My lovely friend Lisa is currently expecting and is absolutely blooming at 24 weeks. When I featured my own maternity style it was very much winter time so I thought it might be useful to cover something a little more summery that will also see you into Autumn. As well as having a butchers at Lisa’s fashion choices please use the comments section to make suggestions and recommendations for current season maternity pieces and accessories.

Lisa {24 Weeks} My dramarama for Summer clothes for my 24 weeks pregnant self started a couple of weeks ago when I had to find something suitable for a Christening, not only to fit okay with a bump and look lovely but I was also the photographer so I needed something comfy but still look smart.

I didn’t realise it would be such a mission! After trawling through Topshop, Asos, River Island and Boohoo websites to name a few, I somehow racked up a bill of about £700, with the intention of sending most of this back (and believe me – pretty much all of it went back). How on earth do they make these tent-like dresses look nice in the photographs?! Honestly it was hilarious.

Anyway, I managed to find a few nice bits of attire but my best bit of advice would be to check out what you already have in your wardrobe. Anything stretchy can work and it can save you a fortune. These are a few of my favourite things – old and new for the Summer time, special occasions and work. I’ll be sure to be looking at Charlotte’s Winter Maternity essentials when the sun starts to disappear though.

Outfit 1

This is my staple work outfit. In fact I arrived to Charlotte’s in it. I love it because I can get away with wearing it well, at work! The black midi dress is not too tight but shows off my bump nicely and it’s sooo comfy. Midi’s are great for the short ones amongst us too, as it helps accentuate our little pins. These come at a bargain price of £8 from Boohoo in lots of different colours.

I’ve even been wearing the dress with these cute sandals at work which were a great find at New Look for only £19.99 and they are real leather so are pretty comfy. This outfit can easily be dressed up with heels and a nice jacket, especially for important meetings.

You may think black is a bit boring but adding accessories like this necklace I have from H&M really transforms a dress each time you wear it. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of this one.

Outfit 2

This is another Boohoo dress at the bargain price of £10. Slightly more elegant with it being a maxi but all the above applies and you can see how I’ve made it quite different through a change in necklace and different shoe colour. I’ve got so many colours in my wardrobe now for any occasion!!!

Outfit 3

When I said raid that current wardrobe, I really meant it! I found this Zara bodycon dress with three quarter length sleeves from last season and it’s perfect for weddings or a hot summer evening with friends. It’s really stretchy and fits a bump shape perfectly. There are plenty around like this and you can grab yourself a bargain in the sales. I also feel good that it’s not maternity and that I’m wearing relatively normal clothes and of course the bonus of it being free!

Shoes wise I didn’t opt for my normal 4 inches but heels high enough to feel pretty great and gain some height without over doing it.

Find similar at Bank.

Outfit 4

This blue lace dress from Topshop was one I kept from my rather extravagant £700 spree. It’s actually available in a non-maternity and maternity option. I bought both just to see the difference but I couldn’t find any (!) This is a classic example of the fact you don’t always have to buy maternity wear, as long as there is room to grow. I wore this to the christening and interchanged between flats and heels for when I was photographing so if you do feel comfier in flats then this one works really well.

Outfit 5

Finally, little floaty dresses also work well with a thin belt to show off your bump and pretty shoes. I already had a few in my wardrobe which I actually picked up from Camden Market but again there are plenty of these around at really reasonable prices. As they’re not specifically made for maternity I feel comfier wearing leggings, as your bump grows the dress can ride up slightly at the front but not enough to worry about.

There are plenty of maternity leggings to choose from and I’ll be wearing a lot of these when Winter sets in with fitted long jumpers so if you buy now they won’t be wasted!