The second and third trimester of my first pregnancy were in the spring and summer so I never had to buy maternity bottoms! This time is different. My whole third trimester is in the fall and winter. I want to feel dressed up and pretty, so I spent a lot (probably too much) time buying, trying on, exchanging, returning and eventually keeping, some maternity jeans and jeggings. Here are my findings, including: which pairs I kept, which are runner ups, which to pass on, and which I recommend sizing up in (even though they always say to go off your pre-pregnancy size).

Check out my “I Tried 10 Pairs of Leggings for Maternity So You Don't Have To” blog if you haven’t already.

Pass on these:

Target

High-Rise Crossover Panel Skinny Maternity Jeans - Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel™

These were an absolutely not, as my girl Heather McMahan says. I love all things Target, but I am highly disappointed in these. I bought them on a whim before a trip to the mountains so I had to wear them for a couple days.

The fit was loose just about everywhere, and I did try the next size down, too. They only got looser as the day went on. I also didn’t love the coloring and fade, and the quality was eh. I think they were really long on me, too, which is pretty standard, but sometimes I get lucky, there. Not here.

2/10 just because I love Target regardless.

Gap

Maternity True Waistband Full Panel Vintage Slim Jeans with Washwell

Maternity True Waistband Full Panel Skinny Jeans with Washwell

I also usually love Gap, but I tried 2 different styles of their maternity jeans and they offered zero stretch. I could barely get them on. I think I pulled my uterus in the process. I could have tried again and sized up, but I didn’t like the severe lack of stretch, anyway.

I recommend sizing up in these if you want to try them.

The quality of the jeans was really nice, though, so they get a 3/10 I suppose.

Spanx
MAMA ANKLE JEAN-ISH® LEGGINGS

Gosh, I thought these would be the winners! I bought my pre-pregnancy size, thinking for sure they would work. Nope, so I returned and waited for the next size up. Still no. Just way too tight and hard to get on. Maybe it’s just me, but I ain’t got the time or stamina to fight my jeans whilst pregnant and already uncomfortable.

They were also really long. Size up if you want to give them a whirl regardless of my review.

2/10 just because I love my Spanx faux leather non maternity leggings.

Runners Up & Worth a Try

Blanqi

BLANQI® DENIM MATERNITY BELLY SUPPORT SKINNY JEANS

I bought these resale on Facebook Marketplace because they’re sold out online :(

I tried them on but they are too small and since they’re sold out, I can’t try the next size up. They seem like nice quality, though. I like the color and the stretch seems good. Watch their site and try them out when they come back in stock. I recommend sizing up.

8/10 based on potential

Seraphine

Dark Over Bump Super-Skinny Maternity Jeans

These are worth a try by the looks and feels of it. Again, I bought my pre-pregnancy size and they’re too small. I already had a couple winners by the time I received these so I didn’t return and purchase the next size up.
That being said, the color, feel, and stretch is really nice on these. The belly band is especially soft and stretchy. The length was a little long for me.

All in all, these might be really good! Add them to your list of try-ons and I recommend sizing up.

9/10 based on potential

Keepers!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Maternity Jean Leggings

Be still, my teenage heart. Did you know A&F sells maternity?! New news to me! And honestly, their stuff these days is really cute and I really need to dabble in them again.
Anyway…. they call them “leggings” but they are definitely denim— just nice, stretchy denim. They are perfect. They fit me through the thighs and knees and the “short” length is just right for my 5”0 frame. They offer 4 different lengths which is awesome!!! They maintain shape all day and don’t stretch out. They take a liiiiitle bit of wiggling to get on, but they are so perfect once they’re on, and I feel so good and “normal” wearing them, that they are worth it.

I recommend sizing up.

9.5/10. Just wish they had a slightly darker wash.

Walmart

Time and Tru Women's Maternity Jeggings (Black Soot)

Obsessed. The fit is perfect through my hips and thighs and knees. The length is a tad long for me but not noticeable and it doesn’t bother me. Very stretchy throughout and maintain their shape and fit all day. Takes zero wiggling to get on. And they’re less than $14. I meeeeannnnnnn.

Run, don’t walk! Your normal size should be fine.

10/10

Walmart

Maternity Time and Tru Jegging Full Panel (Dark Denim)

These don’t fit quite as well for me for some reason, (not as fitted) and the (lack of) quality is more noticeable versus the black ones. Still, I appreciate the stretch in them and they’re so cheap, I kept the denim ones, too.

8/10

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