Fashion Staples For A Summer Pregnancy

The heat is ON! (The 40 plus temperatures are a dead giveaway!) Combine that with pregnancy hormones and the added weight – and you’ve got one sweaty Mommy-to-be! Let’s ...

The heat is ON! (The 40 plus temperatures are a dead giveaway!) Combine that with pregnancy hormones and the added weight – and you’ve got one sweaty Mommy-to-be! Let’s face it – maternity stores in India don’t really cater to the most fashionable you. I waded through hideously bulky cargo pants, shapeless kurtas and ugly T-shirts.

Yes, the heat and maternity selection can take its toll on your pregnancy enthusiasm, but that should be no reason for you to look frumpy and distraught. Here’s a bunch of wardrobe staples that you can find at any regular store to help you breeze through the hottest months of your pregnancy:

Bright, flowy maxis

Ditch the jeans and switch to flirty, flowing dresses in natural fabrics. Think pop colours, ikat prints and floral patterns to amp up your style quotient. An empire waist maxi will help highlight your new curves, keeping you comfy at the same time. Keep in mind though that the dresses aren’t too long – you don’t want to be tripping over your hemline at this stage!

Cotton/ linen printed pajamas

Casual summer chic is best defined with lightweight linen pants, capris and cotton pajamas. Make sure you choose ones with an elastic waistband or drawstring – you don’t want buttons or zippers squishing that growing bump! Team up your printed bottoms with a plain white tee or a black tank top and you’re all set for summer!

Jersey dresses

For the working mom-to-be, maxis and pajamas may be deemed too casual for the workplace. Opt for a cotton or jersey material knee-length dress that flatters your curves. You don’t want to pick something that’s short to begin with – as the bump grows, it’s likely your dresses will ride up in the front too! Pick something in neutral tones or a tiny print and accessorize with a chunky necklace or a slim belt cinched just above your bump. Go ahead, flaunt that belly!

Kurtas and Tunics

Go the desi route by flaunting a breezy chikankari kurta or a more traditional cotton block printed one. Indian retailers are now ramping up the basic kurta with a range of fun prints, fabric blends and interesting silhouettes, that look great with palazzos or churidars. Add a pop of panache to your look, with an interesting scarf, dangly earrings or a funky bracelet.

Leggings

Now that you’ve ditched the jeans, ensure they stay at the back of your closet this summer! There’s a whole range of leggings available in the market now – from sleek black and navy ones to bolder colours. Look for fabric that can extend above your bump or just roll the waistband down to sit snugly under your bump. Pair this with a loose fitted tunic and you’ll be happy to see how the slim, skinny leg effect balances out your rounder top!

Sandals and Flip-flops

Chances are your closed shoes don’t fit you anymore if you’re well into your second trimester. The heat coupled with increased water retention can lead to swollen toes and ankles – not something you want to shove into a pair of tightly fitted shoes! Opt for colourful flip flops or sandals with adjustable buckles, so you have enough room for those puffy feet.

Lingerie

The bump isn’t the only thing growing as your pregnancy progresses! In fact, most pregnant women report that they go up a bra size or two over the course of 9 months. Invest in well-designed and fitted lingerie that will keep you comfy and well-supported throughout your pregnancy. Stick to cotton brassieres that let your skin breathe and reduce your chances of a skin rash. That doesn’t mean they have to be boring nude and black shades – stock up on pastels, floral prints and even ones with a comfortable lace trim.

Want to stay stylish through your pregnancy without any hassle?