Ask Agony Aunt Anna

Anna answers your style problems

Dear Agony Anna,

I am getting married next year in May . I would really love to wear a vintage 50’sdress. I have looked around but nothing is quite ‘right’ and my future husband thinks it is a horrible idea to wear something ‘old and smelly’ as he puts it! I have looked at some new dresses but don’t really like them either…Where can I go to find something that will please me and my fiance??

Dear blushing-bride-to-be,

I have the answer. Go to Circa brides. Circa is a fabulous vintage clothes shop in Fulham who have just started to make models based on vintage styles in new fabrics.

Some small details  have been tweaked (to fit in a more modern way ) but everything retains a truly authentic look. Take a look at their website and go from there.

www.circabrides.com

Dear Agony Aunt Anna, 

I am 6 months pregnant and suddenly look and feel enormous. I need some advice on dressing for work and weekends as I feel such a frump. I am also going to a very glamourous party in about 3 weeks and really want to look good despite my condition!

Usually, I am more of a pear shape and I seem to have ballooned in the thighs as well as my tummy. My lower legs are bigger too but they look ok so I could wear skirts and dresses. The only bit I like is a new found cleavage( I am usually very flat chested)

I need practical advice on where to get things as well as style advice on how to dress.

Please help!!

Where can I get stuff?

Dear pregnant lady,

First of all - Congratulations!

Don’t fret, I can help! I know from personal experience the dilemmas of dressing ones increasing self!

Take a look at my ‘Pea in the Pod’ top tips on my website and also do the following:

If you have never had a cleavage before suddenly having one is the best physical attribute of being pregnant, so now is the time to make the most of it. Do this by wearing v neck tops, empire line( fitted over bust with a seam under bust flaring over tummy) tops with a low neck line( could be a scoop, squared off or a v)  Tops which have a yoke and a seam under the bust show off the bosom well and remind us (and you)that just under your bust you go in before going out again.

Wear a long top which comes just below your widest part on your thigh with skinny legged jeans or trousers with flat ballet pumps or tucked in to boots. Or get an even longer version and wear it as a dress with leggings and boots.

Wear a shorter length top with wide leg or bootcut trousers( no longer super fashionable but very flattering on a pregnant body)

Puffed or gathered shoulders are very fashionable at the moment and will visually help to balance out the increase in width of your hips and thighs and help create a perfectly proportioned silhouette.

The wrap dress or top is no longer at the height of fashion but looks fantastic on a pregnant body-it cuts the bosom in half and as its fitted over the back it shows off an area that has remained relatively small. If it’s cold wear with tights and boots or in the summer wear with pretty flats or sandals.

Keep wearing fitted coats and jackets-just leave them open. Layer up by wearing the more voluminous top under a fitted jacket.

There are some slouchy sack like dresses and tops that pull in under the bust around at the moment which accomodate a bump and look great.

When you are pregnant it is advisable to wear larger jewellery which looks more in proportion to you larger size.

For the party I would suggest a dress, this could be a wrap dress or an empire line dress( Isabella Oliver has  a lovely white empire line halter neck dress that could look splendid)

Where to shop when you are pregnant

Isabella Oliver, a highish priced range of only maternity clothes- items to look out for this season the wrap white shirt, the ‘garbo’ turn up trousers. The halter necked dress would be lovely for a party. Lots of stylish  easy to wear items.

Hennes( do a maternity range, but I advise you also look in the non maternity ranges and follow my guidelines- Look out for empire line tops and dresses and tunics in the mainline. Check out their maternity trousers for affordable every day.

Top shop (do a maternity range, but again look at the the mainline- lots of trendy looks, look out for the tube that sits under the bump masking the gap between under the bump trousers and your top. great long vests  to wear under things.

Zara( no maternity range but the odd suitable item- trapeze tunics or empire line tops and dresses.

La redoute (Some good maternity basics and non maternity items will possibly also work)

Vertbaudet (a small well priced range of maternity clothes)

Nine London( designer maternity clothes chosen from both maternity and non maternity ranges- good for parties and finding glamourous things)

Blossom mother and child( high priced fashionable maternity range and baby clothes)

good luck!

Fogal do a range of opaque tights in a myriad of colours… wear them back to front so the double seam supports your bump as it is difficult to find any thing other than black or flesh in maternity tights ranges.