Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s 2017 Met Gala appearance remains one of the most talked-about maternity looks in recent memory. Pregnant with twins, Beyoncé chose a dramatic and symbolic gown by Peter Dundas. The glittering gold, off-the-shoulder dress highlighted her pregnancy glow, embodying both strength and femininity. The sheer fabric and ornate embellishments showed how a high-fashion dress could be adapted to fit a growing bump without sacrificing elegance. Her look was ground breaking, as it demonstrated that maternity fashion could merge with the world's most prestigious events without compromising style.
Beyoncé’s choice to embrace her body during pregnancy and show up in such a bold, unapologetic manner encouraged women to see pregnancy as a time to celebrate their body and their style. The boldness of this look set a new standard for pregnant women attending formal events, signaling that maternity fashion could be as daring as any red carpet ensemble.
Kate Middleton
As a member of the British royal family, Kate Middleton has become a global style icon, and her maternity looks are no exception. Throughout her three pregnancies, Kate embraced a classic, polished aesthetic, opting for tailored dresses, coats, and skirts that balanced both elegance and practicality. Her favorite designers during pregnancy included Jenny Packham, Alexander McQueen, and Erdem, whose collections are known for their sophisticated cuts and flattering silhouettes.
One of her most iconic maternity moments came in 2013, when she wore a red Jenny Packham dress to a charity event just weeks before giving birth to Prince George. The dress was both modest and flattering, a perfect reflection of Kate’s royal image. She effortlessly navigated public life while pregnant, demonstrating that maternity fashion could be timeless, demure, and appropriate for any occasion—even the most formal ones.
Chrissy Teigan
Model and television personality Chrissy Teigen has become a modern icon for mixing humor, boldness, and high fashion during pregnancy. Known for her playful, irreverent attitude, Chrissy’s maternity wardrobe is an eclectic mix of streetwear, high-end fashion, and casual, laid-back pieces. She made headlines in 2018 when she attended the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in a dramatic, form-fitting white off-the-shoulder gown by Yousef Al-Jasmi. The dress, with its daring cutouts and plunging neckline, reflected Teigen's unapologetic sense of style, challenging traditional ideas of maternity fashion as something modest or demure.
Her choices have empowered women to break free from the constraints... “acceptable” maternity wear, creating a blueprint for a more inclusive, diverse approach to pregnancy fashion.
Teigen’s approach to pregnancy style is refreshingly fun, as she embraces both her sense of humor and her body’s natural changes. She’s known for wearing edgy designs, pairing them with sneakers or bold accessories, and never shying away from experimenting with color and pattern. Her choices have empowered women to break free from the constraints of what’s traditionally considered “acceptable” maternity wear, creating a blueprint for a more inclusive, diverse approach to pregnancy fashion.
Rihanna
Rihanna’s pregnancy style in 2022 was a game-changer, signaling a dramatic shift in how the world views maternity fashion. Known for her fearless approach to fashion, Rihanna embraced boldness at every stage of her pregnancy. From her first public appearance with her baby bump in January 2022, wearing a hot-pink oversized coat by Loewe, to the Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in February 2023, Rihanna made it clear that she would not conform to traditional maternity style rules.
One standout look was her 2022 Fenty x Puma show, where she walked the runway in a sheer black dress with a plunging neckline, further defying the conventional “modesty” often associated with pregnancy. Her maternity looks were characterized by oversized pieces, revealing outfits, and an overall approach to fashion that pushed boundaries and celebrated individuality. Rihanna’s pregnancy style was revolutionary in its defiance of traditional norms and its focus on boldness, sexiness, and comfort.
Serena Williams
As one of the most powerful athletes in the world, Serena Williams' maternity style merges strength and fashion in unique ways. When pregnant with her daughter in 2017, Williams defied expectations by continuing to compete professionally while maintaining a high standard of athletic and stylish appearances. Known for her love of bold prints and vivid colours, Williams sported everything from athleisure to glamorous gowns during her pregnancy, blending her passion for sports with her sense of personal style.
... strength, confidence, and motherhood can coexist in fashion...
One standout look came in 2018 when Williams wore a black-and-white striped dress by Versace for the Met Gala, paired with gold accessories. The dress celebrated both her athletic physique and her maternal glow, combining the worlds of sports and high fashion. Serena’s maternity wardrobe sends a powerful message: that strength, confidence, and motherhood can coexist in fashion, empowering women to feel both powerful and fashionable at the same time.
Celebrity maternity looks have evolved from utilitarian choices to powerful expressions of style, confidence, and personality. These iconic looks—whether they are Beyoncé’s glittering Met Gala gown, Kate Middleton’s classic elegance, Chrissy Teigen’s playful experimentation, Rihanna’s boundary-pushing designs, or Serena Williams’ sporty-chic ensembles—showcase the evolution of maternity fashion from a mere necessity to an important part of celebrity culture and fashion history.
As these celebrities continue to challenge and redefine maternity style, their influence reminds us that pregnancy is not something to be hidden or downplayed but something to be celebrated. Their willingness to embrace fashion in new and exciting ways serves as an inspiration for expectant mothers everywhere, proving that pregnancy can be an opportunity to showcase one’s personal style and confidence.