Being pregnant in the summer months is not a comfortable experience – no matter how much a woman may enjoy being pregnant. With temperatures high (both externally and internally), getting comfortable can become an almost impossible task.

I was lucky with my first child, Natasha, because the last few months of my pregnancy were in the winter. With my youngest daughter Chloe, however, I was pregnant throughout the entire hot and extremely humid New York City summer - when all I wanted to do was sit in front of the air conditioner…

Here, style expert Amy Tara Koch offers a few stylish and practical summer fashion staples for even the hottest summer days.

-Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO & Co-founder, Citibabes

For the pregnantista, summer poses a sartorial challenge. How to look cool when external temps and hormones push your internal thermostat to full throttle? It’s all about pieces that offer you, my fertile friend, easy, breezy style. The best part about these pieces? Fashion longevity. Once you bid adieu to your bump, these garments can still be worn in style.

Multitasking Skirt

Ingrid and Isabel’s ultra soft knit maxi skirt is a summer staple. It can be dressed up with a flouncy wrap top or worn with a white ribbed tank to the beach. ($88.)

The Maxi

The Gypsy organic maxi dress embodies the three C’s essential for summer style: comfy, cool and chic. ($98.)

The Tunic Dress

The au courant combination of bold coral color and fluidity which ebbs and flows over expansive boobs, butt and bump make Rosie Pope’s silk knit dress a winner that defines effortless summer style! ($198.) 

The Strapless Dress

There is nothing more alluring on sweltering summer days than Japanese Weekend’s gauzy convertible berry colored skirt/dress! ($72.)

The Goddess

This silky, asymmetrical Momshell Dress is the light as a feather fashion choice for weddings, a baby shower, or a night out. ($180.)

The Versatile “Everything” Dress

This universally flattering empire waist dress underscores the BUMP IT UP philosophy of maximum style, minimal maternity specific investment. The hanging “apron” ties can be worn 7 different ways (strapless, Grecian halter, halter, skirt, knotted halter, one-shoulder, plunge…) so it is extremely versatile ($150.)

By Amy Tara Koch, style expert and author of Bump It Up: Transforming Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement

Click here to buy a copy of Amy Tara Koch’s Bump It Up: Transforming Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement. We love this must have preggo style bible! Download of a chapter of the book now! And keep up with Amy by following her on Twitter and becoming a fan on Facebook! She is the trend reporter for NBC, she has contributed to Town & Country, American Way, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The New York Observer and Daily Candy, and she has been a style expert for iVillage, Inc.; Vogue and Twitter Moms.