Eight Maternity Clothing Pieces Every Summer Bump Needs

Confession: I’ve been notoriously cheap about buying maternity clothing throughout my pregnancy. All winter and spring I avoided shopping at all costs while insisting that I could get away with wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes. The thought of shelling out for threads that I’ll only wear a few months goes against everything my thrifty upbringing has taught me.

But now that summer is in full swing and my stomach can no longer be hidden by bulky sweatshirts and loose-fitting boyfriend jeans, I’ve started to invest in some key pieces—and my closet couldn’t be happier. Here are the top eight pieces that I’ve found practically invaluable for being preggers during warmer months.

Whitney C. Harris is a freelance writer living in Westchester, NY. She is due at the end of August. Find her at whitneycharris.com.

A Tight Tank Dress
Probably one of the most versatile items for your pregnancy wardrobe, a tight tank dress can be gussied up for the office (add a tailored blazer and your favorite jewelry) or thrown over a bathing suit for poolside lounging. Old Navy's maternity tank dress does the trick with its simple, understated design and ruched side seams to flatter all kinds of curves.
Solid Shorts
I never thought I'd don shorts at eight months pregnant, but the maternity over the belly denim short by Liz Lange for Target have become my go-to bottoms ever since temperatures hit the 70s. These feel just like my pre-pregnancy shorts, except for the ever-helpful full-elastic waistband of course. And they're the only thing I can wear to keep cool during long walks outside.
An Embellished Tee
How easy it would it be to wear plain-Jane t-shirts and tank tops all summer long? When I started to notice it had been weeks since I wore anything "fun" with a print or pattern, I decided to find something a little more special to wear. This maternity lace t-shirt with embellishment by ASOS was an easy choice because it looks nothing like traditional maternity clothing and quickly got me out of my monotone fashion rut.
A Super-Casual & Loose Maxi Dress
There's nothing quite as comfy for a changing body as a big, forgiving maxi dress with plenty of room to grow. The "That Was Then" maternity maxi from Fillyboo fits the bill with its super-relaxed silhouette. Its chunky braided neckline and loose arm holes allow the dress to hang without pulling or pinching at skin.
A Trendy Tankini
Swimwear is one of the categories of clothing for which I really thought I could get away with wearing my pre-maternity stuff. But I've quickly learned that even my stretchiest triangle bikinis and Speedo one-pieces aren't quite cutting it. A trendy tankini like this side ruched ikat print from A Pea in the Pod is about the only thing I've been able to squeeze into.
Slip-On Sandals
While the Birkenstock Madrid slip-on sandals aren't specifically made for pregnant feet, they should probably just be automatically given to women after their first ultrasound. They're some of the only shoes that don't require bending over to put them on and the adjustable buckle means your expanding feet will always have a home.
A Humongous Hat
It's no secret that pregnant women easily heat up. And I find myself avoiding the sun more than ever now that I'm carrying some extra weight. The best investment for keeping hot rays off my face has been the Columbia Sun Ridge II Hat. It holds its own against wind too.
A Nursing Nightgown
After months of wearing my oldest, rattiest shirts to bed, I decided to take the plunge and buy proper sleepwear that I could throw on right after dinner during these hot summer nights. The Jessica Simpson lace nursing nightgown from Motherhood Maternity has been a total dream and I fully plan to wear it throughout the first year of breastfeeding.

Camp Huntington

A co-ed, residential program for children and young adults with special learning and developmental needs.&nbsp; Our summer camp and weekend camp programs are designed to maximize a child&rsquo;s potential, locate and develop strengths and hidden abilities. Your child will enjoy the fun-filled days of summer camp while learning practical social and life skills. We offer a unique program approach of adaptive therapeutic recreation, which combines key elements that encourage progress: structured programming, nurturing care, a positive setting, and academic instruction to meet IEP goals. Our campus is located in the beautiful hamlet of High Falls, New York within the Catskill Mountain region.

Launch Math+Science Camp

<h1>Launch Math + Science Centers</h1> For more than 15 years, Launch Math + Science Centers have provided toddlers to tweens with inspiring math instruction and STEM-based camps and classes. Launch offers a true educational experience for students with small group sizes and big opportunities for learning. For Summer 2024, Launch Math + Science Centers offers exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to 7th grade (5-12 years old). With a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio, children at Launch&rsquo;s exciting specialty summer programs explore the adventures of archaeology, discover the details of robotics, reveal the wonders of chemical reactions &ndash; and that&rsquo;s just the beginning. Each week is jam-packed with hands-on STEM projects and fun camp activities. <h2>The Camp Day</h2> Each camp day kicks-off at 9:00 am and consists of designated educational segments that are designed to inspire. -STEM Projects (core lessons and builds tied to the theme of the week) -STEM Discoveries (challenge-based learning through problem-solving activities) -Active Adventures (a blend of tech and camp games in Central Park) -Math Mania! (engaging mathematics-based projects and activities) Standard dismissal is at 3:30 pm, with the option to extend to 5:00 pm. <h2>Weekly Camp Themes</h2> Juniors (K+1st Grade) I Wanna Be&hellip; A Marine Biologist! I Wanna Be&hellip; An Archaeologist! I Wanna Be&hellip; A Sports Doctor! I Wanna Be&hellip; A Techie! Kids (2nd-4th Grade) Coding + Animation Remarkable Robots + Marvelous Machines Potent Potions + Fizzing Formulas Rocket Science: Destination Mars Tweens (5th-7th Grade) Coding + Game Development Rockin' + Robotics Chaotic Chemical Reactions Architecture + Engineering <h2>Register Early, Save Big!</h2> Huge discounts for Early Bird enrollments. Register by March 31st and receive $200 off EVERY camp after the first. For well over a decade, Launch has delivered engaging STEM programs for children throughout New York City. Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in mind: Inspire children to love and learn math and science!

Center for Architecture Summer Programs

The Center for Architecture promotes public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 students and teachers, families, and the general public. Summer Programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into an architectural topic of interest and test out their own design ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, guided investigations of architectural examples, and special site visits. Summer Programs are week-long classes, Monday &ndash; Friday, for students entering grades 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12 in Fall 2023. This summer, we are offering programs both in-person at the Center for Architecture and online. Need-based scholarships are available (application deadline May 1). 2023 Programs run June 26 &ndash; August 25. Topics listed below. See website for specific dates, prices, scholarship information, and registration. Grades 3-5 Parks and Playgrounds Treehouses Building Bridges Animal Architecture Architectural Wonders Lunar Living Store Design Dream House Skyscrapers Grades 6-8 Green Island Home Treehouses Digital Design: Lunar Living &ndash; Online Skyscrapers Digital Design: Bridges Public Art and Architecture Survival Architecture Digital Design: Tiny Houses Store Design Grades 9-12 Drawing Architecture &ndash; In-Person Drawing Architecture &ndash; Online Architectural Design Studio (2-week program) Digital Design: City Design &ndash; Online Digital Design: Tiny Houses &ndash; Online Pop-Up Shop Digital Design: House of the Future &nbsp;