Q. I am five months pregnant and need a dress for a summer wedding. I want something that leaves room for growth but is not too "maternity", that gives good cleavage and that I can wear again. Can you help?
A. Summer is almost here and it's not just the flowers that are blooming. Many Irish Mums-to-be are trying to beat the heat while looking cool and stylish. And thankfully, with so many great maternity stores today, it's virtually impossible to be a frump with a bump. These days, high Street stores Topshop and Dorothy Perkins have great maternity collections at unbeatable prices.
So what are your best options for a summer wedding?
If you are feeling daring, you can always choose to emphasise your bump by choosing a form fitting dress. A fitted style used to be the last thing a mum to-be would reach for.
But stars like Holly Willoughby and Denise Van Outen have proved that pregnant women no longer have to sport tent-like outfits when they are expecting. They wear their curves with pride and refuse to swamp themselves in swathes of fabric, particularly in the summer.
Today, pregnancy needn't mean nine months in a fashion wasteland. You can look swell if you know where to shop and that does not mean limiting yourself to maternity wear outlets. If you know the correct shapes to pick, you can choose from a plethora of fashionable pieces from nearly any of the high street stores such as Monsoon, which has always stocked the kind of flowing, feminine styles that look just gorgeous on almost any body shape.
Being pregnant and fashionable is not impossibility; coupling high-street ranges with clever finds can help you make the most of your new curves. Opt for figure flattering cuts such as maxi dresses, smock tops or dresses with an empire line feature if you really want to make the most of your figure.
Stores such as Littlewoods, ASKS, Marks and Spencer and even River Island are now doing maternity wear and Marks & Spencer’s Limited Collection Maternity range has some seriously cute cocktail dresses; so if you are looking for something special to wear you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice.
