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Not that Kareena Kapoor Khan needs stylistic inspiration. However, she may take a cue or two from Blake Lively’s custom-made maternity closet...
Manish Mishra (DNA; July 15, 2016)

Why is that Hollywood actresses always score high when it comes to nailing maternity style? This year, a heavily pregnant Blake Lively hit all the right style notes at Cannes in a custom-made pale blue shimmery Versace gown. The likes of Behati Prinsloo, Bar Refaeli and Kerry Washington can write a book on chic pregnant style. Kareena Kapoor Khan’s dressing has always been comfort-meets-chic so adapting to a new anti-fit or bespoke closet won’t be a challenge for the style-savvy actress. She wears everything with an unstudied ease and perhaps that’ll what make the coming months a cake-walk for her. Superimpose that with her pregnant mega-watt glow and you’ve got the real winner here! However, pregnant bodies react differently at different stages of pregnancy so it might be a bit of a slippery slope. We ask designers and stylists to suggest easy chic styles for the actress...

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‘If Kareena takes cue from Blake, she’ll rock it effortlessly’ - Isha Bhansali; Stylist
Isha says, “Blake Lively broke traditional norms of anti-fit, diaphanous maternity wear and flaunted her baby bump with much aplomb. She chose sleek, minimal and yet glamorous gowns for her red carpet appearances. If Kareena takes cue from that, she’ll rock it effortlessly as well. Especially with her stunning sculpted face, she’ll embrace the strong look of motherhood.”

‘A-line silhouette works beautifully’ - Maithili Ahluwalia, Owner, Bungalow 8
Maithili suggests a closet full of A-line dresses and sporty jersey pants since the actress nails sporty chic so well. “She can carry off androgyny quite well. Hollywood women don’t look at themselves as ‘pregnant women’. It’s about their mindset, they’re pretty much in the same shape, the only thing grown is their bump. I can picture her in tailored and tapered big shirts,” says Maithili.

‘Bespoke maternity style won’t be a challenge for her’ - Nimish Shah; Designer
“Kareena has always shown a penchant for comfort dressing and never veered towards the Herve Leger bandage style. To adapt to a bespoke maternity style won’t be a challenge for her,” says Nimish.

‘Blake Lively shows that you don’t have to be frumpy’ - Payal Singhal; Designer
Payal feels that pregnant moms now don’t need to wear pregnancy clothes anymore. “Cute A-line tunics with leggings or empire line dresses work so well and in Indian long anarkalis are a great pick. Blake shows you how you don’t need to be frumpy while pregnant and can wear your day to day wardrobe and embrace your new shape. ”

Enlarge Image‘Bollywood always tries to put actresses in a mould’ — Paromita Banerjee; Designer
Paromita says, “Hollywood does it so well and they are not conscious because it’s the most natural thing. Bollywood is always trying to put actresses in a certain mould. A custom-made anti-fit dress works well which allows comfort and is chic at the same time.”

Designer Sana from label The Circus says, “Wear dark colours if you are not too sure about flaunting your curves. Maxi dresses work wonders as they are comfy-yet-on-trend.”

‘Needn’t be fitted’ — Payal Khandwala
Designer Payal Khandwala says, “She’s relaxed and her personal style is comfort-oriented. When I was pregnant, I wanted to be comfortable. Clothes needn’t be fitted as it gets itchy. I’d suggest a gentle A-line shape, soft fabric like chiffon with accessories.”