Ever since she skyrocketed to fame with her 2005 debut single “Pon de Replay,” Rihanna has been a trailblazer and a trendsetter. If anyone expected her to adhere to societal norms when it came to her first pregnancy in 2022, followed by her second in 2023, they were sorely mistaken — especially when it comes to the singer’s penchant for fashion.
Rather than succumbing to shapeless frocks and unflattering maternity garments, Rihanna has continued to dress exactly as she would as a non-pregnant person while unapologetically putting her baby bump on full display. Like she’s done with her music, makeup, and fashion endeavors, the “Lift Me Up” singer has created her own path and set her own rules (or lack thereof) when it comes to her pregnancy style. Along with other modern celebrity mothers like Cardi B, Shay Mitchell, and Kylie Jenner, Rihanna has redefined what exactly maternity fashion looks like while shifting the narrative about how pregnant bodies are allowed to present in the world.
.@rihanna, @KylieJenner, and more celebrity women who are stepping into motherhood with nothing but power and love. (🖊 @_alyssakdavis) https://t.co/qtsOR8jC94
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) June 30, 2022
During her first red carpet event after announcing she and A$AP Rocky were expecting, Rihanna told Entertainment Tonight that she didn’t plan on changing a single thing about her style during pregnancy. “I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I could. And fashion is one of my favorite things, so, you know, we’re defying what it even means to be pregnant and maternal.” She added, “It can get uncomfortable at times and so you can dress the part and pretend.”
At the same event, the “Wild Thoughts” singer told People that “it’s fun” and “a challenge” to come up with stylish looks while pregnant. “I’m enjoying not having to worry about covering up my tummy,” Rihanna admitted. “If I feel a little chubby, it’s like, whatever! It’s a baby!”
Rihanna, Blake Lively, and more celebrity women whose maternity looks are all KINDS of fire. 🔥 https://t.co/9R74jElKyJ
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) December 12, 2022
The Fenty empress added, “Being pregnant, some days you just feel like, ‘Ugh, I just want to lay here on this couch all day.’ But when you put on a little face and a little lipstick, you transform.” Further explaining the confidence she gets from embracing fashion, Rihanna said, “You put some clothes on, and it’s like, when you look good, you feel good. I’ve heard that for a very long time, but it’s true. It really can get you up off that couch and make you feel like a bad b*tch.”
That really embodies her perspective when it comes to dressing the bump — it’s freeing, empowering, and simply iconic behavior to look sexy and stylish while carrying a baby. And why shouldn’t it be? The depressing days of being put out to the matronly pasture are now behind us, in large part thanks to the way Rihanna has carved a catwalk for expecting moms to look and feel good while experiencing the divine femininity of pregnancy. In honor of the trailblazing mutha, we’re taking a look at some of her most iconic maternity looks to date.
A version of this article was published on June 2023.
The Met Gala Teaser Look
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Ahead of the 2023 Met Gala, Rihanna treated the world to this funky fur look, and people around the globe ate it up. The “Diamonds” singer wore a white fur mini dress and a black and white cropped yin-yang jacket with a matching wide-brim hat. She finished the fun outfit with Chanel logo glasses, a statement ring, and large sparkling earrings.
Pretty in Pink
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Rihanna loves a streetwear moment, and this pink outfit shows off her casual pregnancy style. Wearing light pink baggy jeans with rips in the knees, a textured bubblegum pink bralette, a Carhartt jacket, and a pink stuffed fox shawl, the makeup mogul showed just how much fun you can have — and how sexy you can look — while baring a baby bump. Speaking of makeup, can we take a beat to admire her romantic soft glam? Rihanna is breathtaking.
Sleek & Sheer
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The Savage x Fenty founder has also embraced sheer ensembles many a time during her two pregnancies, including this all-black look for the 2022 Oscars afterparty. Rihanna wore a sheer turtleneck Valentino gown with a bandeau underneath and a sequin skirt covering her lower half. She wore opera gloves beneath the voluminous sleeves of the gown and finished the look with sparkling hoop earrings and a dramatic cat eye, wearing her silky hair straight with a deep zig-zag part.
Queen of Streetwear
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In another edgy streetwear look, the “Love the Way You Lie” singer paired baggy denim with a feminine front-tie crop top that once again showed off her round belly. Rihanna layered a patchwork denim and cheetah print coat overtop and added a camo trucker hat and lots of gold jewelry to finish the eclectic ensemble.
Baby No. 1 Announcement Look
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If you scroll to the secondary images in this Instagram post by Rihanna, you’ll see the gorgeous vintage Chanel outfit she wore while debuting her first baby bump in early 2022. The singer paired baggy denim — a clear staple — with a Barbie pink 1996 Chanel puffer coat buttoned between the bust but open around her baby bump. Draping down and around her torso is a long bejeweled pendant necklace that has an Old World Catholic vibe, and her wavy hair is pulled back in a feminine half-up style. As casual as the outfit is, the mom of two looks incredibly beautiful.
Vogue’s Marble Statue Tribute
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Although this technically isn’t a look worn by Rihanna, Vogue’s tribute to the expecting mother ahead of the 2022 Met Gala was nothing short of iconic. The magazine created a digitized marble statue of the singer in all of her pregnant glory just days before she gave birth to her eldest child, RZA. The tribute is a testament to the trail blazed by the “Hate That I Love You” singer during her pregnancy — the world will truly never be the same.
All-Denim Ensemble
During Paris Fashion Week 2023, Rihanna looked so stunning while in checkered denim ensemble of baggy pants and a bra.
Faux-Fur Frocks
Rihanna rocked one of the most daring maternity looks we’ve seen in quite some time while out and about in New York City: and all faux fur outfit of a micro mini skirt and crop top.
Sheer Black Baddie
Rihanna attended a Spotify event with performances by the Foo Fighters in a seriously jaw-dropping, see-through black dress that showed off her gorgeous baby bump.
Sexy & Absolutely Stunning
Rihanna attended the Dior fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in 2022, and she looked ethereal in this sheer lingerie look. Her pregnancy curves were on full display through the see-through dress she donned over a lacy bralette and a matching black thong.
The “Love on the Brain” singer finished the sexy ensemble with a leather overcoat, knee-high leather boots, an assortment of silver jewelry, a sleek half-up hairstyle, and a deep red lip. It’s a bold and sultry look that screams confidence and defies societal standards of what’s “acceptable” for a pregnant person to wear, which makes it all the more iconic.
Super Bowl x Baby No. 2 ‘Fit
Because her entire being is iconic, Rihanna of course surprise-revealed her second pregnancy during her Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show performance. The mama of two channeled her inner Britney Spears with a cherry red outfit that was equal parts sexy and swagger.
The Fenty Beauty founder wore a latex breastplate over a fitted bodysuit and added a Loewe flight suit overtop, unzipped to show off her bump. She accessorized with a red watch and ring, plenty of ear jewelry, and a red manicure and lip color for the hottest Top Gun-esque look we’ve ever seen. Maverick could never.
Dressed in Denim
Rihanna wore a conservative denim look to the 2023 CinemaCon, opting to keep her pregnancy curves under wraps for this event. Even so, the “Stay” singer looks stunning and high-fashion as always, especially with the denim boot-pants under her matching dress garment.
Queen of fashion coordination, Rihanna finished the outfit with a variety of sapphire and diamond jewelry, a silvery-blue smokey eye, and her dark tresses piled atop her head.
Tomboy Chic
The Savage x Fenty founder’s street style is unmatched, and we love this bump-baring look in particular. Walking arm in arm with her beau, A$AP Rocky, Rihanna was seen in this tomboy chic look that involved baggy jeans, a striped rugby-style polo tucked into her bra for a cropped moment, and loosely laced work boots.
The “Umbrella” singer brought some girliness back to the boyish outfit with some chunky gold jewelry, a rectangular clutch, a pair of oversized sunglasses, and a high ponytail that showed off her curls.
Bumpin’ Beauty
Rihanna wore several stunning looks to the 2023 Oscars, including this dark brown Alaïa ensemble. The expecting musician looked breathtaking in a sheer turtleneck bodysuit with a leather bra and maxi skirt layered top. The dramatic skirt featured a long train and cutouts along Rihanna’s hips and thighs, and she finished the look with drop-style gemstone earrings and a few statement rings.
Glam Mutha
During her “Lift Me Up” performance at the Academy Awards ceremony, Rihanna showed the world once again just how sexy pregnancy can be with this intricate, glamorous outfit by Maison Margiela.
Serving Old Hollywood-inspired vibes, the singer wore a baby doll-style top made of a crystal-embellished black bra, mesh halter straps, and draping sheer fabric emblazoned with even more sparkling stones. Her baggy black pants featured a gilded floral design, and she finished the look with black opera gloves and plenty of diamond jewelry.
Glowing in Gucci
From the start of her first pregnancy, Rihanna said she wanted to have fun with fashion, and this Gucci look is her doing exactly that. The stylish mutha looked edgy and smoking hot during Milan Fashion Week 2022 in a black latex and lace crop top, black wide-leg pants embroidered with a red and gold Chinese dragon, and a lavender-colored faux fur coat.
Rihanna finished the ensemble with pointed-toed snakeskin pumps, a reflective Cleopatra-inspired headpiece, and a super-long pendant necklace. She also tied more red into the outfit with her signature cherry lip color.
Curves on Display
The Fenty empress donned a glimmering multi-colored set by The Attico during a 2022 event for her makeup and skincare brands. The shredded green halter top and ombre pink pants put all of her pregnancy curves on display, and it was one of her very first maternity outfits that asserted she intended to push every boundary of “traditional” pregnancy style — and we’ve been lapping it up every bump-baring look since.
Chic in Paris
If the world needed reminded that Rihanna would under no circumstances be caught dead in a muumuu during her pregnancy, this incredible peach ensemble the singer wore to the 2022 Off-White fashion show in Paris certainly cleared things up.
Rihanna’s leather mini-dress hugged every curve and put her girls on display while her floor-length shearling coat and knee-high strappy heels added some glamour to the look. The “What’s My Name” singer stacked an assortment of gold and peach necklaces, wore her long locks in a sleek half-up style, and embraced the monochromatic vibe with a soft peach makeup look. She is nothing short of a vision.
Sporty Stylish
During a dinner outing in Los Angeles, Rihanna was seen in this navy ribbed set with her bump on full display, which has become a signature element of pregnancy style for the beloved musician.
She dressed down the casual Alaïa set even further with a pair of Adidas sneakers and an LAFD baseball cap, but she added a little glam to the look with two stacked pearl necklaces and a small shoulder bag.
Camellia Queen
We’d be remiss to not mention Rihanna’s fashionably late 2023 Met Gala moment. The mogul arrived at the event wearing a bridal-inspired ensemble, complete with a camellia appliqué cape and playful false-eyelash-decorated sunglasses. Upon removing the cape, Rihanna showed off her baby bump in a dramatic gown with a drop waist, plunging neckline, and dainty straps.
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