and Alexander McQueen, were added to bring the trend into this season.

Of course the maternity fashion world has taken note of this hot trend, with a range of stores introducing a range of military inspired blouses and coats.

However, the great thing here is that you don't have to stick to maternity wear. Give a nod to the look with a military style cap, or pick a pair of military inspired flat boots, which will last you throughout your pregnancy and into next winter too.

See the gallery below for some of our military inspired maternity faves.

Military Cap, £20,  Next

Refer Military Coat, £65, Asos Maternity

Belted Wrap Jacket, £125, Isabella Oliver

Spica boot,  £159, Bertie

Maternity Stud Military Shirt, £40, Topshop

Maternity Military Blouse, £35, Asos

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

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