Your Body We Reviewed the Best Maternity Leggings—These Are Our Favorites Look and feel good in the BLANQI Maternity Leggings By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 28, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Tosin Odunsi, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Tosin Odunsi, MD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Tosin Odunsi, MD, MPH, is a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology physician and founder of The Mentorship Squad to promote diversity in medicine. 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Maternity leggings are a versatile staple during pregnancy (and beyond). Easily dressed up or down, these comfy pants are soft, stretchy, and pair perfectly with a growing bump. Whether you're in the market for dressy leggings or a pair to wear while running errands, maternity leggings are a wardrobe must that can be worn from the first trimester all the way to and through the postpartum period. Reviewed & Approved The BLANQI Maternity Leggings are versatile, made with moisture-wicking fabric, and feature a super stretchy panel for over-the-belly support. For a budget-friendly option, we suggest the Motherhood Basic Secret Fit Belly Maternity Leggings. While some leggings can be a pricey investment, they will be your comfy go-to throughout your pregnancy, so it's worth paying for quality. Before you purchase a pair of maternity leggings, you'll want to look for breathable fabric so you don't overheat, a pair that provides comfort for your growing belly, and plenty of stretch. We carefully considered design, material, value, and sizing when reviewing products. Find the best pair (or two) of maternity leggings for your style, budget, and lifestyle with our list of picks. Our Top Picks Best Overall: BLANQI Maternity Leggings at Amazon Best Budget: Motherhood Belly Maternity Leggings at Walmart Best Splurge: STORQ Signature Leggings at Storq.com Best Style: Spanx Mama Faux Leather Leggings at Nordstrom Best Capri: Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Workout Capri at Ingridandisabel.com Best Compression: Gap Maternity GapFit Leggings at Gap.com Best Plus Size: Torrid Torrid Maternity Premium Leggings at Torrid.com Best Athletic: Girlfriend Collective Black Maternity Legging at Girlfriend.com Best Underbelly: Motherhood Maternity Women's Maternity Full Length Leggings at Amazon In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall: BLANQI Maternity Leggings 5 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom Pros Several color choices Moisture-wicking fabric Over-the-belly support Cons Costly No plus-sizes The BLANQI Maternity Leggings earned our top spot because they're comfy for lounging at home, and feature moisture-wicking fabric, making them versatile enough to wear for a night out or while working out. The full coverage, over-the-belly support has a super stretchy panel that expands all the way 'til baby arrives but won’t sag when you wear the leggings postpartum. A unique X-shaped back support reduces the pressure on your lower back while light all-over compression smooths and supports, and a built-in anchor lifts and redistributes belly weight. Five colors and five sizes offer parents-to-be lots of choices. Best Budget: Motherhood Basic Secret Fit Belly Maternity Leggings Courtesy of Motherhood View On Walmart View On Motherhood.com Pros Affordable Versatile support Lightweight Cons No plus sizes Slightly see-through Prepare to be comfortable, cozy, and well-supported in these five-star rated, well-loved leggings that stock your wardrobe with an essential item at a budget-friendly price point. Able to support you all 40 weeks and beyond, these pants are made to be pulled over your bump or folded below, so there’s lots of versatility without breaking the bank. Best Splurge: STORQ Signature Leggings Courtesy of Storq View On Storq.com Pros Ultra-soft Can be worn over or under the belly Plus sizes offered Cons Costly Leggings are thin (might be best for warmer climates) Reviewers praise these unbelievably soft leggings and claim they may be the only pregnancy pants they’ll ever wear again. Made of a modal and spandex blend, they’re ultra-soft with a wide, double fabric waist panel that can be worn over or under the belly. Great for chilling at home, these leggings are on the thin side, so they are best for warmer climates or as a good alternative to tights during the winter months. Best Style: Spanx Mama Faux Leather Leggings Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Saks Fifth Avenue Pros Stylish Plus sizes included Supportive over-the-belly waistband Cons May sag if sizing is off Costly Hot mama coming through! Don’t let pregnancy cramp your style. Sport these fan-favorite faux leather leggings for any night (or day!) out. A comfortable and supportive over-belly waistband will cover your bump and is perfect for after the baby arrives too. The center-free seam eliminates any threat of camel toe and the faux leather fabric smooths your butt and legs. With sizes from XS through 3X, there’s a night out legging for most sizes! The 10 Best Places to Buy Maternity Clothes Online Best Capri: Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Workout Capri Courtesy of Ingrid & Isabel View On Ingridandisabel.com Pros No slipping, rolling down, or riding up Four-way stretch fabric Cons Not ideal for long legs Highly recommended by active moms, these workout capri pants will eliminate the frustrations of workout pants slipping, riding up, or rolling down. A unique crossover panel provides gentle support to the lower back and can be worn folded down or rolled up. Made from moisture-wicking and antimicrobial four-way stretch fabric, these capris will keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. A size guide using pre-pregnancy sizes helps you find the ideal fit. The Best Maternity Jeans for Every Type of Pregnant Body Best Compression: Gap Maternity GapFit Full Panel Full Length Leggings Courtesy of Gap View On Gap.com Pros Moisture-wicking fabric Compression Cons Snug fit (may need to size up) Only one plus-size option Made for maximum compression, these leggings help hold you in while supporting a growing belly. Best for moms who are still getting in their postpartum workouts, the breathable fabric is moisture-wicking to keep you cool and comfortable. Reviewers do note these are definitely compression pants so they fit snugly, especially around the belly. You may want to size up as this choice could be too restricting for everyday wear. The Best Pairs of Maternity Underwear for Pregnancy and Postpartum Best Plus Size: Torrid Torrid Maternity Premium Leggings Courtesy of Torrid View On Torrid.com Pros Inclusive sizing options Stretch waist Affordable Cons Thin fabric No sizes smaller than 00 (10) Highly rated and well-designed, these plus size leggings come in sizes ranging from 00 (10) through 6 (6X/30) and the inclusive options are quite budget-friendly. The stretch waist is supportive and the 27-inch inseam works for almost all body types. Made from a cotton/spandex blend, they hold up well with multiple washes and are easily cleaned in the washing machine. Best Athletic: Girlfriend Collective Black Maternity Legging Courtesy of Girlfriend Collective View On Girlfriend.com Pros Made from recycled fishing nets UPF 50+ sun protection Plenty of size options Cons Only two inseam options Costly Feel good about your choices as you rock these maternity leggings made from 100% recycled fishing nets. Not only do these pants provide UPF 50+ sun protection, but they’re also super-soft, moisture-wicking, and extra-breathable. Reviewers praise these comfy, mid-weight leggings that are ideal for lounging or exercising. The over belly rise easily folds down. Girlfriend Collective makes it a cinch to find your perfect fit: there are five color choices, two inseam options, and sizes from XXS through 6XL (with a handy size guide). What Our Editors Say "As a barre instructor and a mom, I need a maternity legging that can stand up to my teaching schedule and chasing my toddler around all while providing comfortable support for my growing bump. This pair checks all my boxes and then some!" —Ashleigh Morley, Editorial Director of Verywell Family Commerce Best Underbelly: Motherhood Maternity Women's Maternity Bump Start 2 Pack Leggings Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Motherhood.com Pros Budget-friendly Soft and stretchy Criss-cross waistband Cons No plus sizes Provides only under belly support Some people prefer leggings that hug the waist below the belly and can be worn from the first month of pregnancy to the last. This budget-friendly two-pack is made from a cotton-spandex blend, so they’re soft and stretchy. An elastic criss-cross waistband provides a good amount of stretch so they’re comfy for lounging around the house, doing your errands, or heading out on the town. The 8 Best Maternity Pants of 2022 Final Verdict Maternity leggings are a wardrobe staple for many people—and for good reason. The perfect pair should hug and support your growing body. The best everyday style for most pregnancies is the Motherhood Maternity Basic Secret Fit Belly Maternity Leggings (view at Motherhood). But if you care more about style, the Spanx Mama Faux Leather Leggings (view at Nordstrom) will elevate your wardrobe. What to Look for in Maternity Leggings Belly Comfort While leggings are already amazingly comfortable, you’re going to want extra support for your growing belly. Check out maternity leggings with a compression band or otherwise supportive waistband to keep you comfortable throughout the day. Many maternity leggings come with bands to fit over the belly, making you feel like your belly is totally supported. Fabric Stay away from overly thick fabrics, especially if you’re pregnant during summertime. Look for fabric that’s breathable, like cotton, nylon, and polyester, so you won’t feel overheated while working out or simply lounging at home. Price Leggings, maternity or not, can be expensive. You can easily find yourself allotting a large budget for them so compare a few brands to find a pair that you and your wallet will love. Frequently Asked Questions Do compression leggings help with swelling? Yes. Compression stockings (a.k.a. pressure socks) promote blood flow back to your heart by applying gentle pressure to your legs. This can help prevent blood from pooling and fluid build-up, which can cause swelling. Can tight leggings hurt my baby? When you're pregnant, your body goes through immense transformation. This includes hormones loosening your ligaments and increasing the capacity of your belly and breasts, Wearing tight-fitting clothing, like taut leggings, can interfere with these expansions. When should you start wearing maternity clothing? Just as every person's body is different, every pregnancy is different. A simple—and effective—rule to go by is to start wearing maternity clothes as soon as your normal ones become uncomfortable—anywhere on your physique, but especially around your baby bump. Why Trust Verywell Family Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. While Maya’s days of maternity leggings are over, there may still be a pair lurking in the back of her closet since they were a well-loved staple through all three of her pregnancies. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Tips for using compression stockings. Takehara K, Kato S, Sasaki A, et al. Efficacy of advice from healthcare professionals to pregnant women on avoiding constrictive clothing around the trunk: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2015;5(9):e008252. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008252