The journey of motherhood is an important and beautiful time for those women who desire it, marking the beginning of a new era in their lives, one that at first can seem daunting, as one experiences change both mentally and physically. At times, it can even be frightening to navigate the challenges of dressing a bump at times.
Maternity fashion has dramatically changed over the past few years- and it’s for the better. For the longest time, being pregnant meant investing in a brand-new wardrobe consisting mainly of loose-fit and flowing dresses or stretchy leggings in an attempt to hide a growing baby bump.
Today, famous names are redefining maternity wear, introducing a modern spin on maternity style: From Rihanna to Emily Ratajkowski, celebs have championed the challenges of dressing for the changing shape, wearing outfits that are not traditionally seen on pregnant women and fully embracing the beauty of a baby bump. These women have shown you can still wear high fashion and be red carpet ready even with a baby bump.
It is inspiring to see women changing the societal norms- after moving away from the traditional maternity clothes usually worn, the likes of Rihanna and Emily have held onto their unique sense of style in celebration of their new bump-showing silhouettes.
Below are some celebrities that have truly nailed the art of maternity wear and sparked a discussion around the beauty standards during pregnancy.
Rihanna
After announcing her pregnancy earlier this year, in a vintage pink Chanel coat from the 1996 collection by Karl Lagerfeld paired with baggy blue jeans, Rihanna changed the game for maternity fashion and has been stunning maternity style ever since.
Taking the internet by storm with her risqué outfits, in one of her most iconic looks, Rihanna dazzled in a brown baby-doll top showing off her bump accompanied by a long vintage fur coat with a medley of blue and animal print patchwork.
BIBA Leopard Print Faux Fur Coat
Cotton:On Baggy Straight Jean
Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski shows off her bump as she models her own swimwear brand Inamorata, wearing a mesh yellow and green sleeveless high-neck t-shirt that is cropped to show off the proud mother’s new shape.
Emily’s swim collection is inspired by the Southern California beach town she grew up in and (as she shows) is a collection made to embrace all types of female bodies- selling string-tied bikinis to body-conscious essentials and an array of coverups.
Inamorata Bambi Baby Tee
Inamorata Beachwood Pant
Inamorata Caperia Top
Inamorata Caperia Bottom
Gigi Hadid
At 33 weeks, model Gigi Hadid celebrated by sharing photos from her maternity shoot; the star emphasises her signature laid-back and simple style in a white bra top and unbuttoned denim jeans. Looking effortlessly radiant, she poses, placing her hand on her midsection.
Kylie Jenner
Revealing her second pregnancy in a video, the cosmetics mogul certainly broke the news in style, wearing a gorgeous black ‘Grand Finale’ set from Mirror Palais. The piece features a tightly fitted bandeau top connected to a curve-hugging skirt, allowing Jenner to bare her baby bump fully.
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham joined the chorus of celebrities that have reframed the conversation around pregnancy in recent years, sharing personal experiences related to grief, the joys of childbirth, body image, and maternity style.
Ashley Graham posed for Knix’s ‘Big. Strong. Woman’ campaign in a sleek black suit jacket, bra and pants as video footage of lightning flashes behind her shortly before International women’s day.
COS OVERSIZED TWILL BLAZER
Sita Albellán
Sita Albellán, a Spanish DJ, model and stylist who recently turned into a jewellery designer based in Barcelona is known for her distinctive and vibrant style.
Having a baby bump doesn’t stop this, she shows off her unique style in a purple mini skirt and bandeau top that is surrounded by hand-knitted purple spikes (a piece created by Chet Lo, inspired by the Mako Shark)
Jhené Aiko
Jhené Aiko is not letting her baby bump interfere with her colourful style. The singer displayed her glowing bump by wearing a yellow triangle bikini top with an oversized baseball jacket and baggy denim jeans.
Adriana Lima
The pregnant Adriana Lima channelled Rihanna’s bump-baring pregnancy style on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival.
Lima donned an Olivier Rousteing-designed black gown from Balmain with bold, structured shoulders and a black sash wrapped around her arms. The floor-length gown was made from pleated fabric wrapped around her beautifully to expose her baby bump. In order to make sure all eyes were on her bump, she kept accessories minimal and wore matching black heeled Balmain sandals.
Words by Chanelle Jassim
Header image: @jheneaiko
