Structured lines, high-waisted and baggy cuts: A look at 'pregnant' Lara Bingle's style and just how she kept her baby bump under wraps for so long

She's had the rumour mill cranked into overdrive for months on end, with speculation slowly then mounting that she's expecting her first child with her AACTA winning beau, Sam Worthington.

Now reportedly entering her eighth month, there was absolute no hiding Lara Bingle's blossoming figure when she stepped out in a slinky midi-length dress in Malibu on Monday.

So how did the 27-year-old bikini babe, who has yet to officially confirm a pregnancy, manage to keep fans guessing for so long?

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Pregnancy wardrobe: Lara Bingle, thought to be in her eighth month, kept punters guessing whether she was pregnant or not for months on end

Pregnancy wardrobe: Lara Bingle, thought to be in her eighth month, kept punters guessing whether she was pregnant or not for months on end

It's a fashion favourite: There was no hiding her figure when she stepped out in this slinky black dress on Monday (right), the same she wore in September (left) last year
It's a fashion favourite: There was no hiding her figure when she stepped out in this slinky black dress on Monday (right), the same she wore in September (left) last year

It's a fashion favourite: There was no hiding her figure when she stepped out in this slinky black dress on Monday (right), the same she wore in September (left) last year

Lara has been diligent in keeping her baby bump well under wraps and employed a number of style techniques to help throw people off the scent.

The famed swimwear model has been gravitating towards more conservative ensembles and sticking largely to a monochrome colour palate in the past months.

High necklines, long sleeves and hems finishing mid-calf have drawn attention away from Lara's mid-section and had a lengthening effect on her 5ft 6in frame.

She has also opted for a number of high-waisted cuts that break up the tummy area and distract the eye from any apparent fullness. 

Layered effect: Layering and details over the front of Lara's outfits have helped keep her secret under wraps
Layered effect: Layering and details over the front of Lara's outfits have helped keep her secret under wraps

Layered effect: Layering and details over the front of Lara's outfits have helped keep her secret under wraps, pictured left in September a Celine wrap skirt, right in November in Josh Goot and in both with her favourite Balmain heels

Pregnancy style: This chunky metallic skirt with a layered split effect and tie at the waist is another iconic look of Lara's worn in September

Pregnancy style: This chunky metallic skirt with a layered split effect and tie at the waist is another iconic look of Lara's worn in September

An example of such came when Lara first sparked rumours she may be pregnant by holding her hand protectively over her belly while out and about in New York.

She slipped her famous figure into an optical illusion skirt by upmarket label Céline that offered next to no hint of a bump on the occasion. 

Sitting high on her waist, the wrap effect design featured a distinctive fold across the front that created a voluminous, layered effect, completely masking her mid-section.

As such it was strikingly different from the silk dress that clung to every inch of her burgeoning belly this week.   

Almost identical to her metallic skirt: High necklines, long sleeves and hems finishing mid-calf have drawn attention away from Lara's mid-section and had a lengthening effect on her 5ft 6in frame like this ensemble seen in September

Almost identical to her metallic skirt: High necklines, long sleeves and hems finishing mid-calf have drawn attention away from Lara's mid-section and had a lengthening effect on her 5ft 6in frame like this ensemble seen in September

Distracting the eye: Kim Kardashian employed a similar layering tactic to try and disguise her growing belly while in the early stages of her pregnancy with daughter North
Distracting the eye: Kim Kardashian employed a similar layering tactic to try and disguise her growing belly while in the early stages of her pregnancy with daughter North

Distracting the eye: Kim Kardashian employed a similar layering tactic to try and disguise her growing belly while in the early stages of her pregnancy with daughter North

Layered skirts have been a favourite of Lara's and she very successfully disguised her figure in one classy all-back ensemble, consisting of a long-sleeved top and A-line skirt with a layered front and thigh-high split.

In another example, she was spotted wearing an almost identical skirt in a metallic gold hue that also boasted a disorienting diagonal split across her middle. 

The layering effect has been so striking that at times it left many assuming the rumours of her pregnancy were just that, idle rumours.

American fashion icon and queen of reality TV Kim Kardashian employed a similar tactic to try and disguise her growing belly while in the early stages of her pregnancy with daughter North. 

Winter wear: Lara has also experimented with layering, and sticking to an all-black colour palate disguised her bump underneath a heavy scarf and winter coat while arriving in Sydney in October

Winter wear: Lara has also experimented with layering, and sticking to an all-black colour palate disguised her bump underneath a heavy scarf and winter coat while arriving in Sydney in October

Colour blocking: She has been careful to stick to one colour outfits usually in monochrome shades, pictured here with Sam in New York in September

Colour blocking: She has been careful to stick to one colour outfits usually in monochrome shades, pictured here with Sam in New York in September

And like Kim, Lara hasn't stuck exclusively to skirts and last November was seen out in a pair of white pants with a flap front by Australian designer Josh Goot. 

She teamed the unusual design with a rather stiff, structured top that sat out over her bump and her favourite pair of strappy Balmain heels. 

When in need of a more casual outfit, Lara has similarly opted for more structured rather than tight-fitting tops.

While seen shopping with her pregnant friend Vicky Lee in Sydney in November, she covered up in a starchy button-up shirt.

Colder climates in London and New York, where the beauty has been travelling to in the past six months, she chose to go for long coats, scarves and chunky knitwear.

Distracting: While still in the very early stages of pregnancy, Lara, pictured in September, was seen in this loose-fitting sweater dress. A pattern across the bust draws the eye upwards and way from her middle

Distracting: While still in the very early stages of pregnancy, Lara, pictured in September, was seen in this loose-fitting sweater dress. A pattern across the bust draws the eye upwards and way from her middle

Casual: While going for a more dressed down look, Lara has chosen to wear more structured rather than clingy tops that fall over her belly like this ensemble seen in November

Casual: While going for a more dressed down look, Lara has chosen to wear more structured rather than clingy tops that fall over her belly like this ensemble seen in November

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