I was that heavily pregnant lady during possibly the hottest heatwave I have encountered in this country. Anyone fancy going through labour in 32 degree heat? Nope, I didn’t either but ho hum. Aside from the sticky hot hospital wards this obviously meant that I was feeling pretty pregnant and uncomfortable for a large portion of our summer months. More importantly what was I going to wear to keep cool and comfy?

At this point I was working almost full time in an office and also spending my time off running around after an 18 month old so my wardrobe needed to be pretty versatile. It needed to take to take me from client meetings to photoshoots to toddler groups in the village hall. Basically pretty multifunctional.

I had hardly bought any maternity clothes with Molly, and I was also pregnant over the winter with her, so I didn’t have many options when it came to Alice. I actually developed quite a capsule approach as I was loathe to spend too much money but still wanted to look nice. I therefore thought I’d share a few items that are worth buying to create your ultimate summer wardrobe that should see you through the warmer months (if they arrive) and also for those first few weeks post birth.

First up think about what you will be doing over the next few months. If you are mostly at work then choose pieces that fit with your office style. If you have a wedding then a fancy dress is probably a must and if you are jetting of on a holiday then a swimsuit is essential. Hopefully though you can find pieces that will work for all occasions without having to go overboard with the purchases and also lost you for those first few weeks post birth when, lets be honest, most of us won’t be back in our normal clothes. For me it was all about key pieces and layering. Items that could be worn together should the weather take a turn and also last you in to the Autumn months if you due date is later in the year.

I pretty much lived in dresses over the summer months. They were loose and comfortable but I could add a pair of maternity tights if it was cooler. A jersey dress is a great option for so many occasions. I went for a short sleeved wrap version similar to this black New Look one and wore it for summer trips to the park or smartened up for work with ballet flats. I even wore it with some pretty necklaces and a clutch bag for a rare night out. This floral ASOS number is also lovely. I also found myself wearing a lot more fitted dresses and tops whilst pregnant as it made be less big if that makes sense. This lovely striped dress would be great and you could add a smart jacket for work if needed but would also work over a swimsuit on holiday. It also has the benefit of being a nursing dress should you choose to breastfeed.

As the above jersey numbers I also had a couple of sundresses that were so comfy. Considering I have very almost purchased this grey knot dress from the normal Topshop range for myself I couldn’t not include it. Perfect in this country or on hols and the buttons make it great if you choose to breastfeed. I also adore this checked cold shoulder dress or New Look floral sundress for a bit of bright.

I wore my maxi dress to death. They are just so versatile and if you opt for a jersey one they are super comfy and so easy to wear. I’d say a simple black jersey dress is a must and you may find you can get away with a normal jersey maxi if it has some stretch but this maternity option is great. I also feel a spot of summery colour is required and love this blue floral dress from H&M. I also think this breton striped maxi skirt from Jo Jo Maman Bebe is a great buy as you could add a white vest and navy blazer for a smart work look or just the vest and a pretty necklace for casual.

It is definitely worth getting get a nice pair of trousers. I know this is a summer post but being England we most likely won’t be donning shorts each day. I had a pair of chino type trousers that could be dressed up with a shirt for work or worn with vest tops and flip flops for a relaxed vibe. I also rather like the pink! I also love these black Seraphine trousers which look so comfy and versatile.

I also highly recommend a pair of maternity jeans. I hadn’t bought any with Molly and was so pleased with my purchase second time round. They made me feel more me as I wasn’t really a leggings kind of person. You want lighter weight jegging types for the summer months and I bought mine from M&S, they were a really good buy.

Get yourself a good stock of vest tops in some neutral colours. I actually just bought the normal H&M longline ones to start with and added a couple of maternity ones from M&S and ASOS towards the end. A couple of T-shirts should see you through as well and this coral one from Topshop is such a gorgeous colour.

Then a nice shirt is a perfect layer for warmer days, plus perfect for post birth. If you plan of wearing it open over a vest then you could probably get away with sizing up in a normal style however I have fallen a little bit in love with this blush shirt from Topshop and also this embroidered one from New Look. They would look lovely with jeans and the blush would look fabulous worn loose, or knotted, over a black maxi dress.

I also needed a couple of smarter tops for work and this Topshop ruched blouse is lovely as well as this spot print vest top. Don’t forget, although it might be warm out you may be sat in an air conditioned office so have a cardigan to pop on if needed.

If you have some big events coming up it is worth investing in one maternity dress that makes you feel tip top. There are so many gorgeous options out there are the moment. Personally I would probably go for more of a tea dress style that you can then wear afterwards either smarter to work or with your flip flops. This Topshop Ditsy Dress is super pretty. However if you do have to go all out then how about this beautiful Mamalicious blush number or this Topshop ruffle dress. Apologies, I have a thing for blush at the moment. If you are currently breastfeeding then I adore this floral number from H&M for it’s beautiful summery design. It’s sadly out of stock in a couple of sizes but worth checking in store.

Swimsuit wise I actually went for a tankini option and I’m loving the aztec print on this Topshop one. If you were going for a swimsuit then this H&M tropical print is ideal for beachy holidays or if bright isn’t your thing then this navy spot one is a classic.

If you are heading abroad I would definitely recommend a kimono. They are perfect for slipping on over swimwear but can be worn back in this country with jeans and a vest to dress them up. New Look has this great long line one and how cute is this ASOS pom pom dress for slipping on to the beach?

Finally a nice lightweight jacket or blazer is an excellent option for throwing on with jeans or over a dress for work to smarten up an outfit. I got away with wearing one of my existing jackets as I didn’t do it up but I reckon you probably all need to check out Charlotte’s jersey jacket if you haven’t already. Topshop also do a maternity version don’t you know.

I hope that has given you a bit of inspiration for how to dress for summer without breaking the bank buying lots of new clothes. A couple of key purchases, a bit of mixing and matching and you should be able to hop from office to beach. Almost!

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