The 13 best maternity jeans for every trimester

Is your bulging belly getting in the way of rocking your favorite pair of jeans? Don’t worry: No matter how big the bump, your denim-wearing days are actually far from over. That’s because denim brands and maternity brands have collided to gift us with jeans that work wonders on our new growing figures.

In fact, maternity jeans are likely to become the core of your maternity wardrobe. And though shopping for jeans is never an easy feat–least of all when you have a baby growing inside of you–you can and will find the perfect pair that will carry you all the way to birth in style. But how do you find the perfect pair?

To answer this burning question (and speak to all things maternity jeans) we chatted with Shae Haning, professional tailor, owner of the largest tailor shop in the Midwest, Tallgrass Tailor, and host of the popular YouTube show, “The Sew Show with Shae“. Oh, and also? She just so happens to be pregnant with her first baby. In short? She gets the struggle.

“Every time you think you’ve picked out something that’s going to work, in two weeks it doesn’t anymore. And you don’t even always know why! The weight is in different places. It’s dispersed differently, there’s different density. Some places it’s soft, some places it’s hard, the overall weight distribution shifts. Coupling that with your visual perception of yourself, it’s just mounting layers of challenge to work through as you grow.”

When should you start wearing maternity jeans?

You’re in luck because you know what? There are absolutely no rules that state when you can wear pregnancy jeans. (Let’s just say Joey Tribbiani was onto something when he called them Thanksgiving pants.) That said, most of us, Haning included, have gotten away with modifying our regular jeans with a belly band or the super budget-friendly hair tie hack through the first trimester. (Hook an elastic hair tie around the button hole and then connect it to the button as an extender. Voila! Pants that fit for an extra few weeks!)

But you do you, mama. If your non-maternity jeans are starting to get uncomfortable, it’s time to treat yourself.

How to choose a pair you’ll love

Finding the right pair of maternity jeans will probably take some trial and error, but Haning has a brilliant tip. Choose the shoes you’ll be wearing most often first and work backward.

“Finding a few or at least one good pair of shoes that you’re going to wear multiple times a week, that make those jeans look good, is the way to go. After all, the majority of the world sees you with your shoes on.” Chances are, you won’t be cruising around in heels too often. Think about the pairs you’ll reach for most days of the week and try your jeans on with them to get the full picture.

As you begin to shop around, you’ll find maternity jeans typically fall into three main categories: Elastic waistbands, pocket insert elastic, and full over-the-belly panel. With Haning’s help, we’ve broken down the benefits of each as well hunted down some of the top-rated styles in each category below.

From skinnies to overalls, here are 16 of the best maternity jeans for every body type and every budget. Spoiler alert: they are so comfy, you may actually consider wearing them after baby is born.

Elastic band maternity jeans

According to Haning, this is a great style for the first trimester. The inches wide elastic band, encased in soft fabric, sits at or below the belly while the rest of the jeans could easily pass as non-maternity.

As Haning points out, at this stage, you’re likely just rocking some “fluff.” “In the beginning, I was very soft, putting on this weight that doesn’t have any density or hold shape. The structure of the elastic band, holding everything in place, makes you feel more confident, but it’s also a lot more comfortable because it still has that ability to expand.” This is also a great style to circle back to postpartum.

Our favorite maternity jeans with elastic bands

Ripe

Jamie Raw Edge Jean Vintage Wash

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$110

From the light-but-not-too-light wash to the relaxed fit and frayed hem, these are the kind of jeans you can live in all week long. The soft elastic band sits below the belly to keep you comfortable during and after pregnancy.

SHOP RIPE

SHOP MOTHERLY

Old Navy

Maternity Front Low Panel Pop Icon Skinny Ripped Jeans

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$30

Skinny but not too skinny, this budget-friendly option from Old Navy offers just enough stretch to keep them comfy all day long.

SHOP OLD NAVY

Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.

Gold Label Maternity Skinny Jeans

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$34.99

A trusty pair of Levi’s but make them bump friendly. These are not only one of the brand’s best-selling maternity styles with over 4K 5-star reviews, they’re also less than $40 bucks. The material itself is nice and stretchy and keeps its shape through wear after wear, wash after wash.

SHOP AMAZON

Elastic side panel maternity jeans

As your belly begins to become more watermelon-esque, you might find a wide elastic band a bit to pokey or restrictive. Instead, Haning suggests opting for styles that provide room via elastic inserts. She says, “They’re designed to move in and out throughout the day as you sit, stand, eat, and everything keeps moving around in there.” Because these panels, which are situated at the pockets or hips, offer a wider range of expansion, they’re ideal for the second trimester when one meal can change everything.

Our favorite maternity jeans with elastic side panels

Hatch

The Boyfriend Maternity Jean

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$198

Delightfully distressed and designed to wear throughout your entire pregnancy, Hatch’s Boyfriend jeans are nothing short of obsession-worthy. The wash makes them perfect for literally every season and because the elastic panel is limited to a small triangle on each hip, if you keep wearing them long after baby, no one will be the wiser.

SHOP HATCH COLLECTION

Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara

Maternity Melisa Jeans

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$34.50

You can do it. You can step outside the skinnies and re-embrace the styles of decades past! Take for example these sleek, flared numbers from Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara. Not only are they incredibly budget-friendly, they also look super gorg with pointy heels.

SHOP WALMART

Joe's Jeans

The Icon Ankle Skinny Maternity Jeans

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$198

We love this pair from premium denim brand Joe’s. It’s a staple in their non-maternity line up with its classic skinny fit and perfectly placed back pockets that do amazing things for your booty. The maternity version is also great for mamas who don’t love the over-the-belly panel. These sit below your belly and feature elastic insets at the side to give you room to grow instead. (Alternatively, check out a similar style from 1822 Denim that comes in at less than 1/3 the price!)

SHOP JOE'S JEANS

Gap

Maternity Inset Panel Girlfriend Jeans

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$79.95

With three inseam options, this relaxed girlfriend style from Gap is easily an every day go-to. They’re a great cut for sneakers or ankle boots but also look super cute rolled up with sandals when the weather finally warms.

SHOP GAP

Hudson

Rosie High-Rise Wide Leg Maternity Jean

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$225

It can be kind of hard to find maternity jeans that aren’t straight legged or skinnies, but pregnant moms want style options too! If you’re in the market for a looser wide-leg style, Hudson checks the box and then some. As far as wide-leg jeans go, these are on the modest end of the spectrum and are roomy without looking sloppy. And with a released hem that lends a little bit of vintage flair, you can pair them with everything from low heeled boots to comfy Birks.

SHOP HUDSON

Abercrombie & Fitch

Maternity 90s Straight Jean

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$90

Leave it to Abercrombie to nail everything we love about 90s style denim–relaxed but not overly baggy, a hemline that perfectly pools around the ankle, and a classic black wash. And while that’s reason enough to bring these home, they also have real, functioning pockets. Toss on a simple tee and a pair of Docs and you’re effortlessly crushing it.

SHOP ABERCROMBIE & FITCH

Full over-the-belly panel maternity jeans

And when you hit that final stage? It’s Thanksgiving pants all the way. Full belly panels, with their loving, stretchy material you can hike all the way up to your boobs can feel downright blissful. And as Haning points out, they give you the ability to wear something besides sweatpants and leggings everyday. “We all want to feel like we are actually getting dressed. I think the psychological components of that cannot be understated.”

Our favorite over-the-belly maternity jeans

Isabel Maternity by Ingrid & Isabel

Over Belly Skinny Maternity Pants

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$29.99

With great 5-star reviews and a price tag that can’t be beat, these skinnies are a no-brainer. And while they look like so many other pairs, this one has a clever secret. Instead of a full belly panel that extends up the back as well, this brilliant design covers just the belly to keep you from overheating. The light wash goes with everything and they’re available in sizes 00-18.

SHOP TARGET

H & M

MAMA Super Skinny Jeans

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$46.99

Nothing fancy, just a super comfy, super stretchy pair of skinny jeans from H&M to prove you wrong: You can sport a bowling ball AND keep on wearing your beloved skinnies. Bonus points for the fact that you don’t have to break the bank to stay true to your style all pregnancy long and that they come in seven (!) washes to stock up on.

SHOP H&M

Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara

Maternity Melisa Jeans

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$34.50

You can do it. You can step outside the skinnies and re-embrace the styles of decades past! Take for example these sleek, flared numbers from Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara. Not only are they incredibly budget-friendly, they also look super gorg with pointy heels.

SHOP WALMART

1822 Denim

Butter Maternity Ankle Jeans

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$59

It’s a pretty bold claim for any kind of denim to call itself “butter,” but this pair truly delivers. Soft and flexible with plenty of stretch, these jeans understand exactly what you need during pregnancy with a fit that feels exactly like your favorite pair of leggings. The length is just a tad bit cropped which admittedly may be too short for those with longer legs, but for short and average mamas they’re ideal.

SHOP NORDSTROM