Hollywood mothers-to-be have increasingly challenged traditional notions of maternity wear, opting for daring designs that highlight their pregnancies rather than conceal them. This evolution in celebrity maternity style is evident in choices ranging from bare-bump ensembles and sheer gowns to outfits featuring strategic cutouts.

Rihanna has consistently turned her pregnancies into highly publicized fashion events. Her approach, characterized by bold, belly-baring looks, has become a benchmark for maternity style. In 2022, her first pregnancy announcement featured an iconic vintage Chanel coat paired with baggy jeans, drawing significant attention.

Decades earlier, stars like Kate Hudson and Jada Pinkett Smith were already pushing boundaries. Hudson, at the 2003 Venice Film Festival, wore a sparkling silver Chanel Haute Couture set that showcased her baby bump. Pinkett Smith made a memorable statement at the 1998 Grammy Awards in a transparent sequin gown while pregnant with her son Jaden.

More recently, Anne Hathaway, while expecting her third child, has utilized her press tours as a platform for maternity fashion, including crop tops and custom gowns. For the London premiere of "The Odyssey" in July 2026, she wore a cerulean Dior gown designed to skim her baby bump.

Other notable maternity style moments include:

  • Beyoncé: Arrived at the 2011 MTV VMAs in a radiant orange Lanvin gown to announce her pregnancy.
  • Angelina Jolie: Attended the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in a green Max Azria Atelier gown while pregnant with twins Knox and Vivienne.
  • Hailey Bieber: Wore an ivory silk-satin Phoebe Philo dress for a New York dinner date while expecting her son Jack in June 2024.
  • Vanessa Hudgens: Dazzled at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a sheer black Alberta Ferretti gown.
  • Kerry Washington: Framed her baby bump in a black Brandon Maxwell dress at the 2016 Emmy Awards.
  • Heidi Klum: Wore a one-shoulder red Michael Kors gown at the 2006 Emmy Awards.
  • Sienna Miller: Confirmed her second pregnancy at Vogue World: London 2023 in a Schiaparelli crop top and white balloon skirt.
  • Jennifer Lawrence: Chose a custom chocolate brown Bottega Veneta ensemble with gold brooches for the 15th Governors Awards in November 2024.
  • Amal Clooney: Wore custom Atelier Versace with a feathered skirt to the 2017 César Awards while pregnant with twins Ella and Alexander.
  • Ciara: Sported a see-through crystal mesh gown from Ralph & Russo at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty.
  • Blake Lively: Appeared in a plunging yellow Gucci gown during her first pregnancy at the 2014 Angel Ball.
  • Kate Middleton: Selected a forest-green Jenny Packham gown with a black velvet sash at the 2018 BAFTAs while expecting Prince Louis.
  • Meghan Markle: Wore a custom ivory Dior gown with embellished sleeves for a February 2019 reception in Rabat.
  • Adriana Lima: Showcased her belly in a custom cutout Balmain gown at the 2022 premiere of "Top Gun: Maverick."
  • Cardi B: Made her Met Gala debut in 2018 in a pearl-and-crystal-encrusted Moschino gown by Jeremy Scott while pregnant with daughter Kulture.
  • Sarah Jessica Parker: Wore a blush pink empire-waist dress by Narciso Rodriguez to the Season 5 premiere of "Sex and the City" in 2002.
  • Olivia Wilde: Attended the 2014 Golden Globes in an emerald sequin Gucci gown.
  • Suki Waterhouse: Her red Valentino Couture gown at the 2024 Emmy Awards was altered during fittings to accommodate her pregnancy.
  • Keira Knightley: Wore an embroidered Valentino Haute Couture gown to the 2015 Oscars.

These appearances demonstrate a significant shift in how expectant celebrities choose to present themselves publicly, embracing fashion as a form of self-expression throughout their pregnancies.