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I was heavily pregnant in the summer four times and, admittedly, felt anything but inspired by fashion trends. With my firstborn, my lack of inspiration to style my new silhouette, coupled with a naivety that I could get through the whole 40(ish) weeks on Nike shorts and stretchy tanks alone, left me in a pickle by the third trimester; I had nothing to wear, and I no longer felt like myself—on the inside and the outside. By the time I was expecting my fourth, I had wised up and knew that pregnancy is a long journey that requires adequate clothing, especially in the height of the heat. 

Thankfully, modern summer maternity fashion embraces second-skin fabrics and showing skin—especially the bump. From cropped tops to sheer fabrics to bodysuits, it’s all about wearing what you like—what makes you “you”—during pregnancy and beyond. And if “you” means a tank top and a pair of athletic shorts, I am your kinda woman. But should you decide to sprinkle in a few of the season’s trends and maternity staples, these more accessible picks may pique your interest while helping you look cool while you keep cool. 

Embrace the bump and put it on full display in this double-lined knit halter midi dress from PinkBlush. The multi-color striped pattern accentuates your curves and features a tasseled self-tie halter neckline that adjusts with your changing shape. This form-fitting number is perfect for date night, a babymoon, or anyone who thinks every day is worthy of dressing up.

What’s breezier than pair of 100% cotton shorts with an elastic waistband? These barely there pull-ons by Madewell are great to wear out and about or over a swimsuit, whether pre-baby, pregnancy, or postpartum. The mixed stripe is classic and chic; pair it with the matching button-up shirt for a minimalistic set ideal for everyday wear.

The Old Navy square-neck bodysuit is a great base layer for your prenatal closet. Wear it under a blazer, with a cardigan, or as is with under-the-belly jeans and shorts. Available in four great colors, this top features shirred sides that add texture and create a comfortable, flexible fit for burgeoning bumps. They’re so versatile (and affordable!) you’ll want one in every color.

A drapey denim jacket goes with everything and can be worn throughout the years. The Mama Patched Denim Jacket by Three Wildflower Designs can be customized to your liking with various wash colors (including white denim) and a bevy of fun patches to match your personality, whether you’re a Disney fanatic, a lover of rainbows and unicorns, or prefer a variety of patches. These jackets especially make great gifts for a themed baby shower or for a soon-to-be parent who appreciates a mama-and-mini look (this shop offers the cutest jackets for kiddos, too!).

The sling bag style is still going strong for the summer season and is available in the new Monaco Sling Bag from Luli Bebé. It has six storage compartments, including two zippered pockets, two interior elastic pouches, an exterior phone sleeve, and a detachable round coin purse. The stain-resistant exterior is made with quality quilted vegan leather that will withhold the wear and tear of everyday parenting, and an adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit before and after baby. Available in four neutral colors, this sling bag will be what you reach for repeatedly.

While we all love our pregnancy leggings (long after pregnancy), it’s nice to change it up every now and then. These stretchy, high-rise floral pants from New Look Maternity have a stretch-back waistband for comfort, side pockets for convenience, and split cuffs to keep things light and airy. Designed to fit before, during, and after delivery, these pretty printed trousers will continue to make a statement for many summers.

Sometimes all you need is the perfect something to throw over any outfit to feel more polished and confident. Anthropologie’s Sheer Ombré Duster is a worthy investment piece because it’s versatile, super lightweight, and adds a lot to an outfit without requiring much styling. Wear it with a dress (or as a dress!), jeans and a white tank, a swimsuit, or anything else you have lying around. It’s a great way to partake in the sheer-clothing trend while keeping it office-friendly. Choose between a beautiful yellow, purple, orange-and-blue combo, or pink, pictured here.

Another summer staple that’s bound to get ample wear is a quality pair of denim shorts designed with your growing bump in mind. BLANQI’s new Denim Maternity Belly Support Jean Shorts do as the name suggests: support your belly by alleviating heaviness and pressure from your pelvic floor while prioritizing fit and comfort as you grow and expand through pregnancy. The soft, breathable support fabric is made from premium yarn that draws sweat away from the skin, and the elastic waistband won’t dig into your sides, even if worn for long periods of time. These everyday shorts are so comfy you’ll be sad to part with them after baby arrives.

Yes, cropped tees are absolutely made for pregnant people, too—because loving your bump can mean showing it off in everyday clothing. Bearing your midriff while expecting (intentionally, anyway) is easy with the countless cropped tops infiltrating street style, like this striped tee from adidas. We love the subtle flower pattern that keeps it feminine and sporty. Pair with under-the-belly slouchy denim for a cool, laid-back look that puts your bump front and center.

We are totally on board the exercise-dress train and support wearing one as often as possible, whether or not you ever set foot in a gym. This ribbed dress from Ingrid+Isabel is made with supportive performance fabric that’s textured on the outside and smooth on the inside. While it features built-in biker shorts for easy mobility, the brand specifically did not include a built-in bra, so you can wear whichever you prefer—or not.

Every curated closet has a few classic pieces that always stay in style. For all seasons of life, this oversized linen blend button-up from Zara can be worn with various outfits to make dressing a breeze. This style includes a V-neck lapel collar, cuffed sleeves that can be easily rolled, and a signature blue-and-white striped pattern that’s perfect for summer. This item already runs large, but parents-to-be can size up if wanting to wear buttoned-up later in pregnancy.

This coordinated 2-piece OYOANGLE Knit Set has all the great makings for the perfect summer outfit: soft, stretchy fabric, ribbed texture, crew neckline, elastic waistband, and a calming, muted shade of green. We love how effortless this matching ensemble looks and think it’s a winning wear-anywhere-at-anytime combo that keeps you feeling cool. Find it in green, navy, brown, and black.

Like all-things-’90s (and ’80s, for that matter), the denim skirt has once again landed in our shopping carts (think Britney Spears’s “Baby One More Time” album cover). And while you may (understandably) assume that this article of clothing is not pregnancy-friendly, the brand Bae designed an adorable over-the-bump denim skirt that’s fit for plenty of occasions. Made with stretch denim and side shirring, the fit is flattering and comfortable, with lots of room for your changing body. It lands just above the knee and features a clean, straight-hem detail that can be dressed up or down.

Of course, pregnancy and cozy shoes go hand-in-hand. Cloud Slides have almost five thousand five-star reviews raving about the feel and function of these slip-on shoes. The soft, thick, therapeutic cushion compresses and relieves foot and joint discomfort and boasts no-pain wear for over 12 hours. Additionally, they’re anti-slip, waterproof, and lightweight. Ask any pregnant person what’s important throughout the prenatal journey, and they’ll confirm that comfortable shoes (preferably ones you don’t have to bend down to put on or tie) matter, making Cloud Slides a perfect pair.