Combine summertime heat with pregnancy hormones and a bunch of baby pounds and that's a recipe for one hot mama. Going naked isn't an option, except at home where you should feel free to strip down early and often. Instead, dress wisely in clothes that'll help you look and feel cool.

1. 8 Wardrobe Staples for Summer Pregnancies
Combine summertime heat with pregnancy hormones and a bunch of
baby pounds and that's a recipe for one hot mama. Going naked isn't
an option, except at home where you should feel free to strip down
early and often. Instead, dress wisely in clothes that'll help you look and
feel cool. Here are the eight items you'll reach for most as the mercury
rises (plus four you may think you need but probably don't).

2. 2 / 13 SHOP FOR:
A couple of lightweight, flowing maternity dresses in natural fabrics and
neutral colors. These will likely be your warm-weather favorites, so look
for styles you can dress up (with a chunky necklace and not-so-high
wedges) or down (paired with a sun hat and sandals) and wear once or
twice a week. A simple dark-hued cotton shift with cap sleeves works
for both the office and your neighborhood barbecue. To avoid the
muumuu effect, cinch the dress above your bump with a bright scarf or
skinny, shiny belt. Instant pretty.

3. 3 / 13 CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:
Empire-waist maxi dresses. Non-maternity dresses that aren't nipped at
your natural waist might have enough room to accommodate an
expanding midsection. Keep in mind that your bump will hike up the
hemline several inches, so it's best to save dresses that are knee-length
or shorter 'til next summer.

4. 4 / 13 SKIP:
Form-fitting dresses in bold patterns. A bump-hugging dress in a funky,
floral print might seem fun in early June, but a few weeks later, you'll
probably be sick of both the clingy fit and the look-at-me pattern.

5. 5 / 13 SHOP FOR:
Lightweight, cropped maternity pants. Think cotton or linen in a capri
length that lets the breeze brush your legs. Opt for styles with a narrow
stretchy panel up top — the kind that rides under your belly — rather
than a panel that hikes over your bump (they're binding and hot). A
touch of spandex (less than 10 percent) will help the pants hold their
shape, but anything more will render the fabric stifling (and make you
feel like a sausage).

6. 6 / 13 CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:
Skirts and shorts with stretchy or drawstring waistbands. Bottoms that
used to rest closer to your waist might still be wearable if they can sit
comfortably under your bump. Pair them with a tailored or fitted top to
keep your outfit from looking too tent-like.

7. 7 / 13 SKIP:
Pricey maternity jeans. While these might be a must-have for cold-
weather moms-to-be, the last thing you'll want to wear in August is
bump-to-ankle denim.

8. 8 / 13 SHOP FOR:
Larger-than-usual underwear. Your current underwear could probably
accommodate your growing assets over all nine months. But you'll
likely be bummed post-delivery when you're left with a collection of
stretched-out panties. Rather than ruin your stuff, invest in a week's
worth of inexpensive cotton underwear a size bigger than you usually
wear. They'll only set you back about $30 and will see plenty of use, so
you won't feel bad about tossing them when you're back to your pre-
baby size.

9. 9 / 13 CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:
Drawstring pajama and exercise bottoms. No need to get special
jammies when you're expecting. Loose-fitting sleep shorts and pants (or
maybe your hubby's boxers) will probably still be comfy if you wear
them below your belly. Your current workout pants will likely last for as
many months as you feel like working out, too, as long as you can
loosen that drawstring when you need to.

10. 10 / 13 SKIP:
A brand-new bra collection. The tender, burgeoning breasts of your first
trimester might tempt you to buy a whole new batch of bras, but once
the soreness fades (usually within a month or two) you can probably
make do with your usual bras and a set of strap extenders. Your boob
size might fluctuate (more than once) over the course of your
pregnancy, so if you do go up a size, just buy one or two bras.
(Remember, you'll need nursing bras in just a few months, so save your
bucks for those.)

11. 11 / 13 SHOP FOR:
Extra-long tank tops and T-shirts. Rather than wrestling with (and
stretching out) your non-maternity tops, buy some inexpensive cotton
tanks and tees in basic colors, a size or two up. And before buying tops
with rushed sides — stitching or added elastic, which can make some
maternity tops gather along the midsection — try a few styles on for
size. Taller moms-to-be might find the rushing makes shirts ride up too
high, while women with shorter torsos might feel all the folds make
their midsection look lumpy.

12. 12 / 13CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR:
Lightweight sweaters. Unless your office is an absolute icebox, you
probably won't want to come within ten feet of a sweater this summer.
At restaurants where the AC is bumped up or for a breezy night by the
sea, though, a looser cardigan you already own worn over a maternity
top will be welcome to cut the chill.

13. 13 / 13 SKIP:
Maternity outerwear. Maternity coats are typically expensive and
probably not necessary for a summer pregnancy. On damp days, just
make do with your regular raincoat, worn unbuttoned, and buy a bright
umbrella for a cheery splash of color.