Revelle Blog
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All our mammas — and future mammas!! — out there know how surreal it feels when you go to put on your trusty pair of jeans only to find that they no longer fit. Because denim is one of the first clothing items to be nixed once you start showing, it can feel simultaneously exciting AND daunting AND overwhelming.
At any given time, somewhere between 5 and 6 million women across the United States are pregnant. And yet, it’s still somehow mind-bogglingly difficult to find a pair of high-quality, trendy maternity jeans — jeans that you don’t just tolerate for a few months, but actually like! Dare we say love? The struggle is *especially* real if you’re petite, tall, or plus-size.
Below, we’re breaking down what to look for, how to go about selecting the right size for you, and twelve of the best options on the market right now. The goal? Help make this journey a bit less stressful so you can focus instead on feeling beautiful and embracing just how unbelievably AWE-INSPIRING it is to see your body change in order to support another human life.
What to look for in a pair of maternity jeans?
The first thing to consider here is the waistband. For the most part, you have three options to choose from:
- Over-the-bump
Here, you’ll have a built-in fabric section that provides smooth support for a growing belly, which is ideal for those who prefer high-waisted styles. - Under-the-bump
Also known as demi-panel, under-the-bump pregnancy jeans come with an elastic waistband that, as you’d guess, sits under the bump. The benefit is that you get sturdy support but can also hide the waistband under a flowy top. - Side panel
Side panel maternity jeans are the closest to regular jeans of the bunch. There’s nothing different about the waistband — the only difference is that the panels stretch so the jeans can grow with you over time.
It goes without saying that you’ll also want jeans made with a stretch combo of cotton, lycra, spandex, and/or elastane to get as close to maternity leggings and jeggings-level comfort as possible.
How to select your size
So the good news? Maternity jeans abide by the same sizing conventions as regular jeans — the only difference, of course, being that they leave room for growth. So go ahead and select the same size that you were pre-pregnancy. No need to scrutinize over your “pregnancy size.”
The not-so-good news? The size chart is incredibly arbitrary — not to mention antiquated — and different from brand to brand, which makes it that much trickier to actually FIND the size that works well for you pre-pregnancy, while pregnant, or postpartum. That’s where Revelle comes in.
When you join — which, BTW, doesn’t cost you anything — we’ll ask you a few questions about your beautiful body. From there, we work our magic (and by magic, we mean technology) to build your personal store. As you like (heart) and dislike (broken heart) jeans, we’ll get to know your tastes, preferences, and style even better so you can find your perfect pair with the perfect fit for your beautiful body shape.
12 best maternity jeans on the market right now
These high-rise jeans have an elasticized inset around the waist area for comfort and support during early pregnancy. They’re slightly faded — with a touch of whiskering — and extend down to the ankles for a classic skinny silhouette.
The contoured full panels of these above-the-belly jeans reach hiiiiiiigh up to cocoon your baby bump. They’re made with a stretch combo of cotton, polyester, rayon, spandex, and nylon that we love. Plus, they’re cropped with a relaxed fit, leaving room for the ankles to breathe.
AG Jeans makes their maternity styles with Secret Fit Belly® waistband which…get this…can be worn over your growing bump for super support or folded down. The classic skinny jean look can’t be beat.
NOM jeans are designed to fit before, during, and after pregnancy…which is good, because with a pull-on style, elasticized belly panel, and faux fly, you’re not going to want to give these up once the baby arrives. Between sizes? We recommend ordering one size up.
Like Joe’s Jeans, this pair from Ingrid & Isabel has elasticized insets at the waist. They’re low rise with an inseam of 29” and leg opening of 4.75”. The faded look gives ‘em a lived-in feel.
You can’t go wrong with mid-rise, slim fit jeans that, like AG Jeans, have a Secret Fit Belly® bump panel. Use it if you’re craving support, fold it down if you’re not.
One more with the Secret Fit Belly® (because clearly we’re obsessed)…Jessica Simpson maternity jeans! One of our top casual picks that toes the line between dark wash and light wash.
These lightly faded skinny jeans are made with a stretch combo of cotton, lyocell, modal, polyester, and elastane. We love the comfy pull-on style — plus faux fly and patch back pockets.
Unlike skinny jeans, bootcut maternity jeans have a slight flare around the ankle, which is perfect if you’re wearing them over ankle boots. But don’t worry, they’ll still be form-fitting and supportive around your belly, legs, and hips.
With an over-the-bump jersey waistband, these are one of our go-to crossover ankle jeans designed to fit pregnant women from bump to baby. Plus, at $40, you won’t have to splurge to find maternity wear that actually fits.
Old Navy has one of the most comprehensive collections of motherhood maternity clothes out there — you can even shop by trimester! This dark-wash pair has a smooth elastic jersey panel in the front for support, and a regular waistband in the back.
Available on Amazon, these skinny leg maternity jeans are made with super stretchy denim, plus a tummy-knit panel that helps with lower back support.
What has worked for you? Any go-tos you recommend, especially come the third trimester? Oh OH! And if you have a favorite pair of maternity denim overalls, please do share in the comments below. Help your fellow mammas out!
Revelle is on a mission to make women feel beautiful in their bodies every day by helping them find clothes that actually FIT, and we only feature jeans we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that the recommended maternity denim jeans are based on availability as of the date the article was published. You can always get personalized recommendations by joining our community. Also, if you do purchase something by clicking on a link, we may receive a small commission.
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