Summer Maternity Beach Outfit | Knit Cover Up + Striped Shorts Bikini Look
There is something truly magical about being pregnant during the summer. The warm air, the sound of waves, the golden light — it all feels especially meaningful when you are carrying new life. But alongside all of that beauty, getting dressed for a beach day while pregnant can feel like its own little challenge. Nothing fits the way it used to. Swimwear is either too constricting or completely uninspiring. And the idea of spending money on a maternity swimsuit you might wear three times feels a little hard to justify.
That is exactly why this summer, so many expecting moms are turning to mix-and-match styling that feels both intentional and relaxed. Today I am sharing one of my absolute favorite beach looks for pregnancy: a knit cover up paired with a striped shorts bikini. It is comfortable, it is stylish, it celebrates your bump, and it is the kind of outfit that photographs beautifully whether you are strolling along the shoreline or settling into a lounge chair with a good book.
Let me walk you through everything — the pieces, how to style them, where to shop, and how to make this look your own no matter what stage of pregnancy you are in.
Why a Knit Cover Up Is the Ultimate Maternity Beach Essential
If you are not already a believer in the knit cover up, this summer is the year to convert. Unlike traditional beach cover ups made from sheer or woven fabrics, a knit cover up has a natural stretch to it that makes it genuinely comfortable over a growing belly. It drapes beautifully, moves with your body, and never feels like it is pulling or bunching in the wrong places.
The best knit cover ups for pregnancy tend to be oversized by design, which means you do not necessarily even need to shop in the maternity section to find one that works. A regular-sized cover up in a relaxed or flowy silhouette will often stretch comfortably over a bump and look completely intentional doing it.
What makes the knit style particularly flattering during pregnancy is the way it skims rather than clings. It gives you coverage without adding visual bulk, and the texture itself — whether it is a loose open weave, a crochet-inspired knit, or a fine jersey knit — adds visual interest that draws the eye in all the right ways. Layer it open over your bikini top and shorts for a breezy, effortless look, or close it and belt it gently above the bump for a more defined silhouette if that is the vibe you are going for.
Color-wise, neutral tones are endlessly versatile. A creamy white, warm sand, soft sage, or even a dusty terracotta knit cover up will coordinate with almost any swimsuit underneath. If you want something with a bit more personality, dusty blue or a soft stripe in the cover up itself can look stunning.
The Striped Shorts Bikini: A Bump-Friendly Hero Piece
Now let us talk about the bottom half of this look, because the striped shorts bikini bottom might just be the most underrated piece in maternity swimwear.
Traditional bikini bottoms during pregnancy can feel uncomfortable and exposing in ways that many women simply do not love. As the belly grows, a standard bikini bottom can slip, ride down under the bump, or just feel like it is not staying where it should. Enter the bikini shorts style — essentially a bikini bottom cut in a short or boy-short silhouette that sits snugly beneath the belly or folds comfortably over it depending on the style.
Stripes are a particularly genius print choice here for a few reasons. Horizontal stripes on a bikini short read as playful and retro rather than unflattering, especially when the short has a mid-rise or high-rise fit that sits under the belly. The stripe draws the eye across rather than down, and on a shorts silhouette, the overall effect is incredibly chic — think very French Riviera, very vintage beach vacation energy.
Striped bikini shorts also come in a wide variety of color combinations. Classic navy and white is a forever look. Black and white stripes feel modern and graphic. A red and white stripe brings that cheerful, summery Americana feel. Earthy terracotta stripes against cream are having a major moment right now and work beautifully with the neutral knit cover up.
When shopping for striped bikini shorts during pregnancy, look for a style with a soft waistband rather than a hard elastic one. Some maternity bikini shorts have a fold-over waistband that you can adjust as your belly grows, which is incredibly practical. Others have a stretchy ruched side panel that accommodates the bump while keeping everything in place. Either option will serve you well throughout the summer.
Pair the shorts with a bikini top that has enough support to feel comfortable as your bust changes. A triangle top with tie closures is great because it adjusts easily. A bandeau with removable straps adds coverage and is often more comfortable for larger busts. And if you want maximum support without sacrificing style, a structured halter-style bikini top in a solid color that coordinates with your stripe palette is always a winning choice.
Putting the Look Together: Styling Tips for Every Trimester
One of the things I love most about this particular outfit formula is that it adapts so well to different stages of pregnancy. Here is how to think about wearing it whether you are in your first, second, or third trimester.
First Trimester: In the early weeks, your bump may not be very visible yet, but you might already be feeling bloated, tender, and sensitive to anything that constricts your midsection. This outfit is perfect for those weeks because it is entirely bump-free in its fit requirements. The knit cover up floats freely over your torso, and the bikini shorts sit low on the hips without pressing into your belly at all. You can wear this look long before you are obviously pregnant and it will simply look like a very well-put-together beach outfit.
Second Trimester: This is often when the bump really starts to show and many women feel their most glowing and comfortable in their pregnancy. The striped bikini shorts will begin to sit under the bump naturally, and the knit cover up will flow beautifully around your silhouette. This is the trimester where you might feel most confident showing off the bump, and leaving the cover up open so it frames your belly is a gorgeous look. A little belly oil or a subtle shimmer body lotion on your bump before heading out to the beach makes the whole look feel luxurious.
Third Trimester: By the final stretch, comfort is everything and you deserve every bit of it. The beauty of this look in the third trimester is that the knit cover up essentially functions as a lightweight dress on its own — cool enough for hot weather, long enough to feel covered, and stretchy enough to never feel restrictive. On days when you just do not feel like getting into a bikini top at all, a stretchy knit bralette or a simple supportive tank underneath the cover up works just as well. The striped shorts bikini bottom will sit beneath your bump and stay put better than you might expect, especially in a fold-over or ruched waistband style.
Accessories That Complete the Beach Maternity Look
A great outfit is made even better by the right accessories, and at the beach during pregnancy, a few thoughtful additions can take this look from nice to truly memorable.
A wide-brim straw hat is the single most impactful accessory you can add to a beach maternity look. Beyond being absolutely beautiful in photos, it protects your face and shoulders from the sun, which is especially important during pregnancy when your skin may be more sensitive to UV exposure. A floppy natural straw hat with a slightly frayed brim has a casual, romantic quality that works perfectly with the knit and stripe combination.
A woven tote bag is another natural companion to this outfit. Look for one in a natural straw or jute material, large enough to carry all of your beach day essentials — sunscreen, a water bottle, a book, snacks, and whatever else you need. The texture of the woven bag picks up on the knit texture of the cover up in a way that feels very intentional and cohesive.
For footwear, this is the time to prioritize comfort alongside style. A flat leather sandal with a simple strap is ideal — easy to slip on and off, kind to swollen feet, and endlessly chic at the beach. Leather-look sandals in tan, nude, or white all coordinate beautifully. If you prefer something more casual, a simple foam slide in a neutral color works just as well and is genuinely easy on the feet during pregnancy.
Jewelry should be minimal and water-friendly. A few delicate gold rings, a simple gold chain necklace, or a pair of small gold hoop earrings add just enough polish without overthinking it. During pregnancy, your fingers may swell, so opt for rings that fit the looser fingers or skip them altogether and focus on a necklace or earrings instead.
Sunglasses are both functional and finishing. A oversized oval or round frame in a tortoiseshell or warm brown tone looks stunning with the warm, earthy palette of this look. Polarized lenses are worth the investment for a day at the beach, and during pregnancy when glare sensitivity can be an issue, you will be especially grateful for them.
Sun Safety During Pregnancy: What to Keep in Mind
No beach look post would be complete without a word about sun safety, and during pregnancy it is particularly worth paying attention to.
Pregnancy can make your skin more susceptible to melasma, sometimes called the mask of pregnancy, which causes darker pigmentation to appear on the face and neck with sun exposure. Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher mineral sunscreen — zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based — is generally considered the safer choice during pregnancy compared to chemical sunscreen formulas. Apply it generously and reapply every two hours, or more often if you are in the water.
Staying hydrated is also critical. Bring more water than you think you need, and consider a electrolyte drink as well, especially on very hot days. Taking breaks in the shade and avoiding peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when possible will make your beach time much more comfortable and safer for you and your baby.
A lightweight muslin or cotton blanket for shade and a portable beach umbrella are both wonderful investments for a summer of beach days during pregnancy. They are practical additions that also look beautiful in photos and make the whole experience more relaxed.
Where to Shop This Look
You do not need to spend a fortune to put this outfit together, and you also do not need to limit yourself entirely to maternity-specific stores. Here is a quick guide to where to look.
For the knit cover up, ASOS, H&M, Free People, and Anthropologie all carry beautiful options in regular sizing that work wonderfully over a bump. Seek out styles described as oversized, relaxed, or flowy for the best fit. Amazon is also surprisingly good for knit cover ups at accessible price points.
For maternity-specific bikini shorts, brands like HATCH, Ingrid & Isabel, A Pea in the Pod, and Seraphine have well-reviewed options in great prints and silhouettes. Pink Blush Maternity is another excellent option for affordable, stylish maternity swimwear. If you want to shop more sustainably, Boob Design and Bravissimo offer maternity swimwear with longevity and quality in mind.
For accessories, Target, Amazon, and Madewell are great starting points for the straw hat and woven tote. For sandals, Birkenstock, Steve Madden, and Ancient Greek Sandals (when you want to treat yourself) are all worth exploring.
A Few Final Thoughts on Dressing Your Bump at the Beach
Pregnancy is one of those seasons of life that you will look back on and want to remember in vivid detail. The photographs you take at the beach this summer, the way the light hit your skin and the way the water felt and the way your body was doing this extraordinary thing — those memories are worth capturing and worth feeling beautiful in.
This is not about looking a certain way or fitting a certain standard. It is about finding pieces that make you feel comfortable and like yourself, that let you move freely and enjoy the day without tugging and adjusting and wishing you had worn something different. The knit cover up and striped shorts bikini combination does exactly that. It is effortless in the best possible way: something you throw on and forget about, freeing you up to actually be present for the magic of a summer afternoon at the beach.
Whether you are a first-time mom soaking in every milestone or you are chasing older kids while somehow managing a third trimester, you deserve an outfit that works as hard as you do and looks as good as you feel. This look delivers all of that — and then some.
Pack the bag, slather on the sunscreen, grab that wide-brim hat, and head to the water. You look incredible.
