Big, airy dresses for when you're pregnant and hot
Plus 3 summery tops to breastfeed in - or not
I met a friend for lunch this week. It was hot and sunny, so we sat in the park to eat sandwiches and she told me she was pregnant. Which is huge, wonderful news. Such joy! But also: WOOF. Being pregnant in summer is no picnic.
I've been there. My first baby was born in November, so most of my second trimester was during the summer. A particularly hot one at that - it was the lockdown heatwave of 2020.
I remember going to my 20 week scan in a mask, and being so sweaty the tissue paper they line the bed with stuck to my bum and the sonographer had to help me peel it off. Which was embarrassing but, as it turned out, not the most undignified thing to happen to me in Homerton maternity unit.
I remember sleep being so tough. And the perma-hangover feeling I had throughout my whole pregnancy being all the more yuck in the heat. Water tasted like soap (as did toothpaste) and the only thing I could drink without retching was fridge-cold chocolate milk. I sucked Mini Milks all day (chocolate or vanilla, absolutely NOT strawberry) to try and get the weird stale taste out of my mouth.
I hadn't yet expanded to maximum girth, but I still felt humongous and heavy, and like I couldn't walk up the stairs in my flat without having to sit down afterwards. I ran a thousand cool baths. I soaked my hot, throbby feet in ice water.
As for putting clothes on, only dresses that were whisper-light and hardly touched me felt doable. I wore a sunflower-yellow maxi from MiH (RIP) which hung from the shoulders in a perfect tent and was quite lovely to swoosh around in.
If you're currently pregnant and feeling the heat, congratulations/you have my sympathies. Here are four airy dresses you can be a red-hot beach ball in and still feel chic.
Whistles, was £135 now £95
Such a glorious shade of blue in wifty-wafty cotton. I’d remove the fabric belt it comes with as it looks much cooler and more expensive worn loose.
& Other Stories, £87
I’ve expressed my thoughts on wearing black during the summer before, but to reiterate: HOW CHIC. Pop this easy little A-line slip on with your black/tan/raffia sides, a sunhat and you're done.
Arket, £77
I love the gathered neckline on this. It’s a bit nightie but in a great way. And the sleeve length is so good – not too long, not too short. It comes in black too, but my advice is to wear the white whilst you can.
COS, £85
COS is great at doing pretty touches that aren't frou-frou (this from last post!). The bows at the back of this dress work so well with the very simple front.
Also challenging when it's hot outside is finding good-looking outfits you can easily breastfeed/pump in. Most summer dresses don't come with boob-access, and while a preppy cotton button-down is a classic, it's nice to have alternatives. Which these are. Enjoy!
Nobody's Child, £79
This embroidered blouse would look so cute and French with a big basket bag.
Anthropologie, £98
Despite having both puffed sleeves and scalloped detailing, this tie-up top doesn't look twee. Great worn with denim shorts, or dressed up with wide black trousers and a fun pair of earrings.
Damson Madder, was £75, now £37.50
This folksy embroidery works so well on a Cuban shirt. It's giving Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet. Just add shorts and Birks.
One more thing…
I’ve been using Supergoop’s Glow Screen (£35) for a couple of months and adore it. Part SPF, part illuminator, it makes a great everyday glow base to wear under make-up or on its own.
That’s all for now. You’re doing great, Frankie x
This was so sweet - loved it!
Thank you so much x