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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
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Fashion is so fickle. Take Oli’s Fashion Cuisine, which lasted a little more than a year in West Palm Beach.
The restaurant, still popular at its original location in Wellington, has closed its 215 Clematis Street spot.
According to an eviction action filed in Palm Beach County Court by landlord Clematis 400 LLC, Oli’s Fashion Cuisine “abandoned” the Clematis Street space on or about Nov. 3, 2014. (The “fashion cuisine” concept refers to the food’s eye-catching presentation.)
Maybe it’s the location.
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Oli’s Fashion Cuisine took over the spot last year from the owners of Fuku Restaurant. The failed Asian fusion cuisine was the subject of numerous lawsuits, and mudslinging, among founders of the restaurant and contractors who said they weren’t paid for the nearly $2 million interior work in the space.
(Incidentally, Fuku is a Japanese word that means “good fortune, wealth and prosperity.” For some reason, it’s not working at this address.)
Oli execs, who include seasoned restaurateurs Juan Gando and Dustin Parfitt, did not return phone calls by presstime.
The Fashion Cuisine Group also owns The Grille Fashion Cuisine and the Seahorse Fashion Cuisine, both in Wellington.
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Due to the high market demand, the publication is aimed at plus-size women and each edition is set to include shopping features, interviews, features, travel and beauty tips in efforts to “change the reputation of plus size fashion”.
Rivkie Baum, Editor of Slink magazine, explains: "We believe that women are tired of seeing the same unobtainable image. Women today are much more savvy in realising that beauty and style doesn't stop at a size 8.
“As the plus-size retail sector continues to outgrow its straight size counterpart, the market is crying out for an inspirational plus-sized publication.”
Baum also addressed the questionable argument that a plus-sized magazine would promote unhealthy bodies as much as regular fashion publications.
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"We never photoshop bodies smaller at all, we will do lighting corrections, light balance that kind of thing"“We are extremely conscious of our responsibility to promote a healthy body image both physically and mentally,” Baum told The Independent. “In our next issue, we are introducing a new healthy eating and fitness column to further back this. But what we are also aware of is that health doesn't come in one dress size and there are numerous factors that play a part in our wellbeing.
“While many magazines promote crash diets, which are extremely unhealthy, we believe that empowering women to feel confident and good about themselves at whatever size they are can have knock on effects on their overall health and lifestyle choices. It's about promoting health and happiness without suggesting it can only be achieved at one dress size.
Also, unlike regular glossies, Slink has a "strong policy on body alteration". Baum said: "We never photoshop bodies smaller at all, we will do lighting corrections, light balance that kind of thing."
The “aspirational” glossy started as an online only publication back in 2011, printing its first edition in 2012, which was only retailed via its website. It wasn’t until now that the bi-monthly publication hit the UK shelves, after proving that its plus-size editorials could “sit comfortably alongside their straight sized counterparts”.
The launch of Slink in the UK shelves joins American publications such as Plus Model, and the wave of plus size trends in social media and fashion industry. Model Candice Huffine, whose size UK 16, has been featured in numerous fashion campaigns and publications such as Vogue Italia and V Magazine. Also, she has just been unveiled as the first official plus-size model of Pirelli Calendar. But she told The Independent: “The idea of my size or weight has never come up in the casting process or even the thought process.”
Candice Huffine backstage of the shoot for Pirelli Calendar 2015Mrs Baum added: “I think it's really exciting that models such asCandice Huffine are managing to break down barriers. We have always aimed to show that plus size models aren't second class, they can perform in editorial just as well as their straight size counterparts and inclusions in big campaigns demonstrates that others are recognising the talent these girls have and that a one size fits all approach is quickly becoming out dated.“Candice looks just as incredible as the other girls in the Pirelli Calendar [2015] and this is because she is fantastic at what she does.”
Bag Sale Online Michael Kors Bags from ChinaThis trend has picked up in the last five years. In 2010, designer Mark Fast used plus-size models in his London catwalk show, while Jean Paul Gaultier enlisted size UK 20 singer Beth Ditto to walk in his spring/summer 2011 show.
Beth Ditto models for Jean Paul GaultierIn 2012, Vogue pledged to only use models over the age of 16 and under a healthy body weight.
Also, back in summer this year the hashtag #fatkini spread across social media with plus-size women sharing pictures of themselves in bikinis, which was triggered by beauty and fashion plus-size blogger Gabi Fresh. She told The Independent: “I truly encourage you guys to get to the beach (or a pool) this summer – don't let body shame keep you from having a good time.”
The social media communities have also helped in tackling body shaming and encourage stores to sell clothes in bigger sizes. What evidence do you have for this?
The blogger encourages plus-size women to feel comfortable with their figure at the beach with #FatkiniThe average dress size of a woman in the UK is 16, but more than health and self-image, the industry is seemingly beginning to understand that plus-size woman too have “spending power, both in fashion and beauty”. Retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Dorothy Perkins, Forever 21 and Asos all have wide-ranging, plus-size clothing lines.
The idea that women come in all shapes and sizes is slowly becoming a truth universally known.
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On the catwalk, designers are increasingly opting to stick with synthetic fur – Stella McCartney, Christopher Raeburn, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger have all incorporated the material into their winter collections.
The trend has even led to a set of emerging labels which specialise in faking it. Shrimps is the idea of London-based designer Hannah Weiland, who has made a name for herself with her signature witty designs; her playful, fuzzy fur take on classics includes the addition of Breton stripes and unusual colour combinations.
Unreal Fur is an Australian label; its approach is to create faux fur styles with a luxurious finish that can emulate the look and feel of fur but without any of the ethical issues. Similarly positioned, London-based Faux England has quality materials and craftsmanship at its centre.
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Faux fur doesn’t need to be confined to outerwear; all manner of accessories are also now available with synthetic fibres. Traditionalists can’t go wrong with a stole or a hat.
For a different take on the trend try a bag; clutches and shoulder bags work particularly well adding extra texture to an eveningwear look, but unless the abominable snowman is your outfit inspiration, just don’t wear them all at once.
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Hoping to carve out a career for yourself in fashion? You've come to the right place. We update our careers page with new job listings daily, so whether you're looking to get into design, PR, editorial or any of the many corners of the industry, there's probably something for you.
Over in the world of magazines, CR Fashion Book is taking on an online editorial intern. Marie Claire is also hiring winter and spring fashion interns, a three to five day a week commitment that involves prepping for shoots, creating story boards and, of course, maintaining the fashion closet with a hawk-like eye for organization.
The PR firm The Eighth Floor is on the hunt for spring interns (yes, it's that time already) — availability two to three full days per week is a must. Full Force PR is also hiring interns in New York.
Head on down to our careers page to check out all the opportunities available at the moment — and keep checking back, because there's a whole lot more where that came from.
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