The best maternity leggings are a cross between a classic pair of black fitted slacks and a contemporary pair of jeggings. These provide the right balance between comfort and support for a growing belly, as well as confidence to look and feel sexy.
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Indeed, pregnant women nowadays are more confident in their changing bodies, partly because of maternity leggings. These come in a wide range of styles that can be paired with virtually everything from shirts to suits. Here’s a few of my top picks, which have been tried and tested by many pregnant women, myself included.
Great Choices in Maternity Leggings from a Woman’s Perspective
Sometimes, women choose their clothes based on what they believe is fashionable. But we should choose based on what looks best on our unique bodies and what feels comfortable. Here are my top choices for maternity leggings.
Table of Contents
1. Preggo Leggings Maternity Leggings
Prego Leggings are made of 94% polyamide and 6% elastane that keep their shape even after washing and wearing them several times. When worn, they fit snugly around the abdomen, especially underneath the belly.
Since they stretch well in a horizontal direction, they continue to provide comfort and support for several months. Many pregnant women even report that they can be used as post-maternity leggings because the leggings revert to its original shape. They also have reinforced stitching on the crotch area to reduce the risk of accidental tears.
These leggings are also available in several sizes, from small to extra-large. Some women may have to move from one size to the next as their bellies grow larger. But for most women, one size of the Preggo leggings is sufficient for their entire pregnancy.
The fabric is thick enough that it doesn’t go see-through when the wearer bends over. But many pregnant women also wear longer tops and dresses anyway.
What’s Great About It: The length also suits tall women while petite women can fold or cut excess length. As the leggings are black, they also have a slimming effect, especially on problem areas like the hips and thighs.
2. HDE Women’s Maternity Leggings
Many expectant moms spend a fortune on maternity clothes in an effort to be comfortable and confident in their own skin. But when it comes to leggings, just a few pairs of HDE Women’s maternity leggings are sufficient for your entire nine months of pregnancy. Many moms also say that these leggings can be used before, during and after their pregnancy as yoga pants. That’s exactly what I did.
These aren’t leggings per se because of the slight flare fit at the ankles. These are more like yoga pants so these can be worn with athletic shoes, low-heeled boots, and flat sandals. The snug fit from the waist to the thighs allow for freedom of movement, especially during maternity exercises.
As with leisure sportswear, these transition well from the home to the gym to brunch with friends. For everyday wear, these are thick enough to be worn with soft tunics, long shirts, and short dresses.
The fabric is a blend of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The cotton part provides comfort for the skin, especially for expectant moms who experience more sweating than usual. The spandex component provides support with a snug feel around the belly and back, while giving the fabric its stretchy feel.
Due to the combination of materials, the fabric feels very soft and stretchy against the skin. There’s no chafing against the skin, a common issue with inferior maternity leggings especially in the crotch area.
As with most stretch-knit fabrics, the leggings can be washed by hand or in the washing machine. This pair of leggings should hold its shape well either way, but a certain amount of stretching after several uses should be expected, especially with your growing belly.
What’s Great About It: The high waist has a fold-over design that can either be pulled up or pushed down depending on the wearer’s preference. Women in their first trimester, for example, may prefer folding it over the waist for more control. During the second and third trimester, they can be pulled up over your abdomen area for more comfort for your larger belly.
3. Motherhood Secret Fit Belly Maternity Crop Leggings
These leggings are also made from a cotton and spandex blend. The jersey knit allows moisture wicking because of its breathable properties, as well as being comfortable on the skin. The snug fit from the backside to the belly-side comes from the spandex material so there’s also a sense of support.
The cropped length, which falls midway between the ankles and knees, is suitable for many ensembles. These can be worn with casual clothes like shirts and more formal ensembles like office-appropriate maternity dresses. These are also paired with most types of footwear, such as open sandals, running shoes, and low-heeled shoes.
While these aren’t suitable for athletic activities approved by doctors for pregnant women, these leggings may be used occasionally for more relaxing exercises such as yoga and pilates. These are soft against the skin yet thick enough not to show panty lines.
What’s Great About It: The leggings fit so well that they are almost like a second skin yet provide the sense of being clothed. These are also made of durable material that doesn’t sag around the bottom area.
4. Franato New Lady Seamless Full Ankle Length Leggings
Every pair of Franato leggings is made from 95% nylon and 5% elastane. Nylon is a breathable material, so the snug fit against the skin isn’t a big issue for soon-to-be mothers with lower body sweat issues. Elastane is also a stretchy material like spandex, so the leggings can accommodate a growing baby belly.
Nylon isn’t as thick as cotton, but these leggings aren’t as sheer as you may think. The nylon material is thicker than what is used in hosiery, so there’s no sheerness to it, even when bending over. The material also dries quickly even when washed by hand and air dried, so they can be worn the day after washing them.
These have visible support seams in the crotch and buttocks areas, but since they reduce the risk of wear and tear in these sensitive areas, these support seams are a minor issue. Besides, these seams will be covered by a long shirt, tunic or dress anyway.
The fabric doesn’t slide down the waist as the hours wear on. There’s little need for pulling up on the elastic waist or adjusting around the crotch area, provided that it’s in the right size. The material also stretches as the pregnancy progresses, meaning you will have months of comfortable wear from these leggings.
What’s Great About It: These leggings are comfortable and supportive without being too thick. These can also be used for summer and spring wear, even after your pregnancy, due to their stylish fit and colors.
5. Evfalia Cotton Fit Maternity Leggings
Like many of the maternity leggings in my list, the Evfalia pair is also made from a blend of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The blend is known for being lightweight yet opaque, as well as soft on the skin and supportive in sensitive areas. You can really feel the comfort of cotton with the support of spandex in these leggings.
The stretchy fabric obviously stretches as the belly of a pregnant woman grows larger with each passing week. But the seams will hold even as the fabric stretches. These strong seams ensure that the leggings don’t fall apart, especially in the crotch area.
The waistband is wide and stretches up to the bra line. Most wearers report that there’s no feeling of constriction around the waist area because there’s no waistband to think of. Instead, the entire belly is covered and supported by the thick yet breathable material.
These hold up well, especially with a larger belly preventing them from rolling down to the waist area. The snug fit around the thighs and legs means a certain level of compression is exerted on them. Doctors may suggest compression tights for pregnant women but these can be uncomfortable – the Evfalia leggings may be a good substitute.
What’s Great About It: These leggings are available in several colors from basic black to vibrant reds. The slightly shiny finish adds to its stylish appeal while its soft-on-the-skin fabric makes for a comfortable pair of maternity leggings.
6. Mothers Essentials Maternity Leggings
The 92% polyamide and 8% elastane blend used for the Mothers Essential maternity leggings is the reason for its comfortable wear. There are less support seams in these leggings, but these hold up well even after months of regular use. The elastic fabric provides sufficient support for a growing belly while also ensuring comfort on hot days.
The fabric’s moisture-wicking properties keep most of the sweat out while promoting air circulation against the skin. They will also absorb lotions and creams when the leggings are worn soon after application, so wait a few minutes before putting them on.
There’s also a slight compression in the lower limbs, but not as snug as that provided by doctor-approved compression stockings. Soon-to-be mothers who want more compression may want to wear compression stockings underneath their clothes, but if you are just looking for gentle compression, these may be perfect for you.
What’s Great About It: These can last for a few years, so their use after pregnancy is great. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
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Features to Look For When Buying Maternity Leggings
Buying the best maternity leggings can be challenging because these are both easy to find and hard to choose from due to the wide range of choices. Here’s my take on the features that every expectant mother should look for in these clothing items.
First, check the quality of the fabric. It should be thick enough that sheerness isn’t an issue, but thin enough that it has a breathable quality. It must also be comfortable on the skin yet provide sufficient support around the belly and back areas.
Most of my recommended pairs are made of a cotton-and-spandex blend for this reason. The upper portion should be ergonomically designed, preferably with support seams, to support the changing size of the belly and hips. The lower part must also give a slimming effect while also providing slight compression from the thighs to the lower legs.
Second, consider the overall design of the maternity leggings. The waistband’s width and location are important – the wider it is, the more secure it may be around the waist area; the higher it is on the waistline, the less likely it is to roll down. Many of my recommended pairs have high waistbands, either above the bellybutton or near the bra line.
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The fit around the lower leg and ankles will also affect your decision. Do you want a pair of fitted leggings with a snug fit from the hips to the ankles? Do you want a pair with a flared style near the ankles? Do you want a full-length or a cropped pair? Consider these points before making your selection.
Third, always buy maternity leggings according to your pregnancy size. It’s oftentimes best to buy in two sizes, such as one for the first trimester and one for the third trimester, so that there’s always something comfortable to wear. It’s also best to wear the right size so that you don’t struggle with your leggings falling down or feeling too tight around your belly.
Fourth, check the support seams. These should ideally be in the buttocks, belly and crotch areas where pregnant women are most likely to experience increased girth.
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Fifth, consider where these clothing items will be worn. While some maternity leggings can be worn for exercise sessions, some are only suitable for everyday wear. I personally prefer leggings that can be used for both.
Last, think about how these maternity leggings will fit into your new wardrobe. Building a pregnancy wardrobe has its challenges, because the clothes may only be worn for a limited period of time. No matter your personal style, it’s always a good idea to invest in quality maternity clothes, especially when you’re planning to have more babies.
Conclusion
The maternity leggings I’ve included here come highly recommended, and I hope that you can narrow down your choice to make your pregnancy more enjoyable in the process. Think of these clothing items as investments in your health and well-being too.
