You may not feel much like traipsing around the shops, but having a special occasion to look forward to (and shop for) is a sure way to give yourself a bit of a boost, plus getting glammed up in a new buy will help give you extra confidence on the day.

Here are a few things to think about when shopping for formalwear:

1. What are your new sexy bits? Men are attracted to many parts of the female form us women usually ignore. Shoulders, wrists, ankles, toes, take a fresh look at yourself (or ask the other half) and then choose a dress that accentuates these areas.
2. Will you feel comfortable? Nothing will put a dampener on the event like battling with an ill-fitting outfit. Stretchy fabrics can feel comfy and sexy.
3. Will it fit on the day? If you are buying something to wear in a few weeks time remember your bump could expand suddenly so a dress with room for growth is best
4. Will it keep you cool? Carrying all that extra weight means you are likely to overheat quicker than usual so long sleeves or heavy fabrics may turn out to be a bad idea.

Pregnancy make-up tips

You may find your skin has changed during pregnancy, it could become more sensitive to cosmetics or may become dry or more prone to spots.

Everyone is different so there are no hard and fast rules about what products are better for pregnant women than others. But being aware of the changes taking place and adapting your beauty regime to accommodate them will help you feel confident.

Book a consultation

Most cosmetics shops and department stores now offer free personal consultations where you will be given advice about what make up and beauty products are best for your skin type, colouring or style.

Don’t feel pressured into buying the products they recommend and they needn’t cost the earth if you do, Boots and Body Shop offer the service as well as the high end brands.

Do ask lots of questions. Even if you don’t end up buying from your consultant, they should still be able to give you useful information about the type of products you should be looking for.

Have a trial run Whether you’ve invested in the latest shades or you’re sticking with the tried and tested, do have a practice run of putting all your make up on a day or two before and leave it on for a few hours. If your skin has become more sensitive you will at least find out in advance if you will have any unsightly or annoying reactions to your make-up. It will also save time on the day if you already know exactly what you’re doing and you won’t have any ghastly experimental make-up disasters!

Choosing the right underwear

As your body changes its important you buy yourself new underwear to fit. And if you’re dressing for a special occasion it’s even more important to make sure you’re getting the support you need as well as the straps in the right places.

You won’t want to squeeze yourself into those restrictive control pants you wore before you were pregnant, but there are still things you can do to maximize your shapely silhouette.

• If you haven’t done so already, get measured for a maternity bra and indulge yourself in something you can wear on your night out and beyond. You’ll feel sexier, more comfortable and those fabulous mum-to-be boobs will be totally supported.
• Don’t skimp on knickers – there’s a fabulous choice out there designed for a comfortable fit for your mum tum and bum. You could go all out and invest in Spanx Mama maternity tights for cradling your bump and smoothing those curves.
• Take your dress with you when you shop for underwear to ensure your new bra straps don’t show and you don’t end up with a dreaded VPL.
• If you can’t find what you’re looking for or you’re not sure what’s available ask for help. There are now maternity products on the market all the time and you’re local shop assistant is the best person to fill you in.