The 6 Best Maternity Jeans, Tested and Reviewed

Most Supportive

1822 Denim Maternity Better Butter Slim Straight with Bellyband

$59 at Nordstrom View on Lyst.com

Tired of fidgeting with maternity jeans that slip down throughout the day? Look to this ultra-comfortable slim straight pair from 1822 Denim, which stayed snugly in place even on our busiest days. The over-the-belly band hugged our tester's belly perfectly, offering a secure fit that never needed to be adjusted or tugged up. They were able to squat down, bend over, and sit in a chair for extended periods of time without ever feeling constricted — the jeans stretched with them however they moved. Over the course of four weeks, they grew with our tester; they loved how they seemed to fit just as comfortably as when they first got them, despite how much their belly had grown in that time. 

They were some of the most comfortable maternity jeans our tester has ever worn, thanks to the buttery-soft fabric. While the leggings-like comfort was a huge plus, it did make these look less like classic denim, as the fit offers quite a bit of stretch. Our only gripe is we wish they came in more washes and of-the-moment cuts! 

Size range: 24-33 | Colors: 1 | Materials: Cotton, viscose, polyester, spandex | Care: Machine wash cold 

Best Ankle

Hudson Jeans Nico Maternity Straight Ankle Jean

$64 at Amazon $195 at Zappos $215 at Saks Fifth Avenue

If you liked to show off your favorite Chelsea boots in cropped denim joggers before pregnancy, you'll love these chic and comfortable ankle-length maternity jeans from Hudson Jeans. The straight-leg denim style boasts the perfect amount of stretch in the fabric, waistband and the side panels, which allow the material to move with you throughout all three trimesters of your pregnancy and beyond. Our tester wore these for over eight hours on multiple occasions, finding them comfortable enough to wear while running errands and cooking dinner for friends (not to mention, eating said dinner!), and stylish enough to wear out for date night. 

Given how much these grew with her throughout her pregnancy, our tester felt they were worth the splurge. “I would recommend buying these jeans true to size early in your pregnancy so you can get the most bang for your buck,” she said, adding that she’s confident they’ll fit well through the end of her pregnancy and will be wearable postpartum, too.  

Size range: 23-34 | Colors: 4 | Materials: Cotton, modal, polyester, elastane | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, or hang dry

Best Investment

Paige Denim Noella Straight Leg Maternity Jeans

$239 $192 at Amazon View on Paige.com $239 at Shopbop.com

Paige is an editor-loved brand that reliably produces luxuriously soft, long-lasting denim — and their maternity jeans are no different. We found these to be very comfortable from the first wear, with the wide-leg cut and elastic panels as major highlights. 

The stretchy panels allow for plenty of flexibility to grow with you throughout your pregnancy; our tester recommended them as best for the second and third trimesters. While the waistband stays securely in place throughout the day and doesn’t require much tugging, we found that it can sometimes dig slightly into the skin after sitting down for too long. Still, our tester said she didn’t feel constricted by these at any point; rather, she found that they loosened up a bit throughout the day, prompting her to wash them frequently to keep the boyfriend style from getting too slouchy. 

While the price tag is fairly steep for maternity jeans, we feel they will definitely hold up throughout multiple pregnancies, making them a worthwhile investment. Beyond that, they can be worn in all seasons, feature a fairly evergreen cut, and can withstand multiple washes and wears.

Size range: 23 - 34 | Colors: 1 | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Care: Machine wash cold, hang dry

Most Similar to Non-Maternity Jeans

DL1961 Patti Straight Maternity

$189 $133 at Amazon View on Dl1961.com View on Maisonette.com

If you’re devastated about having to temporarily give up your favorite straight jeans during your pregnancy, allow us to introduce you to these classic jeans from DL 1961. They boast a deceptively timeless silhouette that could easily pass for non-maternity denim if you pair them with a top and a shacket or a sweater that covers up the stretch panel pockets.

While they offer a more authentic, rigid denim look than most ultra-stretchy maternity jeans, we still found them exceptionally comfortable. “I would sleep in these jeans,” our tester gushed, saying they had never been so excited to wear a pair of jeans before, given the flattering and cozy fit. The jeans easily stayed in place as she ran her older kids to and from activities, requiring her to get in and out of the car repeatedly; they never felt restrictive and didn’t require any readjusting while out and about — as easy to wear as a pair of slip-on shoes.

Another plus is that all DL 1961 denim is crafted with sustainability in mind; while most jeans require 1500 gallons of water to produce, the brand claims this pair uses less than 10 thanks to hyper-absorbent fibers. Plus, it treats and recycles 98 percent of its water at its in-house recycling facility. 

Size range: 23-34 | Colors: 2 | Materials: Cotton, lycra | Care: Machine wash cold, air dry

Best Skinny

Levi's Maternity Skinny Jeans

$45 at Amazon View on 6pm.com

You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Levi’s, like these dark blue skinny jeans. We loved the pull-on style, which made these easy to slip on and off, and found them to be high quality and very durable during testing, enough so that we think they would hold up well for multiple pregnancies.

Given the affordable price tag, these are perhaps the best value pick on this list. Those who appreciate extra support will enjoy the soft, thick material of the belly panel, which stays in place throughout the day. Our tester found that the band needed to be readjusted in order to give her belly breathing room after sitting down for extended periods, as the waistband was more structured than stretchy. While the jeans did allow for ample movement, she still needed to adjust them every now and then.

While the belly band was slightly stiff, we found the fabric blend to be soft and stretchy. They were very comfortable around her legs and stretched well so that she didn't feel stiff walking; they never felt compressive and maintained their shape well after every wear and wash. 

Size range: 23-34 | Colors: 1 | Materials: Cotton, polyester, elastane | Care: Machine wash cold, hang dry

Best Loose-Fit

H&M Mama Mom Loose Ankle Jean

$55 at Hm.com

Boyfriend jean-lovers, rejoice! These stylish, slouchy ankle jeans from H&M Mama feel lived-in from the very first time you slip them on, and only get comfier over time. They’re ultra-comfy and crafted from a soft denim that rivals the coziness of sweatpants, according to our tester. 

She found that the over-the-belly panel hugged her stomach securely without ever feeling too tight, and required minimal adjustments throughout the day. While they fit true to size, she noted that the looser style would have allowed her to easily size down. 

We love the trendy covered elastic waistband, which hits beneath the waist but stays in place thanks to the belly band. These jeans are great for dressing up or down, and look particularly fashionable when elevated with a low heel. Our tester noted that they look and fit their best fresh out of the dryer, as they tend to lose their structure over the course of the day, particularly around the butt. 

Size range: XS-2XL | Colors: 1 | Materials: Cotton, spandex | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry medium, or dry clean