The Best Maternity Jeans, Tested by Pregnant Moms

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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It feels like low-rise maternity jeans are everywhere this season, but does this bump-baring style actually suit the average woman? The answer is yes—if you invest in the right pair. Martina tested two pairs of low-waisted jeans at 27 weeks pregnant, and while one option didn’t make the cut, this pair by HATCH Collection truly impressed her. “These maternity jeans are fabulous,” says Martina, who gave them high scores across the board. “They have a snug yet comfortable fit and they're the only low-rise jeans I've tried that stayed in place without the need to pull them up by the belt-loops,” she gushes.

Based on the size guide, her pre-pregnancy jean size and measurements she took at home, Martina originally ordered a size 28, but wound up trying two different size options (28 and 29). “Both pairs did fit me, but the smaller size was a little tight around the waist and placed too much pressure on my lower belly,” explains Martina, noting that the next size up fit her like a glove. “The waistline and upper-thighs were tight at first, but as I wore them throughout the day the denim loosened up a little and molded to my shape,” she says. While these jeans curve underneath your bump at the front for a low-rise effect, Martina notes that the waistband sits higher at the back, so the jeans won’t slip down or reveal your undies, which is a major win in our book. The brand states that these jeans fit true to size, but if you're unsure or are between two sizes like our tester was, I'd recommend sizing up for comfort.

One area in which these maternity jeans really shine is style. “I think these jeans look cool and modern, perfect for the millennial or even gen-Z mom,” says Martina. The jeans have a wide-leg cut, but aren’t overly baggy or shapeless. “The jeans hugged my waist and hips and gently flared out along the thighs and leg,” notes Martina, who found them incredibly flattering for her body type. She also appreciated the discreet side panels, that offer the perfect amount of stretch as your bump grows. “There is a small elasticated wedge on either side in a dark blue color that blends in nicely with the jeans,” she explains. Low-rise jeans aren’t a staple in Martina’s wardrobe, but thankfully she found this pair super-easy to style: “I wore the jeans with a knit sweater, loafers and a wool coat for lunch with friends, but they look equally good with a cropped t-shirt or an oversized button-down shirt.”

Admittedly, these maternity jeans are expensive. But the premium fabric and thoughtful design details make them well worth the price. The cotton denim is soft, but holds its shape well. And our tester says that the contrasting stitching was uniform with no loose threads or lumpy seams. “They even have a functional zipper, belt loops and pockets, which makes me feel like I'm wearing 'real' jeans rather than a pregnancy-specific pair,” notes Martina. Our tester concluded her review by saying: “If you were to buy one or two new items for your pregnancy wardrobe, I would definitely recommend buying a pair of jeans from HATCH Collection.”

Size range: 24 to 34 | Inseam length: N/A | Material: 92% cotton/8% elastomultiester | **Care Instructions: **Machine wash cold with like colors; Tumble dry low | Panel type: Side panel

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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Searching for the perfect pair of black maternity jeans with a vintage feel? Look no further than this pair by Mango. The jeans have a slight kick-flare cut, a washed out black rinse and raw hems. “The distressed details paired with the faded black denim rinse, give the jeans a cool ‘nineties’ vibe, which I personally love,” says Martina. Not only do the jeans look cool, they earned perfect scores across multiple categories including comfort, quality and, of course, style.

These maternity jeans are only available up to a US size 10 and the brand website notes that they run small, but our tester says they fit true to size. “I selected a US 6, which would be my regular size pre-pregnancy, and I'm happy to say these jeans fit like a dream,” says Martina, who initially tested them at week 26 of her pregnancy. “They were easy to pull on and the over-belly band stayed up without constant readjustment or rolling, which is a major bugbear of mine,” she adds, noting that although her bump was still pretty small at the time of testing. Martina has since tried wearing the jeans at 31 weeks pregnant and is happy to report that they still fit well. “Even though my bump has grown considerably in the last few weeks, the over-belly band still has plenty of stretch and fits comfortably!”

These jeans are described as a straight-leg cut, but they definitely flare out a little at the bottom, so if you're after a pair of true straight-leg jeans they may not be the best choice for you. Our tester also says the over-belly panel doesn’t bunch up under clothes and is virtually invisible as long as you wear a dark-colored top or something slightly longer in length. “If you wore a shorter T-shirt or a lighter color top you may be able to see the black belly band peeking through,” she adds. Martina also loved the fact that these jeans have functional belt loops and pockets on the back, although it's worth noting that the pocket detail on the front is just for show. Our tester styled the jeans with a long-sleeve top and a trench coat for a casual look, but you could easily lean into the grunge aesthetic for a night out. “The hems are slightly frayed and there is a small slit on the interior of each cuff, which would look really cool if styled with pointy black boots or studded ballet flats,” says Martina.

Aside from style, these pregnancy jeans earned a 10 out of 10 score for comfort. “These jeans are so comfortable, I reach for them again and again,” says Martina. “The flexible cotton denim hugged my curves in all the right places without feeling restrictive, so I was able to squat down to pet my cat without feeling like they were going to cut off blood supply to my lower legs (IYKYK!),” she shares. As noted earlier, the over-belly band is super-soft and offers plenty of room for growth throughout your pregnancy. “Another aspect that I really like about the fit is that the denim section of the waistband curves underneath my belly, as I hate having any pressure on my stomach right now,” says Martina.

At $90, these jeans are definitely in the mid-price range, but Martina felt they were worth the investment. “I would definitely buy them for myself as nicely-fitting jeans are hard to find, especially when you're pregnant.”

Size range: US 2 to 10 | Inseam length: N/A | Material: 99% cotton/1% elastane | Care instructions: Machine washing max 85°F, short spin dry | **Panel type: ** Full panel

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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Straight leg maternity jeans are a pregnancy wardrobe staple—with good reason. This denim style is easy to dress up or down, and jeans with a relaxed fit tend to be more comfortable than skin-tight pants. Comfort is key people! We tested this pair by ASOS DESIGN, and found them to be incredibly versatile with plenty of room to grow thanks to the stretchy side panels.

Martina tested these jeans in a US size 8 and says that, in hindsight, she should have opted for a smaller size. “When I first tried them on they fit snugly but the denim stretched out pretty quickly, so they started to sag and I found myself constantly pulling them up by the belt loops at the front,” she explains. So, if you're in between two sizes, we recommend sizing down or even buying two pairs and returning the one that doesn't fit. Despite these issues, our tester did like some aspects of the fit. “The waistline curved underneath my bump at the front and sat higher at the back, which I appreciated as I didn't feel overly exposed when I bent down,” says Martina. “The leg length was actually perfect for me, the hems hit the top of my shoes, so there was no ankle on show,” she added.

These jeans are made from 99 percent cotton and 1 percent elastane for added stretch. Our tester reports that the denim itself is soft and lightweight, with no itchy seams or irritating tags. And the color of the denim is really lovely, it's a mid-blue shade that's slightly washed out for a vintage feel. “The side panels are dark blue and stand in stark contrast to the lighter shade of denim, but they are stretchy and effective at accommodating my growing bump,” explains Martina.

Our tester liked the overall style and said the straight-leg cut was similar to non-maternity jeans she already owns, making them easy to pair with items in her wardrobe. “I wore them with a longer button-down shirt and they looked just like regular jeans, which was great,” says Martina.

However, she noted that if you were to wear them with a shorter top it would be obvious that they are maternity jeans as the dark blue side panels do stand out. Martina summed up her review by saying: “Initially I wasn’t sure about this pair of pregnancy jeans, but I do like how they look when styled with knitwear or longer tops, so I find myself gravitating towards them more than I thought I would.”

Size range: US 2 to 16 | Inseam length: N/A | Material: 99% Cotton, 1% elastane | **Care Instructions: ** Turn inside out and machine wash cool | **Panel type: ** Side Panels

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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