Hot maternity swimsuits for pregnant moms

Cute maternity bathing suits

My Rating

Are you looking for a cute swimsuit to showcase your baby bump? The unofficial start to summer is now officially behind us and that means that you can't ignore the need for a maternity swimsuit any longer. Forget the loud florals and unflattering loose drapes of the 80s -- today's maternity swimsuits come in all sorts of flattering, sexy and sleek looks.

Back in the 80s, maternity swimsuits consisted of ballooning tops with tight brief bottoms attached. That bubble effect did nothing for a pregnant woman's beautiful physique. Fortunately, designers have become more pregnancy-friendly and started making maternity swimsuits that hot mamas will really want to wear. Thank goodness.

If you are headed for the beach or the pool this summer, here are some very cool swimsuits to get your summer started.

Go cute!

If there was ever a time to don a cute swimsuit and hit the shore, it's during pregnancy. Check out the ultra-cute Liz Lange for Target Ruffle Tankini (Target.com, $21.99 for the top, choice of bottoms). Ruffles are hot this summer -- so why not take the trend to your swimsuit?

Another cute choice is the Maternity Halter Tankinis at Old Navy (OldNavy.com, $22.50 for the top, choice of bottoms), which comes in a variety of patterns and solids. The pattern tops take this otherwise simple suit and make it very cute. You could even mix it up with a patterned top and solid bottom (or, heck, vice versa).

Get sexy!

Can a one-piece maternity swimsuit be sexy? Absolutely. Just look at the pink Maternal America Jasmine Maternity Swimsuit (pictured, $84) from DueMaternity.com. The tipping defines your fantastic pregnancy curves, and the halter top with keyhold detail shows off your very best (and growing) assets.

Love your maternity curves and want to show them off? Then go for the chic white Belabumbum Maternity Bikini (DueMaternity.com, $88). A true bikini, this look can carry you through all the trimesters and even into post-partum. And white bikinis? They are so hot.

Fluttery sweetness

Fluttery might sound cute, but on these sleek suits, it's pretty darn sexy. The Maternity Flutter Tankini from Maternal America (pictured below, Nordstrom.com, $98) is so hot, it could be lingerie. It's more bikini than tankini with ultra-sheer and fluttery panels having from the otherwise bikini top. It screams sex-appeal and sizzles in Papaya.

Another fluttery beauty is the Goddess Maternity Swimsuit (BellaBluMaternity.com, $129). It's floaty in all the right places, while still showing off your sexy maternity curves. And the flowers add a sweet touch to this hot white suit.

More modest

If sex-appeal is the last thing on your maternal brain, then there are several more modest options that offer more coverage while still looking pretty darn fashionable. The Liz Lange for Target Maternity Swim Dress (Target.com, $39.99) harkens back to simpler times with it's sleek lines. This longer swim dress won't hug your curves as much as other suits and the flattering neckline is cut higher so that your precious assets have a little more coverage. Still, you will look striking on the beach in this.

For something stylish but with more coverage, the Retro Dot Maternity Swimsuit (BellaBluMaternity.com, $129) is a good pick. Reminiscent of something that might have hit the sand dunes in the 50s, this suit has a classic polka dot pattern. The skirt hits lower on the upper thigh than most suits, but the strapless top gives the illusion of sexiness without showing too much skin.

The Maternity Shirred Empire Swimsuit at Old Navy is another option (OldNavy.com, $29.50). It has a flattering v-neck on this one-piece suit. The shirring at the sides will flatter your bump without showing off the goods. And the Old Navy description is right: the empire seaming really does make this a graceful suit.

So, what are you waiting for? Hit the beach! (And don't forget the sunscreen!)