These Flattering Maternity Jeans Belong in Every Pregnant Mom's Closet
- 1/18
These Flattering Maternity Jeans Belong in Every Pregnant Mom's Closet
In general, most pregnant moms will start wearing maternity jeans by the second trimester. As soon as your regular jeans start to feel too tight – which could easily happen in the first trimester – it's a good idea to make the switch to maternity jeans. But finding a pair that's comfortable, flattering, and can grow with you (and your bump) is easier said than done. There are so many brands and styles to choose from, plus you have to decide out how much coverage you want over your belly.
The Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab reviews maternity clothes of all kinds, from pregnancy leggings to nursing bras and more. To find the best maternity jeans, we looked at materials, style, fit and pricing. We also considered personal experiences and feedback from real users. Here are the best maternity jeans to buy when you're pregnant.
- Best Overall Maternity Jeans: Gap Maternity Soft Wear Jeans
- Best Value Maternity Jeans: Oh! Mama Maternity Skinny Jeans
- Best Curvy Maternity Jeans: Good American The Honeymoon Mid Rise
- Best Tall Maternity Jeans: Old Navy Universal Straight Jeans
- Best Maternity Jeans for Early Pregnancy: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Baby Bump Jeans
- Best Designer Maternity Jeans: PAIGE Transcend Skyline Skinny Maternity Jeans
- Best Maternity Skinny Jeans: H&M MAMA Super Skinny Jeans
- Best Maternity Mom Jeans:: ASOS Maternity Original Mom Jeans
- Best Maternity Jeggings: SPANX Ankle Jean-Ish Maternity Leggings
- Best Distressed Maternity Jeans: 1822 Destructed Maternity Skinny Jeans
- Best Coated Maternity Jeans: 7 For All Mankind b(air) Coated Ankle Skinny Maternity Jeans
- Best Luxury Maternity Jeans: Hatch The Nearly Skinny Maternity Jean
- Best Organic Maternity Jeans: Seraphine Organic Cotton Over the Bump Maternity Jeans
- Softest Maternity Jeans: Madewell Side Panel Skinny Jeans
- Best Maternity Overalls: Motherhood Maternity Indigo Blue Denim Overalls
- Best Maternity Jean Shorts: HOFISH Over the Belly Pregnancy Shorts
- 2/18
1) Maternity Soft Wear Demi Panel True Skinny Jeans
Gap
gap.com
$63.00
Gap's maternity jeans earn our top spot because the brand offers something for everyone. There are tons of styles to choose from – like skinny, straight, bootcut and more – with various color shades and size options for tall and short. Even better, they're not overly pricey and often go on sale. This style in particular uses a demi panel, but there are side insets and full panel options as well.
- 3/18
2) Maternity Skinny Jeans with Demi Panel
Oh! Mamma
walmart.com
$16.99
Like the previous style, these jeans also come in a variety of color and panel options for every preference. On top of that, they're a total steal for under $20. They don't come in tall or short sizes, but they're available in plus sizes up to 3X. Most reviewers sing its praises, saying it fits well and feels comfortable to wear. A few note that they fit too loose in the legs.
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- 4/18
3) The Honeymoon Mid Rise
Good American
goodamerican.com
$159.00
With a flattering fit that the luxury denim brand is known for, these jeans are size inclusive to fit curvy bodies and wider thighs, plus they're available in 00 through 24. And while most inset panels have a low-rise fit, these sit higher on the belly yet still offer insets for people who don't like fabric panels. If you prefer a different leg or rise, there are several other maternity jean styles to choose from.
- 5/18
4) Maternity Front Low-Panel Universal Straight Jeans
Old Navy
oldnavy.gap.com
$39.99
If you struggle to find maternity jeans for a taller frame, Old Navy has tons of long-legged options with a 32" inseam and are available in pant sizes 0-20. This pair in particular has a light wash and straight leg fit to give your lower legs more wiggle room, plus a low-rise panel that sits just in the front of the jeans. It's also available in regular and short sizes and is on the lower end of maternity jean pricing.
- 6/18
5) Maternity Baby Bump Skinny Jeans
Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label
amazon.com
$29.64
Whether you're in the first or second trimester or just have a smaller bump size, these jeans have less elastic than others to help fit well without feeling too loose. They're also Amazon's bestseller for maternity jeans with rave reviews from users who say it's the only pair they've found that can stay up. The jeans use a cotton blend denim that feels stretchy around legs so you can comfortably wear them all day.
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- 7/18
6) Transcend Skyline Skinny Maternity Jeans
PAIGE
nordstrom.com
$199.00
While many designer denim brands offer maternity styles, don't expect them to fit the same as your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans. That being said, these fan-favorite Paige jeans do not disappoint. Users love how thick and substantial the fabric feels, while still being stretchy and non-constricting. Note that the inseam is 31" long, so shorter moms might need to have them hemmed.
- 8/18
7) MAMA Super Skinny Jeans
H&M
hm.com
$34.99
You don't have to sacrifice flattering and form-fitting pants just because you're pregnant: These self-proclaimed "super" skinny jeans have a stretchy denim fabric around the legs with a jersey knit panel over the belly. Available in both regular and petite lengths, they come in sizes XS to XXL, though we recommend sizing up if you're in between.
- 9/18
8) Maternity Original Mom Jeans
Asos Maternity
us.asos.com
$32.00
"Mom jeans" are known for their relaxed fit and high-waist design, and they've proven themselves stylish over the past few years. These are ideal for pregnant moms that prefer looser fits over slim and skinny thanks to the slight bagginess of the legs. And while some tight-fitting maternity jeans have stretch in the denim, these are 100% and will feel more structured throughout.
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- 10/18
9) Mama Ankle Jean-ish Maternity Leggings
SPANX
nordstrom.com
$110.00
For maternity bottoms that look like jeans but feel like leggings, these hybrid pants are an easy wardrobe staple that you can wear anywhere. They also have slimming benefits throughout the leg that help them look flattering without feeling constricting, plus a stretchy over-the-bump fit for support. Besides this dark rinse, they're also available in black or white.
- 11/18
10) Destructed Maternity Skinny Jeans
1822
nordstrom.com
$59.00
With asymmetrical distressing that looks on trend without going over the top, this pair has a versatile over-the-belly fit that you can wear into your late pregnancy. It gets glowing reviews from users who say they feel incredibly comfortable. Just note that it's only available in sizes S-XL, without options for plus, tall or petite.
- 12/18
11) b(air) Coated Ankle Skinny Maternity Jeans
7 For All Mankind
nordstrom.com
$205.00
Coated jeans give you a shiny finish similar to leather and are ideal for a dressed-up denim look. Not only does this pair look great, but it also feels lightweight and stretchy instead of thick and stiff, like you might expect an added layer. We also love that they're machine wash safe. The fit is a low rise with inset panels.
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- 13/18
12) The Nearly Skinny Maternity
Hatch
hatchcollection.com
$248.00
This celebrity favorite brand is well-loved for its maternity clothes that can be worn throughout your pregnancy and into your postpartum days. This jeans use a stretchy fabric with a skinny fit that looks super flattering on. It comes in several colors and has a ankle-length fit. Note that the brand recommends sizing up.
- 14/18
13) Organic Cotton Over Bump Maternity Jeans
Seraphine
seraphine.com
$79.00
It's hard to find sustainable fashion brands when it comes to maternity clothes, but this style uses 81% organic cotton, which uses less water and chemicals to grow. The rest of the blend is made up of recycled polyester with a touch of spandex. On top of that, they look flattering on and have an over-the-belly fit that can support you as your bump gets bigger. The brand is well-loved by royals and these specific jeans were even worn by Anne Hathaway.
- 15/18
14) Side-Panel Skinny Jeans
Madewell
madewell.com
$138.00
While most jeans are made of cotton, these are blended with 11% TENCEL lyocell, a man-made fiber that uses wood pulp as the raw material and feels incredibly soft and silky. It has inset panels in the front and a high rise in the back for more coverage. Like some of the other styles, they're stretchy so they are easy to slip on and give a comfortable fit throughout the day.
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- 16/18
15) Indigo Blue Denim Overalls
Motherhood Maternity
amazon.com
$41.99
Not only are maternity overalls in style thanks to how great they look over pregnant bellies, but they also help keep your pants up better than regular maternity bottoms. This denim pair in particular has hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon from reviewers who say they fit better than other styles. Just like inset maternity jeans, they have stretchy side panels that expands as your bump grows. For warmer weather, these also come as shortalls (i.e. short overalls).
- 17/18
16) Over The Belly Pregnancy Shorts
HOFISH
amazon.com
Most maternity denim brands also sell shorts, so if you find a fit you love then it's a good idea to stick with that. But if you're unsure, this Amazon bestseller is inexpensive, uses a soft and stretchy fabric, and has an over-the-bump fit to help them stay in place. The panel can also help support you, which is crucial when you're already dealing with being pregnant in the heat! They also come in both light and dark washes.
- 18/18
17) How do I choose the best maternity jeans for me?
Just like shopping for regular jeans, you'll need to consider what style you're looking for and your body type. On top of that, you get to pick which waistband you prefer to help the jeans stay in place. It comes down to personal preferences, but the most popular panel options include:
- Side inset panels are stretchy pieces of fabric built into the waistband of the jeans to help it expand. These have the least amount of extra material for people who prefer less coverage over their bumps, and they usually sit lower on your hips than the other styles.
- Demi waistband panels use a stretchy fabric at the waist that covers just the lower part of your bum, perfect if don't like low-rise jeans, yet still don't want your belly entirely covered.
- Full-coverage panels go all the way over your belly and can even help support you, especially in the third trimester. These panels also help keep your jeans up for a higher fit.
- Pants extenders place on your pre-pregnancy jeans are great if you find yourself in an in-between period where your jeans are too snug yet maternity jeans seem too loose. They help keep your pants up without needing to button or zip the waistband.
So comfortable and stylish, you'll want to wear them even after the baby's born (and you totally can).
