As every mum-to-be knows, comfort and fashion don’t always go together when you’re waiting for baby to arrive. Finding the right style as your bump gets bigger can be tough.

But that’s where personal shoppers come in. Many big stores now offer this service - an expert stylist on hand to offer ideas and inspiration.

With this in mind, we sent Evening Times columnist Cat Cubie - who is in the latter stages of her first pregnancy - to meet Rachel Lawler, the new personal shopper at Debenhams’ Silverburn store.

The pair hit it off right away, and got down to business sorting Cat, 33, with some glamorous but comfy holiday wear in advance of a Spanish holiday.

"Maternity dressing doesn't need to be all smock dresses and jeans with stretchy waistbands, there are so many options on the high street,” said Rachel.

“A stretchy maxi dress is a perfect option during the warmer months and looks chic whilst still being comfortable. If you're a bit self-conscious about revealing too much baby bump, light and floaty dresses are a great alternative and will tie in perfectly with this season’s 70s boho trend.”

After exploring the wide range of maternity wear on offer, Cat and Rachel decided on a whole new holiday wardrobe.

“We opted to show off Cat's bump in stretchy summer skirts with flowing tops and added a touch of glamour with pretty jewellery and colour pop bags,” explained Rachel.

“The simple black maxi dress can be dressed up or down with the right accessories, allowing for multiple looks from one versatile dress."

So what did Cat make of the personal shopper experience?

“Rachel was great at suggesting things that I wouldn’t normally have been daring enough to try on,” she said. “We chose quite a few outfits that I might have shied away from on my own.

“I’ve found it a bit of a dilemma knowing how much bump to show, but choosing tight dresses made me realise how proud I am of my baby body. It feels empowering to embrace your body, bumps and all.”

And what advice would she offer other mums-to-be who want to stay stylish during pregnancy?

“There is so much more on offer than even a few years ago,” said Cat. “I’ve also found non-maternity clothes, in larger sizes, that are just as good. Instagram and specialist websites are also great for inspiration and working out what will work well with a bump.”

Debenhams’ personal shopper service is free and there is no obligation to buy. Book an appointment on 08445 61 61 61 or at www.debenhams.com/customer-service/personal-shopper