Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Joan Crawford and that mom at school pick up that ALWAYS looks cute all have a common bond: a signature style. Through their fashion choices, their personalities loom like a halo over their heads.
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But, many women don’t necessarily have a “signature look.” If you have lived for years mystified by what happens on runways, red carpets and hyped paparazzi shots in gossip magazines, call upon your dormant SAT studying skills and study fashion divas of the twentieth century. Pregnancy is, in fact,  a golden opportunity to exit your comfort zone and bring your inner glamazon to life. Give a nod to the fashion icons of the twentieth century and use your belly as a VIP pass to the order of eternal divahood.  Go to Barnes & Noble and purchase Fashion Icons: Fashion Trends Throughout the Century, Star Style, Thje Marchesa Casati Portraits of a Museand Mistress of Modernism: The Life of Peggy Guggenheim, and start thumbing through. Eccentric? Yes. But, absolutely scintillating. Learn about silhouettes. Discover accessories. Investigate why muses perenniale- marvelous Marchesa de Casati, dynamic Diana Ross, chic socialite Babe Paley, 60s siren Edie Sedgewick, boho babe Talitha Getty and art deco diva Nancy Cunard-became style revolutionaries. These histrionic women dissed convention and used fashion to express themselves. Such bravado is evident in their outré fashion choices: gowns as daywear, turbans, shoulder sweeping earrings, extreme eye makeup, stacked-to-the-elbows bangle bracelets, cloaks fashioned of peacock feathers. Don’t feel pressured to swap your skinny jeans for an electric blue jumpsuit. Just get inspired. Then, take it down a notch to reality. In your free time, let your fingers do the walking right over to Netflix.  “Fashion moment” TV shows and films are a great way to research style and learn about silhouettes. Once the kid(s) are asleep, rent Mad Men, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Women, Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby, Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Katherine Deneuve in Belle Du Jour, Mia Farrow in Great Gatsby, Marlene Dietrich inShanghai Express, Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada and Joan Collins in Dynasty.
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I am not suggesting that you go radical. Your task is to find a scintillating look which suits your personality and flatters your body type.  Upper East Side Lady Who Lunches? Downtown “it” Girl? Haute Hippie? Groovy Gal About Town? Be the girl with the Bakelite cuff bracelets and fabulous YSL scarves adorning every outfit. Wear Grandma’s lurex sweater sets to go to the supermarket. Layer vintage Betsey Johnson baby doll dresses with Byzantine beads and rhinestone crosses just because. The larger you feel, the more accessories required. Your Cinderella moment awaits!

Summer pregnancies? THE BEST!

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Yes, it’s hot. Yes, heat causes swelling. But, the upshot is that you can avoid the incredible bulk of a winter pregnancy and channel some St Tropez sultriness.

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The trick: sporting beach cover ups as RTW. Pop into a trendy boutique or the swim department of a large retailer and scoop up a few printed caftans and a chic pareo (a.k.a oversized scarf used to wrap around the waist). A caftan’s generous cut is a gift from the fashion fertility gods. They are comfy and thoroughly au courant. Pair your pareo with a tight tank top. Just wrap it around your waist and knot it under the bump. The best part? Both of these summer wardrobe staples have  “before and after” appeal. They are perfect now and can be worn for dozens of family vacations to come.

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Expert tip: Dress up casual caftans and pareo looks with dramatic gold dangle earrings and a pair of elegant  wedges.

1. Zero + Maria Cornejo long cade dress $975

2. Theodora & Callum fuchsia multi cherokee caftan $195

3. Roberta Roller Rabbit sarong big cata $50

4. Missoni sophia pareo $289.99

5. Sir Alistair Rai om mantra love in fuchsia $145

6. Tory Burch print silk long caftan $210

7. Calypso St. Barth sarong silk poncho $195

8. Rachel Pally from Shopbop.com shirt gwyneth caftan dress $71.40

This May marked the fifth anniversary of Alisa Donner and Anna Getty’s Pregnancy Awareness Month; an organization committed to inspiring and educating women about every aspect of pregnancy. As one who celebrates maternity moxie in print, tv and my book BUMP IT UP: TRANSFORM YOUR PREGNANCY INTO THE ULTIMATE STYLE STATEMENT, I was delighted to, once again, take part in the PAM kick- off event in Los Angeles. From pre-natal exercise and nutrition to eco-chic products for the nursery, this event draws all type of organizations devoted to a healthy, happy pregnancy. I, of course, focus on style. My mission is to make women look and feel their best during one of the most fashion challenged time in their lives.

This year, I joined forces with Viacord to present the VIACORD BUMP IT UP STYLE LOUNGE, a chill out area (complete with sofa and snacks) where women could score one on one style sessions with me. Topics du jour? How to look like a long, lean baby making machine and strategically lengthen one’s silhouette with accessories. Women swarmed the lounge to learn how to “bump up” their wardrobes and transform nine months of potential frump and dump to jaw dropping fabulosity. Of course, you cannot have fabulosity without flattering fashion. On hand was the maternity brand Ingrid & Isabel, a celebrity favorite known for perfect dress-them up/dress- them- down basics. I styled our mannequins with two of my favorite dresses-the Athena and the Waterfall – to illustrate the concepts of silhouette “elongation”, “garment rotation” and “layering.”

Our lounge was a celebrity magnet. We had visits from Lisa Loeb (clad in a gorge Ingrid & Isabel dress), Ali Landry, Disney Channel’s Tiffany Thornton and Catherine McCord. Once they gleaned style tips, women headed over to Viacord to learn about a topic that I am passionate about: cord blood banking.

Fashion is fun but being educated about the health of your baby is critical. Viacord collects and stores the stem cells found in your newborn’s umbilical cord, which are used in the treatment of nearly 80 life-threatening diseases including a wide range of cancers, genetic diseases, immune system deficiencies and blood disorders. Essentially, storing your baby’s cord blood gives new parents peace of mind. It is an awful thought. But, should there be a need, your baby will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with no risk of rejection. There is also a strong possibility that his/her siblings will be a match as well. I did it with my children and strongly recommend that moms to be do too. Viacord offered valuable information and a copy of my style bible BUMP IT UP. Book in hand, guests then plopped down in our welcoming sofa to read and nibble on Sprinkle cupcakes and Godiva chocolate.

I recently partnered with luxe mom subscription service CITRUS LANE to develop a pregnancy pampering kit featuring my book and some of my favorite products. We raffled one kit off per hour which was a massive hit with the crowd.

What else can I say? It was a bumptastic day.

The baby shower is a curious event. It is often at this moment  that moms- to- be are subtly notified that they-the stars of this infant making production-take back seats to their child . Each and every gift- onesies, feeding utensils, booties and receiving blankets are for the baby. And, mamma (this bizarre put –on- the- back- burner feeling is a precursor to life as a mom) is ignored. So, if you really want to make a mom-to-be happy, offer up something that will  make her feel beautiful, sexy and pampered.

Pish Posh Mommy: Pull String Valencia Bag, $34.99

“Pish posh mommy carry alls are a must-have for Type-A women who crave organization tout le temps. Versatile and chicm these printed carryalls–complete with a pull string pouch, a diaper clutch, a fold up diaper pad, a ‘wet bag’ for bathing suits or soiled clothes–can be dropped into my pures, my beach bag ot just plopped in the car”

The Belly Bandit, $55.95

Wearing a compression garment like The Belly Bandit  for 6-8 weeks after childbirth helps reduce uterine swelling and bloating. Celebs like Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and Halle Berry rave about this modern day girdle (www.bellybandit.com) which comes in 5 sizes and three styles (I love zebra!).  

Belli Pregnancy: Complextion Perfection Duo, $34.00

 Get radiant with BELLI SKINCARE’s (free of chemicals, parabens and dyes) genius complexion duo which exfoliates, moisturizes, protects and evens out skin tone. A mama-to-be must have!

Belly Button Boutique: Mom’s First Days Kit, $70

Coming home from the hospital after giving birth is painful. Literally. Belly Button Boutique’s MOMS FIRST DAY kit has all of the essentials –cooling breast soothers, nursing pads, hipster panties, Feme pads-to keep a new mom (relatively) comfortable

MAMA MIO: Beat the Heat Bump It Up Pregnancy Style Kit, $75.00

Mama Mio’s Pregnancy specific skincare products go that extra mile to ensure that products are free from synthetic colors, parabens, sulfate detergents, petrochemicals and a host of known irritants. Developed by a triumverate of British supermamas, Mama Mio has put a playful spin on the woes of maternity with “Boob Tube” Bust Cream, “Tummy Rub” stretch Mark butter and “Lucky Legs”. And, the kit comes with a copy of my book!

You Lingerie: Azalea Orchid Bra, $ 29.99 and Panties, $14.99

Channel your inner sexpot with YOU maternity and nursing lingerie unique features include: 

-Soft cups ( no underwire) to accomodate size and aid in prevention of breast infection

-discreet one handed maternity nursing clips

-4 hook back allow added length for expanding rib cages

 Ms. and Mrs. Labor and Delivery Survival Kit, $45.00

A collection of delivery room essentials to soothe and support mom on D DAY: disposable camera, lip balm, stopwatch, back massager, etc.

With the bevy of celeb baby bumps  flooding the airwaves, I wanted to offer my take on BUMP IT UP babes to watch.

Go ahead, steal their style!

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TORI SPELLING

The Look: Prints Charming

Love the empire waist dress with kimono sleeves and great upbeat print



Get the look: Check out a similar kimono caftan dress at Rachel Pally and get stacked with great wedges from COACH

TINA FEY

The Look: Classique

The funny gal keeps it long and lean in graphic, black and white stripes, unstructured blazer and skinny jeans

(Note-Former SNL cast member joined other pregnant SNL alum, Maya Rudolph, for some preggo parodies on last week’s episode)

Get the look: Bump up the urban nautical  look with a sequined blazer and striped tee from Isabella Oliver then balance your bountiful belly with a Tory Burch kitten heel

JANUARY JONES

The Look: Blonde Ambition

Rocking her bump in a non-maternity Preen dress accented with a belly hugging knot

Get the Look: Invest in a Gap wrap dress or the Pouch versatile dress, which can be worn at least 5 different ways!

IVANKA TRUMP

The Look: Black Magic

Who’s afraid of some sass and a pair of bunny ears?  Not Ivanka, who poses for Bazaar looking like a sexpot avec bump.

Get the Look: Don’t want the bunny look? Get the best basics at Ingrid & Isabel

SELMA BLAIR

The Look: The Bold and the Beautiful

Selma has looked great in her colorful, drapey dresses paired with funky hats and chunky jewelry.

(Note-Selma has been seen in Isabella Oliver and Nicole Richie’s line, Winter Kate)

Get the look: Copy Selma’s color scheme with an inexpensive Old Navy sun dress 

KATE HUDSON

The Look: Boho Babe

Kate uses her bump to boost her signature urban gypsy/rocker look

(Note-Kate has been spotted wearing Elizabeth and James’ cardis, Theodora and Callum scarves and a form fitting Robert Cavalli gown)

Get the look: Kate goes boho in Elzabeth and James and get a similar maxi from T-bags

JESSICA ALBA

The Look: Flowing Fabulista

Jessica’s Versace empire dress drapes in all the right places to create a streamlined look that emphasizes her neck and decolletage with a statement necklace

Get the Look: Look just as beautiful as Jessica in an Isabella Oliver wrap column dress that was recently featured in Vogue

VICTORIA BECKHAM

The Look: Fierce Mama

The always severe looking Posh Spice struts through Heathrow airport in a leather accented mini of her own design.

Get the Look: Create drama with an ASOS sexy, classic black mini dress

CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY

The Look: Le Parissienne

France’s First Lady c’est chic in (non-maternity) white tweed Chanel couture dress paired with black tweed Chanel couture jacket and black Louboutins kitten heels. Is she really 43?

Get the Look: Look and feel like royalty in any Chanel ensemble

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Pregnancy is exhilarating, exhausting and challenging on many fronts. To me- a longtime fashion editor, style expert and author- the key to pregnancy style is having the tools to confront sartorial challenges and step up to the fashion plate 

Here are some tips to unleash your inner pregnantista.

CREATE A UNIFORM Neutrals are fashion chameleons which take on the mood of whatever garments they are layered with. Thus, neutral basics can be mixed and matched to “work” for every situation. Must haves? An above the knee shift, black leggings, black bias cut jersey dress, empire waist dress, a black lycra top, a flowy tunic and a black maternity stretch pencil skirt. Then, groovify your wardrobe staples with ADD ONs and WOW FACTOR, the style elements that transform basics into “looks”. 

PROPORTION, PROPORTION, PROPORTION! Nothing frumpifies more than oversized clothing and lack of proportion. Some guidelines? If it’s big on top, it should be narrow on bottom. If it is narrow on top, you can add some volume with a skirt or wide legged pant. Skirts and dresses should be above the knee or sweeping the ground to elongate the body. Legs are slimmed and lengthened with black tights and a boot or heels. Big blouses are countered with fitted skirts or tapered trousers. 

BACK IN BLACK There is a reason that, each season, editors declare that “black is the new black”. Black is mysterious and chic. Black is basic enough to make a statement. Or not. Black is classic. Black is seasonless. Black matches with everything. Black can be dressed up or down. Most important?  Because it absorbs light, black hides imperfections and is, hands down, the most slimming color on the planet.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!  This genius silhouette gathers (flattering to all shapes) under the breast and falls loosely to the hip, knee or floor covering bulging bellies and butts with cascading fabric. The empire waist also put the focus on the arms and shoulders, places where pregnancy weight does not manifest itself.

TALK TUNIC TO ME The breezy dress me up, dress me down tunic gets an A+ in masking girth. Popularized by style luminaries like Babe Paley and Talitha Getty, this versatile thigh length top is beloved for its ability to showcase boobage and hide bloatage.

SEISMIC SHIFT Channel Gidget. Or, my preggo icon Gwen Stefani, with the flirty old school shift. Cut straight from the shoulders and flowing away from the hips, this above the knee dress is easy to wear and disguises thickening thighs and other forms of bottom heaviness.

LEARN TO LAYER  The skillful layering of color, textures and accessories allows the savvy pregnantista to invest in quality basics and “bump them up” into compelling looks. Check this out: pregnancy jeans with a black chiffon tank top is fade- into- the- woodwork nice. But, mix in glitzy kitten heel slides, a Pucci-esque swingy trapeze jacket, a heavy gold pendant and gold earrings and you’ve made a statement.

KNIT WIT Slouchy knits offer the soft silhouette that is chic and cozy for day or evening wear. Get a blast of color with a thin open -at –the- front cashmere knit sweater or a non-structured jacket that is short in the back and long and drapey in the front making it a versatile (and vertical) layering staple. And, because it comes in a variety of colors and fabrications, the look translates to every season. 

GET WAISTED! Pregnancy is the optimal time to discover the joys of belting. Designers use belts to express “directionality”, or, mood of their collection. In pregnancy,  belts are a functional style element that delivers the illusion of a waistline. A stretchy belt can be used below the bra line to create an empire waist. And, a thin leather belt can be added over a cardigan to add polish. A flashy belt below the belly is a way to draw attention to your sumptuous bump and away from other areas that you may not be so fond of at the moment.

GET HIGH!  A heel visually lengthens your silhouette and, in turn balances out your tummy enhanced proportion. You don’t need five inch Carrie Bradshaw stilettos. But, with the watermelon in your belly, height will balance out the bulge, elongate your body and add that soupcon of glamour that transforms dumpy to diva.

TIE ONE ON!  Scarves are the Holy Grail to maternity moxie; a colorful style element that can build up a basic. During the first trimester, scarves camouflage a bulging belly. For trimesters 2 and 3, drapey scarves deliver verticality to the somewhat stumpy pregnant silhouette. Colorful, bunch-up-able scarves (think Jennifer Aniston in Malibu) can be looped nonchalantly around the neck to add color and Parisienne chic.

THE HIGH ART OF SUPER-ACCESSORIZING  Aside from being decorative, accessories play a major role in creating a long, lean silhouette. Neck grazing earrings, for example, take the focus to the neck and shoulders where pregnancy weight does not manifest. Layered long necklaces rein in excess fabric of tunics and balloon dresses supplying a lean silhouette.  Belts give drapey clothing shape and can supply an illusion of a waist while you are camouflaging a burgeoning belly. Scarves add verticality and cover the belly. Larger bags balance out proportion. And heels literally take pregnant women out of the dumps by lengthening the leg. Jewelry should mirror the bravado of your bump. Bold baubles—cuff bracelets, gold chains, chandelier earrings-amplify your style quotient.

Natalie Portman was glowing and gorge at last night’s SAG awards. In my book, the divine Ms N wins in the “most improved” category making up for her Vicktor & Rolf Golden Globes fashion fiasco. Still, there is room to bump it up and really make a statement for the Oscars. With her belly busting triumphantly from restraining waistbands, Natalie needs to think about how to use accessories as tools to both glammify her look and leanify her silhouette.

 Natalie Portman in Azzaro at 2011 SAG Awards

Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards

First up? The 2 million dollar Tiffany earrings were pretty but had zero va-va voom factor.

EARRINGS

 
Nat should wear longer drop statement earrings to put the focus upon her gazelle-like neck. Why? A few resons:

• Longer earrings draw the eye downcreating a sense of verticality that elongates her shape making her look longer and leaner
•  Pregnancy weight does not manifest on the graceful curve from neck to shoulder so it is an excellent body part to emphasize
• Neck grazing baubles will draw attention to her face and away from her bugeoning butt, bust and thighs

• Oversized drop earrings are super sexy. They proclaim to the world “I am and will remain a HOT MAMA for years to come!” 

Flat Drop Rock Crystal Earrings, Kara Ross 
 

 
Geometric Amethyst Drop Earrings, Kara Ross

CUFFS

Proportion is key to pregnancy style. Translation? A Huge belly requires huge jewelry. Again, Natalie’s bracelets were ok. But a pair of dramatic cuffs would have been explosively stylish. Next month, when her bump is more watermelon than honeydew, she should wear an impressive cuff on one or both wrists to balance out her look and amplify the glam quotient.
 

White Jade Cuff, Kara Ross 

Rock Crystal Cuff, Kara Ross

CLUTCH BAG

Finally, an eye catching evening bag is a key ingredient to high red carpet style. To me, the bag must be elegant, exotic and unexpected. A python pochette or structured gem encrusted wood bag would fill the bill to a tee.

Hand Painted Python Clutch, Devi Kroell

Small Crystal Wooden Clutch, Devi Kroell