A Fashionista's Thrift Maternity Guide

After the initial OMG, I'm having a child!! Any true fashionista may start hyperventilating about her expanding silhouette at some point. That heart thumping moment after your pregnancy pee stick delivers, changes everything, but before you get yourself into a style tizzy, take some deeeep breaths and relax! We're gonna be fine. We're gonna be more than fine. Fabulous in fact!

First, it's a good idea to clean out your wardrobe. Baby or no baby, anything that is not gorgeous, sexy or practical has to go! If you're a real style queen, I wouldn't expect anything else! Once that's done, you can now build your new maternity pieces into your current wardrobe.

To look your best throughout the pregnancy, it's important to know and respect what you've got to work with. So many of us dress ourselves exactly from what we see in the magazines without taking our shape and colouring into consideration.

The key is to take elements from the catwalk and work that into whatever shape or colouring you have.
As much as I find Trinny and Suzanna annoying, they have a great section on the Littlewoods direct; site to help you pick the right items for your shape.

As your pregnancy progresses, its important to take a good look at your changing shape every month. Then you can adjust your wardrobe to ensure you're always looking your best.

As a black woman I always envied others Sista's with there rippling curves. I've always been a svelte size 6. No boobs, no hips no arse.

However, I am blessed with long, lean limbs and a swan neck. I'm both excited and pooing myself when the first areas I fill out were my hips and bootilicious behind! Kinda like setting up baby scaffolding.

The first three months, you can pretty much get away with your current wardrobe. Don't get complacent though, as things can expand literally within days!

I kept my pregnancy secret for the first 12 weeks until I was sure everything was ok. With this in mind, its important to be able to hide your little bump (if any) until you're sure about everything.

Before you rush out and burn a whole in your credit card with new bump stuff, here are shapes you may already have in your wardrobe which will keep you comfortable and stylish during the first trimester and beyond if you're lucky!

#1 Any empire line (seam under the bust) style tops/dresses - These will support your expanding bust and cover any weight gain around your tummy.

#2 Baby doll style dresses are great doubled up as long tops over jeans or thick monochrome tights/leggings! Ooo La La!

#3 Combat trousers - I lived in my parachute trousers! They are super stylish and sooo comfortable. The elastic at the waist also made it easier to adjust to my expanding waistline, bottom and thighs.

#4 Super low rise jeans / trousers - Again, great to accommodate an expanding waistline down to your abdomen but make sure you have a top/dress long enough to cover your exposed flesh.

#5 Maxi dress - great for larger ladies. The seams under the bust support the breast and all that gorgeous floor length fabric covers the rest of the body in sophisticated elegance.

#6 Wrap tops/ dresses - If you have any of these in your current wardrobe you'll be pleased to know that these may carry you quite far into your pregnancy as you can adjust this garment with your bump growth.

DO....Choose items you can mix and match. That way, your wardrobe won't get tired.

DO....Choose colours that compliment your complexion and hair color.

DO....Accessorise! Accessorise! Accessorise! Knockout extra's can completely rework an outfit in seconds. Send my 'Trend's' section for more on my love for accessories.

DO....Get friends to recommend a maternity shop with knowledgeable salespeople. They'll save you time and money in the long run.

DO....Buy a fabulous pair of kitten / low heeled shoes in a versatile colour. Your center of gravity shifts during pregnancy, so you'll want to be safe and comfortable. Hoorahhhh! Another excuse to buy shoes!!!

DO....Splurge on one or two key party outfits. You're bound to have a few events to attend especially if you are pregnant around Christmas time. This is the only exception to treating yourself to something special. A little black wrap dress will be invaluable.

DO....Look in shop's that aren't specifically for maternity. You'll be surprised at what money you can save buy looking in normal shops but buying in bigger sizes.

DO....Avoid buying pieces that only give you a few weeks of pregnancy wear.

DO....Look for fabrics that let your skin breathe and give you comfort.

DON'T...Always buy according to size. Focus on the fit and the way you are carrying.

DON'T...Buy plus sizes if you're not. These clothes are cut larger all over. Fitted maternity clothes, like a little black dress, can make you look more sophisticated, attractive, and sexy.

DON'T...Wear your husband's clothes all the time. He may look sexy in them, but you won't get the same results. Designs that fit and grow with your bump are better for your self-esteem and your budget.

DON'T...Wear bold patterns and colors if you are heavyset or long tops if you are petite. They 're not as flattering as other choices.

DON'T...Wear leggings without a top long enough to reach your hips. No one wants to see your camel toe!

DON'T...Try to squeeze into your clothes for too long; they just make you look bigger and uncomfortable.

DON'T...Over accessorize. It's got to be balanced so pick one signature accessory with each outfit and then just top up a little.

DON'T...Hide your belly! Pregnancy is a time to celebrate and show off your new curves. LOVE YOUR BUMP!

We both know that buying high end luxurious catwalk pieces off the peg defeats the object of this lens both for cost most of the models being size zero.

However, there are ways you can take accents from the trends ensuring you remain stylish and comfortable. Here's our favourite trends for next season. Work your bump, catwalk style!

This combination has been on trend for a few seasons and will always be a classic winner with bump chic fashionista's. Keep the palette simple and classic using neutral tones.

Cinching the tunic under the breasts using contrasting colorful skinny belts or scarf's will add gorgeous definition and drama to your silhouette. Make sure the tunic doesn't drop beneath mid thigh. Team this look with floor length, flared or skinny trousers to suit your shape.

I can't say enough how important your accessories are when your pregnant. Bump or no bump, a classy statement bag, necklace shoes whatever will send you from fine to fabulous in a second!

Buying key trend accessories are also a cheap way to update a tired wardrobe! I dont need to tell you that great accessory peices will take you through your pregnancy and beyond so spend and choose timeless and tastefully.

For Autumn winter 2008/9 Vogue tells us....
Chunky wooden beads, giant Deco cuffs, bold neck pieces... Jewellery comes super-sized!

Multiple choice: pile on heaps of chains and armfuls (or even neckfuls) of bangles

From delicate chokers to gothic rosaries and moulded metalwork - as long as it makes an impact, anything goes

Your 4th, 5th and 6th Months are lovely because you're really showing now but haven't got too big so it's uncomfortable.

If all went well in the first trimester, you will also have announced your news to the world. No more hiding in the loo at work being sick. No more having to make fake dentist dentists appointments with your boss to go for check ups! You can flash your bump with pride!

You'll probably find that your pre-pregnancy clothes especially the bottoms are being banished one by one to storage. It's a great idea to keep on top of this and remove the items as soon as you realise the're too small, then you won't have that frustration of deciding to wear something one day and find you can't even get it past your ankle!

While you're cleaning out your wardrobe, think about which celebrity bumps you thought looked amazing? What was it you liked about their silhouette? Was it the fabric? Where were your eyes drawn?

We all can't be as glamourous as Angelina and Gwen, but we can take key elements of their style and use it as inspiration for our own.

The key to alot of the sucessful celebrity bumps are simplicity first and foremost with shape, then creating more interest by using colour and great accessories.

With hormones raging and your body expanding in places you forgot you had, there will be times when you feel down and 'Fat.'

It's easy for me to tell you being pregnant is to be celebrated and all that, but that's not going to help you on a practical level when you're feeling down.

Your self esteem can be affected in so many different ways so here is a list of practical things you can do to raise your game and enjoy the changes.

#1 - Keep a pregnancy journal. If you do it online even better cause you can share it with other mums. Don't forget you can read mine from the link in my bio!

#2 - Take pictures to monitor your bump growth. I took pictures of mine every month from 12 weeks in the same composition. That way you can really see how much it grows.

#3 - Have a belly cast done during your last trimester. If you only plan on having one it's a fabulous reminder. I really regret not doing mine!

#4 - Talk to other mums. They're the only ones who will really understand what you're going through. You can email me for a chat if you're feeling down or see my website section for more online sites.

#5 - Have a pamper day - If you can't afford to go to a salon ask you partner to give you a massage. I always use good old olive oil with a little lavender essential oil. While he's at it get him to cut your toe nails, shave/trim your minnie & arm pits! That'll cheer you up!

#6 - Start a baby gift list - Amazon can create a gift list for you and your friends can just log on and buy all the things you want for your little one!

#7 - Create a baby music mix - Babies can hear in the womb from about 23 weeks. They may move around and show preference to different types of music so choose a baby play list and sing your tunes to the little one. I used to sing my bump playlist while driving to work. My favourite song was 'You're the One' by the Carpenters.

The last few months will be the most challenging for obvious reasons. Everything about your size will feel magnified by a million but you CAN still look amazing. The most important thing to remember at this stage is comfort. You may not be very mobile and strechy, breathable clothing is essential.

Snap up offers of pampering, cooking, cleaning, whatever, from loved ones. Carrying a child will tax your body, mind and soul so you need to preserve as much energy as possible; especially for the sleep deprivation ahead! The other main important thing is being kind to your self at every level. Doing this now will ensure that you're still looking fabulous once things have settled with the new baby!