WIT mama Friday: the only maternity jeans you need

First time around, I was pregnant in the summer so I got away with lots of pretty dresses and sandals. This time around I've started to show in the depths of winter I've been forced to rethink my wardrobe quite drastically. I find it impossible to look particularly good in layers covering a bump, so early on I made the executive decision that this pregnancy was just going to be a "practical" one on the clothes front. On my list were jeans, good bras, long sleeve T-shirts and then I could just wear my oversize jumpers with the lot, also I was determined not to spend a fortune. I went to Topshop and tried on all the different maternity jeans they had and bought two pairs of jeans to take me through the winter. For every day I bought the 'Over The Bump Leigh Jeans': they are essentially a pair of leggings, super comfortable and with an over-the-bump band. 

For my "cooler" days I got the 'Jamie Ripped Jean' - with cut off knees and to which I've cut the bottoms to make them perfect to be worn with flats. They have a low slung, elasticated band and are better to be worn with T-shirts and blouses because you don't get the over-the-bump effect. 

They are both really comfy and come at a reasonable price, I probably prefer the over the bump style a little more because it doesn't rise down but the ripped pair is a little cooler and looks great with a pair of heels. I suggest upping a size, so if you are usually an 8 go for a 10. This is what you will mostly see me wearing in the next couple of months - I promise I will go crazy once bump is out!

Come with me to the Bonpoint show in Paris

Reporting from Paris, this week we are doing a WIT mama Friday on a Wednesday as I invite to to come and join me to watch the Bonpoint Winter 2016 show live from your computers here on WIT.

All you have to do is log on to www.wearingittoday.co.uk shortly before 4.30PM CET, sit back and enjoy the defile as it unfolds! Don't forget to try and spot me amongst the crowd and you can also come on Instagram (@WITblog) to see what I'm up to here in Paris.

This is the start of a bit of a journey together between WIT and Bonpoint (can't reveal too much yet!) but I hope you can join me in this first adventure soon culminating is something very special for all WIT mama Friday readers.

See you at 4.30!

Love 

Laura x

The comfort of an oversize jumper

Mango sunglasses, Acne jumper, Isabel Marant Etoile scarf, Joseph leggings, LK Bennett shoes, YSL bag

Very quick one today as I get ready for a beyond busy week this week. As of tomorrow I'm taking you with me to Paris fr 48hours and towards the end of the week we shall be packing for warmer climates together. This jumper is keeping me warm on this sunny but cold day in London and what a brilliant buy it was from last season - totally addicted to Acne jumpers since + resuscitating and old handbag favourite, do you remember the YSL Muse!? It was my first ever designer bag I bought with my first paid job as an assistant.   Happy Monday to everyone!

WIT mama Friday: the mum-on-the-run friendly boot

Topshop jeans, Joseph gilet, Bally bag, Isabel Marant Etoile boots

I know I've been going on about sheepskin boots for a while now, (including in last week's issue of The ICONS Update), but the thing is every time I buy something that I get lots of wear out pf I feel like I really really need to let you know.

The thing is I've been looking for an acceptable form of Ugg boot for years now, but nothing ever meets the warm and comfort that that shoe can give me. Despite this, I would never want to be seen wearing them, they are sort of clunky and and make my fee look huge, plus let's face it they are not very chic.

The solution to all my winter boots problems have been these Isabel Marant Etoile boots that I got in Florence from Luisa Via Roma before Christmas - they have become my WIT mama Friday official shoes, and in this freezing climate my weekend shoe too.

They come in black suede with a little wrap-around leather detail, rubber soles and sheepskin lining and the great thing is, they are on sale too (40% off!)  - I would suggest getting a size up from your regular size as they lining makes them a might tight. Finally a shoe that keeps me warm in the winter, is park-proof and looks stylish all at the same time.

Isabel Marant Etoile shearling boots £225 from Luisa Via Roma

The Mango dress like the Joseph one at a fraction of the price

Mango bow knitted dress £39.99 , Dune boots, Tila March bag.

I know it's a bit of a long title, but that's exactly what today's post is about. Back over the summer I literally fell in LOVE with the Joseph version of this dress, the problem was it had no sleeves which meant that it would be impossible to wear in winter and at the same time, because it was knitted it would be too warm for Summer.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when the team at Joseph told me that they were bringing out a version with long sleeves for the winter (see it here)! 

Sadly when it did come out though, it had a V neck instead of a crew neck (I'm not a fan of V necks being quite busty), so it was a no good for me.

The other day I was trawling the internet for a good winter dress that I could also wear post pregnancy and found this Mango one, almost iedentical, with a crew neck, a lovely side split and at a fraction the price! I was so thrilled I bought it straight away and I can tell you that the fabric is really lovely and looks lovely on too. A WIT recommended cheap thrill!

Mango bow knitted dress £39.99 VS Joseph Elie wool dress £265 

A classic look that never dates: stripes denim and Chanel

I'm determined not to bore you with months of maternity buys and looks, but we'll have to accept that there are limitations on what I can wear these days so for next few days I wanted to showcase some of my wardrobe staples that work for maternity and beyond.

I'm talking about those key staples than can relatively easily adapt to pregnancy, and then get worn again after you've had your baby. 

For today's look I've chosen a classic mix of denim, stripes a touch of Chanel and the coat that most easily adapts to a growing bump, the cape. 

Aside from my maternity jeans (which are great Topshop ones available here), everything else I've had in my wardrobe for years and obviously worn time and time again, but I've tried to find similar items available to buy now.

CAPE

Line Ramsay wool cape £456.75  

T-SHIRT

Long sleeve breton £26.50 Boden 

ANKLE BOOTS

Acne Studios Jensen leather ankle boots £370
BAG
 Chanel Jumbo bag from a selection at Vestiaire Collective

WIT mama Friday: the "Post-bump Box"

Ellery Precocious ruffled off-the-shoulder crepe midi dress £815

By now you know me well enough to know that I love a 'Wit Box' be it for Summer, Winter or any other excuse to buy something and save it for an occasion,  so the post-pregnancy box was always on the cards. I did it after Greta too and it was such a lovely thing to have. At the time I didn't quite realise that it was likely to be a post-breastfeeding box really, but those are just details (kind of). So, the first new season buy I've made has been a total impulse one and not very WIT mama Friday but I guess it goes to show how much I'm missing fahhhbulous clothes! 

I didn't think it would fit, and I thought this post was going to be a boring one of a dress on a hanger, but it did so here it is! 

It comes in a really beautiful thick fabric, with cascading off the shoulder frills. It's a modern midi length with a split at the front, and despite being quite smart I would totally equally wear it to a party as a would to a black tie do.

There's a top version and in white too, and for a second I thought I would buy that thinking I could wear it with more things... but then it's a really dressy top and I would rather have a dressy-dress than a dressy-top that I would only really wear with jeans!

Don't judge me, I know I will probably wear this 5 times in my lifetime but when I will, it will always make me feel very happy inside.

Ellery Precocious ruffled off-the-shoulder crepe midi dress £815

Start fresh (from your desk)

I've actually been back for a week but things have been so manic I only had time to get back on WIT this week. Nevertheless I hope you all had a brilliant Christmas and New Year and that WIT (and Wardrobe ICONS) can continue keeping you company throughout 2016. I'm back at my desk and have been thinking about the the things that make January more enjoyable (aside from planning another holiday far far away!) and here's what's made my list:

A manicure

Because it's one of the little luxuries in life and it really does make you happy inside - I'm currently obsessed with Essie's Fishnet Stockings
ESSIE Fishnet Stockings £7.99 Superdrug

Something monogrammed for your office
My mother gave me these pillows for Christmas and I'm so excited to have them displayed in my home office, they will be such a fun touch!
http://uk.jonathanadler.com/

A stash of little desk beauty bits

I always have a lovely lip balm, hand cream and face spritzer by my desk for a 5 second pampering session (the Caudalie Beauty Elixir is amazing and so energising).

Eve Lom Kiss Mix £16 John Lewis 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir £11.50 John Lewis

A new scented candle

Probably not appropriate if you work from an office but if like me your work from home lighting a lovely candle always put a smile on my face (I just ordered a mini one of these)
Diptyque Rosaviola Candle £28 John Lewis

A planner

To make your To-Do list less painful, there's nothing better than a beautiful and a little fun planner - Kikki.K does a really fun one that I adore. I also love my Kate Spade numbered list - I write one every Monday and carry it with me all week till everything is crossed off. 

Kate Spade The Long List Notepad £9 John Lewis
www.kikki-k.com

Something new

Because, you know...
(all available from this week's STAR Buys)

A new Diary

I buy my Smythson Fashion Diary every year and take immense pleasure in the ritual. I don't believe in iPhone diaries (what if the battery runs out!??!) and I love writing in all my commitments in one place. I particularly love the Fashion Diary because it has lots of handy tips and a brilliant week to view with To Do list.

Your BODEN catalogue ;-)

Because Petro and I are in it! And January is the right time to replenish your T-shirt stack with fresh ones and perhaps invest in one of our "Every Day jumpers" or cashmere sweaters - we modelled the Basics range for Wardrobe ICONS and to show you what basics every woman should own in her wardrobe. Hope you like our cut!
Boden Basics