Ok, so we might not have the time, energy or desire to keep up with what the latest ‘must have’ bag is or the ‘only length of skirt to be seen in this summer’, but just because you’re pregnant, or in the midst of motherhood with your new arrival doesn’t mean that you’ve lost your interest in fashion. 

Although I’m not an advocate for being a slave to ‘the trends’, I also believe there’s no reason why you can’t feel great in this transitional time with a little help from a trend or two injecting some newness in your wardrobe. And, because you’ve got far more pressing things to be googling while you’re awake with the owls in the midnight hours (how to cure heartburn…. when will my baby sleep through the night …. the usual suspects) I’ve tried to put together a quick rundown for you of the key Spring/Summer trends you’ll be seeing ‘everywhere’. The ones that work with a bump or a breastfeeding bust and the ones to avoid, the yay and the nays as you will…

The Bomber

Whether it’s varsity style, Borg, satin or metallic the bomber jacket is back and it’s a great spring addition to update simple jeans and a tee, mix up proportions with an oversized knit and leggings or funk up a floral dress. There’s a colour and fabrication for everyone, and you’re spoilt for choice with plenty of high street and designer options out there. 

RENT THE TREND - THE BOMBER

The Bouclé 

Another jacket makes the list!! How could it not when this chic, versatile classic has held its rein for over 60 years. These tweed favourites are the perfect meeting of style and practicality. 

There are plenty of styles that look great worn open, making them bump-friendly and perfect for mums-to-be. Look for the opposite if you’re conscious of your waist postpartum, as the straight/ boxy cut buttoned-up jacket creates skims the silhouette and flatters. 

Utility 

Be it a boilersuit, combat or cargo trousers it doesn’t really matter as this trend is all about the pockets, & who doesn’t love pockets?!

From a practical point alone it’s a winner (especially post-natal when there’s a ridiculous amount of things you end up carrying around with you) but these also bring comfort and a welcomed change to the maternity uniform: the infamous leggings. 

RENT THE TREND - UTILITY

Grunge 

Now, this is a trend I think will be welcomed with open arms, as it’s all about relaxed layers. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been owning this trend already, without even knowing we’re being fashion-forward. Denim relaxes with wide, loose-fitting cuts perfect for that craved comfort. 

Flannel shirts are a key piece and the more oversized the better so it doesn’t even have to be yours (cue us all dashing to raid our other half’s wardrobe). 

RENT THE TREND - RELAX YOUR DENIM

Silver

I’ll be touching on colour trends soon but this has been seen in so many different forms, we’ve seen space-age metallic leather, sequinned separates, shimmering knits and full laminated dresses so it deserves its very own spot on the trend list. The great thing is you can dip into this trend by simply adding some statement silver jewellery to your outfit, ta-dah. Don’t have silver, fear not, as metals, in general, are big, so pretty much anything goes. 

RENT THE TREND - SILVER

Big Bag Energy 

Fashion is cyclical indeed and to flip the (slightly comical) miniature bag trend on its head… Big bags are back! And the bigger the better it seems. This is music to our ears, as our huge baby bags strapped to our prams will no longer purely serve us on a practical basis. They will also blend into this popular oversized trend in all their overpacked glory. 

Colours 

BRIGHTS – With Viva Magenta announced as the Pantone colour of the year we had a feeling brights were going to be big this spring/summer and we haven’t been disappointed. Stores are already filling up with enticing offerings including a lot of violet, lime and saffron.

RENT THE TREND - MAGENTA

RENT THE TREND - SAFFRON SURPRISE

Monochrome

But I’m not a bright colour person I hear for the back, well fear not, as surprisingly head-to-toe black made a noteworthy appearance on the runways as did (the less surprising) Summer favourite blinding white… Again head-to-toe. Not ideal with little sticky hands, so enjoy if with a bump, otherwise, maybe just opt for easy clean separates and some glow whites. 

RENT THE TREND - BRIGHT WHITE

The NO, but thank you’s 

These are the trends I’ve seen and most likely let out a little chuckle to myself at potentially how ridiculously impractical they are for maternity or post-natal, not to say we can’t wear them….but when you see them you’ll know why they made this side of the list. 

Sheer 

And we mean see-everything-kinda-sheer. It’s a no for many many reasons but mainly because it’s probably the most unlikely time we want to show off our (maternity) underwear to the world.

A sister trend to the transparent is the nightie, Lacey, slinky and figure-hugging…. alternatively I’ll be going for a silk pyjama style set as a nod to this one. 

AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE SHEER TREND

Trains 

Meaning pieces of fabric cascading down from shoulders and hems. Normally reserved for bridal/occasion wear but thanks to the likes of Victoria Beckham and Acne Studios they’ve made it to the mainstream. 

Shoulder grazing earrings  

To be fair giant hoops would be included in the earring no list, to keep your ear lobes as they are I’d just stick to studs or miniature hoops until school age. My other suggestion is to put them in the ‘child-free night pile’ along with your lipsticks and underwired bras for the rare occasion you get to head out as a carefree (exhausted) adult. 

Now, all we need is the showers or stop and temperatures to rise above 12 … Please.