Maternity party wear: Part Two

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Off-the-shoulder top: £47.50

Actually this is an on- or off-the-shoulder top from Isabella Oliver, you can choose how much you want to let your hair down. The ruched sides help the top grow with your bump without compromising style or shape. The sleeves reach down over the wrists elegantly, big on glamour, big on flexibility so earning the slightly pricey tag.

You can choose from three colours, all of which would work well with a long, straight black skirt, denim skirt or jeans.

Available colours: Black, dark chocolate, moss green
Price: £47.50
Find it online: here

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A smart skirt with a kick from Blooming Marvellous: the stretch jersey hangs nicely and the varying hem length adds interest, although it's not for everyone. Cunningly, the skirt is designed to be tied over or under your bump, so you can vary the length too. We'd pair this skirt with a party top and some knee-length boots with attitude.

Available colours: Black, chocolate
Price: £29.99
Find it online: here

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Cross-over cardis are great for flattering pregnant tums, and for growing with your bump. And when they come in lux fabrics they're great for evening wear too. With it's mohair mix, Vertbaudet's cross-over would be great for keeping warm without losing the glamour of a little black dress - just make sure that the mohair won't worsen any pregnancy itching if you're prone to suffer.

Available colours: Black, red, ecru
Price: £25.99
Find it online: here

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One way to work the baby doll look without coming over all Emma Bunton is to go for a baby doll top. This beaded version from Blooming Marvellous adds a bit of grown-up sparkle around the bust. The v-neck is quite deep which some women will love, particularly if pregnancy has made you new to this real cleavage thing. If you're very busty then you might feel a bit exposed.

The jersey material drapes down in layers over your bump and is definitely flattering. This would work just as easily with a long skirt or black trousers, or team it with jeans for a more casual look.

Available colours: Black
Price: £34.99
Find it online: here

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A good pair of black trousers is a maternity wardrobe essential and particularly useful when you have to go from office to party in December. Crave Maternity's Neo Trousers are a flattering boot cut with a central front seam adding smartness. Equally good with heels or boots, you can wear these trousers any number of ways by varying your top.

They're available in under- and over-the-bump versions, machine washable and have a 32-inch leg.

Available colours: Black
Price: £43.50
Find it online: here

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JoJomamanbébé's pretty embroidered and sequin-edged top gives a touch of sparkle without piling on the bling. We like the way it flatters your bump and draws attention to your newly womanly curves. The short-but-shaped sleeves are also good for when you don't want your shoulders fully exposed, but still want something a little more interesting than a plain short sleeve. It's very versatile and could be paired easily with a pair of jeans or dressed up with smart trousers or a skirt.

Length is a generous 23 inches. Find it online in black or 'ice'. There's full-dress version of this that looks good too.

Available colours: Black, ice
Price: £25
Find it online: here

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A fabulous multi-purpose and full-length skirt with sleek tailoring. The slight flare gives balance while the length provides the elegance. You could wear this skirt almost anywhere and make the overall look dramatically glamourous with a sexy top, or smartly casual with knitwear.

We'd definitely like to have Isabella Oliver's smoothline skirt in our maternity wardrobe, not least because it can be party-ready in moments. There are also smoothline boot-cut trousers at the same price.

Available colours: Black
Price: £55
Find it online: here

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A bit of relief from black is provided by Crave Maternity's very feminine pinky plum paisley print top. Generous layers of silk flatter the bust below an empire line with tie detail. The straps are on the spaghetti side of thin for a definite party look, but the neckline isn't too plungey.

You coud wear it under a jacket or wrap-around cardi during the day without looking overdone.

Available colours: Pinky plum
Price: £46.50
Find it online: here