Cat’s out of the bag and as most of you know by now, we’re expecting a baby in September. As a local, I’ve explored every angle of summer pregnancy outfits, and this the guide I wish someone had given me. Know what that means? My third trimester started in tandem with summer this year and being pregnant in New York City during summer is not for the faint of heart!
Between the heat and humidity (and my fourth floor walk up), curating a proper summer pregnancy wardrobe was essential. If you’re in a similar boat (sending all the good vibes your way!) here’s a quick roundup of some maternity summer outfits that worked really well for me.
Most of these outfits made an appearance when I was 7+ months pregnant and the temps soared above 80°F (mercy, mercy). I’ll throw in a few evening outfits too though (like light bump-friendly sweaters). Spoiler alert. loose dresses are a third trimester’s best friend!
Maternity Undergarments
Some of you have asked about undergarments, great question! I struggled with this for a while because I didn’t want to invest money into something I’d only have for a few months. If helpful, here’s what worked for me.
- My favorite all-around bra (bought 3)
- Here’s the best strapless bra I found
- Did I buy 15+ pairs of this underwear? Yes, not maternity, size up and don’t get the high rise!
Summer Pregnancy Outfit Ideas
Linen shirt & shorts combo
I called this my summer outfit because I wore it so much. Knowing this ahead of time, I sized up early on in the pregnancy so that it’d last all the way through.
I can’t say enough great things about the linen set, so much so that I planned to purchase a second set just in case the first one wore out. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you I wore the top and shorts 25+ times over the summer (both are very versatile and can be thrown on with different tops/bottoms) and they still look completely fine!
Breezy cotton dress
There’s nothing I love more than a breezy dress while being pregnant during summer in NYC. The Big Apple’s humidity is no joke and you have to set yourself up for success. I bought two loose breathable dresses to get me through the season.
I considered these my “casual occasion” dresses for things like picnics in Central Parks and brunch dates. They made me feel cute (no easy feat 8+ months pregnant) while being 100% comfortable (we’re talking pj-level comfort!).
Maxi tank dresses
Breezy cotton dresses aside, I wanted a few breathable take dresses as well. Something to accentual the bump when I wanted to score a seat on the subway, while still looking stylish during random errand runs. You never know when an impromptu date happy hour might strike and you need to be prepared, the tank dress fits the bill!
Midi linen dresses
Another great dress you can grow into during the pregnancy, this loose linen dress is perfectly breathable while accommodating ample room for the bump up until the third trimester. I wore it a handful of times while pregnant in New York City when I wanted something more distinctive than a tank dress, but still casual.
Local tip. NYC in summer while pregnant means prioritizing comfort and hydration above all. The city’s water fountains are everywhere (Central Park alone has over 100), and maternity-friendly boutiques in the West Village and Williamsburg carry styles you’ll actually want to wear.
Pregnancy in New York is its own kind of adventure. the city is challenging but the energy, the access to everything, and the community make it extraordinary.
Fun top and long linen pants
We spent a long weekend in the Hamptons over the fourth of July weekend, so I picked up a cotton sweater to get me through the chillier weekends. As mentioned, whenever I’m in need of staples, I go straight to Uniqlo, which is how I came across this sweater. It fit the bill perfectly, I sized up to medium and it worked like a charm.
Maternity overalls
I’m a sucker for overalls, I loved them pre-bump and I think I love them even more with the bump. I went through a few pairs before settling on these maternity overalls. I love that they’re adjustable, so you can order your regular size and simply adjust as needed throughout the pregnancy. The best part? This will definitely be getting a lot of play post-baby too, they’re so comfortable.
Biker shorts with a light top
By the last two weeks of pregnancy, I was over getting dressed. My pregnancy wardrobe dwindled down to loose dresses I could easily throw on and comfortable biker shorts with an easy top. Know what? It was perfect! I felt put together enough to leave the house without looking lazy while feeling 100% lazy.
This outfit combo worked really well for me at the tail-end, give it a try if you’re nine months pregnant in New York City during summer.
Fun short dress
Sometimes an evening calls for a fun outfit you’d wear pre-bump, enter the short printed dress. When my sisters was proposed to in Central Park, I wanted to wear a fun outfit to commemorate the occasion and landed on a colorful crochet dress I’d wear out to happy hour with girlfriends. It was a nice change of pace my my typical midi dresses, highly recommend!
Date night dress
Everybody is different, but for me, it was hard to feel sexy towards the tail end of my pregnancy, even though my husband was always keen to make me feel like a million bucks. The bump made it hard to move around! However, my birthday fell on my 33rd week of pregnancy and the sweet little baby was treated to a night on the town.
I tried on a few dresses before finally landing on this gorgeous pregnancy-friendly date night dress. I’m hoping it fits post-bump but I’m not holding my breath, however, I’m hanging on to it for the second rodeo because I love it so much.
Quick Summary
At a glance. 0 hand-picked recommendations for everything you need to know in 10 Maternity Outfits Perfect for Summer (2026. Ideal for. first-time visitors and returning travelers who want to go deeper. Current as of 2026.)
New York City Summer Pregnancy Outfit Inspiration
- Linen shirt & shorts combo
- Breezy cotton dresses
- Maxi tank dresses
- Midi linen dresses
- Stripe cotton sweater and long linen pants
- Fun short dress
- Maternity overalls
- Biker shorts and xx top
- Linen jumpsuit
- Sexy date night dress
If You Liked This. You might also enjoy my guide to What to Wear in New York City in the Spring (2026 Guide). it’s one of my most popular posts and pairs perfectly with this one.
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Have you been? Are you expecting and navigating NYC summer style? It’s a unique challenge. Share your favorite maternity outfit finds!
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Hungry while exploring? Check out our guide to the best food in Williamsburg for local dining picks.
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Final Word
Planning a trip can feel like a second job, and I hope this guide makes the process a little more joyful. 10 Maternity Outfits Perfect for Summer (2026 has given me some of my favorite travel memories, and I truly believe it can do the same for you. Take what resonates, skip what doesn’t, and trust your instincts once you’re there. The best discoveries are always the ones you make yourself.)
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