A “bump” up for style

Maternity wear is on the cusp of a meteoric evolution —with celebrities going all out and slayin’ it by sporting some enviable styles even during the trimester of pregnancy. The latest star to give us #mommy-to-be goals is tennis sensation Serene Williams, who made jaws drop in a black cutout swim wear. And, she’s not the only one. Not too long ago, another yummy-mommy to be actress Soha Ali Khan’s official Instagram was filled with rad images of the Pataudi princess flaunting chic yet comfy looks. Not to forget actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who wasn’t lagging behind during her pregger days. Those high slit silk gowns and flared midi dresses were proof enough. Model and actress Lisa Haydon too made heads turn in those striking evening numbers despite a heavy bump. While these celeb pictures went viral instantly, they’re also a fashion-forward crop that’s headlining a raging trend– of how maternity can be a phase that needn’t face a sartorial setback.  City experts give us insightful (style) notes for mommys-to-be’s to consider...

Soha has been opting for breezy styles to cushion her bump.

“Crawl sleeved maxi dresses with asymmetrical hemlines, airy jumpsuits and midi dresses are trending.  Heavily pregnant women can sport these, and make a statement without compromising on their comfort. I see a lot of huge abstract and floral prints doing the rounds in the fashion scene. Young women can take subtle hints from that as well, while picking clothes,” reveals Bengaluru-based designer Prerana Sarkar, who also adds how imperative it is to pay heel to silhouettes. “I see a lot of women picking some of the most bizarre silhouettes because they’re blinded by the softness of the fabric.

Kareena Kapoor Khan

As a rule, pregnant women should avoid hour glass silhouettes and snug fit clothes. Play around with lace, ruffles and fringes as they are still in vogue. Infuse these trends with pastel coloured clothes to score some great points on the style front.” Hinting at how slits and cutouts are stellar options to choose from, stylist Saumya Shetty adds, “Cold shoulders, standout cutouts, bell-sleeves and lace-up tops are all very stylish yet as comfortable as your regular tees and trousers. While it’s safe to play around with colours like baby pink, ice blue and the like; I’d recommend women to digress from the usual and give bold and striking colours like burgundy, oxblood, and electric green and black a try.”

Beyonce picked styles to embrace her curves while pregnant with twins.

Adding how fabrics like stretch velvet, spandex, Lycra and vinyl are best suggested, designer Natasha Tyagi concludes by stating, “The buzzword is mix. Nothing too tight around the bust or the waist is the key. Stick to antifits or just the right fits. It’s better to go for woven than knits as a fabric choice. Pregnant women should stick to breathable fabrics like 100 per cent cotton, linen blends or cotton lycra blends. Avoid 100 per cent polyester as it could be most unhelpful at the time of hot flashes. Look for live or lyocell tags in garments as well. they are new blends in the market that are trending and comfortable. Keep in simple in terms of silhouette and and pair it up with statement jewellery pieces.”