As Hollywood’s leading ladies have shown this year, pregnancy can be the ultimate fashion accessory. Black gowns, belly-flaunting midriffs, and curve-accentuating fringe have marked a new era in expecting mothers embracing their changing bodies rather than hiding them beneath billowing dresses or overcoat tents, proving that maternity-chic style statements can still stun. With 2023 drawing to an end, WWD glances back at the celeb baby bump best dressed moments that have redefined the red carpet rules and left us in awe.
Rihanna made a dramatic entrance at the 95th Academy Awards, her growing bump on full display in a sheer Alaïa gown that clung to her curves before flowing into a rippling inky train. The custom dress, awash in glimmering paillettes, leather lacing, and a plunging neckline, was impressively paired with elbow-length gloves and statement earrings dripping in black diamonds. The Bad Gal’s maternity fashion moment memorably stole the Oscars spotlight in March before she welcomed baby boy Riot Rose this August.
Shimmering in a galaxy of crystals, country star Nicole Hocking radiated atop the ACM Awards red carpet in May, her embellished Oscar de la Renta fringe dress catching the light with thousands of hand-beaded paillettes. Husband and fellow musician Luke Combs affectionately cradled his wife’s baby bump as the parents-to-be smiled for cameras before welcoming new son Beau Lee in August.
Serena Williams had social media buzzing after the 2023 Met Gala in May when she nonchalantly revealed her surprise second pregnancy in custom-made Gucci, the skintight gown’s diamanté neckline perfectly framing her bump. Accessorized with Tiffany & Co. pearls and heaps of ruffled tulle, Serena and husband Alexis Ohanian’s newest addition Adira was welcomed this August.
Fellow model mom-to-be Karlie Kloss also debuted her pregnancy in classic style at the Met in an optical illusion Loewe number, the pattern play flowing beautifully over her bump. Accessorized with Garrard jewels and matching choker, Kloss’s gown glamorously announced she and husband Joshua Kushner’s incoming son Elijah Jude this July.
Keeping her maternity style breezy, country darling Caroline Jones sparkled at November’s CMA Awards in a barely-there fishnet dress speckled in light-catching sequins. The shimmering frock’s plunging neckline was balanced by long sleeves as Jones, arm-in-arm with husband Nick Dana, approached their baby’s due date in chic fashion.
Making a crimson splash across the Brit Awards stage, singer Jessie J fearlessly bared her bump in February beneath a bold red lace crop top and matching billowing overcoat. Accenting her fiery ensemble with Le Silla stilettos, the pop powerhouse would welcome son Sky this May with beau Chanan Colman.
As these fashion and baby bump trailblazers have shown in spades, pregnancy can be pretty in pink peplums or daringly displayed in dazzling dresses and spine-tingling slits. With nude illusion gowns and strategic cutouts now deemed fair maternity wear game, the celebrities are certainly changing the red carpet repertoire in 2023 and beyond. We can’t wait to see what expecting star style surprises next year has in store!
