The Best Maternity Jeans To Fit Every Bump And Style

Forbes

3 days ago

When you're expecting, owning a staple piece of maternity clothing that makes you feel good and that doesn't constrict your bump is a pregnancy-changer—like a great pair of maternity jeans. The best maternity jeans are easy to get on, stylish and most importantly, comfortable. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of options from which to choose. Whether you're a fan of straight leg, boyfriend, wide leg, flares or something else, there's a pair out there for you. Our best overall pick, the Paige Anessa Maternity Wide Leg Jean, fit these criteria and more.
The best maternity jeans are comfortable and stylish. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
'As far as maternity clothing goes, one nice pair of jeans is worth the investment. You'll likely wear them throughout the majority of your pregnancy and postpartum,' says Gwen Sessa, COO of The Mom Edit. 'For first-time moms, I'd recommend a maternity jean with enough stretch to not be constricting, but not so much that they sag.' To help save you time, I spoke to experts, other moms and drew upon my own firsthand experience as a parent of three to curate this guide to the best maternity jeans to help you feel good at every stage of pregnancy. And if you're still building your pregnancy wardrobe, don't miss our guide to our editors' favorite maternity brands overall.
Paige Anessa Maternity Wide Leg Jean
Waistband style: Side panel | Colors: Two | Sizes: 23 to 34; 27-inch and 31-inch inseams
This wide-leg high-waisted pair from designer denim brand Paige hits all the right marks. It has that effortlessly cool look that pairs easily with a wide variety of tops, can be dressed up or down and is made from the brand's 'Transcend Denim' that looks like thicker denim but is much softer, lighter weight and stretchier—all musts for dressing a pregnant body. With a nearly 12-inch rise, it's not made to sit below the belly like other side-panel jeans (although it can), but will be equally comfortable pulled up over the belly as well, accommodating all the phases of pregnancy.
It comes in two inseam options: 27-inch and 31-inch, so even petite moms-to-be can get the perfect fit without having to spend extra on alterations—or, if one prefers a cropped look instead. The two washes it's available in are both on-trend. While it is an investment, its versatility, comfortability and ability to be worn even after the baby arrives, makes it a worthwhile purchase in our book. 'Paige makes great maternity jeans with expandable panels that allow some stretch around the belly, while still staying up throughout the day. This style of maternity jeans is great for postpartum, too,' says Sassa. We're also fans of the brand's straight leg maternity jeans as well.
Hatch Hatch The Boyfriend Maternity Jean
Waistband style: Under the belly | Colors: Two | Sizes: 24 to 34
If you're looking for a comfortable pair of boyfriend jeans that you can't even tell are maternity jeans, look no further. With small, barely noticeable wedge-shaped expandable bamboo and spandex side panels, these jeans are designed to be worn under your bump—even as it continues to grow. 'I've worn both full panel over belly and underbelly maternity jeans, and I prefer the underbelly paired with a fitted top for support,' says Candice Collison, cofounder and CEO of maternity line Of an Origin.
The Hatch boyfriend jeans come in two washes, a 'destroyed' light wash and a fantastic indigo, while details like distressing and a raw hem adds an extra laidback cool mom vibe. Just note, many customers say they do stretch out quite a bit (which is fabulous as the bump grows), but you may want to consider sizing down if you're purchasing them early in your pregnancy, otherwise your prepregnancy size will probably work for most. (The indigo wash is on super sale right now, by the way.)
Waistband style: Under-the-bump and over-the bump panel options | Colors: Eight | Sizes: XS-XXL Plus
Classic Levis are just as good during pregnancy as they were before, and at under $30, this affordable pair of maternity jeans is ideal for those who aren't looking to invest a lot in maternity pants or want to buy several pairs in different sizes as their bump grows, but still want to look and feel stylish. It's a skinny leg and comes in a wide range of colors and even panel types. There's an under-the-belly panel and full over-the-bump option as well.
With thousands of five-star reviews, fans rave that the jeans feel like real denim—not jeggings—and praise the comfort of the panel. Despite the substantial feel, they note that the jeans are breathable and stretchy enough to sit with ease.
Waistband style: Full over-the-bump panel | Colors: Three | Sizes: 24 to 34; short/regular/long lengths
Shopping for jeans as a petite person is hard enough not pregnant, so adding a bump to the mix can make it feel extra tricky. Fortunately, the Abercrombie Maternity Ankle Straight Jean makes that conundrum a thing of the past. The ankle length already makes it shorter than a full length pair, and you can select the short length option for an even better fit where the jeans will actually look cropped. 'I like that Abercrombie has more on-trend cuts,' says Caroline B., a recently pregnant mom.
The straight leg is a classic style that can easily be styled with various types of tops and the finished hem makes it look a little dressier than styles with a raw hem. The super light wash '90s Straight Leg' option has an ultra high-waist and distressed knee for a more casual feel. A full belly panel easily accommodates even third trimester bumps while functional pockets are always a win.
PinkBlush PinkBlush Wide Leg Raw Hem Maternity Jeans
Waistband style: Full over-the-bump panel | Colors: Four | Sizes: 24 to 31
With a wide leg and soft, over-the-belly panel, these stylish five-pocket jeans can be worn in every season: with Uggs or boots in the colder months and sneakers or sandals in warmer ones. On top, you can pair it with chunky sweaters, fitted tanks, an oversized button-down shirt and everything in between to feel put together. We love that this maternity jean comes in four colorways, including black and light olive for those who want to move beyond traditional blue jeans.
Reviews indicate these tend to run true to size, and the brand recommends ordering your prepregnancy size for the best fit. Super soft and stretchy, these can also often be found on sale, in case you want to stock up on more than one pair.
Waistband style: Front low-panel | Colors: One | Sizes: 0 to 20; short, regular, long
These straight leg jeans have a unique low front panel only (the back is panel-less) that sits right under the belly, making them comfy both during pregnancy and throughout the postpartum months. The black is easy to pair with lots of different tops and dressier than regular blue jeans. As an added bonus, they often go on sale making them wallet-friendly.
I lived in these throughout (and after) my own pregnancies. I personally preferred the low panel to the full panel versions that often slid down and felt stuffy. They stretched out enough in the waist to grow with me, but not everywhere else and maintained their shape after many washings. There's also a loose leg version if that's the style you prefer.
Amazon DL1961 Women's Patti Straight Maternity Ankle Jeans
Waistband style: Side panels | Colors: Two | Sizes: 23-34
'I look for the expandable side panels, I don't like the feeling of the full panels on my skin, and the extra layer of synthetic fabric makes me hot,' says Collison. If side panels are what you're also looking for, these sophisticated straight leg jeans somehow manage to be stretchy and comfy while maintaining its shape throughout the day—a real testament to its quality. The expandable below-the-belly side panels are discreet, making you feel like you're wearing a 'real' pair of jeans, while stretching easily to accommodate a growing belly.
The ankle length and distressed hem lends it a chic silhouette (or can work as full-length jeans for petite mamas). This is one of those durable pairs that should last you through multiple pregnancies and beyond. Just note the front pockets aren't functional, although the back ones are. There's also a sleek black option.
The editors and journalists on the Forbes Vetted baby and kids editorial team are all parents ourselves who have extensively tested hundreds of products to find the best picks for families. We're committed to making your pregnancy and postpartum journey easier by doing the research for you and selecting the best products out there. We've reviewed or tested everything from the best pregnancy pillows to the best pregnancy skincare products. This story was written by Esther Carlstone a mom of three and longtime journalist with a focus on pregnancy, parenting and lifestyle topics. She recently covered the best nanny cameras and the best pregnancy compression socks .
a mom of three and longtime journalist with a focus on pregnancy, parenting and lifestyle topics. She recently covered the and the . The editor of this story, Rose Gordon Sala , is a mom to three and experienced journalist and parenting editor who has extensively tested and researched baby and kids gear for years.
, is a mom to three and experienced journalist and parenting editor who has extensively tested and researched baby and kids gear for years. We consulted two experts for this story: Gwen Sessa, COO of The Mom Edit and recent new mom and Candice Collison, CEO and cofounder of maternity wear brand Of an Origin (and also a mom of four).
To find the best maternity jeans from among the sea of options out there, I spoke to experts, polled other recently pregnant moms, relied on firsthand experience from our team of parents and conducted market research to narrow down my selection. I spoke to expecting moms and recently pregnant moms to get their thoughts on their favorite maternity jeans, and what features they liked or didn't like.
I tried to select popular brands that are generally known for their quality of maternity wear in style and comfort and that are easily accessible to purchase on major sites.
I spoke with the founder of a maternity wear line and COO of a popular mom lifestyle and fashion site, who are both mothers themselves, to get their thoughts on current trends and details to pay attention to.
Each pair of jeans was considered for their comfort, quality and size ranges.
I favored jeans that had mostly positive reviews from customers.
When it comes down to it, finding the best maternity jeans is a personal choice, as what one expecting mother finds comfortable or stylish can be vastly different from another. That being said, here are some key factors to consider when shopping for maternity jeans. Waistband Style
Maternity jeans come in several options of waistbands to accommodate a pregnancy bump as it grows, and finding the style that's most comfortable for you will be key. Some come with full over-the-belly panels that cover the entire bump while others come with smaller under-the-belly belly bands that are stretchy or smaller, less noticeable expandable side panels.
While the full panels may feel more comfortable and supportive for some, you'll usually need to wear a longer shirt to cover it fully, while others prefer the more natural look of side panels—especially if they don't like the feeling of fabric covering their entire torso. 'I found over-the-belly styles to require the least amount of pulling up throughout the day,' says Sessa, while Collison prefers 'the side panel designs which typically have a zipper, making them more like regular jeans.' Jean Style
This truly comes down to a matter of personal style. Baggy, wide leg, skinny or something in between, there's a style of maternity jean out there to suit every aesthetic. Whichever way you go, Sessa says 'the best maternity jeans closely resemble 'real' jeans (with zippers or button closures) which makes them very easy to incorporate into an existing wardrobe, yet still comfortable.'
Nowadays, maternity jeans also feature a range of trendy details like distressing, raw hems, rolled cuffs and more. Sizing
'It's hard to get the fit right with maternity jeans, because many of us gain weight and change size while pregnant—everywhere, not just in the belly. The rate of weight gain throughout the body can also vary,' says Collison. Many maternity jean brands recommend ordering them in your prepregnancy size, but always be sure to read some reviews to see fit there's an overwhelming number of comments saying to order up or down, although that can be difficult to figure out with a constantly changing body.
Timing will also matter: if you're ordering maternity jeans in your first trimester, for example, you may want to size down versus ordering it when you already have a significant bump. Certain maternity jeans also come in petite and tall lengths for an even better fit.
When Do You Start Wearing Maternity Jeans?
You can start wearing maternity jeans as soon as you feel like your regular jeans are no longer comfortable to wear. For many pregnant women, that's between 12 and 20 weeks, although this can vary widely.
How Do You Know What Size Maternity Jeans To Buy?
Most maternity jean brands recommend purchasing them in your pre-pregnancy size. However, always be sure to check each brand's specific recommendations and sizing guides before ordering.
What's The Difference Between Regular Jeans And Maternity Jeans?
Unlike regular jeans, maternity jeans are designed with specific features to stretch and grow with an expanding belly with details like over-the-belly panels or expandable side panels. They're also often stretchier and more lightweight than regular jeans.