New season, new curves
Let’s dress this
BUMP
Outfit, P.57
What’s INSIDE? 10. Sizing made simple
53
Think you need several sizes? Think you’ll need to ‘size up’? Think again.
14. Let’s talk ‘forever’ Find out how to take our clothes beyond pregnancy.
28. The maternity heroes Nobody can afford the lot, but EVERYBODY needs these six styles.
36. Your secret design weapons Meet the confidence boosting design techniques you’ll learn to rely on.
41. Please mind the bump Get a seat on the next train with our genius new travel badges.
58
36 42. Work worries, begone! Author and mother Marina Fogle reveals her tips for managing your maternity leave.
52. Ways to wear stripes Fashion’s favourite print takes the versatility challenge.
58. Your motherhood mantras Sanity-saving wisdom from funny and brilliant blogger, The Unmumsy Mum. Cover, P.20
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
42 3
Congratulations
& WELCOME “PREGNANCY. It’s a big change. When I was pregnant with my first child, Oliver, I remember the extraordinary excitement so well. In most respects it was a wonderful time, but I did struggle to find clothes that spoke to the true ‘me’. I ended up living in my husband’s shirts, which made me feel enormous. Naturally I lost confidence. We have it drummed into us that clothes aren’t that important – of course they’re not in the scheme of the world - but in pregnancy they mattered more than I realised.
Feeling CONFIDENT, FASHIONABLE and COMFORTABLE is essential. Disappointed by the maternity styles on offer, I launched Isabella Oliver. That was 13 years ago. Since then we’ve DRESSED OVER 1 MILLION BUMPS across the globe. Fashion is at the heart of what we do, but we also focus on phenomenal fabrics that FIT, FLATTER and GROW as your body and style evolves. The kind of pieces that you won’t just love now, you’ll love wearing long after pregnancy too.”
Baukjen De Swaan Arons Founder
4
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Croft Top (TP235) £69 Jersey
The Relaxed Jean (TR089) £95 Stretch Denim
“A practical, clever maternity range that should suit all shapes and sizes. The cut is excellent, but the best thing is the fabric - a lovely soft, stretch jersey” The Times (UK)
Roxby Top (TP044) £69 Jersey
Arlington Striped Top (worn underneath) P.52 Rowsley Leather Leggings (TR093) £349 Stretch Leather
6
Join the pregnancy chatter on social
YOU BIG SOFTIE Fan of CASHMERE? Love the MINIMALIST look? Then allow yourself to fall for our understated tie-wrap coat. You can wear it when baby arrives (and long, long after).
Jasmine Wrap Coat (OT001) £249 Wool Cashmere Melton
Granville Shirt (TP053) £85 Cotton Shirting
Althea Tailored Flare (TR006) £99 Stretch Tailoring
8
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Sizing? It’s a
CINCH
Order your pre-pregnancy size and LOVE the way our pieces grow as you do, meaning you don’t need to splash cash on bigger sizes. We’ve done ALL THE THINKING for you and even allowed for normal pregnancy weight gain.
ONE size will see you through. ONE less thing to worry about. Harley Top (TP273) £55 Jersey
The Scoop Top (worn underneath) See IsabellaOliver.com Easy Leggings (TR050) £39 Jersey
10
For styling tips & more: IsabellaOliver.com/TheMagazine
Left Harris Cardigan (KW002) £89 Fine Layering Knit
Ana Jumper (TP153) £89 Cotton Knit
Radfield Leggings (TR008) £55 Jersey
Superga Leather Pump (FT807) £60 Opposite Kennett Dress (DR004) £115 Ponte
12
Our clothes ain’t scared of
COMMITMENT Almost every piece in our collection can be treasured and worn forever, once beautiful bump’s become adorable baby.
How so? Because our stretch fabrics have incredible bounce-back-ability Because our clothes wash and wear better than any others on the market Because we believe in good bump-o-nomics Because when you find something you love, you just want to keep hold of it, right?
14
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Arlington Off-the-Shoulder Top (TP218) £65 Jersey
THE SWEETEST THING A LITTLE Sixties and a LOT of comfy – this satin tile print tunic dress will get you EVERYWHERE.
Heyford Print Dress (DR031) £129 Satin Crepe
16
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
We believe in ourselves and in
YOU &
your bump.
The Turtleneck (TP013) £45 Jersey
The Relaxed Jean, P.20 Everyday Biker Jacket, see Baukjen.com
We believe that growing tiny humans is both EXHILARATING and exhausting. So wearing ‘I-FEEL-SO-GOOD’ clothes is truly important. We believe in designing well-made classics that last FOREVER and stand up like warriors to stretching and washing (the kind your BFFs will try to nab when you’re finished with them). We believe in making pregnancy a FASHION MOMENT (because truthfully, will there EVER be a better time to rock BODYCON?) We believe in fabrics so SOFT that wearing them is like pulling on a hug from the love of your life. We believe there’s no better outfit than SELF-CONFIDENCE. We believe that 13 years of designing for bumps makes us more knowledgeable and experienced than any other maternity brand (and that over 1 MILLION PREGNANT women can’t be wrong). We believe the phrase ‘THE BUMP TOLD ME TO’ will never get tired. We believe in sharing the truths about pregnancy: the GOOD, the MESSY, the SILLY. We believe in finding JOY amidst the chaos.
Join the pregnancy chatter on social
19
ATHLEISURE LOVIN’ CONTEMPORARY cut. SOFT stretch jersey, dress-up-dress-down-ability. This top gives you OPTIONS.
Helston Top (TP173) £59 Jersey
The Relaxed Jean (TR089) £95 Stretch Denim
20
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
“(While pregnant] I bought almost
everything
from Isabella Oliver.” Jennifer Garner
Layburn Dress (DR018) £89 Jersey
Arlington Striped Top (worn underneath) P.52
22
For styling tips & more: IsabellaOliver.com/TheMagazine
PETAL POETRY Roses are red, violets are blue, our luxurious printed dress will GROW WITH YOU. The end.
Ferndale Print Dress (DR001) £119 Jersey
Maternity Obi Belt (AC008) £69 Leather
24
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
“Isabella Oliver’s clothes are
SEXY, STYLISH
and utterly comfortable” Vanity Fair (US)
Arlington Striped Dress (DR020) £99 Jersey
26
Need help? Contact us at TheTeam@IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
03. THE SCOOP NECK TEE In indulgently soft jersey that makes every day special.
01. THE BOYFRIEND JEANS
1. The Relaxed Jean (TR089) £95 Stretch Denim
Featuring a ‘doesn’t get any softer’ under the bump waistband.
2. The Wrap Cardigan (KW001) £109 Wool Mix Knit
3. Arlington Striped Top (TP135) £59 Jersey
4. Dora Shirt (SH001) £89 Soft Shirting
5. Merewood Wrap Coat (OT002) £199 Textured Coating
6. Grayson Dress (DR348) £99 Jersey
02. THE COSY WRAP Warm, woolly and handy when baby needs feeding.
05. THE BOUCLÉ COAT A textured style you’ll treasure long after the newbie arrives.
04. THE STRIPED SHIRT The work-to-weekend hero you’ll have on permanent rotate.
Meet your
NEW BFFs Nobody needs everything, but everybody needs these. Six exquisitely well-made heroes you can buy in ONE size and wear right through.
06. THE JERSEY DRESS A chic and comfy all-rounder you’ll literally live in. 29
Love your
BUMP Our signature bodycon dresses are crafted from luxury jersey. So they WASH BRILLIANTLY, wear beautifully and make EVERY DAY that you’re pregnant feel as special as it ought to.
Clifton Dress (DR013) £95 Jersey
30
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Left Brunswick Dress (DR045) £99 Jersey
Opposite Maesbury Dress (DR044) £119 Jersey
PARTY ON (and on...) Try the cool cut-out dresses that are designed to party for the whole 9 months (so one size = many opportunities to wow).
33
“Whenever anyone asks me which line has the chicest maternity clothes I always direct them to the Isabella Oliver website.” Instyle Editor (US)
Arlington Striped Top (TP135) £59 Jersey
The Wrap Cardigan (KW001) £109 Wool Mix Knit
Easy Leggings (TR050) £39 Jersey
34
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Your secret design
WEAPONS
We do the geeky thing, so you can do the gorgeous thing. These techniques will have you looking fab and feeling comfy, to birth and beyond.
Ellis Tank Dress (DR280) ÂŁ85 Jersey
36
Find a tempting OFFER on the cover
1. RUCHING This helps our soft stretch jersey to fit and flatter you at every stage of your pregnancy. Think of it like an accordion of fabric that gently pulls out as you grow. Minus the folksy sounds.
2. TYING We fix our ties at the waist, so you can change the look of your bump when you fancy. Pull them behind for a minimalist look (lots of women like this in the early stages) or tie them at the front with a statement bow to frame your bump.
Granville Shirt (TP053) ÂŁ85 Cotton Shirting
3. DRAPING We drape our soft and fluid fabrics with tucks, pleats, knots or seams. Some may be sculpted bodycon styles, others are floatier empire line numbers – both will fit perfectly through 9 months.
Ivybridge Dress (DR249) £89 Jersey
39
4. WRAPPING These styles afford you THE MOST PERSONAL FIT you’ll ever get literally fitting to your body every time you tie them. Mega flattering, foreverfashionable and handy for nursing too, it’s no wonder we love them.
Mona Top (TP184) £79 Jersey
Please mind the
BUMP GET A FREE BADGE WITH YOUR FIRST ORDER FROM THE NEW SEASON
(WHILE THEY LAST)
In our world, no mum-to-be would be without a seat on public transport. Sadly, this isn’t our world and we don’t set the rules. What we are doing however is a) giving every pregnant woman a seat when we travel (obviously) and b) treating you to a free badge with every Isabella Oliver purchase. A seat would be neat, huh?
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
41
Work worries,
BEGONE! Marina Fogle is a writer, mum of three and wife to TV presenter and explorer, Ben. Here she shares her tips on managing your maternity leave – in an extract from her new book ‘The Bump Class: An Expert Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond’ co-written with her GP Sister, Chiara Hunt.
BREAKING THE NEWS According to UK law, you need to inform your employer of your pregnancy at least 15 weeks before your due date, although most people share their good news sooner - even sometimes before that all-important 12 week scan, particularly if they are suffering morning sickness. Make sure it’s your boss who knows first, remember to put it in writing and be clever about the timing. It’s smart to announce the news right after you’ve completed a successful project, for example.That way you can emphasise the fact your pregnancy will not affect your work.
MAKING A PLAN Think realistically about when to take your maternity leave. Many women think they will have no problem working right up until their due date which in reality isn’t a good idea. You need to slow down drastically in your third trimester (for your baby’s sake) and remember too that there’s a lot to get ready before your baby arrives. The biggest mistake I made in my
42
first pregnancy was promising to go back to work full time six weeks after my baby was born. I took the decision before I had even met the little person inside me and without any real knowledge of what life with a newborn baby involves. Reneging on a promise felt like failure and I wish I had just told my colleagues that I would let them know when I was ready.
In the UK, your employer has to legally assume you are taking your full maternity leave unless they are told otherwise, so they should not be pestering you to make a decision until you are equipped to make the right one. For some women that is 6 weeks, and for others that’s a year, but it’s an important decision that is yours to make.
You can buy a copy of ‘The Bump Class: An Expert Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond’ from Amazon. For more tips from Marina, visit IsabellaOliver.com/Magazine
Granville Shirt (TP053) £85 Cotton Shirting
Zadie Stretch Skinny Jeans (TR079) £95 Stretch Denim
LET’S TALK TEXTURE Specifically? Let’s talk luxury BOUCLÉ that’s been lovingly cut into the kind of WRAP COAT you can accessorise now with a BUMP and later with a BABY. Been fun chatting.
Merewood Wrap Coat (OT002) £199 Textured Coating
Ana Jumper, P.63 Althea Cigarette Pants (TR007) £99 Stretch Tailoring
Mercia Clutch Bag (BG825) £109 Leather
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
45
PURE. SIMPLE. LUXURIOUS. Our deliciously soft ballet top will dance to the tune of your PREGNANCY (and repeat its performance through those NURSING days too).
Gardner Top (TP188) £85 Jersey
46
The Relaxed Jean (TR089) £95 Stretch Denim
For styling tips & more: IsabellaOliver.com/TheMagazine
Dene Checked Shirt (SH002) £95 Soft Shirting
Boot Cut Jeans (TR005) £95 Stretch Denim
Elia B Suede Court Shoe (FT883) £119
48
GO MAD FOR PLAID Try the soft shirt that ticks the trend/comfort boxes AND looks great at work or on the weekend.
“Once you find out
YOUR SIZE,
you just know it’s your size for the whole pregnancy. It’s so easy” Hilaria Baldwin
Witton Top (TP222) £69 Jersey
Zadie Stretch Skinny Jeans (TR079) £95 Stretch Denim
50
Need help? Contact us at TheTeam@IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
1. THE UNSTOPPABLE TEE Work or weekend, bump or baby – this tee will turn its stripes to anything. And it washes as well as it wears.
Arlington Striped Top (TP135) £59 Jersey
Kirkton Skirt (SK001) £59 Jersey
52
Two stripey
SAVIOURS Dress or tee? The choice is yours, mama.
Earlham Blazer (JK094) £169 Ponte
Arlington Striped Top, see opposite The Pencil Skirt (SK049) £75 Ponte
Earlham Blazer (JK094) £169 Ponte
Arlington Striped Dress (DR020) £99 Jersey
2. THE JERSEY DRESS Cool with kicks and knits, smart with pumps and blazer - for drama-free dressing you can’t beat this.
55
TAKE A BOW Then decide how you’ll tie it. Frontwards to frame your bump? Backwards for a MINIMALIST look? This SHIRT is yours for the styling.
Opposite Dora Shirt (SH001) £89 Soft Shirting
Rowsley Leather Leggings (TR093) £349 Stretch Leather
Superga Leather Pump (FT807) £60
56
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Your motherhood
MANTRAS When baby arrives, refer to these smart and funny tips: written by Sarah Turner, UK’s Sunday Times bestselling author and blogger behind The Unmumsy Mum.
M
otherhood hit me hard. It was incredible and extraordinary yet terrifying and overwhelming all at the same time. I had tried so hard to ‘prepare myself’ for my new role as a mum that when things didn’t pan out exactly as I’d expected I was left feeling like I had failed somehow. What I think I needed then was a reminder that I was not on my own, that us mums are all in it together and that, with the benefit of hindsight, my expectations had been a little improbable…
58
For styling tips & more: IsabellaOliver.com/TheMagazine
01. NEVER try to compare your experience of motherhood with what you see online. Social media is a selectively edited montage of best bits. It’s simply not possible to crop all the bad stuff out and exist under the shroud of a wrinkle-friendly filter in real life.
03.
02.
When friends and family say, ‘let us know if you need anything’ they are making a genuine offer. Take them up on it! There is no shame in asking for help. There is also no shame in having a nap. Naps are golden.
Even if you can’t see the humour in today’s ‘parenting disaster’ now, you will one day. One day you will laugh until you cry (in a good way). Whenever you think, ‘I can’t do this!’ remember that you are doing this. You are doing a great job, and, even on the days when you’ve had to downgrade ‘great’ to ‘that’ll do’ you’re still doing your best. Sometimes, ‘that’ll do’ is all you’ve got and that’s enough.
04.
05.
Getting out and chatting to other mums can be daunting but children provide the greatest ever prop to hide behind when you are feeling anxious. ‘I’m sorry, I think he’s been a bit sick on your shoe!’ is the kind of ice-breaker that true friendships come out of.
06. Growing and birthing a human being is a pretty big deal. Don’t ever forget that.
PARTY OR PILATES? Our LUXURIOUSLY SOFT top looks great with a yoga mat and gorgeous with a yummy mocktail – talk about VERSATILE.
Reyene Tunic (TP226) £69 Jersey
Rowsley Leather Leggings (TR093) £349 Stretch Leather
60
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
62
Opposite Aubyn Top (TP224) £59 Jersey
Althea Cigarette Pants (TR007) £99 Stretch Tailoring
Shoes, stylist’s own Right Ana Jumper (TP153) £89 Cotton Knit
Ashurst Maxi Skirt (SK003) £95 Jersey
Superga Leather Pump (FT807) £60
Effra Ruched Dress (DR022) £129 Herringbone Jersey
@AliFedotowsky
#stylemybump
YOUR WAY
Join the pregnancy chatter on social
@Eat.Wear.Travel
@CayleenDavies
@The.Modern.Mom
@DanielleVella
@MiriamSternoff
@PearlsOnAString
Share your style by uploading piccies or sit shyly on the sidelines and steal inspo from the others. Our @IsabellaOliver instagram is all yours to play with.
65
66
Shop at IsabellaOliver.com • 0344 844 0448
Rosliston Jumpsuit (TR097) £109 Jersey
If undelivered, please return to: Isabella Oliver, 15-17 Scott Road, Off Park Avenue, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 3BF, United Kingdom
Outfit , P.63
AW16-M-ÂŁ-1A
IsabellaOliver.com 0344 844 0448