The Best Maternity Jeans We Tested for Maximum Style and Comfort

Whether you prefer bootcut, skinny, straight, or wide-leg, there are plenty of maternity jeans options to outfit your bump. But not all of them will have a flattering fit, retain their shape during the day, or stay comfortable throughout your pregnancy. To find the best maternity jeans out there in every style, we had pregnant staffers test 19 styles from some of the top retailers to find the most likely to work for you. 

“The most important [factor] for me is the retention of elastic; I want a pair of jeans with high-quality elastic that will expand as I move and grow, but will retain its shape over time,” Tulsa-based tailor and mom-to-be Shae Haning tells us. Pilar Scratch, PhD, a celebrity stylist and editor-in-chief of Fashion Gxd magazine adds that you should “prioritize comfort,” which means looking for those stretchy, adjustable waistbands before you look for the day’s trendiest cut.

Choosing between over-the-belly bands, underbelly waistbands, and elastic side panels is also a matter of personal preference (which may change over time, too!). The same goes for whether you choose skinny jeans with more stretch to them, or something like a boyfriend style with a roomy but stiff denim feel. Regardless of the cut, you’ll want jeans that can last longer than a few weeks, since most people will need maternity jeans during their second trimester, throughout the third, and possibly into their postpartum months. With the help of our experts and our testers, we looked at all of these factors to help you choose the best maternity jeans for your pregnancy.

Our Favorites

• Best Side Panel Maternity Jeans: DL1961 Patti Straight Maternity Jeans
• Best Over-the-Belly Maternity Jeans: 1822 Denim Maternity Better Butter Slim Straight Jeans
• Best Budget: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Gold Label Women’s Maternity Skinny Jeans
• Best for a Night Out: Hudson Nico Maternity Straight Ankle Jean
• Best Boyfriend Jeans: Paige Denim Noella Maternity
• Best Over-the-Belly Maternity Jeans: Old Navy Maternity Full Panel Kicker Boot-Cut Jeans
• Best Support: Hatch Over the Bump Straight Maternity Jean
  

Why We Like It

A looser fit and comfortable stretch elastic insert side panels make DL1961’s Patti Straight Maternity Ankle Jeans one of the most comfortable options we tested. The straight fit offers more room whether you’re sitting or active. This means less constriction for your regular range of motion. Our tester loved how the “buttery soft” fabric and stretchy waistband meant she could wear these jeans all day while working and chasing around her kids. The waistband stayed in place without the need to readjust throughout the day, and she never felt it was restrictive.

This style’s side panel belly band allows the jeans to grow with your expanding belly without feeling like you’re wearing an obvious pair of maternity jeans. Sizing ranges from 23 through 34 (measured under the bump), and it’s available in three different washes. Although these are a straight cropped style (hitting at or above the ankle for most), DL1961 does carry a solid range of other cuts.

But Take Note

These jeans regularly retail for $189, which is on the high end for maternity clothing. But it is possible to find them on sale, and we’ve seen them for as much as 50% off. 

The Details:

• Size range: 23–34
• Panel type: Side panels
• Materials: 99% cotton, 1% lycra spandex

Why We Like It

Over-the-belly waistbands on maternity pants are notorious for constantly sliding down, but the mom who tested these jeans likes the way the style is more accommodating in the third trimester. That’s where this pair from 1822 denim really excelled: This pair stayed put over her belly all day. Our tester also raved about the comfort, sharing that “the jean material really did feel like butter (as advertised). They felt very close to leggings.” She also added that the belly band was stretchy and hugged her belly perfectly without being constricting. The straight silhouette also enhanced her comfort. 

These jeans are also very reasonably priced at less than $70 at the time of this writing.

But Take Note

Although our tester loved the over-the-belly band on these jeans, she wasn’t in love with the cut: It’s labeled “straight” but felt more like it flared at the bottom.

Price at time of publication: from $59

The Details:

• Size range: 24–33 
• Panel type: Over-the-belly band
• Materials: 36% cotton, 36% viscose, 26% polyester, 2% spandex

Why We Like It

Affordability is one of the biggest draws with these Levis, but that’s not the only reason we recommend them. The skinny jeans offer a great fit throughout the hips and legs while still providing a bit of stretch for added comfort. Our tester specifically enjoyed the underbelly panel made from soft material that didn’t irritate her skin or bunch up over her growing bump in her second trimester. “I really liked how there wasn’t a full coverage belly band that you had to pull up around your belly; it was small making it easy to wear any type of shirt with it,” she said.

But Take Note

Our tester noted that at 13 weeks, she often had to readjust the waistband because it didn’t offer much give. Yet, as her bump grew, it forced the band to stretch and made the whole fit more comfortable. Note that these are pull-on with a faux front placket, two functioning back pockets, and two faux front pockets. 

The Details:

• Size range: XS-XL
• Panel type: Underbelly band
• Materials: 78% cotton, 20% polyester, 2% elastane

Why We Like It

When you want to feel more fashion-forward and a little less casual, the coated black finish on the Nico Maternity Straight Ankle Jean from Hudson is a great way to elevate your style without sacrificing on comfort and fit. Our tester loved that the side-panel jeans were incredibly comfortable around her belly—even at 36 weeks pregnant. “My favorite thing about these maternity jeans is how fashionable they are, but they are definitely comfortable enough to wear every day!” she said. While she didn’t begin reviewing these jeans until she was in her 36th week, our tester was confident that had she started wearing them earlier, they would have endured. 

While we tested the straight ankle cut, Hudson offers other options like the Nico Maternity Bootcut Jean. The Nico also comes in four other finishes besides coated black, and it has a generous size range from 23 to 34 regular. 

But Take Note

Our tester made the mistake of choosing one size up from her normal size to accommodate the final weeks of her baby bump. Surprisingly, she found that when worn for extended periods, the jeans stretched out a bit in the hips. In the case of these jeans, it’s best to buy your true size and let the elastic panels accommodate your growing bump.  

The Details:

• Size range: 23–34 
• Panel type: Side panels
• Materials: 59% cotton, 33% modal, 6% polyester, 2% elastane

Why We Like It

The biggest draw with these Noella Maternity jeans from Paige is the generous boyfriend cut that won’t dig into your body. Our tester also loved that these are side-panel maternity jeans. “These jeans were actually much more comfortable than the over-the-belly styles I have tried, as it’s annoying to consistently pull those up.” She also felt like she was on-trend and not like a “dowdy pregnant lady” when she wore these. Plus because the boyfriend cut rarely goes out of style, you could potentially put these jeans aside for future pregnancies, making them worth the investment.

Though they fit true to size, the roomy nature of these pants makes them suitable well into your third trimester. They’re available in two different washes as of this writing. Paige makes at least six other styles of maternity jeans.

But Take Note

Since these are 98% cotton, they did stretch out “a fair amount after a day of wear.” You’ll have to embrace the idea of a relaxed fit. You may also want to wash them after every wear if you want them to fit more snugly. 

The Details:

• Size range: 23–34 regular
• Panel type: Side panels
• Materials: 98% cotton, 2% elastane

Why We Like It

Old Navy’s maternity collection features a wide range of affordable jeans that are super comfortable as well. Our tester specifically liked that the brand’s bootcut jeans had significant stretch in them, feeling more like jeggings than traditional stiff denim. “They didn’t require any break-in period like some jeans do, and they were super cozy the minute I slipped them on,” she said. “I wore them straight out of the packaging for an eight-hour day, working and running errands, and forgot that I was wearing jeans.” She didn’t experience any sagging in the over-the-belly band and felt that it easily accommodated her 35-week belly. 

We appreciate the very affordable price of Old Navy’s maternity clothing, as well as the fact that the retailer offers inclusive sizing from 0 to 20 and short, regular, and long inseam choices. And if the bootcut jeans are sold out, you can also enjoy other cuts like the OG Loose jeans.

But Take Note

Our tester felt that you could only go a few wears between washes because the denim does stretch out quite a bit. 

The Details:

• Size range: 0–20; short, regular, long
• Panel type: Over-the-belly
• Materials: Shell 61% cotton, polyester 25%, recycled polyester 6%, recycled cotton 6%, spandex 2% Waist: 93% nylon, 7% spandex

Why We Like It

If you need a stylish pair of jeans with support, Hatch’s Over the Bump Maternity Jean features a compression over-the-belly band. It’s made from moisture-wicking spandex-bamboo material that hugs your bump, and if you’re wearing it postpartum, this material will be soft against your incision. Additionally, the jeans withstood multiple wears without losing their shape or requiring frequent washes to restore the fit. Even after a spin in the laundry, these jeans still looked good, fit well, and didn’t show any signs of damage. 

But Take Note

While the jeans are durable and hold their shape well, this is also a feature that backfires. Our tester found that as your belly grows, the band doesn’t provide much give. You may have to put them aside late in your pregnancy and pick them back up after the baby is born.

Also note that the band is intended to provide light compression for support—a feature some people need in their third trimester and a lot want in their fourth. If you opt for this, make sure it’s not too tight on your bump. Abe Shahim, MD, MBA, FACOG, an OB/GYN with Manhattan Women’s Health, cautions, “Belly bands with compression are OK [for pregnant people, but] they shouldn’t feel too tight where they are feeling too restrictive or cause any kind of discomfort.”

The Details:

• Size range: 24–34
• Panel type: Over-the-belly
• Materials: Shell: 72% cotton, 20% post-consumer recycled cotton, 8% elastomultiester; waist: 80% bamboo, 20% spandex

Other Notable Maternity Jeans

• Hatch The Boyfriend Maternity Jean: Expecting parents who want a more relaxed fit will appreciate the Boyfriend Maternity Jean from Hatch. The more durable material offers longevity for future pregnancies and features elastic side panels. However, as with other Hatch maternity jeans, the sizing is unforgiving, and you may need to purchase multiple sizes throughout your pregnancy or wait until your third trimester to invest in them. 
• PinkBlush Blue Medium Wash Maternity Skinny Jeans: Those that prefer a skinny fit and a more traditional hem length will like that PinkBlush’s skinny jeans have a 2% spandex content for plenty of stretch. Our tester found that the over-the-belly band frequently rolled down throughout the day, and would be better suited for someone in their third trimester when their belly is large enough to prevent the band from shifting. 
• We also liked maternity jeans from Good American and H&M during testing, but the styles change so rapidly that they were sold out at the time of this publication. We’ll keep an eye out for a restock! 

Our Testing Process

To create our list of the best maternity jeans, we asked our testers to prioritize fit and comfort. We wanted them to consider the following: 

• Could they comfortably maintain full range of motion in the jeans (i.e. squat, sit for extended periods, stretch)?
• Were the jeans supportive without digging into their legs or bump?
• Did the jeans maintain their shape or did they begin to sag or stretch? Specifically, how many times could they wear the jeans before the shape changed?
• How durable was the denim material? Did it provide natural stretch or was it restrictive? 
• After washing and drying the jeans did the material or fit change? 

And, because we asked our testers to try these maternity jeans over an extended period, we also wanted them to review whether the jeans maintained their comfort as their pregnancy progressed. 

Our Experts

We spoke with the following fashion stylist, tailor, and obstetrician to learn what’s most important to look for when shopping for maternity jeans: 

• Abe Shahim, MD, MBA, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN at Manhattan Women’s Health in New York 
• Pilar Scratch, PhD, a celebrity stylist and editor-in-chief of Fashion Gxd magazine 
• Shae Haning, a professional tailor and owner of the biggest tailor shop in the midwest, Tallgrass Tailor, and host of “The Sew Show with Shae” on YouTube

Types of Maternity Jean Panels

The most common way to make maternity jeans and other pants fit is with elastic panels that can be in three different places:

• Over-the-belly panels offer the most coverage and support that prevents your jeans from sagging—but sometimes the belly panel can slide down. Dr. Shahim adds that pants with over-the-belly bands can “support the lower uterine segment so you have less pain.” This tends to be a softer fabric panel sewn onto the jeans, but some options like Hatch’s Over the Belly Maternity Jeans feature a bit of compression. 
• Underbelly panels can be 180- or 360-degree options and should provide enough support to prevent the waistband from sliding down. 
• Side panels are the most discreet and look most like traditional jeans—but sit lower on your hips. 

Factors to Consider When Shopping for Maternity Jeans

• Flexible sizing: You can usually buy your regular pre-pregnancy size in maternity jeans—regardless of the waist panel. For denim with stretch content (i.e. spandex or elastane), this usually means that you can wear them from the moment your bump appears throughout the pregnancy. However, between testing and customer reviews, we consistently found that non-stretch denim was unforgiving and usually didn’t grow with the tester without extra help from a stretchy waistband. For these styles, going up a size may be an option. Still, Haning cautions that you “don’t want to fall into thinking that one specific style or pair of pants will last the entire pregnancy. It won’t. Embrace the trimesters and plan to change styles through the first, second and third trimester.” 
• Style: Style is personal, and there are a wide array of options for every taste. We looked at skinny, straight, bootleg, flare, loose, boyfriend, and wide-leg cuts in our testing. Straight and relaxed styles are fairly timeless, while other options can be trend-specific. If longevity is your goal, then timeless styles and a medium or dark wash are usually safe options. If you prefer trends, then playing with cuts and washes can be fun.
• Stretch: Pregnancy comes with enough discomfort; your clothes shouldn’t add to them. We only included two mostly cotton styles, the Hatch Over the Belly Maternity Jeans and the Hudson Rosie Maternity Wide Leg Ankle Jean—and they didn’t grow with our testers’ bellies. Cotton-stretch blend denim is more forgiving than 100% cotton. So, look for jeans with spandex or elastane. Simpler may be better, however, as options with only two or three different materials in their blend tended to hold their shape better than styles with four or more different fibers. 
• Durability: While cheaper styles are great for modest budgets, they overwhelmingly left our testers doubting their longevity. By contrast, the more expensive options felt more durable, tended to hold their shape longer, and were more likely to last for future pregnancies. Dr. Scratch says, “It’s crucial to invest in well-made maternity jeans that can withstand frequent wear and washing. It’s always a good idea to opt for trusted brands with a reputation for producing high-quality maternity wear.”
• Cost: This feature will depend on your budget. In our guide, we included super affordable options from Old Navy and Levi’s that are under $50, as well as extravagant splurges from Hudson, Paige Denim and Hatch that are $200 or more. Both fashion experts we spoke to championed budget-friendly brands like H&M and Old Navy, citing affordability as well as style versatility, comfort, and durability as reasons to shop these brands.

Your Questions, Answered

When should I start wearing maternity jeans?

“For me, the telltale sign that I needed to start wearing maternity jeans was when I couldn’t make it through a dinner out without unbuttoning the jeans I was wearing! It varies for everyone, but it tends to sneak up on you anytime after about 16 weeks,” Haning says. You usually won’t need to shop for real maternity clothes until around the end of your first trimester. However, this might be later for your first pregnancy, or earlier for your second or later pregnancy. 

Before you start investing in maternity jeans, you can keep wearing your pre-pregnancy pants for a little while with the help of a button extender or a belly band that can hold your pants up without being buttoned.

What size maternity jeans should I buy?

Conventional wisdom will recommend sticking to your pre-pregnancy size for maternity clothes—including jeans. “Maternity jean producers have already taken into account the fact that you are getting bigger, so it’s safe to order the same size that you would normally order,” advises Haning. However, if you prefer non-stretch denim, sizing up will give you more ease as your belly grows. 

How should I wash my maternity jeans?

It’s always a good idea to follow the care instructions printed inside your jeans. “I like to go ahead and wash my maternity jeans exactly the same way that I would wash any other jeans,” adds Haning. If you’re wearing stretch denim, stick to cold water for washing and either cool air or line drying. Heat can stretch out the material and may degrade the fabric. 

Who We Are

Dorian Smith-Garcia is a commerce, health, and parenting writer at Parents, and a mom of one 5-year-old daughter. As a self-proclaimed denim devotee, she was dedicated to Old Navy’s Rockstar Jeggings in one size larger than her pre-pregnancy size during her pregnancy because she couldn’t find a belly band she liked.