Samantha Ruth Prabhu (Photos: Instagram/@samantharuthprabhuoffl) Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s maternity wardrobe is one for the keeps. Western one day, ethnic the next, she is mixing it all up, and the variety feels like a breath of fresh air. Let’s be honest: dressing up during pregnancy is hard. Plenty of women stand in front of the mirror wondering what will fit, what will flatter and what will leave them feeling frumpy. Samantha sidesteps the dilemma by moving between western looks and ethnic wear with total ease. Take her outfit for Celebrity MasterChef Tamil. For one of her appearances, she chose a handwoven cotton saree and jacket from Anavila, the label of designer Anavila Misra. Bookmark this one. It works for pregnancy dressing, and it works just as well now that a slight chill has crept into the weather. Read More: Handbags, Watches and Price Tags: How the Instagram Account Cabinet Couture Takes On Indonesia’s Elite The set comes from the designer’s Malli Kili collection. The white saree is the Pookkal Saree, which, according to the label, “is crafted from fine handspun, handwoven cotton silk textile in a cool ivory tone. It is finished with a silver facing and features an abstract floral appliqué border with dragonfly motifs, culminating in a gold toned pallu.” Samantha layered it with the beige Pookkal Jacket, cut from linen in an earthy, natural tone. The label says, “With an easy fit silhouette the jacket features an abstract floral appliqué pattern with three dimensional beaded dragonfly motifs.” There is a bigger lesson in the look, too. Slow, homegrown fashion has a quiet swagger that no fast-fashion rack can match. Handspun fabric, handwoven texture and delicate dragonfly detailing make the outfit feel considered and effortlessly chic. For anyone hunting for maternity fashion that feels fresh, this is your cue to look closer to home. The saree, meanwhile, plays by nobody’s rules. Throw a crisp shirt under it, belt a blazer over it or run it with a boxy T-shirt and trainers, and the same six yards turn office-sharp, off-duty or after-dark. Samantha’s linen jacket proves the point: add one layer and the drape takes on a whole new attitude. Namya is a seasoned journalist with nearly two decades of experience. A graduate of Miranda House, Delhi University, and Boston University's College o... View More