Fed up with your pregnancy wear? Julie from Style Fish gives her Top Tips for Pregnancy Style:

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Sophia Loren once said “A woman’s clothes should be like a barbed wire fence, serving their purpose without obstructing the view!” This is especially true of pregnancy. Being pregnant is not a license to wear shapeless clothes; it will not make you feel better!

Flatter & embrace your new shape & make sure the world can see you are proud of your bump! While the clothes we wear does not maketh the women. What we wear and how we feel in our clothes has a huge effect on our self-confidence, & this ladies, helps maketh the woman.

#1. Invest in a few quality items

Do invest in a few quality items that’ll wash, wear and last and buy every few weeks to ensure clothes fit you all the way through your pregnancy, rather than all-at-once.

#2. Throw a clothes-swapping party

Ban all men from your house, and invite round your pregnant friends, plus those who are already mums. The latter should have maternity clothes they feel more than happy to part with, and might like to borrow some of your clothes in exchange.

The swap does not need to be permanent, and you could turn it into a fun evening by sharing stories and even playing silly games.

#3. Use Specialist Maternity Shops

When it comes to specialist maternity wear I don’t think it is necessary for the majority of your wardrobe as the high street has such a good selection.

However, for leggings, support tights, underwear & Jeans you will find a difference in the quality & support that is worth its weight in gold for those nine months!

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#4. Enjoy the experimentation

Do enjoy being pregnant! Experiment with a whole new world of fashion! Don’t try to cover your bump, show it off in shapely Items that make you feel comfortable.

There are some great websites that specialize in maternity wear only & the high street seems to be finally opening its eyes to pregnant women as a major market they need to cater for so choice is slowly growing & prices are excellent.

#5. Treat yourself to some lovely accessories

They stick by you through fat and thin days & they tell the world how fabulous you are before you have even said a word! They also allow you to put your unique mark on your simple basics & can make an outfit feel ‘done’! You don’t need lots of clothes, you need good key Items & you can then have fun styling them with great accessories!

#6. Use the Internet to ask questions

There are so many great blogs, research tools and sources of information out there now, don’t be afraid to use them!

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#7. Buy clothes in your normal size

Don’t buy a size up, make sure you buy your normal size.

#8. Don’t be afraid of colour

With the over whelming urge to utilize your rightful power to say ‘sod it’ and reach for the nearest cover everything black number, think again!

Do not be afraid of colour while pregnant. In fact studies show wearing brighter colours & pattern during your pregnancy makes you livelier & hence baby happier!

Not only that but wearing brighter colours that suit you will have a rejuvenating effect on your skin & will make your eyes sparkle, no matter how tired you are!

Weddings or Important Events

If you have a wedding or important event during your pregnancy (which let’s face it, we all hope we do or it is nine months of not getting dressed up!), don’t spend too much on something you won’t wear again.

Hell, we usually don’t wear wedding outfits again even when we are not pregnant! Try www.stylemama.ie and hire something fabulous!

Julie Cobbe is Founder of Ireland’s first Fashion School for women (Stylefish.ie) that combines the realness of classes & consultations with the convenience of an online members club. She set up Stylefish.ie in March 2009 to combine her love of teaching with her love of fashion. Style Fish appeared in March of this year on RTE’s Dragons Den securing Investment from media mogul Gavin Duffy and CEO & Owner of Harmonia Publishing, Norah Casey.

Style Fish shows women how to become their own stylist & do it for themselves through their personalized body shape & colour styling class or consultation, which is delivered in shopping centres & department stores around the Country. Once graduated each lady gains access to the Style Fish Members Club online where they bring their Members all their recommended buys each week for their shape saving them time, money & stress! Julie also writes a column for Woman’s Way among other publications.

Do you have a tip to share for pregnancy style?  Share it with us in the comments below.