7 Must Have Maternity Clothing Pieces for Summer

A generation ago, maternity clothes were akin to large potato sacks. They had no form and offered little in the way of feminine beauty. Modern maternity clothing, on the contrary, embraces the beauty of pregnancy with form-fitting pieces meant to draw attention to an ever-growing baby bump. Most pieces follow the same fashion trends of the current season, but with extra room in the midsection.

Pregnancy no longer means ditching the world of fashion. Stay up to date on the latest trends, and shop maternity stores for these 7 pieces that are essential for getting through a summer pregnancy.

Maternity Bathing Suit

The maternity swimsuit is both flattering and functional. Swimming is a fantastic, low-impact exercise for pregnancy and having cute maternity swimwear may make a woman all the more apt to participate. There are two piece and one piece options, both offering plenty of coverage while still showing off that beautiful bump.

Brightly Colored T-Shirts

Brightly colored, form-fitting t-shirts are a popular summertime must for pregnant women. Seek cotton or cotton blend fabrics in trendy color schemes and patterns that will brighten your mood on a hot summer day.

Wrap Dress

A wrap dress is a great option for the summer pregnancy wardrobe. Wrap dresses are perfect for pregnancy because they are generally made from stretchy material and they grow with mom, from the first trimester to postpartum.

Maternity Tank

Maternity tank tops are an absolute must. They are stretchy, versatile, and look fabulous as a base layer or alone. Like the wrap dress, most will stretch to allow months of wear while still looking good. Pair one with a denim skirt for a cute summer look.

Want to get the most wear out of your maternity wardrobe? When seeking out maternity tanks, look for those that are also made for nursing. After all, tank tops are always comfortable and never out of style.

Maxi Dress

The maxi dress looks fabulous on pregnant women. The free flowing skirt allows plenty of room for a growing belly. These dresses go from casual to dressy in a heartbeat with the right accessories and are flattering on just about everyone. Savvy shoppers may find maxi dresses that look good and fit well in both the maternity and regular section of their favorite store.

Capris

Capri pants are a great choice for both summer and pregnancy. They look nice and keep the wearer cool, but still lean a bit on the conservative side. Maternity capris are made with an extra panel of stretchy fabric in the waist to offer plenty of room. Paired with the right accessories, capris can even be work-friendly.

Cropped Leggings

Cropped leggings are great under short skirts and dresses. They add a bit of funky flair, tone down a mini and are very stylish. Adding a few pairs of cropped leggings to one’s maternity wardrobe is a great way to stay in style while toting a baby bump.

Nicole S. Wilson is passionate about supporting the needs of pregnant women. She is the owner of Mermaid Maternity®, a maternity swimwear brand designed to help pregnant women feel comfortable and confident in their maternity bathing suits. Her functional and flattering maternity swimsuit line can be found at MermaidMaternity.net.