13 best maternity leggings I tested while pregnant
.jpg)
If I told you I've been living in my maternity leggings recently, you wouldn't judge me - right? You would, however, probably assume that I'm pregnant. Alas, my toddler turns two this summer and I still can't shake them…
Having sworn off leggings the last time they fell off the fashion world's radar circa 2013, I promised myself I'd never return. And while I managed to stand strong during much of the pilates girlie movement, it turns out I do have a tipping point. That point is at around five months pregnant. By that date, I had spent an embarrassing amount of money on the best maternity leggings – and had absolutely zero regrets in return.
- Our full reviews
- Why you can trust us
- How I tested the best maternity leggings
- What to look for in the best maternity leggings
- When should I start wearing maternity leggings?
- Can I wear normal leggings while pregnant?
- What is the difference between maternity leggings and regular leggings?
- More maternity guides
If you thought comfort was key with your outfits before, you'll quickly learn that being with child only increases that belief. If the item of clothing you're putting on doesn't feel as comfortable as you do when you're naked, then what's the point? The best leggings for pregnant women happen tick that box then some, and are therefore (in my opinion, and much to my partner's chagrin) maternity clothing wardrobe essentials.
As well as being versatile, leggings are one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing you can wear when you're with child – and they go with literally anything. Heading to a prenatal yoga class? Team them with a sports bra and workout vest. Popping to the shops? Throw on a classic white T-shirt and trainers. Heading out for mocktails with your friends? Dress them up with an oversized blazer and stilettos. Yes, really.
And, thanks to the quiet luxury trend that recently came into its own and hasn't gone anywhere, leggings are now socially acceptable 24/7.
Meet the experts:
- Chelsey Oliver, Chief Creative Officer at Seraphine
- Lorna Jane Clarkson, founder of Lorna Jane activewear
Maternity leggings will also serve you long after your baby arrives, making them a sustainable, investment purchase. If you've had a C-section and are feeling uncomfortable, there's a plethora of specific leggings on offer that are designed with a stretchy fit and foldable flap to accommodate sore scars. If you're breastfeeding and looking for a comfortable but practical ensemble, try pairing them with a white shirt with a nursing bra underneath.
As Lorna Jane Clarkson, founder of Lorna Jane activewear, explains: “I consider my activewear to be a metaphor for freedom and I wanted to give that same feeling to expectant and new mums.” Hear, hear.
Why you can trust us
Website Director, Bianca London, Commerce Photo Editor, Neamh Randall, and Fashion Editor, Charlie Teather, have all become first or second-time mums over the last few years, and – alongside, you know, prepping for one of humankind's toughest physical feats and the subsequent life-altering reality of a tiny new human to care for 24/7 – rediscovering how to dress a body that was changing every single day posed a real challenge.
We didn't want to lose our personal style identities - which, conveniently for those of you reading this for inspo, are all very different to one another's - but we also wanted to celebrate and not just ‘disguise’ this incredible moment in our lives. And if we were finding this balance hard to strike, after working our whole adult lives in the fashion and magazine industry, we figured others must be too. So, we made it something of a personal/professional mission to compile the ultimate maternity fashion guides. If for nothing more than for us to refer back to if/when we ever do this pregnancy thing again, because (spoiler alert) baby brain is no joke, people…
How we tested the best maternity leggings
Throughout each of our pregnancies, we shopped for a whole host of maternity leggings, from on-trend leggings with ankle split detail to maternity gym leggings and new-in leather look maternity leggings. We've tried them out for sheerness (because there's nothing worse than see-through leggings), comfort over their growing bump, and style. Bianca has also continued wearing them beyond birth to see how they adapted. See how they fared below.
Which leggings are best for pregnancy? Shop our tried & tested styles.
Maternity Lightweight Everyday Leggings
- Sizing: 6-28, Regular/Petite/Tall
- Material: 88% Viscose and 12% Elastane
- Colourways: Steel Blue, Black Burgundy, Dark Grey, Navy, Vintage Navy
Néamh says: “I loved Lovall's Winter Everyday leggings so much I knew I needed the lightweight style – and I was right. These have replaced all my jeans, are non see-through, and are perfect to slip on and off, without having to wrestle any material.”
Maternity Go Balance Yoga Leggings
- Sizing: 6-24
- Material: 78% polyester, 22% elastane
- Colourways: Black
Bianca says: “If you're keen to maintain a light level of exercise while pregnant, M&S' Go Balance Yoga leggings are great. The brand tell me that they've been made with clever Flexifit™ technology that stretches as you do, while the quick-drying fabric seemed effective at wicking away sweat and keeping me dry. The waistband was soft and comfortable, and the Life™ antibacterial innovation adds freshness throughout your exercise routine."
Save when you shop for the best maternity sports leggings with these Marks & Spencer discount codes at checkout.
Maternity 24/7 Revitalise Flare Leggings
- Sizing: 6-28, Flare/Full Length, Petite/Regular/Tall
- Material: 79% Nylon and 21% Lycra
- Colourways: Black, Coffee, Olive, Clay
Néamh says: “When I wanted to get a little dressed-up, I found reaching for a pair of flared leggings was a fail-safe way to feel fancier. I wore this pair of flared maternity leggings by Lovall non-stop, paired best with a rugby shirt."
Mamalicious Maternity Seamless Legging Co-ord
- Sizing: S-XL
- Material: 72% Nylon, 21% Polyamide, 7% Elastane
- Colourways: Navy, Black, Duffle Bag, Sage, Winetasting
Charlie says: “I didn't just include these maternity leggings in my edit because they're available on next-day-delivery with ASOS Premier (though it helps) – but because they're so comfy, fit over-the-bump, and – for a change – aren't black."
.jpg)
Maternity Winter Everyday Leggings
- Sizing: 6-28, Petite/Regular/Tall
- Material: 58% Modal, 34% Polyester, 8% Elastane
- Colourways: Burgundy, Black, Dark Grey, Olive, Espresso, Stone, Navy, Vintage Navy
Néamh says: “My go-to daily outfits now include a pair of leggings and it’s safe to say, this pair is the comfiest (and warmest) addition to my wardrobe throughout the winter months.”
- Sizing: XS-XXL
- Material: 55% Cotton, 40% Viscose, 5% Elastane
- Colourways: Black
Charlie says: “H&M was my high-street go-to for a long time before I got pregnant, and nothing much changed when I was carrying my baby. These maternity leggings are affordable, true-to-size and have a wide fold-over waistband for ultimate comfort.”
Save when you shop for the best maternity leggings with these H&M discount codes at checkout.
Amazon Essentials Women's Maternity Leggings
- Sizing: XS-XXL
- Material: 50% Cotton, 38% Viscose, 12% Elastane
- Colourways: Black
Néamh says: “Nope, Amazon should not be discounted in your quest for the best maternity leggings, and this pair act as proof. Sub £20, super high-waisted - and they washed really well, too."
Maternity Icon soft touch high waist slim kick yoga legging in black
- Sizing: 4-20
- Material: 46% Cotton, 46% Modal, 8% Elastane
- Colourways: Black, Chocolate, Blue
Bianca says: “Premium in fit, but not in price-point, I wore these pleasingly-affordable leggings non-stop throughout my pregnancy. They're nothing particularly out of this world – just your classic jersey leggings – but they're under £30 and fit really well."
Save when you shop for the best maternity sports leggings with these ASOS discount codes at checkout.
_SQ.jpg)
.jpg)
- Sizing: 6-28, Full-Length/Cropped, Petite/Regular/Tall/Extra Tall
- Material: 95% Cotton and 5% Elastane
- Colourways: Navy, Black, Burgundy, Charcoal Grey, Forest Green, Blue, Khaki, Oatmeal, Grey, Petrol Blue
Néamh says: “You get the picture by now: Lovall maternity leggings are really, really good. Their everyday pair were my most-worn – and remain a wardrobe staple almost a year after I've given birth."
- Sizing: XXS-XXL
- Material: 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex
- Colourways: Black, Chocolate
Charlie says: “If you have a little more to spend on your maternity leggings, look to Bumpsuit. This on-trend chocolate brown pair have been cosigned by Kylie Jenner, are double-lined, and genuinely fit through all stages of pregnancy and beyond. They're the most high-waisted I tried, and just as comfortable for lounging as they are exercise. I wore them for both."
Maternity Lightweight Flare Leggings
- Sizing: 6-28, Petite/Regular/Tall
- Material: 88% Viscose and 12% Elastane
- Colourways: Green, Black, Brown, Navy, Grey
Néamh says: “If you don't want a black or navy pair of maternity leggings, look to this cute slate green pair from Lovall. They're available in regular, tall and petite and have a really great range of sizes.”
Maternity Dark Brown Contour Leggings
- Sizing: 8-20
- Material: 85% Polyester, 15% Elastane
- Colourways: Brown, Black
Néamh says: “I didn't think I'd be the type to wear maternity leggings outside of the house, but then I actually fell pregnant. My maternity leggings weren't just reserved for days working from home, but for brunches and coffee catch-ups too. This pair was my slightly cuter go-to."
Save when you shop for the best maternity sports leggings with these New Look discount codes at checkout.
.jpg)
- Sizing: XS-XXL
- Material: 74% Polyamide, 26% Elastane
- Colourways: Black
Néamh says: “Scoring similarly to the M&S Good Move maternity leggings, these gym leggings from MyProtein are the best pair for more serious fitness fanatics among you."
Save when you shop for the best maternity sports leggings with these Myprotein discount codes at checkout.
Your maternity leggings FAQs, answered:
What to look for in the best maternity leggings
You might be convinced that all black maternity leggings are equal but there are certain qualities you should look for when buying them to ensure they're comfortable, practical and last you well into your fourth trimester.
As Chelsey Oliver, Chief Creative Officer at Seraphine, explains: "Investing in leggings that will retain their quality for the duration of your pregnancy and postpartum journey is so important, not only for your wardrobe and wallet, but also for the world the next generation will inherit.
"The key thing when it comes to leggings during your pregnancy and postpartum journey is finding soft, breathable fabrics that sculpt to your changing body (and don't go saggy!). Whether you decide to go for over-bump or under-bump styles, they need to stay up and be comfortable all day long. Increased skin sensitivity is a common symptom for pregnant women, choosing super soft fabrics will really increase comfort levels.
“At Seraphine we offer a variety of super soft legging styles that cater to both maternity and postpartum , with styles that range from loungewear to activewear. Our selection of compression styles that offer support around the tummy area after baby arrives and our bamboo leggings are the perfect choice if you are looking for a super soft legging option post c-section.”
When should I start wearing maternity leggings?
It's totally up to you, but I slipped into the best maternity clothes – leggings included – around my second trimester, when my bump really started to pop. They're arguably the one maternity wardrobe item I don't regret making.
Can I wear normal leggings while pregnant?
Of course! If your best leggings still fit you, keep wearing them and save your money for other things you might be in need of (like maternity knickers, maternity trousers and maternity pyjamas!). However, keep in mind that while they might be fine now, they could become too tight further down the line; your bump is likely to grow even bigger, and to avoid being uncomfortable at any point, I recommend investing in at least one pair just in case. Due to their stretchy nature, you can always wear them after pregnancy as well as during.
What is the difference between maternity leggings and regular leggings?
While the legs in maternity leggings remain the same, you won't be surprised to hear that there's been a lot of adaptation to the stomach section with almost all of them incorporating a tummy panel with added material and extra stretch to reach across your growing bump and allowing it to expand with your belly.
More maternity content:
After more maternity content? Head this way for the best body pillows and in this direction for the best maternity jeans. We've also got nursing bras, maternity dresses, maternity loungewear and baby changing bags for your perusal.
