Two Summer Pregnancy Wardrobes
When I calculated the due date of my third baby, I realized that I’d be rocking a bump in peak summer. Trying to find cute outfits for an achy third-trimester body to wear in sizzling temps? The assignment felt impossible.
But now. Here I am, 32 weeks pregnant, announcing something on the internet that I never thought would be my truth: dressing a pregnant body in the summer has been fun. Instead of relying on overalls and turtlenecks, I can experiment with babydoll dresses and linen pants. It feels good to bare a little skin.
Curious to compare notes with a fellow mom-to-be, I turned to the always chic Erika Veurink. “Dressing while pregnant in the summer has been an exercise in prioritizing comfort,” she told me. “When something works, I’m keen on repeating it. Utilizing accessories, like a purse or sunglasses, makes me feel like myself, even if I’m wearing the same dress over and over again.”
Today, Erika and I share 11 pieces we’ve been wearing non-stop…
Drawstring skirt: “I got this J.Crew skirt when I wasn’t pregnant, but the stretchy waistband lets it double as maternity wear. I scoot the band underneath my belly, then fold the waistband over twice so the bottom of the skirt doesn’t drag on the floor. I pull it out on days when the wearing pants sounds like hell. You can snag a pre-loved skirt here, plus three similar styles: pleated, midi, and red.” — Jannelle
Men’s tennis shorts: “These shorts from the tennis brand Spence are so great, I have to hide them from my husband to avoid him stealing. Unlike other athletic shorts, they have a zipper and drawstrings, which have felt good on my growing belly.” — Erika
Babydoll dresses: “These days, my body is running hot. Babydoll dresses are a lifesaver since the majority of the material only touches my bust. The rest skims over my waist, belly and thighs. This pink dress was my mom’s, and I bought the denim Gap one (sized up) when I was pregnant with my son, Emiliano. Here are a few others I have my eye on: striped, floral, and gauze.” — Jannelle
Caftans: “I wanted to invest in pieces that could move through pregnancy and postpartum, just like this caftan. This dress is a blank canvas, but I feel pulled together even if it’s the only thing I slip on.” — Erika [Ed. note: Three more lovely ones: blue, peach, pink.]
Linen pants: “I’m obsessed with these Buck Mason pants because they’re crazy comfy and the material gets softer with every wear. I sized up so they would fit around my hips, which always widen during my pregnancies. To avoid an awkward bunch of fabric in the crotch area, I just roll the waistband over twice. The pant leg runs long on me (I’m 5’3″), but I plan on hemming them once I’m postpartum and have a better idea of where the pants land when I wear them high-waisted.” — Jannelle
White cotton pants: “Mine are vintage, but pretty much every brand is making a version for the summer. I like that these can feel fancy, if paired a nice top. And I tend to favor these with a bare ankle, making them summertime stars.” — Erika
FIVE MORE ALL-STARS:
Jelly sandals: “Sparkly jellies are the best thing I got all summer. They make every outfit 100% more playful. Over my three pregnancies, I’ve realized that wearing fun shoes makes my maternity outfits feel more like me.” — Jannelle
Compression socks: “I’ve been flying for work during my pregnancy, and my midwife was insistent on compression socks from the jump. I went for these because I can dry them in the dryer, and if I’m wearing a casual outfit, I’ll just scrunch them down once I land.” — Erika
Linen shorts: “For the past three years, these shorts have been my unicorn, because the fit is loose, they pair well with everything, and they feel good whether I’m pregnant or not. These also look really comfy.” — Jannelle
Body lotion: “There’s no limit to the amount of moisture my pregnant body can absorb. I want pretty much zero dry time before slipping into a nightgown, and this big $14 tub checks that box.” — Erika
Maternity pajamas: “I stand by my long-time recommendation. They feel so chic and good to slip into after a long day. The material is on the thicker side, but it feels nice on my bowling-ball-sized belly. Bonus: easy boob access for breastfeeding.” — Jannelle
What maternity pieces do (or did) you find yourself reaching for? Any recommendations? If you’re pregnant these days, how are you feeling?
P.S. Going from one to two kids, Erika’s (non-maternity) week of outfits, and a compelling essay: “I thought I’d accepted my body. Then I got pregnant.”
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Comments
70 commentsMy sister is pregnant for the first time (through IVF :) ), and I would love to see some gift recommendations. Most of the posts I’ve seen on here are for new moms; any sweet ideas on something I can gift my sister?
A massage, freshly cooked food, a weekend getaway with you when the baby is big enough, some pilates class. Anything that means ME TIME for her will do! Enjoy being an auntie and congrats to your sister!
Congratulations to your sister! How wonderful after such a long journey. When I’m pregnant all I want is for someone to cut up a bunch of fruit for me since you’re not supposed to buy precut fruit while pregnant. It’s the best snack! I also second a massage–a prenatal massage is wonderful, especially as she starts to get aches and pains. A nice quality big comfy robe is nice too! It’s great for postpartum and getting ready out of the shower while pregnant too! I’m not sure how far along she is, but when she has her baby shower–I framed by sister’s invitation and wrote a letter to my nephew about how excited we were to meet him. It’s something for them both to look back on!
Alone in my body again, after 4 years of pregnancy and nursing but still wear the (adult! ) Magnetic me pj’s all the time. So soft and when I was nursing in the middle of the night those magnetic snaps on the shirt were lifeavers. Mine are similar to this: https://magneticme.com/products/women-cwt-ls-pj-set-seaport-blue
I’m pregnant with my second and using nuuly this time! When I was pregnant with my son I hated getting dressed because I had so few clothes that fit and I was sick of wearing the same dresses on repeat. This time it’s so much more fun getting dressed!
I am currently 29 weeks pregnant and have a few suggestions for my girlies working physical labor jobs: – eBay maternity overalls or size up in your favorite overalls if they don’t stretch already. – Duluth’s generous sizing can get you through a lot. I’m still wearing my XS overalls and short jumpsuit from pre pregnancy. – Secondhand linen button downs. I’ve been wearing these for sun protection and to protect my arms without overheating. Also planning to use them during pumping/breastfeeding. – Maternity support belt for post-work chill time. It’s too damn hot to wear at work (esp if, like me, you work outside) but feels SOO good to put on after. – Keen Utility work boots are wide enough to accommodate my changing feet. I was lucky I had them beforehand but would recommend them if you have to replace narrow work boots. And just a big ol’ hug and GOOD LUCK to you as you learn to do your job ergonomically again with that big belly and as you navigate the exhausting days of work. Summer can already be so hard in the trades, and every day there’s a new challenge, but you’ve got this. <3
Jannelle, you are radiant!
Aww, thank you so much! xx
Just want to say congratulations, Jannelle, on your third baby! For us, the first and second children were the most difficult because we had to adjust to life with children. But the third child was smooth sailing! Cheers to you and hoping that life with three will be smooth sailing as well. 💚
Oh my gosh this makes me feel SO good to hear. Thank you so much, xoxo
Currently 21 weeks with my third. I would much rather be pregnant in the summer than postpartum in the summer!! I live in the Foxy Kind’s All Weekend Long sets. They pretty much work for summer, fall, and spring and they’re great for postpartum and breastfeeding and chasing around my toddler boys!
Oooh those look so comfy! adding a set to my cart now! Congrats on your pregnancy and excited to hear from another mom who’s joining the three-kid club x
I just gave birth to my second baby a week ago :) I live in TX so the third trimester this time around was HOT, especially compared to my first who was born in February. I found the Christy Dawn “Dawn” dress and the Anthropologie “Somerset” dress to be good investment options because they accommodated my bump even through the end of the third trimester, and both have snaps at the neckline that will be good for breastfeeding access postpartum.
I’d love to hear more about your (Janelle’s) decision to have a 3rd! Was this planned?? We have two and I think we’re done but always feel curious about a 3rd :).
Hello, Erika! I always love your vintage forward style! What sandals do you have in the photo with the white pants and sporty shirt?
I had a baby last November and lived in my Free People Movement Hot Shot onesies during pregnancy and postpartum! So comfortable and cute too.
I will forever stand by Beyond Nine pieces for maternity and PP pieces! On the pricier side, bur Donni makes really beautiful bump friendly pieces. It’s easy to resort to cheap, fast fashion pieces for maternity wear, but for my second pregnancy I wanted to be more selective about high quality pieces from woman-owned companies. I’ve been living in Donni’s pointelle simple pant postpartum.
Ooooh you’re sellign me on the Donni pants! I might have to check them out x
36 weeks here and delivering at 37 (!!!) for my second late-August baby. I’ve also loved being pregnant in summer for the ease of dressing and footwear, even in NC heat. I’ve had the good fortune of great consignment shops that carry super cheap maternity pieces, and a “Sisterhood of the Traveling Maternity Clothes” that’s made its way through my group of friends and six pregnancies. If you’re breastfeeding and buying new items, I would actually focus more on nursing-friendly clothes since you may be wearing those much longer than maternity. Best wishes to Jannelle, Erika, and all those with littles arriving soon! <3
100% yes to draw strings! These outfits are all so great. When I told my sister the due date for my pregnancy a few years ago, all she said was: “You’re going to have a hot pregnancy Summer.” And it was. Maternity clothing was so difficult to find, particularly CUTE maternity clothing. I was able to wear a lot of my regular clothing with stretchy waistbands and drawstrings almost to the third trimester. I also went the athleisure route and bought some stretchy stuff at Lululemon. The rest of my clothes were tshirts swiped from my husband, a few gifted maternity dresses, and one pair of stretchy maternity skinny jeans that was a third trimester MVP. As someone who has always hidden her midsection under loose clothes, during pregnancy I just did not care. It was fabulous and freeing.
I loved the Quince ribbed sleeveless dress for Spring/Summer while pregnant!
I delivered at the end of May, but it had already been hot and humid for 2 months so I got roomy breezy shorts and bigger tops and tanks at goodwill. Nothing was explicitly maternity wear but they fit fine for the last few months of pregnancy, and I’m still wearing them now. Just a perspective for others who may not want to invest a lot of time or energy in a pregnancy wardrobe, especially as It was my second and last pregnancy
I had a summer baby and loved being pregnant in the summer — I imagined it was so much easier for me to throw on a cute cotton dress or maternity shorts and tee than in the winter worrying about layers and coats. The part I found really hard was dressing my postpartum body in the middle of the summer heat. It felt impossible to look and feel cute while trying to stay cool. That’s when I wished I could hide under cozy sweaters in January. Once Janelle and Erika get settled after their new babes’ arrivals, I’d love to hear more from them on dressing cute and comfortably postpartum!
I’m currently in my third summer pregnancy and maybe it’s because I live in the 6th circle of hell, but there is no way I would be caught wearing pants during a summer pregnancy – even beautiful linen pants, which I love. So consider yourselves blessed. Hahah Anyway, I bought a pack of crop tank tops this summer. (sorry it’s from Amazon) I’ll slap those on with some biker shorts and go. I’m finally comfortable showing off a little preggo mid-drift. If I want to dress it up, I’ll throw on a sleeveless jean top. Also, love a sleeveless maxi dress. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLKJ1TC6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Haha I feel it! Our town is an hour away from the coast and some days and most evenings we get the ocean fog and breeze, hence the pants :) but when it’s above 80 degrees I can’t wear them. The tanks are so cute!!
Erika, can you share more about that cute tie-front vest? I love that look.
Yes! it’s a scandi brand I fell in love with a few years ago called munthe linking it here https://www.en.munthe.com/products/omba-top-black
Still working on pants that fit- have a drawstring option coming today inspired by this post! But I can share this tank top that’s only $5.50-$10 right now depending on size/color combo. I wore the black one this morning and have already ordered 2 more colors :) https://www.amazon.com/FMEYOA-Maternity-Fitting-Shirts-Pregnancy/dp/B0CRSYBBS9?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
19-weeks pregnant here, second time around. The first time around, I was due earlier in the fall, so I wore a lot of comfortable dresses caftan style that were not pregnancy dresses but bump-friendly. Compression socks and tights are a life-savior and I’ve been wearing them despite the heat. I have this love hate relationship with them, but they really made a huge difference the first time around, decided to stick to them, again. I’ve recently discovered the Apero The Label, Australian brand, that makes breastfeeding-friendly tees that look actually pretty cool. Otherwise, if you type ‘pregnancy clothing name of X brand’, depending on the brand, you will find normal clothes but oversize and/or bump-friendly. My pro tip: invest in quality bras during pregnancy and for post-partum, no matter if you breastfeed or not. If you want to treat yourself, go for a nice accessory, an oversize jacket, something that you know you will enjoy throughout your pregnancy and beyond. A nice swimsuit is also super nice to invest in, the French brand cache-coeur has pricey but flattering and high-quality pieces, my black one piece will have be worn during 4 pregnancies (friends and me). Do not buy new shoes, rather invest in a comfortable, yet trendy pair of sneakers. Feet change during pregnancy. All the best to the pregnant ladies around here and the new moms! beyond yoga pregnancy line feels like butter, it’s amazing.
This was really helpful! Thank you!
Love this list! I have been eyeing off the storq 3 piece maternity set since you last mentioned it Janelle…until it came time to buy and I realised how expensive it is – converting to Australian dollars and adding shipping it is wild! Has anyone found something similar that is more globally accessible or less expensive?=
Oh man! Yeah I can see how the conversion and shipping turns the pjs into a bigger splurge. I also really love the maternity pajamas from A Pea In A Pod. I think the company isn’t producing anything right now, but I do see a lot of their sets on secondhand sites like Poshmark. I have these pajamas and they are also so soft and comfy! https://bit.ly/4mkitoT
For anyone based in the UK – Vinted is your friend for maternity clothes! For me it didn’t make sense to spend lots of money on clothes that I’m only going to wear for a short period of time. Also for UK high street brands, I would recommend NEXT’s maternity clothes. They’re good quality basics. I lived in the jeans and the cycling shorts.
My bestie bought me a pair of Skims PJs as a shower present and they worked during pregnancy and especially postpartum with buttons down the front. I love that I can wear them with my non pregnant body too and have a sweet reminder of a special time in my life and a thoughtful friend.
I have been rocking some sweet Uniqlo joggers during this IVF cycle.
I love all this inspiration! I am 29 weeks currently, and dressing on the weekends is fun; I bought the Hatch one size jersey dress during my last pregnancy 7 years ago and I am getting a lot of rewear out of it (example on poshmark herein black, mine is white and blue stripes: https://poshmark.com/listing/Hatch-the-Drape-jersey-oversized-dressone-size-66c411af9d05c4dc5279a247?utm_source=gdm&utm_campaign=21892352790&campaign_id=21892352790&ad_partner=google&gskid=pla-2268854766137&gcid=720881366113&ggid=175932231328&gdid=m&g_network=g&enable_guest_buy_flow=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21892352790&gbraid=0AAAAADwcDC8red8kIEdKXfzxbVlkfdQiq&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnovFBhDnARIsAO4V7mBFnAVeS9TYtD4jGCVeE6f-k7hP3ZIwceUC1QdHX_rfANWmeHs_q0IaAiamEALw_wcB). However, I work in a lab, and summer has been the pits because I have to wear pants. I have basically given up on finding comfortable full length pants. My best pair is some Isabella Oliver ones I bought on sale last pregnancy, but I just can’t bring myself to spring for another pair. Now I’m counting down the days until maternity leave so I can escape the tyranny of pants for a couple of weeks.
Erika, love your red shorts. Any recs for similar ones that aren’t so pricey?
I got some Patagonia baggies (the long inseam) secondhand and I think they would fit the bill!
Any thrift store mens section will have tons of similar options!
I am 31 weeks and living in the Everlane Weekend Tank dress (sized up one size). As Erika noted, it’s easy to switch up the vibe with sneakers, sandals, and accessories!
Guys! The Everlane Weekend Tank dress is on final sale – from $31 – $41! Lots of sizes still. Run!
For non-pregnant folks, does the dress run true-to-size?
I think it’s true-to-size!
I’m 9 months postpartum and starting to make some phone notes as I put clothes away, in case we’re lucky enough to have a second! Some of my MVPs: – CRZ Yoga maternity bike shorts in summer and leggings in fall – EVA Birks as hospital shoes. You don’t have to pack separate shower shoes, and everything just washes off those puppies! – Abercrombie maternity t shirts for looking like myself in third tri. Ditto their maternity jeans. – Gap for maternity tank tops, undies, and PJs! – Until like 33 weeks for me, non-maternity shift dresses were my jam! I had a square neck denim one from J Crew and a short sleeve sweatshirt one from Nordstrom. Those were my “would wear every day if I could” clothes, especially for work. – I have one Hatch dress and it’s the only thing that the college undergrads I teach complimented me on! It was my go-to for going out to dinner and feeling put together while also being comfy. Worth the investment for me. – And finally, I recommend getting a robe for whatever the weather will be in your fourth trimester, and wait to bust out that robe til you get home from the hospital, and then you have this cozy treat waiting for you!
From a fellow peak-summer pregnant lady (38 weeks currently), Jannelle and Erika both look amazing and are clearly having fun dressing a changing body! I started renting clothes with Nuuly when my bump got big, and I recommend it. They have a huge selection of maternity clothes, helpful reviews to figure out sizing, and it feels good to have variety in what I wear without having to buy things I’ll wear for such a short time. Also, maybe this is controversial, but I think it’s been great to be in the third trimester in the summertime! Loose cotton dresses when the mere suggestion of tight fabric makes me want to scream? Yes please. Also, I literally can’t remember the last day that I didn’t wear Birkenstocks! I can’t fathom having to deal with winter boots with the feet and belly I have right now.
26 weeks! I have a 10 year old and 7 year old. This is my miracle baby post-cancer and I couldn’t be happier to welcome the little one into the world soon. Thanks for the style inspiration!
Kelly!!!! I am so thrilled for you.
So happy for you! I bet the older siblings are too… a baby <3. All the best to your family!
My summer pregnancy MVPs were Kizik step-in sneakers. The Milan style is cute enough to wear with shorts or dresses. Also seconded on the caftans! Great for summer pregnancy and beyond!
Kiziks! Yes! Also amazing for baby carrying and early childhood.
omg I loved being pregnant in summer! sandals for my sweaty swollen feet, loose dresses for when I would die with so much as a single bit of waistband pressure on my midsection, no need trying to find a coat to zip over a bump, the best!
You are both visions and I’m so delighted for you, both that you’re expecting and that you’re feeling yourselves! Erika, props for writing about lotion without using the dreaded S-word.
ahahahahah
I wore lots of loose dresses for my September and July babies! I did discover that they didn’t work for me postpartum though. I was breastfeeding and none of my dresses worked for that, unfortunately because I was such a dress girl! I had to switch to separates, which was tough as someone who never wore pants.
I learned this the hard way when I wore a really cute dress to a wedding rehearsal dinner and had to find a completely private room to breastfeed my son in. I was walked in on by the caterers multiple times with everything exposed!!!!
Same here. Could only wear dresses if they were stretchy tank tops on the upper half!
Wow the memories of pumping at work and having to fully take off a dress and hang in my undies just smacked me in the face! Thank goodness for an office with a decent pumping room.
32 weeks already? Wishing you all the best and looking forward to learning the name when you feel ready to share! Both of you are gorgeous! I didn’t love being pregnant in the summer heat, it made me dizzy, but I was grateful for every time I could put on flip-flops instead of having to try and bend past my belly to get into my shoes
You’re both absolutely adorable! I just wanna say – hang on to those caftans! They’re heavenly when/if your perimenopause symptoms make your entire mid-section super-tender!
Just want to second this “hold on to the good stuff” comment: I’m 19 weeks post total hysterectomy, never had kids, and I have been rocking CRZ maternity leggings and flowy dresses (Athleta Presidio Traveler dress mostly) during my recovery.
Erika, what brand are your vintage ones? Thanks!
they’re unbranded :( BUT I wrote a Substack about finding similar ones here https://longlive.substack.com/p/7-great-pants-that-arent-jeans
26 weeks pregnant with twins(!) over here and the bump be bumpin, so I am STRUGGLING to find pants that fit. Pants make a lot more sense to me than dresses for all the frequent ultrasounds. But I might just give up. It’s only going to be in the 70’s here this coming week, so maybe leggings and long sweaters weather is coming soon!
I got to a point in pregnancy (not twins; two singleton pregnancies) where I couldn’t wear maternity pants anymore because I kept getting kicked, hard, at waistband level. Apparently the babies didn’t like my pants, LOL. Maybe a stretchy or drawstring skirt that you can scoot down over your bump during ultrasounds is the way to go?
I bought a really great jumpsuit from Beyond Nine. It was a bit of a splurge but a real MVP piece for my pregnancy (21w and my pants stopped fitting 6 weeks ago). No uncomfortable waist bands and not too complicated to take off in a rush to go to the bathroom. https://beyondnine.co.uk/collections/jumpsuits/products/ottie-black-denim-jumpsuit
First time one of these posts has been applicable to me! :) Currently 20 weeks and I have been living in bike shorts and oversized men’s shirts all summer, either t shirts or, when I want to be a little more put together, a button down. My bump is still relatively small, but what’s really making getting dressed a challenge are my boobs! They were big relative to my size pre-pregnancy and now they are absolutely MASSIVE, to the point where they dwarf my bump! I feel like so many of the cute maternity clothes I’ve seen are built for smaller chested women — they’re either lower cut (revealing a lot of cleavage that I am not up for sharing with the world), or I’d have to size up to the point that I’m swimming in fabric. If anyone has recs for big-boob friendly maternity clothes, I am all ears (well, actually right now I’m all boobs).
The Gap Big Shirt has been a lifesaver for me in pregnancy and postpartum as your fellow big-boobed pregnant lady. So easy to nurse in too. I roll up the sleeves. Oversized shirt dresses are great too, like this one from Everlane: https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-oxford-short-sleeve-shirt-dress-black?locale=US&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=pla-google&utm_campaign=21891613863&utm_content=734591256716&utm_term=pla-2384653934779&adgroup=179073309761&pid=14729-118018&device=c&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21891613863&gbraid=0AAAAADCXUrtLq6jk6cx6ABOx6BR9vXXZ4&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnovFBhDnARIsAO4V7mDAAhX8n-zGSC-Ghe3SXxqIipObvnM8sYhQWRuihV9EifD3UYJlNngaAr76EALw_wcB
nodding along!!!! I love the Gap Big Shirt per Mara’s rec. I also sized up in a plain white tee, a pointelle one from Donni that’s meant to be oversized and it’s been a game changer
I’m in the same boat. I’m 29 weeks pregnant and I’m an H cup. Bodycon dresses and baby doll dresses in stretchy fabrics have been a lifesaver!! The other thing, a tank top with a layered and left unbuttoned dress shirt, or denim type shirt. Good luck!!
I have some things from Storq that I love and would fit the bill! I also love their baby gear.