As any pregnant woman or new mother knows very well, maternity leggings are an absolute wardrobe staple. As well as being versatile, they are one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing you can wear when pregnant: an era where you might feeling less comfortable than usual as your bump grows.
Thank goodness, then, that leggings are now socially acceptable 24/7 (one of COVID’s few blessings). Whether you’re WFH, popping out to the shops, or keeping up with your yoga routine, a pair of leggings are a must-have in any expectant mother’s maternity wear collection. They can be dressed down with a wool coat and knitwear or a sweatshirt for a coffee run or dressed up with an oversized blazer and heels for a night out (yes, really! ).
Besides their versatility, leggings — especially black leggings — go with everything. You can pair them with a cardigan or white t-shirt if you’re working from home, or dress them up with a blazer and a pair of white trainers to head out and about. If you’re breastfeeding and looking for a comfortable but practical ensemble, try paring them with a white shirt with a nursing bra underneath.
Maternity leggings will also wearable long after your baby arrives, making them a sustainable, investment purchase. Alongside your joggers, we guarantee you’ll be wearing them non-stop in your post-partum days.
One of the main qualities to look for in maternity leggings? Buying high waist leggings that will expand with your growing bump, is paramount, so make sure they have a stretchy band that will cover your bump and give you that much-needed support, as well as being super comfortable. Seamless leggings and ribbed styles often fit the bill the best.
If we haven’t made it obvious, investing in some quality maternity leggings is a sartorial no-brainer. So which are the best? There’s a plethora of stylish, non see-through leggings to chose from — from on-trend leggings with ankle split detail to maternity gym leggings to add to your activewear wardrobe and new in leather look maternity leggings. And we’ve tried and tested a plethora of bestsellers to help you make the right purchase.
The best maternity leggings at a glance:
- Best size-inclusive maternity leggings: Classic Full Length Maternity Leggings, £20, Love Leggings
- Best leather look maternity leggings: ASOS DESIGN Maternity Over Bump Leather Look Leggings, £14, ASOS
- Best non-sag maternity leggings: Seraphine Holi Maternity Leggings, £19, John Lewis
- Best maternity leggings that can be worn after a C-Section: Bump To Baby Leggings, £29. 50, Mori
- Best maternity sports leggings: Adidas Training Maternity Designed To Move 7/8 Leggings, WERE £35 NOW £24. 50, ASOS
