If you’re pregnant during the hottest months of the year, having the perfect maternity summer clothes is key.
These clothes not only need to keep up with your ever-changing body. They also have to look good, feel good, and keep you cool.
From years of styling clients, we know how much people struggle to track down stylish, flattering, and put-together summer outfits. Being pregnant on top of that ups the ante. That sounds like a tall order, right?
But it doesn’t have to be.
Make things simple this season with Next Level Wardrobe’s four must-have summer pregnancy essentials that’ll check all of your boxes. Plus, we added four wardrobe staples for bringing your bump to the beach.
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Summer Pregnancy Clothes: The Only 4 Pieces You Need
Whether you’re pregnant and looking for summer pregnancy clothes or not, we believe in the beauty of a capsule wardrobe. Why?
Because a capsule or minimalist wardrobe gets people to focus on what they need and actually use in their closet. It cuts out the distractions of impulse shopping and overly trendy pieces that you’ll only wear for a month.
That’s why for our maternity wear tips, we’re zeroing in on these four essentials:
- Lightweight dresses
- Comfy sandals
- Boyfriend button-downs
- Dressed-up shorts
With these pieces, you can create countless outfits to carry you through the rest of summer. Let’s dig deeper into each of these categories to learn what to look for when shopping and our product recommendations.
Summer Maternity Dresses: Lightweight Frocks
Whether you’re searching for pregnancy or postpartum outfits, you can’t go wrong with a lightweight, easygoing dress.
Summer maternity dresses offer the airy cut you crave for staying cool. On top of that, flowy or stretchy dresses are much easier to wear at any stage of pregnancy than separates.
This type of dress leaves plenty of room for your budding bump to grow and change. This saves you the time and energy of having to rebuy new maternity summer clothes every time your body shifts. (Who wants to put up with that?)
If you’re searching for that perfect, simple frock, try this ultra-soft v-neck knit from Ingrid & Isabelle.
What makes this work?
- The knit fabric is stretchy so it’ll grow with you.
- The midi length gives enough coverage that you could wear this to the office.
- The v-neck and sleeveless cut keep you cool.
- The neutral gray color goes with everything. No more wasting time in the morning trying to mix and match clashing colors.
Dress this up for a power casual ensemble with white sneakers and a blazer. Or ditch the blazer and turn this into a weekend look with the next item on our list: sandals.
Maternity Summer Clothes: Comfortable Sandals
Sandals are a general summer capsule wardrobe must, so it’s no surprise that they made our maternity edit as well.
Some folks know that when you’re pregnant, your feet swell due to the extra water weight you’re carrying. But did you know that pregnancy can change your foot shape and structure? From carrying around extra mass and your center of gravity shifting, your feet might even go flat.
All of that makes it tough to find fashionable shoes that you actually want to wear.
(Trying to squeeze your feet into ballet flats or stilettos is a no-no.)
Instead, we suggest shopping for open-toed, supportive sandals. They give your feet room to breathe and make it easier to stay on your feet.
If you’re looking for a new pair of sandals to add to your collection, try these block heels from Sam Edelman.
The black goes with anything in your closet. Additionally, the supportive, blocky heel gives you height without sacrificing comfort.
They act as the ultimate finishing touch to any maternity-summer clothes combination. From shorts and a tee to a dress, they’ve got your back. (And your feet.)
Cute Summer Maternity Clothes: Boyfriend Button-Down Shirt
If you’re hunting for cute summer maternity clothes, look no further than the boyfriend button-down.
“Boyfriend” silhouettes in clothing usually mean a more relaxed fit. They tend to be slightly oversized for that “effortlessly cool” vibe.
That fit also makes them an excellent choice for maternity wear. They’ll leave room for your little one while still being an item you can wear post-baby as well.
Button-downs automatically look put-together, but another benefit is that they’re ideal for nursing. If breastfeeding is part of your parenting plan, these shirts are a go-to.
One of our favorite brands for button-downs is Frank & Eileen. We love that they make their shirts from 100% linen with a lived-in texture. The natural fabrication helps you beat the heat and stave off sweat.
Wear this light blue option with cropped maternity jeans or with shorts. You can even wear it open and turn it into a lightweight layering piece.
Maternity Summer Clothes: Shorts Worth Shopping
No summer style countdown would be complete without shorts. While they’re not usually workplace appropriate (unless you’re in a no-dress code west coast office), they’re essential for weekend wear.
The most obvious selling point of these bad boys is the minimal amount of fabric. You’re covered, but you’re not sweating through full-length pants.
But we also love the versatility of maternity shorts. Find the right pair and you can go from lounging to lunching with just a couple of adjustments.
You can find denim options with different types of belly panels. But if you’re interested in something elevated yet comfortable, we recommend these rust-colored Tencel shorts from Ingrid & Isabel.
What we like about these is that they’re soft, stretchy, and bump-friendly, but not frumpy.
The rust color is a great way to switch up the palette of your maternity summer clothes without going overboard. Then, you have the elastic waistband that fits easily under your bump while still giving you room to grow. Lastly, they look well-made and polished.
(Remember, comfort and style don’t have to be opposites.) Partner these with a tank top and sandals for a relaxed day at home. Or add a blouse and heeled sandals for a night out.
Surfs Up in Style with These Maternity Beach Wear Staples
One of the greatest joys of summer is pressing pause on your daily responsibilities with a seaside getaway. If you’ve got a beach trip this summer, add these four maternity beach wear staples to your bag.
Maternity Summer Clothes: Shorts Worth Shopping
If you’ve ever found yourself stumped on what to wear, a jumpsuit is a lifesaver.
It’s that one and done outfit that takes the stress of matching separates out of the equation. It takes no time to put on but you always look put-together and purposeful.
If you’re heading to the beach this year, consider adding a maternity jumpsuit to your wardrobe. These are a popular pregnancy style for their simplicity and stylishness.
Try out this short-sleeve woven option from Hatch. You can style it down for oceanside picknick with simple sandals, your beach tote, and sunglasses.
Or elevate it with minimalist accessories like a gold lariat necklace or a tennis bracelet. Add block heels and a clutch and you’re all set for trip into town.
Maternity Summer Clothes for the Beach: Cover-ups
Everyone needs a good beach cover-up in their summer rotation. They’re those easy-to-throw-on wardrobe items that can go over a bathing suit and hold up to salt and sand.
We especially recommend these as maternity summer clothes because they’re roomy and helpful for blocking out too much sun exposure.
You’re more sensitive to sunlight when pregnant. So in addition to covering up, stay hydrated, bring sunscreen, and take regular breaks from direct sunlight.
If you’re searching for a cover-up this season, grab this cotton-blend dress style from Robin Piccone.
The tassel and textured fabric add subtle flare while the empire silhouette is perfect for showing off your bump. Grab your hat and a good book and you’re ready to go.
Beach-Ready Maternity Summer Clothes: Bump-Friendly Swimsuits
What would a maternity beach wear round-up be without a swimsuit?
Whether you’re expecting or not, so many people struggle to find a bathing suit they love.
Part of that is because like all clothing, designers make swimwear based on one model and pattern. But since there’s little material to a swimsuit, when something isn’t made for your body, the fit issues become more obvious.
However, the other part of the problem is that swimsuits are one of the most fad-dictated parts of summer fashion.
Brands like to capitalize on what’s “hot” that season so buyers have to keep rebuying a new suit each year.
That’s why our biggest style tip for swimwear is to go timeless. It’s tempting to go for the trendiest prints and silhouettes. But you’re more likely to love how you look in something classic.
This black one piece from Cache Coeur is a perfect example. The shape and black color are always going to look good any year, no matter your body shape.
What makes this swimsuit even better for maternity summer clothes? The sewn-in bra and wide straps for that extra support you need in later trimesters. As a bonus, the fabric is UPF 50+ so you know you’re protected from harmful UV rays.
Beach-Ready Maternity Summer Clothes: Bump-Friendly Swimsuits
A final beach trip staple for pregnancy is a sundress. It’s that flowy, fun piece in your summer rotation that you can wear just about anywhere and feel your best.
A sundress gives you all the comfort and ease of a regular dress, but with a little something extra. You can show off so much of your personality through clothing and this is the ideal spot to do it.
For a beach-approved sundress, try out this romantic tangerine look from Ingrid & Isabel. Add low heels for an upscale dinner out or sandals for a barbecue with friends.
This frock is designed to fit during and after pregnancy, so you don’t have to kiss it goodbye after delivery.For more guidance on maternity summer clothes (or what to wear after giving birth), apply for our women’s styling services and executive image consulting. We’ve worked with many Supermom clients of all ages and sizes to find a style that’s them (and easy!) for their next chapter.
Interested in more maternity styles and styling help? Apply for our virtual or in-person styling services for women. Our team of experts will revolutionize the way you approach style and take your wardrobe to the next level.
