Just because you’re shaped like a bauble, it doesn’t mean you have to look like one.

There are lots of exciting things about being pregnant. But maternity wear is certainly not one of them. Despite more fashion-forward brands than ever before, we mothers-to-be are still faced with a homogeneous sea of dark jersey and horrendous nana bras. And at no other time of year will those of us lugging a bump around feel the injustice of this more keenly than in the runup to Christmas. When the shops are awash with sparkly sequins, jewel colours and jolly jumpers, we’re left to forlornly nose through a couple of racks of black stretchy dresses and maternity jeans.

But I want to get something on record: it doesn’t have to be like this. At six months pregnant, I have found a way through the pain. Mix your maternity basics with a few well-chosen regular pieces (ie pieces that will actually remain in wardrobe rotation well after the baby arrives), and you’ll be the belle of the ball this festive season. And not because you’re shaped like one. 
Here is my guide to dressing your bump for the holidays.

The office Christmas party

 Kelly dressed for the office Christmas party

This is going to feel counter-intuitive in December, but resist the urge to cover yourself in spangle. Step away from anything red. Or gold. Put down the jolly jumper. I understand the gravitational pull of these things, really I do, yet straining them over a burgeoning bump will only make you look like a bauble. Here’s what you do. First, arm yourself with the right fashion terminology – phrases such as “swing dress”, “trapeze hem”, “empire line” and “drop waist” will help you locate items that could work for you in your favourite stores. (Drop waist is particularly useful if, like me, you fancy replicating that lovely, crisp peplum hem shape from Victoria Beckham’s SS14 collection). 
Secondly, think carefully about the positioning of any embellishment. This is crucial because if you get it wrong, the ensemble stumbles into a very bad place. An entire rotund belly scattered with gems resembles a Fabergé egg, and we’re dressing for Christmas not Easter, people! Use sequins to accent one area only, say a neckline or a sleeve, then get in on the merriment by loading up on metallic accessories.

Dress, £95, Asos Black, asos.com

Clutch, £65, Whistles, whistles.com

Shoes, £175, Russell & Bromley, russellandbromley.com

Destination shopping weekend

Kelly dressed for a destination shopping trip

Personally, I like to do the majority of my purchasing from the comfort of the sofa. But some festive shopping trips are worth braving the crowds and queues for, such as a long weekend in New York, or a whirlwind trip to a European Christmas market. And for such occasions, one cannot deny the usefulness of a good pair of maternity jeans. But I’d make a case for the other elements of your outfit to have more longevity. Knits are stretchy and will happily accommodate your bump in the short term – roll necks, newspeak for the rebranded polo neck, are very current, while capes can be pinned and adjusted as you expand and contract again. If that sounds marvellously practical but a little dull, then here’s how you rescue it: over-the-knee boots and a bit of bling. Because no one boring ever wore thigh-high footwear. And the bling because, well, CHRISTMAS.

Roll neck, £79, M&S, marksandspencer.com

Cape (worn inside out), £69, Cos, cosstores.com

Maternity jeans, £38, Topshop, topshop.com

Boots, £350, Kurt Geiger, kurtgeiger.com

Brooch, Kelly’s own

Black-tie event

Kelly dressed for a black-tie event

The price of an outfit for a black-tie event usually directly correlates with the cost of throwing the party itself, ie it’s pricey. Which is why your look for this occasion requires more thought and planning than any other on the December schedule. If you’re going to drop a fortune on a dress, then you’ve got to be able to wear it again. Not an easy task when you temporarily have to house a basketball-sized bundle around your waist. Start by thinking big. Voluminous, in fact. A well-cut, capacious gown, something that streams fluidly down from the bust, hangs just as elegantly over a pregnant frame as a non-pregnant frame. Next, filter out any controversial colours. Timeless hues such as black and navy won’t date but will provide a lovely canvas for glitzy accessories and a bit of faux fur. This Whistles gown fits the bill perfectly. And I defy you not to smile when you make your grand entrance, with that dramatic hem billowing beautifully behind you.

Gown, £650, Whistles, whistles.com

Earrings, £285, Mawi, mawi.co.uk

Hair clip, £35, Love Rocks, asos.com

Faux fur jacket, £275, Whistles, whistles.com

Shoes, Kelly’s own

Office Christmas lunch

Kelly dressed for an office Christmas lunch

I wasn’t joking when I said earlier that you must shut your ears to the alluring call of the novelty jumper. Put one on in your current state, and you’re going to look like a trussed-up Christmas pudding. There is an easy answer, and it is the ruched print dress. It’s not going to win awards for style innovation, but it’s smart enough for work, and with the right pair of shoes it will look striking and chic. Updating it is simple too because – in other good news – after several long years in style Siberia, the cardi is officially cool again. So nonchalantly throw on a fluffy oversized one, and if you’re still pining for that Santa sweater, then get your festive fix by completing the outfit with a wonderfully daft clutch.

Dress, £139, Ted Baker, tedbaker.com

Shoes, £195, Russell & Bromley, russellandbromley.co.uk

Cardigan, £50, Monki, asos.com

Clutch, £12.99, New Look, asos.com

Christmas Day

Kelly dressed for Christmas Day

In the runup to Christmas Day, there are always two questions on my mind. One: will this be the year I beat my personal best for the number of roast potatoes consumed in one sitting? (Eleven and a half). And two: what should I wear? Something fancy and fabulous, or something cosy and comfortable? 
Usually I’d recommend erring towards the latter but – and I don’t think I’m a unique member of the pregnant community in this – as I spend most of my spare time in loungewear these days, it seems appropriate to up my game to distinguish this from every other day of the year. Having talked the fancy clothes talk, though, you do still want to be comfortable when you’re carrying round a wodge of extra weight. So that rules out pretty but painful shoes, constricting silhouettes and scratchy fabrics. The solution? A kimono, ideally a sparkly one. It will hang nicely around your protruding midriff, and because of the tie belt (ideal for smashing that roast potato record) it feels like a luxurious dressing gown. Layer it over lovely soft knitwear and dress it down with your snuggliest boots and messy hair. Remember to be smug in the knowledge that, come summer time, it will look excellent with bare legs and sandals too.

Kimono, £225, Ganni, ganni.com

Knitted tunic, £59, M&S, marksandspencer.com

Maternity jeans, £38, Topshop, topshop.com

Boots, £150, Ugg, uggaustralia.co.uk

New Year’s Eve

Kelly dressed for New Year’s Eve. Photograph: Kelly Bowerbank

Dresses are much easier to wear than separates during pregnancy, but you get sick of them. Before long, you’re staring wistfully at skirts and vowing to do something about it. And there’s no better time to start as you mean to go on then NYE. So this is where the knitted skirt and unassuming evening top fits into your wardrobe. The knitted skirt is the lynchpin here. Sadly, regular skirts won’t fit, and unless you’re willing to splash cash on maternity styles that you’ll probably never wear again (I’m not), it’s the best solution. Basically, this boils down to an upside-down twist on what we’ve all been doing for the past couple of winters, which is the trophy skirt and casual jumper combo. The principle is the same, but reversing it makes it feel fresher. Keep the colours tonal, but pair contrasting fabrics together – a slight sheen on the top will elevate the casualness of your bottom half. Avoid safe court shoes – they’ll really suck the life out of this – and instead invest in something brash, such as animal print ankle boots or studded heels, to give this look some edge. Unless, that is, one of your New Year’s resolutions is to buy fewer shoes …

Top, £125, Karen Millen, karenmillen.com

Skirt, £155, Charlie May, charlie-may.co.uk

Shoes, Kelly’s own

Bag, Kelly’s own