I have very little tolerance for uncomfortable clothing in my day-to-day life, and when I became pregnant, that dropped to zero. Since I didn't wear jeans all that often before pregnancy, I was surprised when I suddenly started to rely on them. A soft, stretchy waistband is able to accommodate my changing body and support my bump better than almost anything else in my maternity wardrobe.
I've tried over-the-bump styles that use a stretchy knit panel that covers your belly for extra support, as well as under-the-bump options that rely on elastic side panels or lower-rise waistbands to feel cooler and more like regular jeans. Fabric softness and stretchiness play a role, too. Which style you prefer largely comes down to personal comfort, the stage of your pregnancy, and the weather.
How I tested maternity jeans
I tested 16 pairs of maternity jeans throughout the second and third trimesters of my first pregnancy, 12 of which I wore for a full day.
I wore them while sitting, stretching, walking, and eating to fully assess their comfort. My top picks were also washed and dried per the manufacturer's instructions, to make sure they held up. Learn more about how the Reviews team tests clothing at BI.
Advice from your tester
Wearing jeans while pregnant isn't as uncomfortable as it sounds. The biggest surprise was how much I enjoyed wearing maternity jeans more than my regular ones. As someone whose size naturally fluctuates, I found myself wishing that more denim brands employed an elastic side panel design. This way more pairs could fit bellies that grow and shrink, and effectively lower their cost-per-wear.
Hatch is the gold standard for maternity jeans sizing guidance. As a pear-shaped person, my bust and waist measurements often fall into one size while my hips fall into another. Hatch's system clearly explains how to translate your pre-pregnancy size into a maternity size, and includes a detailed diagram on how to measure your pregnant body.
I'm still skeptical of brands that claim to make jeans made for before, during, and after pregnancy. That promise makes sense for stretchy or flowy dresses, but doesn't seem to apply to denim. The one exception may be Bumpsuit's Relaxed Denim Jean, thanks to its adjustable drawstring waist. I plan to revisit all my maternity jeans postpartum and again later on to see which ones truly deliver on their before-, during-, and after-pregnancy claims.
Best overall: Paige Anessa Maternity Wide Leg Jean
These are remarkably stretchy and universally flattering with a vintage look — plus, they come in two different inseam lengths.
What we like
What we don't like
If I could only wear one pair of maternity jeans, it would be the Anessa Maternity Jeans from Paige. I found myself reaching for them again and again throughout my second and third trimesters because they're incredibly comfortable without looking overly casual. The denim is super soft and stretchy thanks to the cotton-polyester-blend with a touch of Spandex. Unlike many maternity jeans I tried, they never feel stiff, bulky, or restrictive. The discreet elastic side panels offer plenty of stretch (and help disguise the fact that they're maternity jeans), and the waistband sits comfortably below my bump without digging in — even after a full day of sitting at my desk.
Freelance writer Rebecca Strong also had a great experience with these jeans during her pregnancy. "From the moment I slipped on the Anessa Maternity Wide Leg Jean, I was smitten. The mid-rise sits right under the bump and the legs hit at the perfect place on the ankle to show off some cute footwear," she wrote in our guide to the best places to buy maternity clothing. "They don't scream maternity — in fact, at first glance, they just look like regular ol' jeans."
My third trimester spanned the summer, so I especially appreciated the breezy silhouette during the warmer months. Nearly every time I've worn these, another mom or mom-to-be has complimented them or asked where they're from. The biggest drawback I've had to share in those moments is the $259 price tag, which will be prohibitive to some shoppers. However, if a splurge pair is in your budget, this is the pair I'm most confident I'll continue to wear postpartum, making the upfront investment feel a lot more reasonable.
Best budget: Halara Flex Mid Rise Straight Leg Maternity Casual Jeans with Pockets
What we like
What we don't like
If the Paige jeans piqued your interest but you're not thrilled about the price, this pair by Halara Mid Rise pair has lots of similarities (with a few drawbacks) for just $50. Halara is one of my favorite affordable places to shop for jeans that don't feel like jeans, and this bump-friendly pair lived up to the coziness I've come to expect. With a lower cotton content and 11% elastane, the fabric is soft, lightweight, and exceptionally stretchy. The below-the-bump waistband has comfortable elastic panels that won't dig in.
That said, they do come with some trade-offs. The fabric is noticeably thinner than premium maternity jeans and lacks the substantial, denim-like feel. I also wish they came in multiple inseam lengths, as I found them a bit shorter than I would have liked. Still, if you're looking for jeans to get you through pregnancy without spending hundreds of dollars, these are a great value.
Passes for regular jeans: Favorite Daughter The Otto Mama
What we like
What we don't like
If your goal is finding maternity jeans that don't actually look like maternity jeans, Favorite Daughter's Otto Mamas are the clear winner. Between the low-rise waistband, discreet blue elastic side panels, functional front pockets and fly, and polished straight-leg silhouette, they look remarkably similar to a pair of premium everyday jeans. The cotton-lyocell denim has a more structured feel, but it softens a bit after a few wears.
I found myself reaching for these whenever I wanted to look a little more put together, but admittedly they were not the most comfortable for sitting for long stretches. They're not quite as soft as the Paige jeans, and I found the waistband felt better with a shirt tucked between it and my skin. Still, that's a small trade-off for how elevated they look, and I can see myself continuing to wear these postpartum. For a pair that feels polished rather than purely practical, I think the premium construction and thoughtful tailoring help justify the higher price tag.
Best over-the-bump: Old Navy Maternity Full-Panel Wow Boyfriend Jeans
What we like
What we don't like
For those who prefer the extra support of a full-panel waistband, I recommend Old Navy's Maternity Boyfriend Jeans. I've tested several over-the-bump maternity jeans, and this was the only pair whose panel consistently stayed put without rolling down, slipping, or digging into my stomach. The stretchy knit panel offers gentle support rather than compression, making it comfortable whether I was standing, walking, or sitting through a full workday.
A big reason these stood out is the fabric. I also tested another Old Navy maternity jean made with 94% cotton (rather than this pair's 80%), and the lack of stretch was immediately noticeable. This pair's blend has just enough polyester and Spandex to feel softer and significantly comfier while still looking and feeling like real denim. That said, the added panel layer can get a bit warm in the summer, and these wouldn't be my first choice on the hottest days. The relaxed boyfriend fit looks equally cute cuffed above the ankle or worn full length. The faux fly means they look best with a shirt draped over top to cover the transition seam—but at $55 and a large size range available, these are among the best values I tested.
A low-rise pair to wear under the bump or postpartum: Bumpsuit The Relaxed Denim Jean
What we like
What we don't like
The Bumpsuit Relaxed Denim Jeans convinced me that low-rise maternity jeans deserve far more attention. Instead of elastic panels, it uses an adjustable drawstring waistband that sits comfortably below the bump, letting you customize the fit without any pinching or pressure. I sized up as the brand recommended (I'm glad I did), and the fit was spot-on throughout testing.
The 100% cotton denim is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable, and the exaggerated wide-leg silhouette kept me cool during some of the hottest days of my third trimester. There's no stretch in the fabric, but thanks to the drawstring adjustability and super roomy design, I didn't miss it. I also loved that they simply look like trendy wide-leg jeans rather than maternity clothes. I received compliments almost every time I wore them.
Unlike many maternity jeans that feel useful only during pregnancy, these seem like they have real postpartum potential because the adjustable waistband can tighten as your body changes. (The only caveat is that if you've had a C-section, you'll want to consider where the drawstring falls relative to your incision.)
I also tested Bumpsuit's DL1961 x Bumpsuit Taylor Relaxed Barrel Jean, and I was equally impressed. Between those elastic side-panel styles and these drawstring jeans, Bumpsuit consistently produced some of the highest-quality maternity denim I tested, making it one of my favorite maternity brands overall.
Read more in our full Bumpsuit review.
Honorable mentions
Nuuds Pull-on Athens: I originally tested these pull-on elastic-waist (non-maternity) jeans for a guide to the best sweatpant jeans, but they also stand out for their versatility during pregnancy. One of my comfiest work-from-home choices pre-pregnancy, these worked pretty well below the bump as my belly grew. Still, they're not the most cushioned waistband in the group, and the overly casual look won't suit every occasion.
HATCH The Boyfriend Maternity Jean: Hatch offers one of the most stylish maternity denim collections I tested, with several designs that barely look like maternity jeans. However, the fit proved inconsistent across sizes, and the brand's signature structured side wedge means getting the right size is especially important — otherwise it can feel stiff and uncomfortable or leave back gapping.
Who this guide is for
In my experience, the ideal time to buy maternity jeans is in the second trimester, with one caveat: Make sure they're not at all constricting, and have plenty of stretch room to grow. As a first-time mom, I was amazed by how rapidly my bump continued to grow throughout my pregnancy. Something that was comfy one day was suddenly too small the next (or even by the end of the same day, when I was more prone to bloating).
Every body is different, but in my first trimester, I was able to get away with wearing stretchy clothing (like non-compressive leggings, sweatpant jeans, or these Athleta work pants I love) already in my closet. You can also buy various designs of jean extenders to allow you to get more use out of your non-maternity pants. Towards the end of the first trimester, even some of my elastic waistband pants were starting to dig into my growing belly, so I started switching to dedicated maternity designs
Types of waistbands
Maternity jeans with an over-the-bump panel offer gentle belly support, but are often designed to accommodate larger bumps. I wasn't able to fill these out until about halfway through my second trimester. Though cozy in the winter, the extra fabric can feel hot in the summer and may show under shorter tops. You won't get much wear out of these outside of your second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Low-rise maternity jeans with elastic side panels look more like traditional jeans, and they work well in early pregnancy and postpartum, offering more bang for your buck. They provide less support and, depending on the stretch of the elastic and jean fabric, may not accommodate larger bumps as comfortably. During my pregnancy (especially in the warmer months), I found this style to be the most practical and versatile, but I did often find them most comfortable when worn with a maternity top tucked in, because the fly and stitching along the denim waistband put a bit of pressure on my belly.
Fabric composition
Jeans with a higher cotton content (90% or above) are more breathable, durable, and jean-like, but they're much less forgiving during a time when comfort is of the utmost importance.
Look for jeans that balance structure with plenty of stretch. Fabric blends containing 1-3% elastane or polyester blends are softer and stretchier, typically providing enough flexibility to accommodate a growing body while maintaining the look of true denim. They feel less like traditional denim, though, and can lose their shape faster.
Sizing guidance across trimesters
You can absolutely continue wearing jeans throughout your entire pregnancy, as long as the jeans are comfortable, non-restrictive, and designed to accommodate your growing bump. The key is paying attention to fit. If your jeans leave deep marks, feel tight when sitting, dig into your belly, or worsen symptoms like heartburn or swelling, it's time to size up or opt for a bump-friendly dress instead. Hatch has helpful guidance when it comes to choosing the right size.
FAQs on maternity jeans
When should I start wearing maternity jeans?
There's no universal timeline, but most people switch to maternity jeans in the second trimester, typically between 12 and 20 weeks. To get the most use out of your maternity jeans, make sure any pairs bought earlier in pregnancy have lots of stretch to accommodate a larger belly down the line.
Can I size up in regular jeans instead?
For many people, this works for some time, but eventually, you'll either need to wear them fully open with a belly band or switch to maternity jeans.
Are there any maternity jeans that are wearable postpartum?
Many low-profile maternity jeans with side panels can transition seamlessly into the postpartum months. These styles tend to be more versatile since they don't have a full belly panel, making them feel more like regular jeans once your bump is gone. Just make sure that, if you delivered via cesarean, the waistband on your postpartum jeans steers clear of the healing incision. Some people prefer a full belly panel that sits high above the incision for post-C-section recovery.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@bjinnox.com.
