For a long time, pregnancy fashion seemed to come with its own set of rules. Show the bump, hide the bump, buy maternity clothes, size up. But the growing popularity of oversized dressing suggests there may be a simpler answer: wear what gives you room and still feels like you.

Deepika Padukone seems to be making a case for exactly that kind of ease. In her latest pregnancy look, the actor was seen in a loose blue shirt with blue denim, brown sunglasses and a delicate gold necklace carrying daughter Dua's name and a heart. 

Oversized fashion was already having a moment before pregnancy entered the picture. While Deepika herself has been known for relaxed, oversized looks well before her current pregnancy.

Start with the oversized shirt

A roomy button-down is probably one of the easiest pieces to work into a pregnancy wardrobe. Wear it loose over maternity jeans, pair it with a long skirt or leave it open over a simple fitted top. It can also work as a light layer over a dress.

Oversized shirts have long been recommended as a useful pregnancy option because they can accommodate a changing bump without requiring a completely new wardrobe.

Deepika's blue-on-blue look is a good example of keeping things simple. A shirt and denim in similar shades create a clean line, while sunglasses and jewellery give the outfit a little personality.

If the shirt is particularly loose, adding one defined element elsewhere can help. That could be a straight-cut pair of trousers, a structured handbag or simply a pair of neat flats.

Give wide-leg trousers a chance

Wide-leg trousers, relaxed linen pants and soft drawstring styles can be much easier to live in, particularly when sitting or moving around for long periods. The trick is to choose fabrics and waistbands that feel comfortable rather than simply buying something because it is labelled oversized.

A roomy shirt with wide-leg trousers creates a deliberately relaxed silhouette. If that feels like too much volume, wear the shirt open over a closer-fitting top.

For an everyday outfit, add flat sandals or trainers. A structured bag and simple jewellery can take the same combination somewhere slightly smarter.

The shirt dress is an easy win

A loose shirt dress is another option for anyone who wants the comfort of an oversized silhouette without having to think about putting together separates.

It can be worn on its own with flats or sandals, or layered with a lightweight cardigan or jacket when needed. The best part is that a roomy cut can continue to work as the bump grows. loose shirt dresses can look polished without necessarily being maternity-specific.

For a daytime look, keep the accessories simple. For an evening event, earrings, a small bag and a more polished pair of shoes can change the mood completely.

Borrow from the menswear section

A roomy shirt, loose blazer or relaxed trousers can give a pregnancy outfit a slightly borrowed-from-the-boys feel. Pair one oversized piece with something more fitted to keep the outfit balanced.

For example, an oversized shirt over a simple tank with relaxed trousers can look casual without becoming too baggy.

Try the oversized blazer

A blazer can be surprisingly useful during pregnancy, particularly if you already own one.

Instead of buttoning it, wear it open over a dress, T-shirt or shirt. A relaxed blazer can add some structure without putting pressure around the middle.

 

It is also an easy way to make a casual outfit look more finished. An oversized shirt, comfortable trousers and flats can feel quite different once a blazer and a pair of understated earrings enter the picture.

Dresses and kaftans

Loose dresses and kaftans have always had a place in warm-weather wardrobes, and pregnancy is another reason to appreciate them.

A cotton midi dress, a flowing maxi or a simple kaftan can give the body plenty of room while still allowing you to play with colour, prints and accessories. For an everyday look, pair a simple dress with flat sandals and a roomy tote.

For an occasion, change the accessories rather than the entire outfit. A printed dress with large earrings can look festive. A plain one with a long necklace can feel more polished. There is no need to save comfortable clothes exclusively for staying at home.

Indian wear can be relaxed too

Pregnancy does not mean putting traditional clothes away for nine months. Loose kurtas, flowing anarkalis, relaxed co-ord sets and breathable sarees can all be adapted depending on what feels comfortable. An oversized shirt can even be used as an unexpected layer with a saree for a more contemporary look.

For a wedding or family occasion, a flowing silhouette can be dressed up with jewellery rather than relying on a heavily embellished outfit.

The same principle applies here: comfort does not have to mean looking underdressed.

Accessories can change the whole outfit

This is perhaps the easiest lesson to take from Deepika's look. Her outfit itself is straightforward: shirt, denim and sunglasses. The personal touch comes through the necklace featuring Dua's name.

Jewellery can do a lot when the clothes themselves are deliberately simple. A pair of hoops, a pendant, stacked bangles or statement earrings can make a relaxed outfit feel considered.

The same goes for bags and shoes. A simple oversized shirt can look casual with trainers and a canvas tote, or considerably more polished with a structured handbag and loafers.

There is no universal pregnancy uniform. It does not automatically mean hiding the bump under layers of fabric. Some women prefer fitted dresses and tops because they like seeing the shape of their changing body. Others would rather have a little distance between their clothes and their skin. Both are perfectly valid.

A fitted ribbed dress with an oversized shirt thrown over it, for instance, gives you both options in one outfit. You get the shape of the dress without feeling completely exposed.