Which are the best leggings for pregnancy? Can you wear normal leggings when pregnant? Of course you can, if they fit. Or you can choose maternity leggings in either over-the-bump or under-the-bump styles.
Leggings are versatile as you can wear them with anything. They aren’t just for the gym anymore. Case in point, check out the stretchy twill leggings for work in the reviews below.
Soft maternity leggings provide more freedom of movement than maternity jeans. You can enjoy them throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
How to choose the best ones for you
Under the bump pregnancy leggings
Low-waisted maternity leggings without a belly panel sit on the hips. They have a stretchy waistband and are more comfortable earlier in the pregnancy.
Non-maternity leggings
There’s no problem wearing regular leggings during pregnancy. You may need to go up a size or two.
Over the bump pregnancy leggings
When you hit your third trimester, these come in handy. They provide more support as they have an elastic belly panel. Even if you want to wear them earlier in the pregnancy or after giving birth, you can fold down the panel.
Will leggings be too tight for the baby?
We heard some concerns about whether shapewear and leggings put too much pressure on the baby. Happily, they do not (1).
In fact, the amniotic fluid in the womb provides plenty of cushion for the baby. The compression provides support for the mama that can relieve swelling, varicose veins, and the extra weight of carrying the child.
When to start wearing pregnancy leggings?
Many women find that they need maternity clothes about three or four months into the pregnancy.
On the bright side, if you choose maternity leggings, you’ll shop for the same size that you wear in regular pants as they are sized up already. When you try them on, they shouldn’t dig into the skin or ride up or down.
As for non-maternity leggings, you’ll probably need to go up a size or two. One factor that can alter the fit is how you’re carrying the baby.
How to choose the best leggings to wear during pregnancy
Summer is close, so you might be tempted by cotton leggings. These are likely to stretch and deform, so get extra pairs and rotate between them.
Otherwise, leggings made with synthetic fabric stretch easily and return to their shape. Modern weaves are very breathable yet not see-through.
Then, there’s the belly panel on maternity leggings. Crossover panels are excellent for supporting the belly in the last trimester.
Next, consider the length. Some go down to the ankles, hiding those varicose veins, and others are Capri-length.
Finally, don’t forget to look at the care instructions. Most leggings are machine-washable, but some can’t go in the dryer. If they give you too much trouble, they might just sit in the closet.
Best Leggings for Pregnancy in 2024
Now, let’s take a look at the most comfortable leggings for pregnant women.
Lululemon Align Full Length Yoga Pants
The first time you search for pregnancy leggings, you’ll see the brand name Lululemon. No, this isn’t a maternity brand. It’s a company that makes high-end yoga pants worn by lots of celebrities. What makes them so popular?
For one, people describe the Nulu fabric as “buttery soft”. Although it’s not see-through, it’s ultra-lightweight as if it were barely there.
Plus, the leggings have a high-rise waist that uses zoned compression to smooth the skin over the belly and hips. There’s even a pocket in the waistband that can hold a driver’s license or keys.
While that sounds great, still, which Lululemon leggings are good for pregnancy? Are they all equally suitable?
We’ve chosen the Align leggings as they can stretch to fit a third trimester belly. Some mothers wear the same size from week one to week forty and after giving birth. (Take note that the waistband may slide down a bit, but if you don’t want maternity leggings with a belly panel, that’s par for the course).
Align yoga pants fit true to size. If you’re in between numbers, choose the larger one.
Lululemon Align Crop Yoga Pants
Here’s more of the best non-maternity leggings for pregnancy. They are the Align yoga pants in a shorter Capri style. They have the same high waistband with a hidden pocket.
If you’ve already peeked at the price, you might be hesitant to try them. But think long-term – if you can wear them throughout the pregnancy, they could be less expensive than buying cheap pairs that will run, split, or become see-through after a month or two.
Anyway, the crop pants have the same lovely Nulu fabric with four-way stretch. It wicks sweat away from the skin and feels extraordinarily soft and comfy.
What is Nulu? It’s a blend of nylon and Lycra, so it needs to be washed in cold water on the gentle cycle. Place the leggings flat to dry them.
Heathyoga Yoga Pants for Women with Pockets
Remember how at the start of the pandemic we were supposed to wash our hands all the time? In a panic, we decided to leave our bags at home in case they picked up the virus. Suddenly, we needed pockets.
It turns out that not only Lululemon leggings have a pocket, but so do these pants. Even better, they have three pockets: one on each side and one inside the waistband. There’s plenty of room to hold cards, a phone, and keys.
Moreover, these soft leggings have just the right thickness to be comfortable without becoming see-through. Tall women are also happy about the length.
They have a high waist with a gusseted crotch and interlock seams to prevent chafing. The material is 75% polyester and 25% spandex, making it stretchy and clingy without feeling too tight.
Colorfulkoala Women’s Buttery Soft High-Waisted Yoga Pants
If the price tag on Lululemon leggings gave you an unexpected thrill, check out this budget version that comes highly recommended by pregnant women. The material feels dreamy, and the seamless waistband won’t dig into the tummy. (Yes, there is a little pocket inside).
Furthermore, the stretchy fabric stays opaque no matter how you move. It’s described as 20% spandex and 80% nylon, with moisture-wicking properties and flatlock seams.
On the downside, some women find that these pants don’t disguise camel toe or panty lines as well. But if you wear a long enough top, no one will know.
Beyond Yoga Maternity Empire-Waisted Spacedye Midi Leggings
Suddenly, every pair of leggings seems to be described as “buttery-soft”. They all have four-way stretch, but what does that even mean? Our sources say it means that the material stretches in width and lengthwise then returns to the original shape. That’s perfect for pregnancy – it’s what we all wish our skin would do.
Next, this pair of leggings is empire-waisted. Yes, that’s a high-rise waist that covers the belly. But the 87% polyester, 13% spandex material is surprisingly breathable and cool. It’s a performance fabric that lets sweat evaporate quickly. It also resists fading and stretching out of shape even after repeated laundering.
Fortunately, these leggings can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. Wear, wash, repeat.
Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Workout Capri
Which are the best maternity leggings that are not see-through? We like these capris with a crossover panel for the belly. They’re made with a blend of nylon and spandex that resists snagging and is machine-washable and dryable.
If you try them on early in the pregnancy, the belly panel may be too large. Roll it down and wait a couple weeks. On the bright side, it’s designed so that your back won’t get hot.
Motherhood Maternity Full Length French Terry Leggings
If nylon and polyester sound too hot to wear, try these leggings made from 97% cotton with a hint of spandex. They are stretchy and machine-washable.
What’s more, they feature a seamless panel to support the belly. It goes right along with the twenty-nine-inch inseam high waist.
Reviewers are pleased that the fabric doesn’t emphasize camel toe or dimples on their bottoms. The stitching is solid but not rough, and they have pockets.
Redqenting Women’s High Waist Seamless Leggings
When you look for workout pants, squat-proof construction is essential. These leggings won’t split or turn transparent under pressure. They have a high waist that stays put during exercise, too.
The fabric is nylon, polyester, and spandex. It’s stretchy, breathable, and soft. But even though the crotch gusset protects against camel toe, there’s something you need to notice. The sides are mesh jacquard for plenty of ventilation. They’re great for the gym but not so appropriate for the office.
Still, they come with a thirty-day satisfaction guarantee. We saw several pregnant reviewers describing them as very comfortable and long-wearing.
VIV Collection High-Waisted Leggings
Colorful, soft, and high-waisted – what more could you want? Oh, stretchy, they’ve got that covered, too. These leggings aren’t made for maternity, but they are worn by lots of pregnant women.
The waistband smooths the tummy without putting excess pressure on it. The super-smooth fabric is a blend of polyester and spandex for the ultimate body-hugging fit.
On the other hand, one reviewer pointed out that squatting or bending over in them could reveal the color of your underwear. Try to match colors or wear a longer top.
Felina Velvety Super Soft Lightweight Leggings
These leggings can be machine-washed and dried in the dryer. The material is 88% polyester, 12% spandex for plenty of stretch.
If your regular clothing feels too constricting, these pants shouldn’t. They aren’t see-through, but may be a little long for people under 5’7”.
They come two to a pack and are available in a variety of colors to mix up your wardrobe. Wear them to the gym, shopping, or lounge around the house. In every situation, they wick away excess moisture so that you won’t even know you’re sweating.
Motherhood Maternity Women’s Indigo Blue Denim Jegging
If you love jeans, try these denim jeggings made of cotton, viscose, polyester, modal, and spandex. They are stretchy, soft, and machine-washable.
Furthermore, they are suitable for casual wear, or you can dress them up with a blouse. They have a rear pocket for keys or ID.
Also, there’s a maternity panel that’s seamless and stretchable to accompany you throughout the entire third trimester.
Reviewers say this brand’s jeggings are far more comfortable than the competition. The belly band is not nearly as constraining or hot as that found on other leggings.
Hybrid & Company Super Comfy Stretch Pull-On Millennium Twill Pant
If black leggings aren’t your thing, check out the wide selection of colors and patterns here. Each is made from rayon and spandex for a body-hugging fit and plenty of stretch.
What’s nice is that they are easy to dress up for work. Choose from classics like houndstooth, herringbone, plaid, and more.
Although they aren’t maternity pants, we saw many positive reviews with women saying they wore them throughout the pregnancy. However, be sure to check the inseam as they seem more suited to shorter people.
Premium Women’s Stretch Ponte Pants – Dressy Leggings
Bypass all that controversy over yoga pants in public. You don’t need the extra stress. These dressy leggings are made from a blend of 95% polyester, 5% spandex. They actually lift the butt and shape the hips while looking stylish enough for the office.
Foucome Maternity Faux Leather Leggings
Faux leather – is it for you? You won’t know until you try it and see.
These winter-weight maternity leggings have a thin fleece lining to keep you warm. The adjustable high-rise waistband lets you choose how tight you want it to be.
Plus, there’s a full panel belly band for light support.
Conclusion
Leggings are stretchy and versatile enough to enjoy throughout pregnancy. You don’t necessarily need to invest in maternity pants to be comfortable. The modern fabric is soft against the skin and breathable enough to cut down on perspiration.
We’re excited to see which leggings you chose. Feel free to leave us a comment below.
Source:
1. https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/health-and-safety/is-it-safe-to-wear-spanx-during-pregnancy_10337005#:~:text=Wearing%20a%20piece%20of%20Lycra,won%27t%20cause%20any%20harm by Carmit Archibald, MD, accessed April 9, 2021