13 FASHION AND BEAUTY MUST-HAVES FOR SUMMER
1. Bag
It is a truth universally acknowledged that pregnancy comes with excess baggage – and we don’t mean the baby you’re carrying but the truth is your condition requires that you practically carry lots of stuff you may need with you wherever you go. This is where a bag comes in handy for all that stuff. This summer, totes are very much in vogue especially raffia, raffia-cotton and leather-cotton ones. Fringed leather bags, basket bags and beach bags are also hotcakes. For the baby mama, a carry-all (something really spacey or roomy) to stash all your valuables in is best – try GreatWonderful’s "Laima" collection of handmade stylish tote bags.
Laima collection of handmade tote bags; GREATWONDERFUL
2. Chub Rub
The chub rub or chafing season is here if you know what we mean and it’s about time you laid your hands on some chub rub or anti-chafing balm. BodyGlide tops the list of chub rub or anti-chafing solutions if you’re looking for some sweet relief.
BodyGlide Anti-Chafing, Moisturising Balm Regular; BODYGLIDE
3. Cooling Foot Spray
Summer is time to socialize which means you’ll be going out a lot and probably be in some kind of footwear for long hours and with all that heat this a lot of punishment for your feet which is puffing-up by the day from pregnancy! Having a cooling foot spray as part of your essentials will help refresh your weary, sweaty and sore feet and put that fresh spring back in your step. You can’t go wrong with The Body Shop’s Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray with its to-die-for refreshing scent. Alternatively, if you’re not a spray person you can try other products within the same product range from Amazon – the Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion and the Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Cooling Foot Rescue.
Peppermint Cooling & Reviving Foot Spray; THE BODY SHOP
4. Biker Shorts
There’s nothing as cool as having a couple of pairs of biker shorts as part of your wardrobe for this summer. Biker shorts are one of those items that are all-round and gel well with other clothing items and so they can be worn in many ways. You can pair them with a tank top for your workouts, you can wear them with a tee for the beach or mall and they are great when worn under dresses especially big flowing dresses which can be naughty on windy days.
Black Maternity Bike Shorts; SRC
Read Also: 6 Ways to Style Maternity Bike Shorts
5. Cover-up
You will need a cover-up to wear over your swimsuit when you’re not frolicking in the sand or water such as when driving or going to get some food or just walking along the beach. This can be a wrap around your waist if you want to flaunt some skin and don’t care a hoot but if you’re feeling like the Virgin Mary then a lacy cover-up designed like a robe with an opening in front or a light material kimono will do. Other options are caftans and swims shirts. Some of the best brands to try are ASOS, H&M, Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod.
Motherhood Maternity Swim Cover-up; MOLERANI
6. SandalsWhen it comes to footwear for summertime – think comfy and chic. Your feet don’t need all that stress so don’t even think about cocooning them in heavy leather. If there’s anything that fits the bill it’s a pair of maternity sandals. Speaking of sandals, choose something that will make you feel like you’re walking on fluffy pillows and with straps that will go easy on your ankles. And of course, something elegant – being pregnant doesn’t mean dressing drably!
Women’s Crocs Isabella T-Strap Sandals, CROCS
7. Swimsuit
Don’t be left out of all that splish-splash fun this summer! Get a comfy but elegant maternity swimsuit that fits and flatters your baby bump. You can opt for a one-piece suit or a two-piece or a tankini.
One-Piece Maternity Swimsuit; TEMPOTREK
Read Also: Best Maternity Swimsuits in 2020
8. Dresses
Summer is all about dresses so get as many as you can. We don’t need to dive into a long-winded rant about why dresses are the best outfits for pregnant women in summer - you already know they complement your new figure, are breathtakingly gorgeous and comfy on your bump. Besides with dresses, there’s a wide variety to choose from – maxi dresses, t-shirt dresses, shirt dresses, sundresses, tank dresses and the list goes on and on.
Hint: Buy dresses that are longer than your usual dress length since your bump will pull it up.
Pregnancy Causal Short Sleeve Mama Dress; MY BUMP
9. Nail Polish
Flaunting your feet in those pretty flip-flops or sandals when your toenails are so bare is such a bummer - unless nature’s blessed you with really nice looking toenails that don’t need polishing. Either way, we think it’s chicer to have them painted in cool colours, don’t you agree? And just in case your hubby or partner decides to give you a feet rub – you’ll be glad you did because he’ll be feasting his eyes!
Hints:
- Safe brands you can try while pregnant are OPI, Sally Hansen, Butter London, Essie, Nailmatic and Chanel
- Make sure there’s a 3-free note on the bottle – this means the polish doesn’t contain the 3 toxic chemicals usually found in nail polish
- Nail polish sits well on well- pedicured nails so do book an appointment with your nail technician. (Avoid salons with strong fumes)
Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Colour; SALLY HANSEN
Read Also: 6 Nail Polishes That Are Safe to Use While Pregnant
10. Sunscreen
Stay sun-safe this summer with some sunscreen. Some of the pregnancy-safe brands you can try are Supergoop, ThinkBaby, Neutrogena and Babyganics.
Hint: You know how careful you must be about using sunscreen during pregnancy, so if you’re in doubt just consult your doctor before buying any product.
Sunnyscreen Mineral Lotion; SUPERGOOP
11. Tops, Tanks and Tees
For some easy-go this summer the three Ts should be your top picks. Belly-hugging, flowy and roomy ones are great on preggers! Graphic tees are even funkier for the summer and if you want to look extra-o. These tees have very interesting phrases and graphics printed on them and can be customised to express anything you like. Motherhood Maternity has some really cool graphic tees with very sweet catchy phrases on them like this one.
Bun in the Oven Maternity Graphic Tee; MOTHERHOOD MATERNITY
12. Hat
A floppy or wide-brimmed hat is all you need to top your outfits and you’re ready to go have some fun in the sun! A hat is not only stylish but also doubles up as extra protection from the sun.
Furtalk Foldable Brim Summer UV Hat; FURTALK
13. Bra
Don’t commit a fashion faux-pas this summer – get some really good bras to hold your juicy melons in place!
Comfy Cotton Maternity Bra; BRAVADO! DESIGNS
Well now, go grab these must-haves, bump-up and enjoy the summer!
By Nana Ama Afoa Osae I Writer I GreatWonderful Team
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