8 Wardrobe Staples for Summer

Pregnancies

Combine summertime heat with pregnancy hormones

and a bunch of baby pounds and that's a recipe for one
hot mama. Going naked isn't an option, except at home
where you should feel free to strip down early and often.
Instead, dress wisely in clothes that'll help you look and
feel cool. Here are the eight items you'll reach for most as
the mercury rises (plus four you may think you need but
probably don't).

2 / 13 SHOP FOR:
A couple of lightweight, flowing maternity dresses in
natural fabrics and neutral colors. These will likely be
your warm-weather favorites, so look for styles you can
dress up (with a chunky necklace and not-so-high
wedges) or down (paired with a sun hat and sandals) and
wear once or twice a week. A simple dark-hued cotton
shift with cap sleeves works for both the office and your
neighborhood barbecue. To avoid the muumuu effect,
cinch the dress above your bump with a bright scarf or
skinny, shiny belt. Instant pretty.

3 / 13 CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:

Empire-waist maxi dresses. Non-maternity dresses that
aren't nipped at your natural waist might have enough
room to accommodate an expanding midsection. Keep in
mind that your bump will hike up the hemline several
inches, so it's best to save dresses that are knee-length
or shorter 'til next summer.

4 / 13 SKIP:
Form-fitting dresses in bold patterns. A bump-hugging
dress in a funky, floral print might seem fun in early June,
but a few weeks later, you'll probably be sick of both the
clingy fit and the look-at-me pattern.

5 / 13 SHOP FOR:
Lightweight, cropped maternity pants. Think cotton or
linen in a capri length that lets the breeze brush your
legs. Opt for styles with a narrow stretchy panel up top
the kind that rides under your belly rather than a panel
that hikes over your bump (they're binding and hot). A
touch of spandex (less than 10 percent) will help the
pants hold their shape, but anything more will render the
fabric stifling (and make you feel like a sausage).

6 / 13 CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:

Skirts and shorts with stretchy or drawstring waistbands.
Bottoms that used to rest closer to your waist might still
be wearable if they can sit comfortably under your bump.
Pair them with a tailored or fitted top to keep your outfit
from looking too tent-like.

7 / 13 SKIP:
Pricey maternity jeans. While these might be a must-have
for cold-weather moms-to-be, the last thing you'll want to
wear in August is bump-to-ankle denim.

8 / 13 SHOP FOR:
Larger-than-usual underwear. Your current underwear
could probably accommodate your growing assets over
all nine months. But you'll likely be bummed post-delivery
when you're left with a collection of stretched-out panties.
Rather than ruin your stuff, invest in a week's worth of
inexpensive cotton underwear a size bigger than you
usually wear. They'll only set you back about $30 and will
see plenty of use, so you won't feel bad about tossing
them when you're back to your pre-baby size.

9 / 13 CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:

Drawstring pajama and exercise bottoms. No need to get
special jammies when you're expecting. Loose-fitting
sleep shorts and pants (or maybe your hubby's boxers)
will probably still be comfy if you wear them below your
belly. Your current workout pants will likely last for as
many months as you feel like working out, too, as long as
you can loosen that drawstring when you need to.

10 / 13 SKIP:
A brand-new bra collection. The tender, burgeoning
breasts of your first trimester might tempt you to buy a
whole new batch of bras, but once the soreness fades
(usually within a month or two) you can probably make
do with your usual bras and a set of strap extenders. Your
boob size might fluctuate (more than once) over the
course of your pregnancy, so if you do go up a size, just
buy one or two bras. (Remember, you'll need nursing bras
in just a few months, so save your bucks for those.)

11 / 13 SHOP FOR:
Extra-long tank tops and T-shirts. Rather than wrestling
with (and stretching out) your non-maternity tops, buy
some inexpensive cotton tanks and tees in basic colors, a
size or two up. And before buying tops with rushed sides
stitching or added elastic, which can make some
maternity tops gather along the midsection try a few
styles on for size. Taller moms-to-be might find the
rushing makes shirts ride up too high, while women with
shorter torsos might feel all the folds make their
midsection look lumpy.

12 / 13CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:

Lightweight sweaters. Unless your office is an absolute
icebox, you probably won't want to come within ten feet
of a sweater this summer. At restaurants where the AC is
bumped up or for a breezy night by the sea, though, a
looser cardigan you already own worn over a maternity
top will be welcome to cut the chill.

13 / 13 SKIP:
Maternity outerwear. Maternity coats are typically
expensive and probably not necessary for a summer
pregnancy. On damp days, just make do with your regular
raincoat, worn unbuttoned, and buy a bright umbrella for
a cheery splash of color.