Maternity wear has come a long way in the last ten years.

Many high street retailers have developed their own maternity ranges, and then there are the pregnancy specialists such as Isabella Oliver and Séraphine. As a result, there is practically too much choice when it comes to dressing our bumps!

For the first three months or so, it’s possible to wear your regular clothes to work. If waistbands are getting tight, use a belly belt (we found www.amazon.co.uk the cheapest). Or try the age-old trick of looping an elastic hair band through the buttonhole and wrapping it around the button of your trousers.

It may be sensible to invest in a new bra at this point (your bra size will change a few times during pregnancy). Look for a design with moulded cups such as Bravado’s ‘Lifestyle Microfiber Bra’. Designed with working mums/mums-to-be in mind, it will grow with you throughout pregnancy and beyond. Opt for loose tops and stay away from tight fitted shirts. If you’re self conscious, wear a cardigan or suit jacket to disguise your increasing bustline.

Tricks of the trade

There is a point (around four or five months into pregnancy) where it gets tricky. This is when you’re too big for normal clothes and too small for maternity wear. Although this can be exasperating, there are a few tricks to make this transitional period easier:

• Look for jersey skirts with an elasticated waistband.
• Trousers with elasticised or roll top waistbands will accommodate your growing tummy yet disguise any excess around the hips.
• Layer, layer and layer some more! Vests can be worn with long sleeved tops and cardigans. Add a bump band to cover trousers that don’t fasten and you’re laughing.
• Stick to neutral colours and plain fabrics. This will make you look streamlined and in turn more professional.

Casual versus formal

Your work environment will determine what you can wear as pregnancy progresses. Informal work places allow denim and brightly coloured separates, whereas corporate companies will expect pregnant employees to follow a more specific dress code.

In a relaxed work environment, it’s easy to create a simple working wardrobe. If company policy allows, a denim skirt is a wardrobe lifesaver which goes with everything.

You’ll need a couple of dresses. Try Holly Willoughby's maternity range for Littlewoods.

Add a couple of smock tops or blouses with drawstring detailing at the hip, a cardigan, pair of trousers and you’re done.

If corporate is the name of the game in your workplace, it’s best to look for structured, well-made pieces. This is where the specialist maternity labels come in. Jo Jo Maman Bebe (www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk) has a collection called, ‘Professional & Pregnant,’ consisting of classics suitable for every occasion from the boardroom to the photocopier.

Isabella Oliver (www.IsabellaOliver.com) specialise in effortlessly chic separates and is the A-listers’ label of choice. Its wrap dress is an easy one-piece solution for work and comes in crimson or caviar black.

Tailored shirts are a necessity for some employees. Look for styles with crossover necklines and stretch panels. New Look and Gap have a good selection.

Feel like blowing the budget? Check out Formes (020 7240 4777), a French brand aimed at the niche end of the market. Business suits and evening dresses are a speciality. Its stuff is exquisite but pricey. However, the clothing keeps its value and can always be sold on Ebay once your pregnancy is over.