The first time I noticed something was amiss was while watching at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The play features small, rabbit-like creatures controlled by puppeteers, with long ears, large eyes and steamed bun-like bodies. So far, so Studio Ghibli. Yet the moment one waddled onto the stage I noticed, to my embarrassment, that my eyes had started to leak.

Beyoncé once described pregnancy as the “most powerful creation”. Angelina Jolie said it made her “feel like a woman”. The quote that has resonated most with my own experience comes from : “… They say pregnancy often leads to, you know... an infant.” Months (and many more emotional outbursts) later, I am now the proud owner of an ever-expanding – and according to my pregnancy app, butternut squash-sized – bump.

Navigating Tokyo at six months pregnant.

It goes without saying that I feel lucky to be in this position, but I can’t be the only woman who has experienced Juno-like bewilderment in the wake of the physiological changes that hit like… if not a steam train, then at least a moderately-sized hatchback, in pregnancy. And that’s on top of the realisation that, before long, roughly 80 per cent of your usual wardrobe will be essentially off-limits.

I deeply resented – still resent – the idea of having to buy clothes I’ll only wear for three or four months. There’s also the fact that so much “maternity” clothing re-triggers my eye leak response, for very different reasons. Happily, though, I was able to take inspiration from a generation of fashion-loving women (many within my industry) who have blazed a trail when it comes to outfitting a bump without compromising on personal style.

Issey Miyake Pleats Please is a pregnant person’s best friend.

A few outfit crises notwithstanding, I now find myself at a place of relative ease with my wardrobe. My solution has been a combination of maximising any voluminous silhouettes or stretchy clothing I already owned, and investing in a handful of new (and pre-loved) purchases that accommodate the bump now, but will also have longevity for years to come.

If you too are grappling with modern maternity dressing, here are some of the most helpful tips I’ve picked up over the past few months.

The bump-friendly trousers (and jeans)

The fashion gods have looked kindly upon all pregnant women this year, because stretchy waistbands have never been so chic. Almost all of my cargos, as well as my beloved Issey Miyake Pleats Please trousers (a real maternity godsend) were good to go – so long as I wore them below the bump. I also invested in a couple of new pairs to carry me through autumn, including jersey balloon trousers from Zara, Ganni nylon cargos, and a pair of vintage men’s camo pants – all in my usual size. A big tick in the longevity box.

Jeans are probably the one area where I’ll concede that maternity-specific styles may be required. I’ve been wearing a pair of sized-up Gap low-rise jeans over the last few months, but I think they may be reaching their limit. H&M’s belly band pair freaked me out to begin with (the fake zip fly is not the one), but they actually look great on and have a nice straight-leg fit – just wear a top that covers the offending band. I also plan on trying on some looser men’s styles in my local charity shops (a colleague of mine wore her husband’s old Levi’s right up until she gave birth).

Plus my one pregnancy-wear concession…

The loose shirting

A loose-fitting shirt is one of those staples I can’t live without right now. Whether you layer it over a tight tank top, knot it around your waist or leave a few of the lower buttons undone for a cheeky flash of midriff, there are so many ways to be creative with this wardrobe classic. Consider looking in the men’s department of charity shops for well-made shirts from premium tailoring brands, or I already swear by Navygrey’s the “Oversize Shirt”, which I plan to wear on repeat with jeans this autumn.

The one-pieces

A lot of people love a loose-fitting dress during pregnancy, but that’s never really been my vibe. I prefer stretchier jersey styles that hug the bump – at London Fashion Week this season I got so many compliments on my striped Talia Byre jersey dress, with its cinching knotted detail at the waist. I created a similar effect on the looser dresses (and tops) already in my wardrobe using a knotted hairband – see the striped rugby dress in the carousel above. Finally, I have to give a shoutout to the Adidas X Asos jumpsuit that I’ve been living in.

X Adidas Originals Tailored Jumpsuit In Grey

Retro Stripe Printed Mesh Maxi Dress

The stretchy skirts

When it comes to skirts, stretchy waistbands are my friend. Again, I find that most styles look best when worn slung low beneath the bump, which is worth considering when choosing your silhouette – a structured A-line or pencil skirt is probably not going to work. Peachy Den has some cute Y2K-coded jersey styles that will look great with more fitted tops and looser shirting alike. Similarly, Fruity Booty’s elastic-waist khaki midi has served me well in recent months (though I would recommend going up a size). Duan Jacari’s upcycled Spiral Boxer skirt is also at the top of my wishlist this season

The bump-accommodating tops

In the third trimester, even my baggiest tees are starting to reach their limit, so I’m starting to lean more into stretchy fabrics like jersey and mesh. My vintage Jean Paul Gaultier mesh tops have really delivered, and my Issey Miyake Pleats Please tops are both comfortable and super flattering (I tried on loads when I was in Tokyo and they all looked great with a bump). Keep an eye out for tops with twisted, knotted or ruched detailing, which are great for adding shape when you’re feeling somewhat… shapeless. See: Rise & Fall’s Twist top and Toteme’s Tie-Waist jersey tee.

Women’s Japanese Paper Yarn Twist Top