I know, I know, maternity wear is supposed to be frump-tastic. Equipped with a heightened knowledge of fashion, pregnant women are expected to demonstrate what savvy shoppers they are by dressing for nine months without resorting to a single item of pregnancy clothing save for the odd bra and a pair of pregnancy jeans. Right . . . and then again, wrong.

Notwithstanding that I’m a fashion journalist — and born with healthy Chinese consumer genes — I have to admit that I never understood why pregnant women were a bit sniffy (and stingy) when it came to buying maternity wear. I was sceptical of their claims that it was all too dreadful to contemplate/over-priced/just not worth it. True, I could see that you weren’t pregnant indefinitely but heck, nine months spent in body Siberia seemed a long enough time to merit treating yourself to something that fitted properly and could muster an ounce of style.

And then I fell pregnant and began to understand. There was certainly a lot of dross out there, enough to make you feel very choosy about what you actually bought. And what I hadn’t counted on was the disappointing (and depressing) quality of a lot of cuts and fabrics found in maternity ranges — and usually at twice the price of anything bought pre-pregnancy. Women, I began to realise, don’t mind having the odd blow-out (so it’s not frugal hormones kicking in), it’s just that they don’ t want to compromise on quality or style. And while we’ve come a long way since the late Princess of Wales wore an emerald polka-dot sack dress in the early Eighties, the changes have hardly been revolutionary.

The problem with most maternity lines is that they’re big on celebrating maternity. OK, that may sound obvious but let me explain. While pregnancy is supposed to be a joyous state, what doesn’t make sense is how you’re suddenly forced into clothes that are anathema to your personal style. Chances are that if you didn’t like the fussiness of a wrap or ruched dress pre-bump, you’re unlikely to seek solace in them when you are. Especially if you’re discerning enough to know that neither style is particularly fashionable at present. Similarly, why do maternity labels assume that once pregnant you’ll suddenly feel like a sex kitten and want to wear everything skin-tight, or display copious amounts of cleavage because you’ve gone up a cup size? So there they have you: either trussed up as a porn star or else forced into a dress that resembles a sack of potatoes in an itchy fabric.

But celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Gwen Stefani show that glamour can still be achieved. Allow me to introduce you to my salvation brands. At the upper end there’s mama-la-mode.com and Blossom Mother & Child, while lower down the price spectrum there’s Séraphine and Gap maternity. Mama-la-mode began online 18 months ago when Fee Drummond, its founder, realised that women didn’t want to buy maternity-specific clothing. “They wanted to buy into brands they were already familiar with, brands they already had some sort of trust in,” she explains. “Women also feel smug that they don’t have to wear maternity clothes.”

Instead, Mama-la-mode and Blossom Mother & Child look for normal designer labels that have clothes that can be adapted to an expanding waistline. It’s a clever edit for women who don’t have the time, confidence or know-how to trawl through labels that will work during pregnancy. While both are great sources for smarter work-wear and evening wear (including items by Alice Temperley, Missoni and Matthew Williamson) they also have great jeans boutiques, as well as offering underwear that is not only supportive but pretty rather than matronly.

Both produce their own line of wardrobe staples. Blossom’s trousers (£144), their current bestsellers, are worth a special mention because they’re designed to look like a normal pair of trousers; ie, without the maternity waistband. Favourites at Mama-la-mode are the great selection of long-length tops and knitwear and their leggings (non-maternity specific), which are cut into a V and sit comfortably beneath your stomach (£34).

For those after less pricy staples, Séraphine is a great source of good-value denim as well as stylish maxi dresses such as the teal one shown here (£45). Its swimwear range is also pretty impressive.

Otherwise, just head to your nearest Gap.Its maternity line used to have more of a “basics” feel, but is currently looking more design-led (see 'Gap's £35 strapless maternity dress' article). They also do the best knee-length summer shorts and longish tops that come in soft cotton rather than the very thick, very stretchy fabric that other maternity brands use.

I might as well mention the non-maternity labels that have accommodated my growing belly. Crumpet knitwear, made from super-light cashmere, is perfect for the summer months and also covered-up enough for winter — its sweater dresses can be worn on their own or layered over leggings.

As for stylish loungewear, Pyjama Room really excels. I have lived in its Crossover top, £67, which really accentuates what little waist you have left. Whistles is another godsend, for tunic-style dresses that are funky but smart enough for work. Something about the cut means that they skim the body contours rather than hugging or drowning your frame.

While some women swear by blowdries (to divert attention elsewhere) or else big, bling accessories, here is what else I’ve learnt in the past eight months: it’s worth having a proper clearout of your wardrobe and experimenting — a surprising amount can be adapted for pregnancy. Fashion First Aid nipple concealers (sticky plastic gel discs), £9.99, are an essential (stocked at Fenwick and mama-la-mode.com), while the best bras came from Elle Macpherson, Bodas and Gap. It’s a better idea to buy clothes as you go along rather than for months in advance when you don’t know how you will feel or how big you’re going to get. Oh, and Topshop do the best-cut (and probably the most reasonably priced) jeans at £40.

Times readers can get 15 per cent off full-priced items at mama-la-mode.com before July 8. Use the code “babytimes” at the checkout. Pyjama Room is offering 20 per cent off all non-sale stock when you spend over £50 before July 10. Type “Times009” in the promotion box at checkout. Pyjamaroom.com; 08456 800975.

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