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Prepping for a little one is a busy time. The house needs to be baby-proofed, your calendar needs to be annotated with the monthly and weekly doctor appointments—and of course, you need to take good care of your growing and changing body (which also affects your bundle of joy’s well-being).
Staying comfortable and being able to do as much you could before pregnancy will ultimately help maintain you and your baby’s well-being. This means adapting your wardrobe choices, too.
Before pregnancy, you probably recall the days when you could easily wear tight-fitting skinny jeans or “going out” denim, with minimal stretch through the thighs. Sadly, you may not be able to stick with your favorite pair of jeans—but you can adapt and find a trimester-friendly pair of denim that will work for your changing figure. Old tricks like looping a bobby pin through your top button may work for the first hours of the day—but you’ll inevitably need to upgrade your jeans to take you through all the seasons of your pregnancy.
Luckily, today there is a generous number of maternity pant options available to you. Comb the racks and you can find accommodating jeans produced with supple cotton, bright washes, and intelligent design—so it won’t be a chore to fit denim to fit your tastes. Now, all you have to do is figure out whether you prefer a wide-leg, flared leg, vintage ‘90s—or dare we say it—”Mom jean” fit.
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Are Maternity Jeans Really Worth It?
In short – yes. If you’re the type to always choose comfort over impractical trends, jeans are probably one of your go-to staples. And when you’re trying to dress for a ballooning belly alongside juggling a new pregnancy schedule, a pair of easy, breathable jeans will likely please you most when looking at your closet in the morning.
Some tips to find the right pair? Explore maternity styles from your favorite denim brands, check out resale platforms for hidden gems, and ask other pregnant or formerly-pregnant friends for recommendations.
Can't I Just Wear Regular Or High-Waisted Jeans?
To get right to it: Not for long! For a brief 20-week window, your regular pants may work, but eventually you will need to find a more flexible and looser fit. Maternity jeans are frequently designed with supportive panels, which will cradle and provide comfort over your developing bump.
A stretchy jean for pregnancy may conjure images of loose-fitting styles that stray far from skinnier and fitted styles. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about looking out-of-date. A fit in a more casual style and designed with a wider leg is super “in” right now, so you may look trendier than you think.
The Best Maternity Jeans
Going through pregnancy doesn't need to mean throwing in the towel on your trusted pair of true blues. A comfortable pair of jeans takes the work out of deciding what to wear before juggling errands or crushing a busy workday.
Take a look at our list of the best pants for pregnancy to find comfortable and fashionable maternity options for you or your expecting mother.
Best for comfort
A contender for the most comfortable maternity jeans, the Ami jean is both responsive to your growing body but also a flattering style. The company’s unique stretch material gives you the leeway to slip into like these skinny jeans like your Pilates-friendly workout bottoms. Moreover, the wide waistband offers support and a bit of a lift.
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Best for a relaxed fit
The looser-fitting style “Kelly” wide-leg fit from Cache Coeur offers a hidden waistband, combining comfort with clever design. And of course, there is a slight degree of stretch. What more could you ask for?
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Best budget buy
One great option for affordable maternity jeans is Gap’s paneled skinny jean. This stylish and close-to-the-leg pant is both easy on the wallet and comfortable for a wearer the entire day. Moreover, wearers say these baby blues are true-to-size and equitable to the number they would choose prior to pregnancy.
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Best designer buy
The New-York brand weaves its eco-conscious mission into the making of each pair of its pieces, focusing on clean materials and following an energy-efficient process. This ankle length style is extra trendy with its varied colorways and distressed detail.
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Best flattering maternity jeans
For a stylish choice, the best pregnancy jeans revealed during our search are the fashionable “Jill” design from Cache Coeur, cut in a cropped and swingy style. Not only are they super soft, but they come in a flattering dark wash.
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Best Over-The-Belly Maternity Jeans
The material over the belly elastic stays put and doesn’t budge (almost like a yoga pant). For many wearers, these are a go-to staple that can adapt with a growing belly. The material is also extremely soft to the touch.
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Best Under-The-Belly Maternity Jeans
Joggers are beloved for a reason: They never go out of style! And that includes not having to officially banish them from your closet for nine months. This 5-pocket masterpiece from Rag & Bone includes a stretchy, elastic waistband (size up to wear them more relaxed and not hiked up in the high-waist style) and made of 100% cotton, making them a breathable wear, too.
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Best Skinny Maternity Jeans
A classic skinny fit is a great choice for moms who still like to look sharp, every day. This pair from Ingrid & Isabel is designed with support in mind. Their skinny option includes a substantial (and stretchy) waistband that you can easily conceal under a simple tee or cozy v-neck sweater.
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Best Straight Leg Maternity Jeans
This simultaneously classic and comfortable (thanks, bump-covering belly band!) pair of jeans can do it all. The high-quality denim makes these pants hold up over time, while the flexible band sets the stage for all-day wear. Choose your wash and get ready to live in these laid-back jeans for weeks.
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Best plus size Maternity Jeans
If you’re a mom-to-be, you’ll love the amazingly forgiving stretch in NYDJ’s snug and flattering cut on this slim jean, and customized for fuller figures. The brand’s ingenious stretch technology ensures the waistband (and the entire piece, for that matter) can be slipped into with ease. You’ll love how this comfy number expands with you, no matter how hard you pull.
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Best petite Maternity Jeans
For those expecting who are closer to 5 feet and below: Do not fret! Seraphine's short fit in its skinny cut could be exactly what you're missing. The breathable material—light-weight cotton—makes these babies easy to quickly pull on, before you head out for a busy and active day.
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Best tall Maternity Jeans
For the leggy moms out there, the best tall maternity jeans we found were these fashionable and faded 90s-eras pair, in a slouchy style. If you’re a tall mama who has been wanting to test-drive this of-the-moment look—these jeans are for you. Despite their lower placement on the hips, wearers mention they like the floor-skimming effect and the overall roominess of this trendy denim.
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Best maternity jeggings
These show stopping yet stretchy pregnancy pants are a cult favorite for a reason. Their versatile, yet stylish appearance make them easy to wear day, night, or at a special occasion. Make sure to snap up a pair of these sleek leggings when you spot your size; they tend to sell-out quick!
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Do I Need to Size Up When Buying Maternity Jeans?
Nope. You can stick with the size you normally wear when shopping for your daily jeans.
If you really want to perfect the fit of your maternity jeans, it’s a good idea to read the descriptions of the brand you’re shopping for. A tried-and-true hack for finding your ideal size is ordering more than one size. This way, you will have all your bases covered in case your body has grown even more when you receive your new maternity jeans.
Otherwise, you are on track to find your best pair and can find more products related to handling every moment of your pregnancy with our reviews of soothing belly products and best pregnancy pillows.
