We can all feel pretty gross in the midst of a stifling summer heat wave, but it certainly feels a hundred times more hot and uncomfortable when you’re pregnant. But does that mean we have to compromise on feeling good in what we wear and nailing our summer styling…… No!! In this blog, we breakdown ways to stay cool as the temperatures rises, without compromising on style and (most importantly) feeling good in what you wear. When it comes to Summer maternity styling, think fluid silhouettes, breathable fabrics, bright colours and prints, just to name a few…
No matter what stage of pregnancy you’re at, when it comes to Summer maternity styling and what-to-wear during a heatwave, there are some survival tactics I’d like to share:
Firstly, fabrics!!
When its hot and humid nothing beats breathable fabrics, and for the best of these we head straight to nature with Linen and cotton.
Linen: Linen is light weight, durable and highly breathable, it’s the quintessential summer fabric. It’s also highly absorbent and actually helps remove perspiration from your skin, keeping not only your clothes cool but your body too. Just to get a bit scienc-y …. It can actually absorb up to 1/5 of its weight before feeling damp or wet, All round winner I say.
Cotton:top-notch for comfort, cotton is a no brainier. It’s like a ventilator for your body with its impeccable air circulating qualities. Look out for fabric compositions where cotton and linen are used in mixes too.
Opt for Maxi and Midi dresses this summer
There’s 3 reasons why I’d recommend midi or maxi lengths when It comes to dresses in the heat.
1. if you cover up there’s less chance of getting sun burnt. Which is never fun, but wow can you imagine how horrid it would feel if you added that in the mix to your current other pregnancy symptoms.
2. Nod to above fabrics and to circulating air. It can feel so much better + keep your body temperature down compared to having the sun beating down on bare skin.
3. You don’t have to worry about the state of your legs if you’re a shaver (especially when you get to that point in pregnancy where you can’t even reach your lower leg even if you wanted to).
Related content: How to stay safe in the heat when pregnant
Not just to brighten your day – choose prints and brights
Colours can not only lift our mood but they also reflect the sun and even protect you from it. Recent studies have shown that darker colours absorb more UV rays than lighter colours meaning the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. Great to know we can protect our skin from the UV rays but if the darker clothes are campions at absorbing the suns rays then they aren’t necessarily keeping our bodies cool, we need light and bright for the reflective quality. So I think the perfect (best of both worlds) solution is to head for vivid colours when you can, offering you UV protection and reflection.
| FTC Top tip: Don’t forget to stay hydrated. It’s especially important to stay hydrated during pregnancy, and this is especially true when warmer weather strikes! Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your body cool and functioning properly. |
Choosing the right shapes/cuts for your stage of pregnancy
When going away from maternity brands for your maternity wear, it can be hard to know what shape will be most flattering (or even work) for different stages of your pregnancy.
Here’s a little selection of some of our summer winners, perfect for each trimester:
1st trimester: Tea, button down, shirt, ruched/fitted
| Top tip: Accessorise wisely! Add some extra flair and personality to your summer maternity looks with accessories. A fun hat is an essential to keep the sun away from your face, or even carry a silk scarf with you so you can drape it over your shoulders, to keep your skin shaded from the sun. A pair of fun, chic sunglasses can also help to elevate your look! |
2nd Trimester: Drop waist, wrap, babydoll, nap
3rd Trimester: Swing, Trapeze, tiered, empire line, smocked
And, that’s a wrap! So there you have it, our top tips for staying cool and stylish this summer during your pregnancy. We really hope you find these Summer maternity styling tips helpful, so you can stay cool and comfortable all summer long. Remember, the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel your very best – don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and fabrics until you find what works for you! And, most importantly, have fun with it!
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