Be a Mama-nista: Cool Summer Looks
By Andrea McPherson
Looking hot and being hot while pregnant isn’t the best combination during Summer. Your fashion sense doesn’t need to change when you’re expecting, but finding comfortable items that still fit your bump and your personality can be challenging. Your nightmares of having to wear those dreaded “mom jeans,” or oversized t-shirts can be put to rest, because wardrobe stylist and fashion forward mama, Kacy Byxbee, has some tips on looking cool in the heat.
The first rule of thumb of dressing for hot weather, even if you’re nine months along? Short dresses and shorts! Anything loose and free that creates a personal ventilation system, wear it! As Kacy says, “If you feel good, rock it!” Shorts in your size, with an elastic waist can be stretched over your baby bump at any trimester and can also be worn after the baby arrives.
Keeping your preggo clothes in your post birth wardrobe rotation isn’t a must, but it’s nice to hold on to certain items that you really like. Styles that can be worn during and after pregnancy save closet space and are friendlier to your budget. Perhaps you can get rid of that plastic bin labelled “maternity clothing,” after all. Clothing lines such as HATCH has pieces that look great during prenatal months and after you have delivered. The trick, says Kacy, is to buy one size up from what you usually wear, “Sticking to dresses that will fit a little tighter while pregnant and will fit a little looser on your post-pregnancy bod.”
Be loyal to cotton and other natural fabrics that breathe. Cotton feels good on the skin keeps your body cool in hot weather. Alternative Apparel and Free People carry a lot of cotton items and are great fashion lines with styles that can be worn during and after pregnancy.
Expectant moms working in an office or corporate setting probably have the toughest time getting their hands on clothing that is appropriate for work, but Kacy says that retailers like A Pea in the Pod and J.Crew have great maternity wear. Other lines such as Vince and Theory have both office and casual maternity options.
Some shoes are not made for walking, especially during those nine months where where you pick up an extra few pounds each month. For your feet, comfort, comfort, comfort is the priority. Kacy says that Birkenstocks or any shoe with a molded foot bed like, Madewell’s double strap sandal, are the way to go. Birkenstock has always offered a versatile selection, of patterns, materials and styles. Kacy suggests Zappos or J.Crew to shop for a great selection.
What about those times you need to be a little more fancy? Such as a work dinner, date night other formal occasions. Kacy says that HATCH and Rachel Pally both have formal maternity lines, A quick search online at Outnet, Topshop and Shopbop could turn up some great choices as well. As for footwear, dressy options can include booties or dress shoes with a small heel, by Sam Edelman, Acne or Isabel Marant.
During those sunny days pregnancy can leave you susceptible to melasma and other skin issues. Look stylish and protect yourself with some personal shade by finding a great sun hat that can shield you from UV rays. Clyde makes nice visors, panama style and pinch hats. Straw hats are also trending and can be found at J.Crew and Zara. Even headbands can be put to good use by keeping your hair away from your face and neck. For headbands, Kacy points to Etsy and “hip” up your headwear, and ThreeBirdNest as a go-to for turban style headbands. For top knot headbands with bows (available for adults and babies), take a look at Charlotte Madisyn. And if you prefer a retro head wrap with wire, FlosCaeli is your shop.
Finally, bag lady was never a good look, but it’s especially wrong when you’re pregnant. Keep your load light by carrying a smaller bag. Your sensitive muscles, especially the ones in your back aren’t a good match huge or heavy purses.
“It’s of utmost importance that you enjoy your pregnancy and that you feel good,” says Kacy, “A big part of that is looking good and dressing well.”
Kacy is a wardrobe stylist for TV’s Hawaii Five O also owns a curated, online resale store called Byxbee Atelier: http://byxbeeatelier.bigcartel.com
