Swing dresses to drape-front cardigans: all the best maternity fashion for the summer

Being pregnant has its ups and downs. Yes – you get offered seats on packed trains. No – you get heartburn. Yes – you can pretend that your addiction to fondant fancies is a craving you have no control over. No – you have to learn what to wear when you’ve got an ever-growing tummy. In summer especially, this last one is a trifle difficult. (Did someone say trifle?) So to help you suss out the best summer maternity wear, read on.

Peg-leg/pyjama trousers

Maternity clothing is a lifesaver when you realise squeezing yourself into your favourite pair of jeans is doing neither you – or your baby – any favours. In summer, invest in a pair of tapered-leg trousers. Pyjama, peg-leg, carrot – call them what you will – they’re a lifesaver when it comes to summer maternity fashion. They’re structured enough to look like you’ve made an effort, but loose enough round the leg to ensure you keep nice and cool.

T-shirt dresses

Lightweight stretch cotton fabric works wonders on the maternity wear front. Look for ruching at the side if you want to wear it right up to month nine, or opt for a baggy t-shirt dress and team with leggings and sandals for laid-back grunge-inspired chic. Here’s to maternity wear with attitude!

Swing dresses

Thanks to the nature of swing dresses (LOADS of excess fabric that can hide all manner of things including a growing bump), they’re ideal maternity wear. Root one of your pre-pregnancy swing dresses out and it’s pretty likely you’ll be able to enjoy it even when you’re hitting your third trimester.

Drape-front cardigans

Wear open with the fabric hanging stylishly at your side, wrap around your tummy on summer evenings or sofa days, and use to layer over dresses and team with those peg-leg trousers. If drape-front cardigans aren’t your thing, try an easy-to-wear kimono top instead. Effortless summer maternity chic.

PS –

Mums-to-be usually fall into two camps – those who love showing off their growing bump, and those who don’t. If you’re in the latter club, keep your look low-key. Wear block colours as opposed to stripes (especially horizontal as they’ll make you look bigger), and try layering tops and cardigans to create depth and interest and lure the eye away from your tummy area.

Maternity fashion may only last nine months but in those nine months, thanks to all those glorious hormones doing their thang, it’s important you feel good about yourself. Treating yourself to a few staples instead of spending your days sporting your boyfriend’s oversized t-shirts is bound to help. That, and cake.

Pictured item is the Harris Maternity Cardigan (£89) from maternity-wear specialist Isabella Oliver. With a longline silhouette and fluid drape, it’s ideal during pregnancy as a comfortable cover-up (price quoted was correct on 12 August 2014).