It’s been almost a decade since I’ve had a baby bump, but I remember my desperate attempts to be fashionable throughout both my pregnancies like it was yesterday. For nine months, I lived in cotton maxi skirts, gaucho pants, stretchy wrap tops, and flip-flops. I could claim it was “California casual” but, honestly, it was the best I could do at the time. My greatest style statement was having a good manicure!
Of course, there were no paparazzi following me around, so there was no need to coif myself to perfection every day. For Kate Middleton, things are quite different. Her every move is watched – every outfit recorded – every maternity ensemble obsessed over. To her credit, she handles the pressure with grace and style.
Kate is classy, casual, colorful, on trend without being too trendy, willing to show some leg without showing too much, and she has amazing hair. She’s a true fashion icon who has raised the bar for women and pregnant mothers-to-be everywhere… and unless you’ve been off the grid in some remote corner of the globe, you’ve no doubt heard the news that she and husband, Prince William, are expecting their second child. Not only does that mean baby George is going to have a sibling, it also means the frenzy over Kate’s maternity style has begun anew. For fun, we’re taking a look back at her six best looks from pregnancy #1:
Kate Middleton's 6 Most Gorgeous Pregnancy Looks
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Kickin’ It in Canary Yellow
At Queen Elizabeth II's Garden Party in May 2013, Kate stunned in a gorgeous yellow coat by Emilia Wickstead and hat by Jane Corbett. The last thing most pregnant women want to wear is a coat to add bulk, but this was perfect -- from the flattering A-line cut and beautiful shade (subtle, not garish), to the above-the-knee hem which made it fashionable not frumpy.
Photo: Getty
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And The Bump Wore…Beige
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the queen's coronation in the summer of 2013, Kate wore a beautiful blush-beige dress and jacket by British designer Jenny Packham, along with a hat by June Taylor and pumps by L.K. Bennett (a Kate fave). Not everyone can pull off neutrals with this sort of rosy glow, but Kate can and did. As always with her, the cut is key – flattering her growing bump without making her look weighed down.
Photo: Getty
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Green with Envy
Among the many things to love about Kate, she is not afraid to recycle her wardrobe. At a St. Patrick's Day parade in 2013, she donned the same Emilia Wickstead coat-dress from the prior year. To accommodate her curvier bod, she ditched the belt and paired it with tights, turtleneck, gloves, and John Locke beret -- all in slimming, sophisticated black.
Photo: Getty
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Peachy Keen, Kate!
Peach is pretty, but not a color everyone can pull off. Kate wore it in the spring, topping off a custom-made blush shift dress with a tailored, trapeze-style Tara Jarmon coat in the most fabulous, flattering shade of apricot. She also accessorized to perfection with a nude patent leather clutch and matching heels by L.K. Bennett. Oh, and the hair…
Photo: Getty
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Mad Men, Marvelous Mom
Though not vintage, this looks like something Betty Draper would pull out of her closet on Mad Men. It was the first official “maternity” dress Kate wore publicly, once again by 30-year-old, New Zealand-born designer Emilia Wickstead. The iridescent, eggshell-blue shade is divine - the neckline, ruched empire waist, and suede Rupert Sanderson pumps are simple and stunning.
Photo: Getty
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Kate Rocks the Dots
How can you not love a girl who could afford anything yet wears Topshop? Attending a wedding, the very-pregnant Kate wore a black and white polka dot dress from the bargain fashion store, topped by a short, sophisticated Ralph Lauren jacket. She’s wearing a stellar hat too, but you barely notice because the dress is the show-stopper. A pregnant woman cool enough to sport polka dots and not look like a Dr. Seuss character? You gotta hand it to her -- go, Kate!
Photo: Getty
