Dressing the bump can be tricky at the best of times, but being pregnant in summer is on a whole new level, right?! Especially if you’re in the third trimester… Staying cool and being comfortable is obviously the number one priority, but what if you need to look smart too? The changeable British weather just makes matters even more confusing. We’ve rounded up the best summer maternity clothes for every occasion below.

Family lunch

Dressing the bump up can feel like a faff in the hot weather. Comfy and stylish, a loose and airy sundress will see you through all of summer’s smarter occasions. We love the Sienna Maxi Nursing Dress from Bump & Milk. The shoulder ties are adjustable, it has plenty of room for a growing bump, and it also has concealed zippers so you’ll be able to wear it afterwards if you choose to breastfeed.

Weekend mum hangs

If you invest in just one maternity piece this summer, make it a jumpsuit. The whole Absolutely Mama team lived in dungarees and jumpsuits throughout their pregnancies. The ultimate in comfy, they can be easily dressed up or down, and worn in lots of different ways. We love the Frankie jumpsuit from Beyond Nine (above left). A new addition to the brand’s collection for summer, it looks equally as great with trainers or sandals, depending on your weekend plans. The Alice Palazzo from clary & peg is another one of our favourites (above right). Layer it over a tee, or a vest top, and team it with an oversized workwear jacket.

Office smart

Just because you need to look smart for work, it doesn’t mean you can’t be comfy too. A couple of dresses that can be worn with different jackets, boots for cooler days, or sandals (if your office allows) should hopefully see you through the summer. The Kelsy Maternity Dress from Isabella Oliver (above left) is an easy-to-wear wrap style that you’ll want to wear on non-offices days too. To dress it down, just layer it over a tee. A comfy (and what we mean here is stretchy) skirt is also a good investment. The Dawn Maternity Skirt (also from from Isabella Oliver, above right) looks great with a Breton, or a bump-skimming shirt.

Wedding guest outfits

As with any one day event, it’s always more eco-friendly to buy something that you’ll be able to wear again. For weddings, we love the rental platforms like For the Creators (which is maternity and mum specific), Hurr, and By Rotation, and these are especially good if you’re expecting and might not wear the outfit again next summer. If you’re set on buying an outfit, we love the Winnie Dress from Beyond Nine (above left). You’ll be able to wear this wrap style in so many ways, and keep wearing it after you’ve popped too! The Pearl Dress from clary & Peg is another really pretty option.

Holiday packing

There’s lots of amazing dresses around this summer that are perfect for a babymoon. Look for pieces that are versatile and can be worn in different ways. Any standout items should be able to be worn after pregnancy too, to allow you to get the most longevity out of them. This Paisley Tie Front Dress from Seraphine (above left) falls into the latter camp. The tie front conceals easy nursing access so you’ll be able to continue wearing it if you decide to breastfeed. For a cute non-dress option, we love this fun set from Beyond Nine (above right). You can mix and match the pieces to give you multiple holiday outfits.

Day-to-day comfies

Whether you’re working from home, off to your pre-natal workout class, or in full-on nesting mode prepping for baby’s arrival, some easy-to-wear loungewear pieces are a must. Eco-friendly brand Isabella Oliver has some great pieces – from maternity leggings, vests, and hoodies, to comfy jersey dresses.

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