Off on holiday by Marina Fogle

Summer is usually the time I get excited about finally wearing all my summery dresses that (rather hopefully) are in my cupboard from May to October. It’s never warm enough to wear them in England, but come a trip abroad, it’s time to finally make use of them. Rather foolishly this year, I have failed to take them out of my cupboard and put them into storage for the duration of my pregnancy, so as I pack for a week in Portugal, each of my beloved dresses looks at me tantalisingly, daring me to try one on.

I did try on a bikini and for a moment pondered whether I might, at 20 weeks, just be able to get away with it. I even showed my husband. “What do you think? Suitable for the beach or just too x-rated?” I asked. A big grin appeared on his face. “Absolutely” he beamed, “I’m loving that look…”. Another glance in the mirror confirmed my suspicions, I looked like a wannabe page three model with a beer belly. No, a few new summer pieces were definitely needed.

My key summer holiday pieces:

Melissa Odabash for mama-la-mode Bikini: It’s not worth putting on your bikini on the first day of your holiday and realising that your boobs really aren’t decent and then being stuck. This bikini has an usually large bust with enough support for a newly enlarged chest. The bottoms provide perfectly flattering coverage and it comes with a tankini top for when you feel your bump has had enough sun. In both turquoise and coral – I bought both and have lived in them.

Milly Long Silk Kaftan: You don’t want to expose too much of yourself while pregnant on holiday and a kaftan provides the perfect amount of modesty, while staying sexy with a little translucency. Milly is one of my favourite brands with quirky, good quality pieces that quickly become favourites. The elasticated waist will rise to your new waist, above your bump and this will last you through your pregnancy. Even better, it’s on sale now from Net a Porter.

T-bags coral maxi dress from mama-la-mode: This is a fantastically versatile dress, that will go over a bikini for the beach or with some statement jewellery and a cropped jacket, to a glam party. I wore this to the Cartier Lunch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and had lots of compliments.

A big hat is any pregnant girl’s best friend. Pigmentation suddenly appearing on your face when you’re pregnant is very common so you’ve got to take extra care in the sun. I love this straw visor from Jigsaw. Visors are easy to pack and you can just stick your hair up in a pony tail above it. And it really keeps the sun off your face.

Flip Flops: I’ve been dreading the idea of my feet getting even bigger during pregnancy; they’re already a size 42 – any bigger and I’ll be confined to transvestite shops which isn’t really the pregnancy look I’m after. On those hot summer days when your feet swell anyway, pair of flip flops is a must. I’ll always get a good pedicure before I leave and then use a pair of beautiful flip flops as ‘foot jewellery’. LK Bennett do good ones, but on the expensive side for what they are, so just as well they’re all in the sale right now.

And finally don’t leave without stocking up on some beauty essentials. For me Kiehls is a one stop shop. I’ve been using their Crème de Corps since I became pregnant and there’s not a stretch mark in sight. Pre-holiday, I love their self-tan. It doesn’t have that awful fake tan smell and is very light so there’s no danger of the ending up looking like a Satsuma. Finally, I always have a tube of their SPF50 sun cream for face and body. My skin loves to break out in spots the moment I put sun cream on, and this is one of the only ones that prevents this.