Nicole Richie's great expectations

Why is Nicole Richie famous? Because she's the ultimate Before and After.

Other than a few run-ins with the law and an adversarial/ symbiotic relationship with Paris Hilton, Richie is best known for her startling – and slightly scary -- transformation from the pudgy, potty-mouthed "Simple Life" sidekick to a sleek 'n' chic style icon in her own right.

Her trademark look -- giant sunglasses, bony bird limbs, and size 0 designer duds -- has been hailed by rag mags and imitated by her hordes of fans, in spite of her sudden shrinkage creating health concerns about a possible eating disorder.

But now Nicole is pregnant and has put a few pounds on her coat-hanger figure. Recent paparazzi photos show Richie's blossoming body stuffed into a stretchy black minidress one day; smothered by a long, loose black summer dress at a Justin Timberlake concert the next. The news that she's sprouted breasts went viral on the gossip websites.

The big question is what a pregnancy will do to Richie's carefully contrived haute couture image.

The world anxiously awaits her next fashion move. Will she ignite trends in maternity wear and turn into one of Hollywood's hot mamas a la Heidi Klum? Will she become a blatant belly-bearer with a Vanity Fair cover like Demi Moore? Will a savvy maternity clothing company snap her up as a spokesmodel or design consultant?

Or will Richie's fashion sense falter? Will she fall back into bad dressing habits last witnessed when she was 20 to 30 pounds fleshier? These were the dark days, the pre-Rachel Zoe personal stylist era, when the dreadlocked celebutante was making her own – often ill-advised – fashion choices.

Here's a look at a few of Richie's past fashion faux pas (ones we pray she doesn't repeat) and a few looks that could easily adapt to her current bun-in-the-oven state.