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As somebody who principally lived in leggings pre-pregnancy, I knew my very first funding in being pregnant gear can be maternity leggings, particularly designed to assist a rising stomach. It’s my first being pregnant, so there’s nonetheless so a lot I’m studying — even for a procuring editor who’s written and researched maternity gear for work. Like, did I even actually need maternity leggings, or can I simply throw on any previous stretchy pair?
“You’ll undoubtedly want maternity leggings,” my boss, SHE Media Chief Content material Officer Cristina Velocci knowledgeable me. Later, talking with a urogynecologist, I discovered why: Because the bump grows, it actually helps to have a waist that covers the midline of the stomach and offers assist and luxury.
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Greatest Maternity Leggings at a Look
Greatest General: Past Yoga, Spacedye Love the Bump Midi Maternity Legging, $108
Greatest Runner-Up: Ingrid+Isabel, The Efficiency Legging, $88
Greatest Non-Maternity: Lululemon, Align Excessive-Rise Mini Flared Leggings, $118
Most Comfy: Bumpsuit, The Legging, $115
Greatest Seamless: Knix, BlissFit Maternity Leggings, $50
Greatest Reasonably priced Efficiency Leggings: Quince, Efficiency Maternity & Postpartum Leggings, $30
In case you’re in the identical boat as I used to be just a few weeks in the past, you’re in the best place! For the previous two months, I’ve been testing a handful of prime athleisure manufacturers’ maternity (and one non-maternity) choices to search out out precisely which maternity leggings are the perfect. I’m at present 17 weeks alongside (the final time I up to date this was on the 13-week mark!), so I’ll be updating this text each month or so with extra alternatives and up to date photographs of how my leggings match my rising bump, supplying you with one of the best of one of the best intel basically in real-ish time.
What To Search for in Maternity Leggings — In keeping with an Knowledgeable
Urogynecologist and co-author of A Lady’s Information to Her Pelvic Flooring: What the F*@# is Going On Down There ($20), Dr. Victoria Scott tells us that, most significantly, leggings ought to be versatile and supportive for being pregnant. “You additionally need to make sure that they’re breathable so that you don’t overheat,” she says. One thing I’ll undoubtedly think about, contemplating my third trimester is smack dab in the midst of summer season. “It’s common to have swelling in your legs throughout being pregnant and leggings with enough assist may help enhance circulation and scale back swelling,” Dr. Scott provides.
Whilst you’re more likely to make due with common leggings when your bump is small (your first trimester), “you’ll in all probability choose leggings with a waist that goes beneath the stomach” as you get larger. “You might discover leggings with a waist that matches on the midline of your stomach or over it to be extra comfy,” Dr. Scott says.
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What to Keep away from in Maternity Leggings, In keeping with an Knowledgeable
Consolation is vital — so in case your leggings aren’t making you are feeling good, they’re in all probability not those you need to put on. This appears apparent, however I attempted sporting a pair of standard Spanx fake leather-based leggings the opposite night time for my sister’s birthday dinner, and I used to be regretting my resolution after appetizers. So, actually, not all leggings are created equal with regards to staying cozy whereas pregnant. “Ensure leggings should not too tight and you’re comfy,” Dr. Scott says, including, “You additionally need to make sure that they’re opaque and don’t turn into clear with stretching.” Stretchy, smooth materials is vital. Search for supplies like Elastane, nylon, spandex, and four-way stretch.
One other issue to think about is shade. “Black and darkish colours are nice, as a result of they’ll disguise the inevitable urinary incontinence with laughing or sneezing that comes alongside together with your rising stomach,” Dr. Scott says.
Consultants in This Article
Dr. Victoria Scott: Urogynecologist and co-author of A Lady’s Information to Her Pelvic Flooring: What the F*@# is Going On Down There
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The Greatest Maternity Leggings I’ve Examined in 2024
finest total
Past Yoga, Spacedye Love the Bump Midi Maternity Legging
I’ve been an enormous fan of Past Yoga for years. The model has the most comfy, smooth medium-to-low impression leggings (good for yoga, walks, jogs, and lounging) made with their proprietary Spacedye materials, a buttery cloth that appears like nothing in any respect. So, I wasn’t shocked after I tried their maternity leggings and immediately fell in love with them. They’re at present in my prime rotation, and the pair that may get me by way of first, second, and third trimester feeling cozy and supported.
Whereas I’m solely 13 weeks and have a small bump, I’ve discovered myself resisting something with an excessive amount of compression. Though at this level, Child is the dimensions of a lemon (aww), I’m consistently bloated (sorry, TMI) and wish a delicate, forgiving (four-way stretch) cloth that lets me reside my life. I’ve walked, napped, and lounged round in these (I truthfully haven’t had the vitality to return to the health club, so TBD on that entrance), and have truthfully forgotten to take them off at night time earlier than going to sleep. These additionally don’t require additional care when washing: Simply throw them within the washer and dry together with the remainder of your garments. As a pleasant bonus, the fabric additionally affords UV safety. I ordered my regular measurement, which match, however some reviewers did say they needed to measurement up.
The Love the Bump maternity leggings are what I think about my “Goldilocks” discover: They’re not too compressive, not too unfastened — they’re juuuuust proper.
Sizes out there: XS-XL
Colours: 7
Materials: 87% polyester, 13% Elastane
Professionals:
Excessive-quality
Pajama-like really feel
Nice for all levels of being pregnant
Tons of shade choices
Simple to handle
UV safety
Cons:
Dear
finest runner-up
Ingrid+Isabel, The Efficiency Legging
I’m formally in that in-between, is-she-pregnant-or-did-she-just-have-a-big-breakfast stage (virtually 17 weeks), which implies actually none of my common garments match, however most maternity put on nonetheless has an excessive amount of cloth. So, I’ve continued dwelling in leggings, and this pair from Ingrid+Isabel are my newest to check out. Spoiler alert! I like them.
The efficiency leggings are literally designed for motion, however I selected to put on them to the workplace with an outsized chambray button-up. The fabric has that shiny virtually Spanx-like look, so I assumed it really seemed very elevated and cute with my Rothy’s flats — however I can see why these can be so clutch on the health club. They’re extremely breathable, provide the right quantity of compression, and transfer with you wherever you go. In addition they stand out in that they’ve a crossover design within the again, which makes my butt look good. I’m an enormous fan!
Sizes out there: XS-XL
Colours: 1
Materials: 83% REPREVE® polyester, 17% spandex, 100% cotton gusset
Professionals:
Excessive-quality
Nice for all levels of being pregnant
Simple to handle
Are technically a exercise legging, however look elevated sufficient for on a regular basis put on
Very stretchy
Flattering crossover panel within the again
Cons:
Solely is available in black
finest non-maternity maternity leggings
Lululemon, Align Excessive-Rise Mini-Flared Pant Common
I’ve been dying to attempt a pair of Lululemon Align flares (what can I say, I’m simply TikTok-influenced!), so I used to be relieved to search out out that numerous pregnant individuals really swear by them though they’re not particularly designed for maternity put on. After testing out a pair of some weeks, I can attest that these are an ideal pair of non-maternity leggings that present sufficient stretch and provides for a rising tummy — though I will report again after I’m larger.
I put on the Align Excessive-Rise flares when, merely put, I need to look extra put collectively. It seems, “wanting put collectively” is Herculean process today, since I completely really feel like a slug it doesn’t matter what I put on or do or suppose. These make me really feel cute and classy, even when I’m sporting them with UGG boots or, within the picture above, my favourite pair of fluffy Birkenstocks with socks. I may simply put on these to the workplace with some cute sneakers and good sweater, and I don’t suppose anybody would bat an eye fixed that I’m rolling in sporting leggings.
Made with Lululemon’s legendary Nulu cloth, these are smooth and weightless — good for low-to-medium impression actions like yoga or napping (my most well-liked exercise routine recently). The four-way stretch is extremely forgiving as my bump (and thighs and butt) develop, and the fabric can also be sweat-wicking which is available in clutch as apparently all of the hormones make me sweat profusely on a regular basis (once more, sorry, TMI). They’re additionally simply very, very flattering. I believe they intensify my options and sort of suck every part in with out appearing compressive in any respect. General, large win in my e-book.
For laundry, wash with related colours, machine wash chilly, and tumblr dry low for finest repairs.
Sizes out there: 0-20
Colours: 7
Materials: 81% nylon, 19 % Lycra® Elastane
Professionals:
Excessive-quality
Tremendous flattering
Nice for pre- and post-pregnancy
Cons:
Dear
Is probably not supportive sufficient later in being pregnant
most comfy
Bumpsuit, The Legging
Within the above picture, I’m 20 weeks and Child M is the dimensions of a candy potato (what a journey we’ve been on up to now!). None of my pants match anymore. None of my common leggings match anymore. I can solely squeeze into maternity-specific leggings and precise maternity-wear. The Leggings from Bumpsuit are my new obsession, just because the fabric is so smooth and stretchy, they really really feel extra like pajamas than they do leggings. In reality, I’ve fallen asleep in them a number of occasions already.
What makes these stand out from the pack is that they’re much less for athletic motion and extra for all-day consolation. Assume: Your favourite, worn-in bedsheets or outsized T-shirt, however in leggings kind. I wouldn’t work out in these (though, you do you), however they do maintain you in and provide you with and your stomach the assist you want.
After I put on: Ideally every single day, however I solely have one pair. So, I depart these for the weekend, or throw them on Friday night time (my night time for locking away my work laptop computer and binge-watching TV whereas consuming takeout in mattress) so I can go to sleep in them, after which put on them on Saturday for farmer’s market runs and extra lounging. I believe these will likely be a key staple in my postpartum life, and can completely be ordering a pair extra pairs.
Sizes out there: XXS-XL
Colours: 3
Materials: 97% polyester, 3% spandex
Professionals:
Extremely smooth, worn-in cloth really feel
Really feel like pajamas
Supply nice assist
Not compressive
Nice high quality
Cons:
Not compressive—when you’re searching for extra athletic leggings
Dear
finest seamless
Knix, BlissFit Maternity Legging
As somebody who loves Knix interval underwear, I used to be excited to attempt their maternity legging providing: The BlissFit Maternity Legging. Can affirm: The leggings reside as much as their title.
What makes the BlissFit leggings stand out from the group is their seamless design and ample tummy panel (which whereas I haven’t grown into but, offers tons and tons of room for when Child will get larger). They give the impression of being very smooth (extra like tights vs. leggings), and so they present ample quantity of stretching. They’re additionally a bit extra compressive than the remainder of the leggings I’ve tried up to now, which makes me surprise what they’ll be like on the health club — I’ll undoubtedly report again on this as soon as I’ve the vitality to stroll greater than 5 minutes at a time.
In contrast to the Love the Bump and Align leggings, these aren’t tremendous smooth — the fabric is light-weight and feels good on the pores and skin, but it surely’s not the kind of leggings you’ll neglect you’re sporting and go to sleep in (though, I’ve fallen asleep in them a number of occasions already!) In comparison with the opposite leggings I’m testing, the worth tag on these can also be much more affordable. So, when you’re searching for a strong pair of black, seamless leggings, I’ve actually cherished the BlissFit up to now.
When washing, use the chilly cycle. Air dry to maintain its form.
Sizes out there: S-XXXL
Colours: 1
Materials: 90% polyamide, 10% spandex
Professionals:
One of many solely seamless maternity leggings available on the market
Provides smooth look
Fairly-priced
Very best for rising, larger bellies (suppose third trimester)
Excessive-quality
Greatest measurement vary
Cons:
Is available in one shade
Isn’t the softest materials
finest reasonably priced efficiency maternity leggings
Quince, Efficiency Maternity & Postpartum Leggings
These leggings jogged my memory numerous the Oprah-beloved model Girlfriend Collective’s Compressive Pocket Legging (and it’s doubtless a dupe, as Quince is understood for creating extra reasonably priced variations of standard merchandise). My absolute favourite side about these was the pocket — none of my different leggings had this characteristic! And I’m all the time carrying one thing in my pocket, whether or not it’s my cellphone or some canine treats. One other plus? The value. At slightly below $30, you get deal for a good pair of leggings which can be designed to really assist your actions.
Whereas I do know these are efficiency leggings, I haven’t really tried them on the health club but (when you scrolled previous the opposite leggings opinions, simply know that I haven’t made it again to the health club since discovering out I used to be pregnant), however I’ve taken lengthy canine walks with them, and I’ve additionally worn them whereas cleansing the home, which is completely a exercise when you’re pregnant and zapped of any vitality. In contrast to the opposite leggings, these really feel like sporty leggings. They’re not buttery, and so they don’t really feel like they could possibly be pajamas — I’d solely put on these if I’ve a bunch of motion on my schedule.
With that mentioned, there’s quite a bit to like about these: They provide four-way stretch, they’re moisture-wicking and have anti-bacterial properties (nice when you sweat quite a bit), and so they dry quick. The total panel waistband additionally affords loads of room for a rising stomach, so this can be a nice pair of leggings that’ll final you from first to 3rd trimester.
Are they probably the most snuggly leggings? Not likely, truthfully. BUT snuggly-ness isn’t fairly their operate. So, when you’re searching for exercise legging that gained’t break the financial institution, this pair from Quince will do the trick.
Sizes out there: XS-XL
Colours: 2
Materials: 78% nylon, 22% spandex
Professionals:
Nice for individuals who sweat quite a bit
Constructed-in anti-microbial properties
Has pocket
Simple on the pockets
Cons:
Not smooth
Not probably the most flattering
