When searching for your perfect pair, prioritize comfort to accommodate your changing body, your preferred belly panel type, and ideal style from joggers to leggings to jeans. We researched the top picks with these helpful features in mind. Here are the best maternity pants that you’ll want to wear for nine months and even longer. Price at time of publication: $48 Price at time of publication: $78 Price at time of publication: $148 Price at time of publication: $218 Price at time of publication: $214 Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $110 Stretchy material will be your best friend when it comes to comfort. In the long run, you’ll save money purchasing pants with a stretchy material because they’ll expand with you. You’ll be able to wear them comfortably throughout your pregnancy.
Belly Panel Type
You’ll notice while shopping there are three main types of belly panels on maternity pants: over the belly, side panel, and under the belly. Each type of belly panel provides support in its own way, but it’s up to you on what you will feel most comfortable wearing.
Over the belly: This panel style is ideal for those who want overall belly support, and it’s great for that postpartum fourth trimester too. Side panel: Pants with this panel style will fit as close to regular pants as possible. On each side of the waistband, you’ll find a stretchy fabric so while it will look like you’re wearing regular pants, you’re actually quite comfortable thanks to the stretchy panel. Under the belly: This panel style is if you’re looking for firm support underneath your belly, or prefer not to have any extra material covering your bump.
Style
Just because you’re shopping for maternity pants doesn’t mean you have to forget about style. Maternity pants are made in all types of styles so you can find a pair that works with your body but also provides the look you prefer. From joggers to jeans to leggings and dress slacks, you’ll find most regular pants come in a maternity version. They typically have a belly panel of some type or are extra stretchy to accommodate a changing body. Try on maternity pants before you buy, if possible, to ensure everything fits correctly and the style will work where you need it, whether at the gym, the office, or a special event.
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Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families. Even if you don’t feel like you need maternity pants just yet, it’s a good idea to have a pair or two hanging in your closet ready for when you do. You don’t want to get caught out with nothing to wear after an overnight growth spurt. However, it could be that one pair of pants can transcend different activities. For example, your workout pants might be your go-to option to relax in too. Or the pants that you wear to the office could be the smart-casual option you need to meet with friends—or you may prefer maternity dresses for these occasions. Start small and build on your wardrobe if and when the need arises. Buying multiple pairs of pants for just a few months of a pregnancy can feel excessive. However, your body changes a lot during those nine months and you still need to be able to get dressed and feel comfortable and ready for your day. Plus, maternity pants are specifically designed to accommodate and support a growing bump. Going up a size in non-maternity pants (or other clothing) means that your new pants will be larger around the waist, but they will also be larger everywhere else. So they are not likely to give you the overall fit that your body needs during pregnancy.
