QUEUING for coffee on Cheltenham's main shopping street last week, a wonderful outfit caught my eye in the shop opposite.

Rails of beautifully cut clothes in wonderful colours and fabrics.

It was only when I'd selected a couple of items and was heading for the fitting room that it dawned on me - shots of pregnant women wearing the clothes I was clutching stared out at me from the cubicle wall.

I'd wondered why there was iced water by the till and comfy sofas in the corner!

I've often found the most gorgeous outfit in the children's wear department wishing they'd do it in my size, but certainly never hankered after a maternity frock.

The lady serving didn't seem remotely fazed as I put the outfits back.

"It happens all the time," she said.

"In fact we have some customers who buy our outfits even though they're not pregnant, because they are individual with the bonus of comfort around the waist."

Formes have 64 outlets around the world, including Leeds and Manchester.

For a free catalogue call 0208-689-1133 or click onto :

formes@compuserve.com

Its new online shopping website will be available from mid-August at www.formes.com