The 14 Best Maternity Jeans That Feel Just as Comfy as Leggings
But still give you all the ~Cool Mom Vibes~.
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Of all the essentials you'll need to purchase during pregnancy, jeans might be your number one prio. Unlike repurposing your oversized and loose-fitting clothes, jeans just aren't designed to grow with your belly—and your non-pregnancy styles stop fitting almost immediately. But also, a good pair of jeans is perfect for a pregnancy wardrobe capsule (think leggings, dresses, and a blazer) that'll get you through this time. Wardrobe stylist and brand consultant Allison Bornstein, who's worked with celebs like Katie Holmes, and brands like Express, Tory Burch, and Sezane, helps pregnant clients create a capsule that makes dressing during many body changes easier. And, that will prevent over-buying clothes you're only going to wear for a few months.
Bornstein sees pregnancy as an opportunity to try new styles with your changing shape. "I think it is such a fun time to dress because your body is so different, and you can try new things," she says. "BUT I find that many of my clients will initially feel a little out of sorts and unlike themselves, so it's nice to have something that grounds you." In my case, because I'm short: Skinny, straight, and cigarette-style denim were the best types of jeans for me (wide leg pants tend to make the bump look bigger). Think of it like a reverse hourglass: Show off that gorge bump, and taper at the top and bottom of your body. Also worth noting? How your body responds to pregnancy is unique and kinda surprising sometimes, tbh. "I wouldn't rush and get things before you start growing because you never know how you'll feel and how your body will change," says Bornstein, who also does virtual styling sessions.
There's still good news: You only really need one or two pairs of jeans that you absolutely love and wear 24/7, which is both budget-conscious and eco-conscious. So below, here are the 14 best maternity jeans that'll be worth your time and money—and will still make you feel like you.
"My clients usually are shocked and surprised at how much they love H&M maternity jeans," says Bornstein. The brand offers skinny maternity denim styles but also has straight and wide-leg styles too—but since you won't be wearing the jeans long-term, it's helpful that these aren't too pricey.
Warp + Weft offers size-inclusive denim, and pregnancy is absolutely no exception for the brand. Their denim is comfy with some stretchy elastic (absolutely perf for a growing bump) and this style goes up to size 24. Warp + Weft is also eco-friendly and lets you donate to sustainable charities.
For denim that's also basically a whole outfit, invest in a pair of overalls. You'll look adorbs, you'll be comfy, you'll be able to layer, and you can roll up the pant legs for a "casual vibes only feel." Done and done!
You might not immediately think of bootcut as the pregnancy style, but think again."I think it's flattering on everyone, including pregnant people! The flare at the bottom adds a little balance to the hips and the bump and feels a bit more unexpected," Bornstein raves. More than 1,800 people on Amazon love this pair. (FYI, "secret fit" means there's a belly panel above the denim to keep your pants in place.)
If you'd rather your flare cropped and your denim trendy, this light wash is *chef's kiss*. Okay, yes, they are pricier, but the under-the-belly design means you'll be able to wear them for longer (including postpartum).
A skinny style might not be *as* trendy anymore, but they make for a rlly flattering maternity fit. What better way to highlight your amazing legs RTFN?? This Madewell style is made of sustainable Tencel and particularly flattering for the second and third trimesters. Oh, and they're soft, in case you feel like wearing only leggings. (Madewell's jeans tend to sell out quickly, so go for it if these look appealing.)
I basically lived in ASOS maternity denim when I was pregnant, both because of the value and how fab I felt. According to Bornstein, the brand's look and fit is "perfect if you want a maternity jean that has that more vintage feeling and isn't necessarily super skinny and stretchy throughout."
It's totally a personal preference, but some pregnant peeps love the ~under-the-bump~ style because it's less hassle and better for more months of your pregnancy. "I would try to find something that has a similar vibe to what you normally wear but a maternity version," sez Bornstein. DL1961's maternity is sustainable with stretch and hold, so you're getting more for what you pay for.
But some denim-lovers (like moi) enjoy denim that kinda mimics a high-waisted jean with the over-the-belly panel. "I have a few clients who are fully high-waisted vintage Levi’s wearers and felt really lost when they got pregnant, because the last thing that you want is stiff high-waisted denim pushing against your bump," says Bornstein. "In that case, we found some really great jeans to satisfy that cooler vibe but in a less restrictive way." It kinda just depends on the person, so try on both and see what works best for you.
Parents-to-be looooove Spanx leggings because they feel sculpted in all the right places but also supported and comfy (a pregnancy must). These jeggings give you a leggings feel with a real denim look, and they come in white and black. You can wear them to work but also, no need to take 'em off at home.
For denim that looks just like leggings, try maternity-coated jeans—they're a little more substantial, but they still look like your fave style. Luckily, these are also machine washable—cuz when you're pregnant, you've got enough to worry about without dealing with "dry clean only," tbh.
There's not a ton of postpartum-specific clothing, but thanks to Ingrid & Isabel, there are some pull-on styles that work for both during pregnancy and those first months afterward. So you get to feel put-together without having to put in a ton of effort (or dealing with that whole zipper-and-top-button sitch).
Yes, wear white after Labor Day. Yes, even if you're preg. This pair is a cigarette style with a little more room in the calves; That makes for a chicer, streamlined look. And the frayed edges are oh-so-trendy, which means you can pull them out after pregnancy no matter what time of year it is.
If the weather's nice where you are (or if you just want to be wearing shorts, which, relatable!), try this boyfriend style that doesn't ride up or down: a modern miracle. This cute pair has a lil distressing, too, and is a slouchy fit that doesn't feel tight—or uptight, lol. Embrace the maternity denim. Dooo it!
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