Fan-Favorite Maternity Pants
When the weather makes sundresses impossible and a hairband can no longer hold your pants together, it’s time to find a trusty pair of bump-friendly maternity pants. Let’s navigate the world of over-the-belly bands and stretchy side-panels together.
How Sizes Work
While we often prefer to just buy up a size in regular sweaters or skirts that can be worn long after pregnancy, pants do send you squarely into the Maternity Department. Maternity styles are sized the same as regular clothes, so go with your pre-pregnancy size.
These clothes are typically made of fabric contents that have some give — spandex, elastane — so they grow with you through pregnancy and postpartum. You’ll find two main styles for belly flexibility: either a pair of triangular side panels sewn into a waistband that sit below the bump, or an over-the-belly swath of fabric sewn above the typical waistband. Try wearing any pair you buy around the house for a few hours to test whether they hold their shape without needing to be pulled up every few minutes.
Where to Shop
Since styles are always changing, we rounded up our favorite stores/brands with lines tailor-made for maternity wear:
Go-To Maternity Denim
Best Straight Leg — Paige makes quality denim outside of maternity, so it’s no surprise their maternity jeans are popular picks. The ‘Verdugo’ cut was a classic, though as straight legs supplant skinny jeans in closets this year, you may want to opt for a straight leg style like the ‘Noella’ or kick crop like ‘Colette.’
Most Discreet — Still want to try a front tuck for your tops? Over-the-belly styles won’t work and the giant contrasting side panel of most low-rise styles screams “I’m pregnant.” The AG Prima Ankle actually looks like a normal jean, thanks to an adjustable elastic within the waistband. (Though insider tip: add a stitch to keep the elastic in place or you may find yourself trying to pull it out with a skewer.) This pair is ideal for the first trimester, when you may not want the world to know your happy news just yet.
Best Stretch — Look to Good American for a range of skinny jeans with a forgiving stretch that won’t lose its shape. Their styles are favorites for hugging curves.
Runners-Up:
DL 1961 Patti Straight Maternity (a relaxed, vintage fit in a versatile light wash)
Hatch’s New Boyfriend Jeans (a very distressed straight leg)
The Best Work Pants
Can’t-Beat Classic Trouser — Okay, technically these aren’t maternity, but the very forgiving elastic back on Aritzia’s classic Conan pant lets you tuck the waistband under your belly well into the second, or even third, trimesters. A forgiving straight leg in a nearly wrinkle-free fabric, polished with a crisp front pleat, makes these a meeting staple. They also come in a range of classic colors or fall prints — just learn from us and go up a size (or three).
Best Black Jean — 1822 Denim’s Silky Denim Maternity Ankle Skinny Jeans hit that a classy-yet-comfortable mark. The brand has a great selection of other jean styles, too.
The Trend to Try — Split hems, like these H&M Mama pants, are a current favorite. They look stylish and take the attention off your belly and put it on your shoes (a relief on those days you don’t feel like being judged by strangers for your coffee order). Accessorize accordingly.
Our Favorite Fun Pants
Best (non-workout) Leggings — Trust the shapewear institution Spanx to create maternity leggings that hug your curves during and after pregnancy and support your bump as you move. Whether you’re in the market for a classic black pair as you WFH, an OOTD jegging to tuck under boots and long sweaters, or faux leather that dresses up for the holidays, Spanx has you (and baby) covered.
Favorite Overalls — Motherhood’s distressed overalls are a wardrobe staple, as reaffirmed by the over 500 nearly 5-star reviews. You can go straight from lunch with the gals to assembling baby’s crib without a wardrobe change, and there’s something about overalls that just make your bump impossible cute.
Seasonal Splurge — A comfy pair of corduroys always deserves a comeback. The Hatch Boyfriend Cord is the soft, slouchy stuff fall dreams are made of.
Do you have a favorite pair we missed? Let us know on Instagram.
