Expectant A-list stars rock maternity fashion on the red carpet
- Published
When you're seven months pregnant and having trouble sleeping, probably the last thing you want to do is strap on a pair of six inch heels and schlep down the red carpet to parade in front of a bank of cameras.
But one advantage pregnant stars do have compared to us mere mortals is the ability to call on a clutch of top-end designers and stylists to dress their bumps. After all, if there's one gripe many pregnant women share, it's the lack of flattering and glamorous maternity fashion.
The situation has improved dramatically in recent years and the Peter Pan collars and bows that were once synonymous with maternity wear have, thankfully, disappeared off our radars.
Yet high-end pregnancy fashion is still something of an enigma - apart from in the world of celebrity.
Come see how pregnant stars have been styling their blossoming baby bumps over the past few months and years, from Milla Jovovich's Saint Laurent minidress to Kristen Bell's Etro jumpsuit. It's maternity power dressing at its very best:
Photos: Rex Features
Keira Knightley
In Valentino Couture at the 87th Academy Awards, Oscars, Vanity Fair After Party, Los Angeles
Sophie Hunter
Molly Sims
The model and actress attended the 87th Academy Awards, Oscars, Vanity Fair After Party nine months pregnant in a blue Ezra Santos gown
Keira Knightley
For the Oscars red carpet and awards ceremony Keira wore a beautiful Valentino Couture gown.
Kristen Bell
Wearing DSquared2 at The Judge film premiere, Los Angeles in October before Kristen gave birth to her and her husband Daz Shepard's second daughter Delta in December.
Sophie Hunter
Another elegant dress for Sophie Hunter who is wearing Maison Martin Margiela to this year's Baftas
Keira Knightley
Dressed in Chanel, Keira made a stunning red carpet appearance at the 2015 Golden Globes shortly after announcing she is expecting her first child with husband James Righton.
Sophie Hunter
Theatre director Sophie Hunter opted for a floral silk Erdem dress for her Golden Globes 2015 red carpet appearance, just a week after confirming she and fiancee Benedict Cumberbatch are expecting.
The Duchess of Cambridge
During the royal couple's trip to New York in early December last year, Kate opted for this Jenny Packham gown, which she's worn more than twice before
Blake Lively
At the the Angel Ball, New York in Gucci in October 2014
Blake Lively
The heavily pregnant actress looked the epitome of chic in this gorgeous black dress with bump proudly on full show.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet dresses her bump in a ravishing red Jenny Packham number, at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2013.
Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell opts for a tropical onesie by Etro at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow and her baby-to-be grace the 2006 Oscars dressed in a sumptuous white Balenciaga number.
Kerry Washington
A pregnant Kerry Washington looks fab in a light purple gown by Jason Wu at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty this year.
Natalie Portman
Here's Natalie Portman working maternity style like a pro in striking Rodarte, at the 2011 Oscars.
Mila Kunis
Months before Mila Kunis gave birth to hers and Ashton Kutcher's baby girl, the actress attended the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, where she won an award for best villain in Oz the Great and Powerful.
Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland cradles her bump in a statuesque Giuseppe Zanotti gown at the MTV Video Music Awards in August this year.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore has found herself a gorgeous lemon-coloured vintage frock for the Las Vegas CinemaCon 2014 in March.
Gwen Stefani
It's a typically flamboyant effort from style queen Gwen Stefani, in Salvatore Ferragamo. She's pictured at a gala in LA in October 2013.
Milla Jovovich
How great does expectant mum Milla Jovovich look? The supermodel's wearing Saint Laurent to the Venice International Film Festival in early September.
Kate Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge has maternity style down to a tee, in a cream dress by Jenny Packham and Jane Taylor fascinator, as she attends a service in London in May last year.
Lily Allen
The singer flaunts her bump in a stunning midnight blue gown with pleated skirt at the British Fashion Awards in November 2012.
Rosamund Pike
A pregnant Rosamund Pike chooses a Prada LBD for the Berlin film premiere of Hector and the Search for Happiness last month.
Zoe Saldana
Hi there, Zoe Saldana. She's rocking a Givenchy leopard print affair at the Pre-Emmy Awards Celebration in August this year.
Doutzen Kroes
Dutch Victoria's Secret model Doutzen Kroes dresses her bump to perfection in a figure-hugging black dress at a charity gala in New York in May this year.
Lake Bell
The Million Dollar Arm actress and mum-to-be wears a show-stopping Tommy Hilfiger gown for the Charles James: Beyond Fashion Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May.
Leelee Sobieski
Actress Leelee Sobieski is a vision in this deep blue Dior ensemble at the Dior Cruise fashion show in New York, May 2014.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson dresses her bump in Versace for the LA premiere of Something Borrowed in May 2011.
Hayden Panettiere
We love this strapless tulle ball gown by Lorena Sarbu that Hayden Panettiere is showcasing at the 2014 Emmys in August.
Olivia Wilde
Wow. Olivia Wilde in Gucci is a sight for sore eyes at the Golden Globes in January this year.
Busy Phillips
Cougar Town star Busy Phillips in a gorgeous navy Gabriela Cadena dress at the SAG Awards in LA, January 2013.
Elsa Pataky
Spanish actress Elsa Pataky knows how to work it in this turquoise Elie Saab gown at the 2014 Oscars.
Erin O'Connor
Erin O'Connor is the personification of chic in a floorlength Jenny Packham gown at a London launch in March this year.
Jessica Alba
Dolce & Gabbana is a label that flatters a pregnant Jessica Alba, at the LA premiere of Spy Kids All The Time In The World 4D in July 2011.
Mary Helen Bowers
You may not be that familiar with Mary Helen Bowers (she's a professional ballerina) but her striped mini-dress - modelled at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in November 2013 - is such a great example of slick maternity style, it definitely deserves a mention.
Kristin Cavallari
The fashion designer wears her own label, Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry, at the Elton John Oscars afterparty in LA this year.