Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid, Sophie Turner, Kareena Kapoor Khan, have given maternity fashion a 'bump-tastic' makeover!

Back in the early 2000s, when Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Green sported a black pencil skirt and a stylish red racer-back T-shirt that revealed her baby bump in the sitcom 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S', it surely did make Ross Geller, her ex-flame in the sitcom, roll his eyes. But little did he imagine that Rachel’s bump-baring fashion will become a huge maternity trend in the decade to follow!

^{Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel Green sported a bump bearing T-shirt in 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S.'Credit: Warner Bros}
In the past five years or so, while pregnancy outfits have become uber chic and stylish, courtesy Hollywood and Bollywood actresses breaking maternity fashion norms, bump-friendly fashion is adding more glitz, glam, and oomph to their look. Besides, the trend also promotes body-positivity and makes women more confident about their bodies.

_{Kalki Koechlin flaunted a bump-friendly outfit in a photoshootCredit: @kalkikanmani}
“There's no doubt about it that Kareena Kapoor Khan and Anushka Sharma have given maternity fashion a great upgrade and have inspired regular pregnant women to put their fashionable foot forward, but it is celebs like Lisa Haydon, Kalki Koechlin, Bruna Abdullah, and Amy Jackson, who have taken the sex appeal of pregnancy fashion several notches higher by confidently exposing their bump,” says Kaira Dhawal, designer and owner of a maternity fashion label from Bengaluru.

^{Model-actress Bruna Abdullah looks like a million dollar in this outfitCredit: @brunabdullah}
In the West, Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner, Sophie Turner, Jodie Smith, and Nicki Minaj have been an inspiration to women across the world who were shy to flaunt their bare bump. “Well, not everyone can be Cindy Crawford, so baring it all to the world may not be everyone’s piece of cake when expecting a child, but Emily Ratajkowski’s pregnancy announcement and her latest style statement while she goes around painting the town red, have certainly given other women the courage and confidence to flaunt their bumps with style and flair,” says designer Aniruddh Sinha from Delhi.

^{Emily Ratajkowski has been redefining maternity fashion with her bump-tastic outfitsCredit: @emrata}
The owner of a prêt brand, Aniruddha suggests that with bump-positive style getting attention and nods across the world, stretchy midis, loose-fitted blouses, baggy dungarees, oversized T-shirts, and loose dresses, are already taking a backseat. “Cycling shorts, A-line skirts, maternity jeans with elastic, yoga pants for pregnancy, etc are gaining prominence as maternity wear give a pretty good glimpse of women's belly when teamed up with front or side knot racer back tees or crop tops. My favourite one is Emily wearing an unbuttoned white shirt with a pair of denim and boots. That’s the epitome of style for a pregnant woman,” adds maternity stylist Kajal Khanna from Kolkata, adding that even PJs are being styled with shorter tops that show the bulge.

^{Jodie Turner-Smith made an appearance on a chat show wearing a crop top in her pregnancy Credit: @jodiesmith}
Body positivity activist and stylist Kanan Mehta, says that the fact that women aren’t shamed or intimidated by trolls, is further helping normalise the trend. “None of these celebs care about the backlash, trolls being body shamed because they are busy deciding what their next sexiest outfit is going to be!” says Kannan, adding, “What’s also refreshing is how comfortable and effortless these bump-positive styles and outfits look. For instance, Sophie Turner wearing yoga pants and a front knot T-shirt that shows only a tiny part of her belly looks both uber chic and comfy. In fact, her bikini look was absolutely glam!.”

^{Kareena Kapoor Khan bares her pregnancy bump while she was carrying her second son Jeh}
How to create your own bump-friendly look
Comfort is key: Invest in bottoms that are loose, low waist, and have elastic on them. It will not only help you style a top in a manner that shows your bump but also won’t make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

^{Kylie Jenner Pic: @kyliejenner}
Bank on a shirt: Trust oversized shirts to give you a sex appeal! Either tie the shirt above the bulge and team it up with a low-waist skirt or only button the top two buttons and keep the rest open and style it with a pair of loose denim or joggers.

^{Sophie Turner}
Cycling shorts are a must: Cycling shorts don’t put a lot of pressure on your belly and easily give you a sporty look. Style them with a sports bra, camisoles, and even a half front open shirt.

^{Nicki Minaj with Kenneth PettyCredit: @nickiminaj}
Cord-sets: Coordinated sets with cropped jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts are a great way to flaunt your bump in style.
"Bump-friendly maternity styles are among those few clutter-freaking trends that empower and make women her love herself and her body. It is absolutely sexy! While we are looking up to celebs like Kylie and Gigi from West for inspiration, for me it was Carol Gracias, who walked the ramp in a sari while pregnant and confidently bared her bump, thus inspiring Asian women to try out the trend. Kareena Kapoor Khan too flaunted her baby bump with elan during ger second pregnancy."
^{- Genelia Michael, designer, and stylist from Goa}