The Best Maternity Jeans, Tested by a Mom-to-Be

The H&M MAMA Straight Ankle Jeans are what you could call the “unicorn” of maternity denim. The jeans performed well across the board—with a 10 out of 10 score for comfort, fit and style—and they also cost less than $50.

First things first, let’s address the fit. Based on the size chart, I selected a size small, which was listed as being comparable to a US 4 to 6, and I would say the jeans fit true to size. When I first tried them on they were a little tight and the over-belly panel felt too compressive. However, within just a few hours of wearing them, they became way more comfortable and almost molded into my body. The length of the jeans was also great for me, I’m 5'6" and they hit right at my ankles. Overall, I’m impressed by the way these jeans hug my curves and stay put. While I'm currently in my second trimester, I fully expect these jeans to fit well as my pregnancy progresses.

Now let’s turn our attention to comfort, which is the number one concern of many pregnant moms when shopping for maternity clothing. As mentioned above, these jeans have an over-belly bump band made from a thick stretchy material that offers lots of compression. This felt like overkill at first, but it became more comfortable throughout the day and actually provided much-needed support for my bump. Speaking of which, I liked that this panel covered almost my entire belly (no simple thing at 27 weeks pregnant!). The band is probably also one of the reasons why these jeans stayed on so well, there was no sagging or annoying looseness after a full day of wearing them. My biggest gripe with maternity jeans is having to constantly pull them up (I’m sure many other expectant moms can relate), so I was pleasantly surprised to find these jeans didn’t have that problem. The denim itself felt thick and sturdy, but not restrictive. The jeans held their shape well after a full day of wear and the comfort level didn’t change after washing. All in all, I’d say they were one of the most comfortable pairs I’ve worn.

These jeans also deliver in terms of style. They’re straight-cut and hit right around the ankles; this is exactly the cut and style that I normally gravitate to pre-pregnancy, so I loved wearing them and I think the on-trend design would appeal to a wide range of people. I also enjoyed the versatility of this style—they look equally good dressed up for a night out with friends or paired with a comfy tee for running errands. Another bonus? Functional pockets for storing your phone and keys (or rocks and other knick-knacks if you have little collectors like I do).

Considering their lower price point, I was impressed by the quality of fabric. After washing the jeans, I was pleasantly surprised to find the denim remained sturdy yet still stretchy. There was no decline in quality and the color remained the same after they had been through a wash cycle. Although, it’s worth noting that they are a bit more snug right after the wash, which makes it trickier to pull them up over your bump. With that said, these jeans feel very well-made and I expect they would last through multiple pregnancies, making them a great investment.

Size range: XS to XXL | Inseam length: 27 inches | Material: 99% cotton/1% spandex | Care Instructions: Machine wash cool; Tumble dry medium | Panel type: Full panel

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Looking for the perfect pair of ankle-skimmers? Check out these cropped maternity flare jeans by Paige. Aside from the trendy cropped cut, the vintage wash denim and flared fit with raw hems instantly elevate any look. And these jeans performed exceptionally well in testing, with a 10 point score for comfort, fabric, style and quality.

Due to the fitted look and cropped length, I decided to order a size up from my regular pre-pregnancy size, and that was definitely the right move. The jeans were perfectly fitted through the hip and thigh and flared from the knee down. The cropped look was very evident, with the flare ending just above the ankle. Normally, I would never have the courage to wear a crop-flare, but I’m so glad I got the chance to. They fit like a dream and were easy to style. A simple combination of a white button down shirt and brown sandals became a chic ensemble once paired with these jeans.

These were far more comfortable than most maternity jeans (or even regular jeans for that matter) that I’ve worn. The soft cotton denim had plenty of stretch and fit my body like a glove. Plus, the side panels seemed wider than other maternity jeans which gave my bump more room to breathe, and the waistband sat comfortably just below my natural waist. I didn’t experience any discomfort, irritation or awkward looseness after wearing these all day. And, as a mom who’s always on the move, I could squat down to play with my kids, be in and out of the house running errands and lounge around in these jeans as if I were wearing leggings. My bump still has quite some growing left to do, but I’m confident that the side panels along with the flexible waistband will allow plenty of room for growth. Jeans that are cute, comfy, and can last until the very end of pregnancy? That’s a major win in my book.

Admittedly, these cropped maternity jeans are pretty pricey compared to others on the market. But everything about these jeans screamed high quality—including the seamless stitching, functional pockets and belt loops, carefully placed distressed details and the smooth-moving zipper with a button. So, if you’re willing to splurge a little or want to invest in a nice pair of maternity jeans for multiple pregnancies, these ones are worth it!

Size range: 23 to 34 | Inseam length: 26.5 inches | Material: 93% cotton/5% polyester/2% spandex | Care instructions: Gentle cycle with like colors, line dry | Panel type: Side panel

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Sometimes less is more, that’s certainly true when it comes to the Old Navy Maternity Front Low-Panel OG Straight Jeans, which we voted as the best affordable maternity jeans. These dark wash jeans are the ultimate wardrobe staple; they’re appropriate for work, comfy enough for home wear, and able to easily be dressed up for date night. And they're the lowest-priced jeans on our list—you get serious value for money.

One of the first things I noticed about these jeans is that they are a true black denim color. Despite the jet-black color, I didn’t notice any color transfer onto my skin after wearing the jeans. The denim fabric felt thick, but not stiff against my skin. And, compared to other maternity jeans, these were super-simple to wash and care for. While they still require a cold wash cycle, they can actually be tumble dried on low! I was able to throw these jeans into my regular laundry pile with no problems or color transfer. They came out looking good as new and the color didn’t fade at all. Considering the price point, these jeans are great quality.

When it comes to comfort, these jeans were put to the ultimate test: I wore them on Christmas Day! The stretchy under-belly panel and soft waistband came in handy after a full day of celebrating, eating and plenty of car travel. In fact, I was so comfortable, I kept forgetting I was wearing jeans and not my usual leggings. I loved how the material of the belly panel felt along my bump—no scratchy seams and no digging in anywhere. It’s made from the perfect blend of polyester and spandex that stretches to fit and hugs my curves at the same time. The trade-off for the comfort of the low front panel was a bump that felt a little unsupported and “naked,” but that was nothing a fitted maternity tank top or belly band couldn’t fix.

These straight leg maternity jeans were certainly true to size. And, despite the denim-panel waistband, I only had to readjust the jeans after getting up from being seated. Otherwise, they stayed put. There are three inseam lengths to choose from and I went for the “regular” leg length, which sat right at the bottom of my ankles and was the perfect length for my 5'6" frame.

The slightly looser-fitting cut gives these jeans a clean silhouette, without looking baggy or frumpy. I love how you can pair these jeans with a denim jacket for a grunge look or throw on a blazer and be ready for the corporate world. Thanks to the relaxed fit, they’re definitely a good middle-ground style between the “Millennial” skinny jeans and “Gen-Z” wide-leg styles.

So, if you’re a mom on a budget but aren’t willing to settle for just any old maternity jeans, this pair is the perfect choice. Old Navy’s Maternity Front Low-Panel OG Straight Jeans offer comfort, durability, and a versatile style, all without breaking the bank.

Size range: 0 to 20 | Inseam length: 28 to 32 inches | Material: 63% cotton /30% polyester /6% recycled cotton/1% spandex 1% | Care instructions: Machine wash | Panel type: Demi-panel

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Love the look of wide-leg jeans, but not sure if you can pull them off? The DL1961 Hepburn Wide Leg Maternity Jeans might just make you change your mind. At first I was skeptical about wearing a wide-leg style as I have a fairly large bump, but boy was I wrong. These jeans scored a 10 out of 10 for style and fit, and performed well across all other testing criteria.

I’m still new to wide-leg jeans, but man did these make me feel cool! They were undeniably stylish and a great non-traditional option for maternity jeans. I think expectant moms (especially younger ones) would appreciate this style and the freedom it gives to create outfits that are “in” right now. The medium blue wash denim had a worn-in, faded look to it and distressed details and raw hems added to the cool, vintage vibe. I did have to take a peek at Pinterest for inspiration, but styling these jeans with items from my closet was actually pretty easy and fun. I liked to pair them with a casual tee, sweater, chunky sneakers and a baseball cap for an off-duty mom look. Although I found this style flattering, it might not be a good choice for more petite body types as the wide leg style could feel overwhelming on a smaller frame.

Looks aren’t all these jeans have to offer. As soon as I took the jeans out of the packaging, I noticed how buttery-soft the denim felt. I could tell this pair contained a high percentage of cotton (and later found out 20 percent of it was recycled cotton!). The only downside to this premium material was the care process; the jeans must be washed in a cold wash cycle with like colors only and air dry vertically in order to preserve the integrity of the jeans. With this in mind, I’d recommend spot cleaning the denim for as long as you can in between actual washes.

I thought the fit of these jeans was fabulous! I wore them during an active weekend and I can confidently say they were one of the most comfortable jeans I’ve worn. The waistband didn’t sit as low as other maternity jeans, which gave my bump a good amount of support. They hugged my waist, rear, and thighs beautifully while having the perfect amount of stretch for ease of movement. Aside from fitting true to size, the length was just right, skimming the bottom of my ankle.

At $219, these are on the higher end of the scale. Personal budgets aside, I would say these jeans are worth the hefty price tag. The wide-leg cut alone is less commonly found among maternity jeans, but the comfort and quality really stood out to me as well. If I was looking to splurge on a pair of stylish jeans to make me feel confident and cool throughout my pregnancy, this pair would be at the top of my list.

Size range: 23 to 34 | Inseam length: 27 inches | Material: 99% Cotton, 1% Lycra | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors, vertical air dry | Panel type: Side Panels

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No matter what anyone says or what current trends dictate, there will always be a time and place for a nice pair of skinny jeans. Of all the pairs I tested, the Seraphine Indigo Over Bump Skinny Maternity Jeans emerged as the best slim-fit style. In particular, I liked the flattering fit, bump support and the stretchy band that had plenty of room for growth.

Fair warning: these maternity jeans run small. Although my pre-pregnancy size fit, it was a really tight and uncomfortable squeeze. I reordered the jeans one size up and had a much better experience. The jeans were still tight, but in a way that felt normal for a pair of skinny jeans. They were also difficult to pull on and off, but that could be said of most skinny jeans (pregnancy just adds to the struggle). With that said, I was a big fan of the over-belly band. It’s made from a supremely soft and stretchy modal fabric and it covered my entire bump. The result? My bump felt fully supported and secure all day long. The length was perfect, skimming the bottom of my ankles without bunching up. I didn’t experience a lot of sagging with these jeans at first, but that did become a problem after washing. Overall, the fit was pretty good and what you’d expect from a pair of skinny jeans.

The dark blue indigo denim was very flattering and, given the depth of color, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was zero color transfer from the jeans to my skin. There was also room to play with these skinny jeans when it came to styling them. They looked cute with booties and a sweater but equally stylish with a graphic tee and combat boots, and featured a tee-tuck-gap for tucking in shirts, which was a unique and very welcome detail! I’m average height and weight and loved the silhouette these maternity jeans created. I think they’d also suit many different body types because of the elongating effect they have.

Despite the issues with fit, this pair still checked off my boxes for a good pair of maternity jeans. They featured the best belly band I tested, stayed on fairly well and were easy to style. And who doesn’t want that during pregnancy?

Size range: 2 to 14 | Inseam length: 27 to 31 inches | Material: 99% cotton/1% spandex | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors, air dry | Panel type: Full panel

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