9 of the most fashionable mums on Instagram

Browsing social media can often be a good way to pass time and read up on news between naps, or during feeds. But it’s Instagram, the photosharing platform, which offers filters for your photos, that’s become the home of beautiful imagery shared by fashion and design-conscious mums and mums to be.

We spoke to nine of them to find out their top style picks and places to shop. Follow them on Instagram to discover more…

1 - Eimear Varian Barry, @eimearvarianbarry, 29, blogger, stylist and photographer, mum to Saoirse, 2, and currently pregnant

I couldn’t do without my Topshop skinny maternity jeans! Lifesaver. I also love chunky oversized cashmere knits from Boden and black ankle boots from Shop Pyramid.

My sister gave me a present of some beautiful underwear from Beija Flor Lingerie, and it was such a treat. I feel like a different woman with it on! As every woman knows, your boobs get so much bigger when you are pregnant. A beautiful comfortable bra from them was the most perfect gift!

Tiba + Marl is my favourite brand of changing bags, without a doubt. I have two satchel bags, and even use them as regular bags on shoot days.

I buy comfy maternity basics, and then work them around my wardrobe. My favourite places to shop online for maternity fashion are JustPolly, ASOS, Zara, Nine in the Mirror, Net A Porter and H&M. Eight Hour Studio for the softest, most beautiful PJ's.

Generally I find anything that elongates you works well - that's why I live in black skinny maternity jeans. Again, if you like something I would say still try make it work, just get it in four sizes bigger! Oversized smart shirt dresses with waist belts are always a winner.

Elmer recommends to follow: “@kelli_murray, @amerrymishap, @billie_and_I, @studionl, @marklivermore - I love all of these for different reasons, but mainly because their feeds are just so visually beautiful! “

2 - Olivia Rubin, @oliviarubin, 34, fashion designer, mum to Chloe, 2 year, and currently pregnant

I try to steer clear of most maternity wear as I find the choice quite limiting, so I buy regular labels in bigger sizes. However, I do love Topshop maternity jeans as they offer all the same styles and fits of their women's range. I like the Jamie and Leigh fits.

I have invested in embellished flats for when I can't face high heels. I love the selection at Dune. I like to keep fashionably comfortable, so slogan sweatshirts from Whistles and Zoe Karssen are a must, as are oversized classic knitwear selections from Boden and ASOS for the colder months.

When I’m pregnant, I definitely up my accessory game as a lot of styles that I normally wear just don't flatter my new shape. I am partial to a new handbag, especially a colourful cross body bag which I can use in the day with Chloe or dress up for evening dinners.

I bought the Marc by Marc Jacobs baby changing bag when I had Chloe, and it's still going strong. It is great quality, with lots of useful compartments and changing mat.

Olivia recommends to follow: “I love to follow @evachen212 Eva Chen, head of fashion at Instagram, for her quirky takes on mum fashion and she always opts for comfortable achievable everyday ensembles.”

3 - Fritha Strickland, @tigerlillyquinn, 29, blogger and mum to Wilf, 4, and Mabli, 3 months

I swore I wouldn’t wear leggings. But once you get to a certain stage, they really are the most comfortable option, just pair them with tunics and dresses. I’d also recommend the long maternity tops from GAP, as it’s the only place I’ve found with tops long enough to not feel like they might ride up over the bump.

Buy a few good pair of flat shoes, as you’ll get to the stage where you can’t do up your old ones. Treat yourself to a stylish pair of kicks. I love the ones from the Cath Kidston and Gola collaboration.

I love a good lightweight scarf or pashmina. Perfect for those early days of breastfeeding and great to cosy up in or throw over a sleeping baby.

Try to make sure that clothes you are buying in pregnancy will be useful if you choose to breastfeed also. It was something I hadn’t thought of at all with my first baby and found obviously couldn’t yet fit in my old clothes yet but my maternity clothes weren’t breastfeeding friendly. I love simple cross over dresses and shirt style tunics.

Firth recommends to follow: “I love @amyrosewatts and the way she dresses herself and her cute toddler, and also @amanda_tylerj for a slice of L.A style.”

4 - Frances Bacon, @schoolrunmum, 40, fashion writer and stylist and mum to Jessica, 8 and Jack, 5

My trusty Adidas Stan Smiths give all my outfits an urban edge and are very useful when chasing around after the kids. I also love a really good fitting, flattering pair of jeans, I either Current Elliott as an investment pair as I do wear them most days or Topshop Baxter skinny jeans, if I am on a budget.I also adore a statement coat as it brightens up dull days and can so easily lift an all black outfit.

My favourite changing bag brand is Tiba + Marl. They are cool, practical and a super stylish new brand of changing bags, inspired by the catwalks and streetstyle definitely one to look out for.

I always shopped in 'normal' shops when pregnant and bought a size or two up for tops and knitwear. For this season, oversize knitwear is a key trend so buy a couple of sizes too big. Topshop has some key, 'on trend' pieces that are stylish, of the moment and not too expensive.

I often buy cashmere sweaters in the Mens department. Try Uniqlo, Gap and Marks & Spencer for a perfect slouchy look. Add a pair of skinny maternity jeans and trainers and you have a current, cool look that can be worn after the baby is born.

Frances recommends to follow: “I follow Parisian fashion bloggers, @audreylombard @meleponym, who perfect the laid back, chic look every day. I also love Alex @thefrugality as she mixes designer with some amazing high street finds.”

5 - Katie Ellison, 31, @mummydaddyme, blogger, mum to Madeleine aged 5, Lottie aged 2 and 7 months pregnant with a baby boy

My ‘must-have’ wardrobe items are fitted, but comfy. I like cotton dresses to show off my bump, over-the-bump maternity jeans, and nice scarves to accessorise an outfit without buying lots of new things that you won’t wear for long.

I love being pregnant. It is the one time I feel truly confident with my body, so I love wearing tight T-shirts or dresses that show off my bump.

My first favourite changing bag was by Pink Lining. I am after either a Cath Kidston or a Tiba + Marl changing bag this time around.

My favourite places to shop online for maternity fashion are: The Essential One, ASOS.com and H&M.

6 - Laura Reynolds, @lauraasmall, 27, Associate Editor at WGSN and currently pregnant

Trainer socks are no longer just for the gym… They are so much easier to get on your tootsies than normal socks and believe me it's starting to become a bit of a challenge.

Light cotton cardigans are my maternity ‘must-have’. It's winter but I seem to be running on 10 degrees warmer than most people. I also love H&M's maternity jeans because they look just like my pre-pregnancy ones (apart from the waistband!)

I've started wear a vintage, floppy baker boy hat which used to be my mums. Perhaps it's for nostalgic reasons as I prepare to be a mum myself, or maybe it's because I'm saving for a pram!

ASOS maternity has been my go to for both simple everyday items and pretty dresses for events. I’m now shopping for a changing bag that is simple and gender neutral so my husband doesn't mind it hanging from the back of the pram too!

My uterus seemed to know what it was going to be doing from the word go and I had a little bump from six weeks. I bought cotton smocks tops and wore those with boyfriend style jeans and no one batted an eye lid until I had that first scan and was happy to share our happy news!

Laura recommends to follow: “Jessica Reed Kraus @houseinabit and Courtney Adamo @courtneyadamo both are mums of four and still look effortlessly beautiful.”

7 – Gamze Gul, @asos_gamze, 28, ASOS.com maternitywear expert and stylist, new mum to baby Ayla

(Questions answered while pregnant, about maternity fashion)

My maternity fashion must-have is a pair of over the bump jeans, for the most comfy casual look teamed with a fitted tee. I also love a midi jersey bodycon dress for every day - I love that I can see my bump growing! If I’m having a down day I’ll also throw a duster coat or a long line cardi to give it a more relaxed feel. For the rest of the time, I stay in my pyjamas and just enjoy my pregnancy.

I love a statement lip! Putting on some lippy immediately makes me feel glam and like I’m doing something for just me rather than having to dress around my pregnancy. I’ll be carrying my oversized tote bag as a changing bag. I have one built in with my pushchair too.

My favourite place to shop is ASOS, obviously! It’s one of the main sites that has fashion-forward clothing for pregnant ladies. I feel like I can stick with my usual style rather than buying things just because they fit. I love to still feel glam during my pregnancy so I designed a range with ASOS that includes co-ords and bodycon dresses – meaning I can still look great on a night out!

Just because your body is changing doesn't mean you need to transform your wardrobe. Just make it carefree and embrace lycra! This fabric shows off your body shape in the most perfect way and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

Game recommends to follow: “I’ll follow Kim Kardashian forever and always, but now that Chrissy Teigen is pregnant I’m looking forward to seeing how she dresses her bump!”

8 - Sofia Gouveia, @mrssofiagouveia, 36, digital marketing director and mum to Suri, 4

My top maternity brands and online shops are Isabella Oliver, Seraphine and Nine in the Mirror. As a new mum I shop in the same shops I used to shop before, some examples are Net-a-Porter, Matchesfashion.com and Joseph, as well as Zara, Massimo Dutti, Reiss, Eileen Fisher and Ralph Lauren.

I didn’t use a proper changing bag when I had Suri. At that time I thought that they were not stylish, so I adopted a normal bag and turned it into a changing bag. Since then I’ve seen some that I like, including the Storksak Elizabeth bag.

The key to successful maternity is to keep it simple. I usually prefer pastel colours but grey, black and navy are also a must have in my wardrobe. Clothing for me needs to have a classic flair, then depending on the occasion I can give it a special touch with accessories.

There are amazing mums on Instagram and they are my daily inspiration not only in fashion but also in other fields. Fashion related I would say as an example Joanne Hegarty (@thestylistandthewardrobe), Olivia Rubin (@oliviarubin), Maria Guedes (@stylista_mg), Anne Marie (@catwalkschoolgates) and Anna Whitehouse (@mother_pukka).

9 - Erica Davies, @erica_davies, 39, fashion editor and mum to Charlie, 5 and Lila, 3

Don't veer too far from your usual look when pregnant - just buy a size or two bigger. My staple wardrobe items are a great button up checked shirt, an amazing coat that you can throw on over everything (including pyjamas!).

Topshop and ASOS got me through both pregnancies. But I highly recommend non-maternity brands, like Cos, for tunic dresses too. Buy some cool trainers that will cheer you up when you're walking around the block with the pram, again!

My favourite fashion accessory, as a mum, has to be a great across the body bag, which will leave your hands free. Invest in one that will fit a couple of nappies and a bottle. I used a normal bag as a changing bag.

Erica recommends to follow: “I love bloggers like @GaryPepperGirl and @NadiaFairfax for aspirational images on Instagram.”

Follow @juniormagazineonline on Instagram for lots more inspiration on kids fashion, family travel and much more...