Australian influencer and model Dominique Elissa has issued a rallying call to pregnant women everywhere — urging them to show off their bumps without apology — after revealing she has faced repeated unsolicited comments and judgmental stares over her maternity fashion choices during her third trimester.
Stopped by Strangers Over Her Outfit
The 31-year-old, who is expecting her first child with husband Tom Bull early next year, took to TikTok over the weekend to recount a recent experience that clearly struck a nerve with her 300,000 followers. Elissa described wearing a skirt and a slightly cropped top while heavily pregnant, only to be stopped multiple times by strangers who told her it was "courageous" of her to dress the way she did.
"I've been told by multiple strangers that it is courageous that I am wearing this," she said in the video, gesturing to her outfit. She also noted that she had been looked up and down by men and felt openly judged for her appearance.
Despite the unwanted commentary, Elissa made clear she has no intention of overhauling her wardrobe simply because she is pregnant. "I'm not going to just sit at home in track pants while I'm pregnant — I love getting dressed up, I love feeling good," she said.
Dominique Elissa's Message to Pregnant Women
Rather than letting the scrutiny dampen her confidence, Elissa used the moment to send a direct message of encouragement to other expectant mothers. "Wear your bump out, feel confident, and who cares about all those other people?" she urged.
The video quickly gained traction, attracting hundreds of likes and a wave of supportive comments from followers. One commenter wrote: "Nah, they're just jealous. You look better than me not pregnant." Another praised the outfit directly, saying: "No this outfit is so tea, the bump makes it even better!"
Fellow pregnant followers also weighed in with their own experiences. One wrote: "I love making people uncomfortable with my big belly!" while another declared: "Right because I refuse to buy maternity clothes so if it fits and it shows the bump idgaf!"
If you have a story about body confidence or pregnancy experiences you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you.
A Broader Moment for Pregnancy Body Confidence
Elissa's comments come at a moment when pregnant women in the public eye appear to be pushing back against outdated expectations about how they should dress and present themselves. Her video emerged just days after Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway sparked a widespread online reaction when she appeared at a film premiere with her bare bump on display.
While many celebrated Hathaway's look, others took to social media to criticise her attire as "ridiculous" and "tacky." Some even questioned whether her pregnancy was genuine. The actress responded by posting a behind-the-scenes video of herself getting ready for the premiere, captioning it simply: "Fake hair, real bump."
Taken together, both incidents reflect a growing tension around how society responds to pregnant women who refuse to dress conservatively or hide their changing bodies — and a corresponding pushback from women who say enough is enough.
Dominique Elissa continues to document her pregnancy journey on TikTok, where her candid approach to the realities — and the fashion — of pregnancy has clearly resonated with a large and growing audience.
