The blissful babymoon - the last hurrah before the hoopla of your imminent arrival. Whether your bump is beach bound, spa’d out or filling up on a foodie weekend, take the time to relax, reflect and really indulge yourself and your other half...
“It was amazing to spend quality time with my hubby,” says Birchbox content and creative director – and new mum – Jessica Diner. “It’s going to be a long time before we holiday alone again!” Amanda Woodward Brown, editor of Nine in the Mirror’s online magazine, agrees: “I would always recommend taking some time out together before you become parents – even if it’s just a few days. We went to the Amalfi Coast and spent most of our afternoons at One Fire Beach, at the bottom of a steep cliff with 400 steps down – it still makes me laugh to think that we talked about how easy it would be to take the baby back there!”
So to ensure that your suitcase leaves full of hopes and dreams and returns filled with fond memories, we have put together the perfect pre-natal packing list for you to enjoy – safe travels!
Words: Claire Brayford Image: Candice Lake photographed by Julie Adams
THE SWIMWEAR
Your body is changing more than ever so you need swimwear that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Instagram bikini brand of the summer, Marysia, has collaborated with New York maternity label Hatch to create a swimsuit and bikini to bathe your bump in style. We love the chic Maillot – with cute keyhole bowtie detail at the leg – and the two-piece, which can be worn over the bump or comfortably beneath.
Natasha Goldenberg wearing Vita Kin
THE DRESS
You should pack at least one dress that makes you waft (rather than waddle). MDS Stripes’ shirt dresses, Pampelone hippy maxi styles or Nine in the Mirror’s Vyshyvanka-embroidered tunics would all look beautiful at brunch or on the beach. Petro Stofberg, co-founder of the shopping site Wardrobe Icons, says: “When I was pregnant with my son Jacob we went on a trip to Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore. It was the holiday of a lifetime with five-star hotels and a trip on the Orient Express. I bought myself a blue silk Won Hundred dress on a whim – mainly because it fit and I loved the azure shade – and it somehow made me feel beautiful even though I was bloated, rather hot and pregnant. I still wear it and it always reminds me of that blissful break before our family truly started. It’s full of memories and one I won’t part with.”
Left: image courtesy of @witblog. Right: Rae Feather basket
THE TOTE
There is no question about it – every bump needs a Rae Feather basket to truly enjoy those lazy summer days. Carried by all of the chicest mommas, it’s also the perfect size to throw in a muslin, nappy bag and bottles when your new arrival appears.
Left: Courtesy of Bar Refaeli / @barrefaeli. Right: Sensi Studio Pompom-embellished toquilla straw Panama hat, $208.
THE HAT
“A chic, oversized hat not only provided much-needed protection, it also made me feel glamorous, at a time when I was anything but!” says Amanda Woodward-Brown. “I am quite fair-skinned naturally and when you are pregnant you’re more prone to sun damage. I usually pack a classic panama but for my babymoon, I chose a wide-brimmed straw hat by Country Road. I also love J.Crew and the pom-pom embellished styles by my new favourite brand, Yosuzi.”
Left: @witblog. Right: Elina Linardaki Penny Lane embellished leather flat sandals, $251.
THE FOOTWEAR
Your tired swollen feet don’t need heels to party – they need pompoms. This year flats – whether they are Dolce & Gabbana or Muzungu Sisters – are not worth mentioning unless they are festooned with multi-coloured Peruvian-inspired embellishment. Your feet should look like they’re having their own fiesta. “The beauty about being pregnant is having an excuse to not wear heels!” says Jessica Diner. “I just took two pairs of sandals – plain for the day and jewelled for the night on my babymoon, which I teamed with long boho, flowing maxi-dresses every night. They were the perfect style to wear with a bump and also protect your legs against any mosquitoes.”
Left: @candicelake. Right: Yolke Beetlejuice Silk Pyjamas, $487.24
THE LOUNGEWEAR
And breathe – you’re on holiday you should be relaxing. Yolke Stretch silk pyjamas are perfect for encouraging you to put your feet up. “Our stretch silk pyjamas have become my go-to wardrobe essential this pregnancy,” says the brand’s co-founder Ella Ringner. “I’m wearing the shirts with jeans every day and for anything smarter I wear the full look, silk trousers and matching shirt. So comfortable and easy to throw on! They’re perfect for holiday.”
Steamline Luggage. Photos: @amy_stone, @inhonorofdesign
THE LUGGAGE
Packing for your babymoon requires some timeless first class luggage. Steamline (think Globetrotter but more affordable) has the perfect vintage-inspired cabin-friendly luggage to give your getaway a touch of glamour. You can’t carry anything with a strap so the easy-to-pull wheelie cases make it a travel must-have.
Left: Image @adamlevine. Behati Prinsloo wears Roberto Cavalli Women’s Kuma Cat Eye Sunglasses. Right: Image @toripraver. Tori wears Raen Arlo sunglasses, $135.
THE SUNGLASSES
Mask sleep-deprived eyes with striking sunglasses that offer plenty of surprise. Not just for the fashion forward, statement shades – whether cat-eyes, square frames or crystal adorned – are worth investing in. Your sunglasses will be your best friend when the baby arrives, so don’t make them an afterthought now. Celine is the ultimate for shape – any pair will make your outfit look current – while on the high street & Other Stories are on-trend, good quality and so affordable.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Image: @jessicadiner
THE BOOK
“I was six months pregnant on my babymoon and I had been so busy with work up until then, it was the first time I had to down-tools and really process – and appreciate – my pregnancy,” explains Jessica Diner. “I read all the birthing/baby books that up until then, I hadn’t had a chance to look at. A must for anyone pregnant is Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth – it’s totally enlightening and it gave me such a positive attitude towards birth.”
Inside Jessica Diner’s beauty cabinet. Image: @jessicadiner
AND FINALLY THE ULTIMATE BEAUTY ESSENTIALS
We asked beauty expert Jessica Diner to give us her top pre-natal beauty tips. “SPF50 Sunscreen. It’s totally essential when you’re pregnant because you’re more prone to pigmentation at this time. My go-to brands are Sisley and Clarins. I also took my favourite Elemis Japanese Camellia oil, which was the perfect aftersun and also the oil I used on my bump throughout my pregnancy (I don’t have a single stretch mark!). Working at Birchbox, all the products that come in our monthly boxes are mini/travel-size friendly, so I just stocked up before I went on some other essentials: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (I always wear mascara even on the beach), Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse (non-greasy daily moisturiser), Sarah Chapman 3-D Moisture Infusion Mask (amazing after a long-haul flight) and Ren Keep Young and Beautiful Eye Cream (when your bump doesn’t allow you to get much sleep this keeps me looking perky!).”