I'm Just Going To Be Me, Plus Pregnant: Rihanna’s Best Maternity Outfits

Source: @badgalriri on Instagram
Rihanna debuting her baby bump during a snowstorm in Harlem, NYC.

Rihanna has been a fashion icon since the early 2000s—and she hasn’t let us down since. She’s been dressed by all the best designers, done collaborations with all the major names, been front row at all the biggest shows, and even dabbled in fashion design—backed by LVMH, of course. But, as she enters a new chapter in her life, her style and how she expresses herself are about to undergo a transformation. However, if you think about it, is it really?

Traditionally, maternity clothes have always been of little to no diversity. The brands are usually the same, producing in a niche market for decades, and the options are rather limited, both in style and sizing. It’s also seen as such an inconvenient side effect of being pregnant. Having to alter your closet for a short amount of time with clothes that you might never wear postpartum seems rather troublesome, which is why a large chunk of the clothes women wear throughout their pregnancy is handed down—another jab at style.

Source: FashionBombDaily
Rihanna celebrating her 32nd birthday with the father of her baby, A$AP Rocky.

Rihanna is no average woman, and her maternity looks are anything but average. In the weeks leading up to her pregnancy reveal, the singer had been seen in extremely oversized, yet chic clothes, a major source of the pregnancy rumors. But, as soon as she debuted that baby bump on Instagram, her maternity style fully flourished in a way that only this fashion chameleon’s style could. Rihanna let us know very quickly that she wasn’t going to do maternity looks. She was just going to be herself, plus pregnant.

Sending a message to stereotypes and body-shamers across the globe, Rihanna made it clear that her bump was not going to be hidden unless the look called for it. She is still the same sexy, flirty, powerful woman she’s always been. Rihanna somehow managed to make her bump an accessory, without taking too much away from the actual clothes.

For starters, the pregnancy reveal look. Being who she is, Rihanna and her team have the pulling power of 1,000 celebrities. Anything she wants, she can get her hands on. This is why she had no issue debuting her belly to the world in a pink puffer coat from Chanel's Fall 1996 collection by Karl Lagerfeld, as well as a Chanel chain belt, pearl necklace, and bejeweled Christian Lacroix crucifix. Both of these designers no longer produce clothing, so it’s safe to say that getting your hands on these pieces is considered a big win.

From there, Rihanna’s baby bump began a fashion tour that has spanned several climates and time zones. Almost immediately after the reveal, the Savage X Fenty designer was spotted out in about in L.A. She wore leggings by The Attico, heels by her friend and collaborator Amina Muaddi, and a lace-up front ribbed top, fully exposing her large and in charge belly.

This was an important moment for Rihanna’s maternity lookbook—she was letting us know that her belly wasn’t just pictured for the reveal, it was going to be center stage for the remainder of her pregnancy. The heels also let us know that this is still the same girl that effortlessly glides over city grates. She would be spotted later out in NYC wearing Saint Laurent mink-trimmed leather mules while running errands.

Source: @badgalriri on Instagram
Rihanna taking her baby bump for a spin in L.A.

Nobody gets in between Rihanna and some vintage goodies, especially not a baby. She’s continued to pull fantastic finds as she parades through her life, unbothered and as a soon-to-be mother. Taking a quick trip to Europe, as most pregnant women do, she celebrated her birthday in London wearing a Gucci Fall 1997 fur coat, from Tom Ford’s tenure at the Italian house. She then quickly found herself in Milan to attend a Gucci fashion show, because who is Rihanna if not an honored attendee of any fashion week?

For the runway presentation, she wore pieces from the brand’s Fall 2022 collection; a patent leather top, satin trousers with a dragon motif, and an oversized lilac fur coat. But for the after-party, Rihanna got her hands on more of Tom Ford’s Gucci, wearing a sheer mini dress embroidered in the brand’s signature interlocking G pattern from the Spring 1998 collection.

Source: *Harper’s Bazaar*
Rihanna leaving the Gucci after party.

Source: *Vogue*
Rihanna’s “most sensational maternity look to date” according to Vogue.

Without losing any momentum, Rihanna made her way to Paris to close out the fashion festivities in style. Being a longtime friend of the house, she attended Dior’s Fall 2022 show in her most revealing look to date; a see-through lingerie mini dress with matching lace undies framed by a pair of latent leather calf-high boots. This was nothing less than iconic. Even as she grows another human inside her, she still has her foot firmly placed on the girl’s necks. She ended her time in Paris by having dinner at Cesar Restaurant, wearing a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier grey mohair cropped turtle neck. She even signed a plate by drawing the silhouette of her baby bump.

Even as she continues to show us that she knows her fashion history by wearing clothes that will soon be decades older than her baby, today’s designers are still jumping at the chance to dress a pregnant Rihanna. During her time in Europe, Rihanna wore two fresh off-the-runway garments by fashion ‘IT’ boy, Glenn Martens. The first from his Fall 2022 collection at DIESEL, which had only been debuted to the world less than 72 hours prior, and the second (which Rihanna posted herself) from his Y/Project Fall 2022 collection which he had showcased only a month prior.

The Attico, a brand Rihanna wore early on in her pregnancy, also created a custom look inspired by their Spring 2022 collection that the singer wore to a Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin event in L.A. The look consisted of a stringy top and bottom made entirely of sequined strands that drooped down in a U shape. The garments were made specifically for Rihanna since the original look only consisted of pants and had gold and red tones rather than green and lilac. New or old, Rihanna stays on everyone’s #1 best-dressed list.

Source: Red Carpet Fashion Awards
Rihanna dazzles in a custom set at her event.

As Rihanna’s pregnancy continues, we’re salivating at the possibilities. Could we see some matronly looks from Di Petsa’s Fall 2022 collection inspired by the Greek goddess Athena? Or, will she continue to give us classic Rihanna sex appeal and wear the infamous Spring 2022 Miu Miu set? The world really is her oyster. Whatever direction she decides to go in we’ll be supporting her every step of the way as she continues to give us all a masterclass in maternity dressing.

Which Rihanna maternity look was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.