The 8 Best Maternity Pants of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Leggings:

Luxe Essentials Secret Fit Maternity Leggings at Buybuy BABY

Designed not to be see-through, it offers under-belly support and pulls up over the belly for all-day snugness.

Best Joggers:

Ingrid & Isabel Cozy Knit Maternity Jogger at Nordstrom

A roomier pick that's ideal for errands or lounging, these joggers feature a drawstring waistband and front pockets.

Best Jeans:

Madewell Maternity Skinny Jeans at Nordstrom

Complete with an over-the-belly waistband, it's made to grow with your changing body without the risk of sagging.

Best Slacks:

Hatch The Stiletto Pant at Hatchcollection.com

Perfect for dressier occasions, these hit at the ankles, have a slim fit, and will grow with you thanks to the elastic waistband.

Best Faux Leather:

Spanx Mama Faux Leather Leggings at Saks Fifth Avenue

The transitional piece is designed to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy, and even when leaving the hospital.

Best Over Belly:

Old Navy Maternity Ponte-Knit Pants at Gap.com

Made to support and grow with you throughout your pregnancy, the over-the-belly waistband is ideal for later trimesters.

Best Under-Belly:

Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Baby Bump Skinny Jeans at Amazon

Though they appear as traditional jeans from the back, the under-the-belly design grows with the body and won't lose its shape.

Best Overalls:

Storq Anytime Overalls at Storq.com

The one-piece is made of soft cotton and has front pockets and adjustable straps to help ensure the perfect fit.

At some point in every pregnancy, the day comes where you stop trying to squeeze into your regular size pants and transition into maternity pants. And, chances are high that when it happens, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to do it. Maternity pants are designed specifically to complement and support a pregnant person's changing body, and there are actually some really fashion forward options out there so you don't have to sacrifice your personal style.

When searching for your perfect pair, prioritize comfort to accommodate your changing body, your preferred belly panel type, and ideal style from joggers to leggings.

Here are some of the best maternity pants that you'll want to wear all nine months.

Luxe Essentials Secret Fit Ultra Soft Maternity Leggings

You can’t get through pregnancy without some leggings, and this pair will certainly keep you cozy. Made from a jersey knit rayon/spandex blend, this style pulls up over the belly to ensure they stay put all day long. You don’t have to worry about them being see-through because they’re specifically designed not to be, and they even offer some under-belly support. You can get these pants in black, grey, navy, or charcoal and sizes XS to L.

Ingrid & Isabel Cozy Knit Maternity Jogger

For running errands or lounging around the house, these joggers are super soft with fleece fabric and comfortably stay put thanks to the drawstring waistband. They have functional pockets on the front and cozy ankle cuffs for style. These joggers are available in sizes XS-XL and are safe for the washer (but need to be line dried).

Madewell Maternity Over-the-Belly Skinny Jeans

Jeans that are stylish, comfortable, and stretchy, what more could a pregnant person ask for? These maternity jeans have an over-the-belly waistband and are made to grow with your changing body without the risk of sagging throughout the day. They have a fitted skinny leg design, a 28.5-inch inseam, and are available in sizes ranging from 23 to 33. One note, these jeans do run large so you may want to size down.

Unfortunately, being pregnant won’t get you out of having to show up to the office or dress up occasionally, but it’s a little more bearable in these pants. The black slacks hit at the ankles, have a slim fit, and will grow right along with you thanks to the elastic waistband and back zipper. These pants are also lightweight and breathable, making them perfect for warmer seasons, and they’re available in maternity sizes 0 to 3.

Whether it’s your first pregnancy, your last, or you’re carrying multiples, you will look amazing in these faux leather leggings. Made by the famous shapewear company, these leggings have a “magic” over the belly waistband that is designed to be worn before, during, and after pregnancy (so you can even leave the hospital wearing them). The pants’ faux leather fabric is not only super comfortable but it’s also made to smooth and support your lower half while you wear the leggings. These amazing pants are available in sizes XS to 3X and they’re safe for the washing machine (but need to be line dried). For the best fit, reviewers recommend either sizing down one or purchasing your pre-pregnancy size.

Old Navy Maternity Stevie Full-Panel Ponte-Knit Pants

Available in black or brown, and in sizes XS through XXL, these maternity pants are made from a super soft, stretchy, and comfortable knit fabric that will support and grow with you throughout your pregnancy. They have an over-the-belly waistband, making them essential for your second and third trimesters, and have a seam along the front of the legs for a little extra style and shape.

Finding a good pair of under-the-belly maternity pants can be tough, but these skinny jeans definitely fit the bill. They slide on and have an elastic waistband on the front of the pants, but the traditional jeans look on the back. The jeans are made primarily from stretchy cotton that will grow with their body and won’t lose shape throughout the day. These jeans are available in size XS to XL and are machine and dryer safe.

The next best thing to a flowy maternity dress? Maternity overalls. You can pick these ones up in black, olive, or shell color and in sizes XS to 3X. Made from soft, stretchy jersey cotton, this stylish set has front pockets and adjustable straps on the back to help give you a perfect fit throughout your pregnancy. Even better? They’re nursing friendly, so you can wear them even after you’ve had the baby.

Final Verdict

The best maternity pants for you will depend on your personal style, but if you’re looking for a pair that will go with just about anything, you can’t go wrong with the Madewell Maternity Over-the-Belly Skinny Jeans or the Luxe Essentials Secret Fit Ultra Soft Maternity Leggings.

What to Look for When Buying Maternity Pants

Comfort

When you’re buying maternity pants, the most important factor to look for is comfort. Because your body is quickly changing, you want to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the day. Whether you’re at home, work, the gym, or anywhere else, being comfortable is vital so you can get through your day with ease.

While you may be able to wear your favorite skinny jeans for a little bit in the beginning of your pregnancy, as you near your second and third trimester, you’ll want to ditch them for the time being. Check out maternity pants that aren’t too tight and give you some breathing room.

Stretchy material will be your best friend when it comes to comfortability. In the long run, you’ll save money purchasing pants with a stretchy material because they’ll expand with your growing belly. You’ll want to wear them comfortably throughout your pregnancy without having to worry about them being too tight no matter what activity you’re doing.

Belly Panel Type

You’ll notice while shopping there are three main types of belly panels on maternity pants: over the belly, side panel, and under the belly. Each type of belly panel provides support in its own way, but it’s up to you on what type of support you want most and will feel most comfortable wearing.

Over the belly: The belly panel on these types of pants is pulled up all the way over the belly. It’s ideal for those who want overall belly support and are great for after birth, too.

Side panel: These are going to fit as close to regular jeans as possible thanks to the side panel. On each side of the pants, you’ll find a stretchy fabric so while it will look like you’re wearing regular pants, you’re actually quite comfortable thanks to the stretchy panel.

Under the belly: Similar to over the belly, these types of pants are great if you’re looking for firm support under your belly. The panel does not cover the entire belly and is not recommended for those who don’t want any pressure on their belly.

Style

Just because you’re shopping for maternity pants doesn’t mean you have to forget about style. Maternity pants are made in all types of styles so you can find what fits you best while staying cozy throughout the day.

From joggers, jeans, leggings, and more, you’ll notice maternity pants are similar to regular pants. They typically just have a belly panel of some type or are extra stretchy to accommodate a changing body. Try on clothes if possible to ensure everything fits correctly and still works for your work attire or keeps you relaxed while working out.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

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