The Best Leggings to Wear When Pregnant

Dressing when you’re pregnant can be a challenge. Many people don’t want to splurge on a lot of wardrobe additions that they will quickly outgrow over the course of their pregnancy. So how to get the most bang for your buck while also looking stylish and feeling comfortable? Leggings are a great option.

With trends in athleisure going from strength to strength, there are many options for staying on trend and also comfortable during your pregnancy. Leggings (whether for everyday wear or maternity wear) are exceptionally cozy and versatile. They can be dressed up or down, worn to work, or as loungewear. Basically: If leggings weren’t your BFF before pregnancy, they’re about to become just that!

Can You Wear Regular Leggings When You’re Pregnant?

Leggings are essentially skin-tight pull-on pants made of stretchy fabric (usually a cotton spandex blend) with a lot of elasticity. That’s why they look so much smaller on the hanger than they do on your body—there’s a lot of stretch. And if you already wear leggings, you’ll know they can stay comfortable when your body expands and contracts. That’s why they’re great for travel/flights, Thanksgiving dinners, and that time of the month when you feel a bit bloated.

So - can you wear your regular (non-maternity) leggings when you’re pregnant? There are no rules, and it’s all about what’s comfortable for you. You may find your existing leggings continue to serve you in the early parts of your pregnancy but start to feel stretched too thin as your body grows. Or you might find that the waistband is no longer comfortable across your baby bump at some point.

It’s worth noting that leggings that are stretched more than they’re intended can begin to lose opaqueness. So you might want to size up if you want to continue wearing your regular leggings in the later stages of pregnancy.

How well your non-maternity leggings serve you during pregnancy can depend on the style and material. Some leggings have more stretch than others. Some have compression that may offer support but may also be too much when you’re pregnant. And some have a mid-rise that may sit uncomfortably across your pregnant belly.

But you be the judge! If your non-maternity leggings feel good, keep rocking them throughout your pregnancy!

How Maternity Leggings Differ From Regular Leggings

Special maternity leggings are more specifically designed for pregnant women. If you’re new to leggings or find your regular non-maternity leggings are getting uncomfortable, you might want to check out some maternity leggings.

Many maternity leggings can look a lot like regular leggings, but they have a few notable differences:

• Waistband: The waistband of maternity leggings is designed with your pregnant belly in mind. This means the waistband won’t cut uncomfortably across your bump. Instead, it will usually sit above the bump (an ultra high rise) or below the bump. Indeed, some will be labeled 'maternity belly support leggings.'
• Tummy panel for your growing belly: The key design difference between regular leggings and maternity leggings is a tummy panel on over-the-bump leggings that usually has extra stretch or extra material so that it can expand with your growing belly.
• Compression: In the right places, compression in maternity leggings can help alleviate some of the muscle pain associated with pregnancy, including swollen ankles and varicose veins. Compression materials put pressure on different parts of the body (the amount of pressure can vary). Some compression garments are all-over compression, and some (like Knix leggings) have compression zones. The purpose of compression pressure is to improve blood circulation, which can help with athletic performance, reduce fatigue and even aid with muscle recovery. 

Styles or Types of Maternity Leggings

Of course, regular leggings come in myriad styles, and the same applies to maternity leggings. There are basic black maternity leggings and sporty workout leggings (or yoga pants.) You can find faux leather maternity leggings, maternity leggings designed to look like skinny jeans, and more. There are also all kinds of lengths, colors, and patterns of maternity leggings to choose from too. 

Over-the-Bump Maternity Leggings

Over-the-bump maternity leggings have an ultra-high rise and are designed to sit high on the waist, completely covering your bump. This is the style of maternity leggings where you’ll notice that tummy panel that’s not a feature of regular leggings. These leggings should last you throughout your pregnancy (and even after), as the waist can be rolled or folded down when you’re not big enough to fill it out. Many pregnant women love the gentle support and feeling of protection that they get from over-the-bump leggings.

Under-the-Bump Maternity Leggings

Inspired by Rihanna’s maternity looks? Under-the-bump leggings have a low-rise waistband, and these leggings sit under your bump. If you want to show your belly or prefer to feel free from constraint, this style is your choice. Good news: Because there’s no tummy panel to worry about, regular low-rise leggings usually work fine as under-the-bump maternity leggings. In our experience, the under-the-bump style can be less comfortable than the over-the-bump style, but that’s all a matter of personal preference! There are no hard and fast rules.

What to Look for in the Best Maternity Leggings

If we’ve sold you on the idea of pregnancy leggings as maternity clothing, you might start to search online and quickly feel overwhelmed by the number of options out there. Of course, you’ll determine your own search criteria, but here’s what we’d look for when shopping for the best maternity leggings:

Ultimate Comfort

Let’s face it: Comfort is important whether you’re pregnant or not pregnant—why else would athleisure be such a powerful fashion movement? But comfort becomes especially important for moms to be. Pay attention to the rise of your maternity leggings (under-the-bump or over-the-bump) and look for materials that are described as buttery soft and super stretchy. If you’re shopping online, read the buyer reviews to make sure the leggings live up to their claims.

Super Stretch, So They Grow With You

Some maternity clothes simply will not last your entire pregnancy. And that’s okay: Sometimes you need occasion wear for a specific event. But, for the most part, you want to invest in maternity clothes that will serve you right through your pregnancy (and even after.) 

So make sure the leggings you choose have enough stretch to grow with your body, especially a stretchy waistband. And while your belly is where you’ll really expand, you may feel swollen or gain weight elsewhere, too, so make sure the legs, ankles, etc., are not too constricted either.

Stomach Panel, Back and Belly Support

If you want the ‘free’ feeling, under-the-bump might be your favorite maternity leggings style. But most want some belly support, and the best maternity leggings offer just that. Belly and back support when you’re pregnant can help offer relief from aches and pains. But, more ineffably, it can also just offer a feeling of safety, reassurance, and protection that you might want when you’re feeling tender. If this sounds appealing, opt for an over-the-bump style of legging and check out the stomach panel to make sure it will offer that protective feeling right the way through your pregnancy.

The Right Kind of Compression and Support

Many leggings (both regular and maternity) offer degrees of compression. The purpose of compression in regular leggings can range from providing a slimming silhouette with light compression around the midriff to helping your muscles recover from athletic activity with compression designed to reduce muscle fatigue. 

The best maternity leggings also benefit from compression. It can help with lower back support and also help bring relief to aching muscles, swollen ankles, and may even help prevent varicose veins. But only maternity leggings will be designed with the unique concerns of pregnant and postpartum bodies in mind. So may sure to read the product descriptions to understand what support is on offer from the particular leggings you are considering!

Versatility: Dress Them Up or Down 

Okay: This is less about the performance of the leggings and more about fashion and wearability. Presumably, moms-to-be don’t want to go overboard buying a bunch of different clothes. So, look for a style of legging that offers maximum versatility. For us, that means the best maternity leggings are seamless maternity leggings in a classic, basic black style. 

While it’s easy to get excited about different patterns, colors, and materials (yes, there are faux leather material maternity leggings!), you’ll find that your classic, black leggings quickly become your BFF—they’ll work for daywear, workwear, and even evening-wear with the right styling and accessorizing. So definitely buy at least one pair basic pair.

Easy to Care For

Who has time for finicky washing instructions? Not us, and probably not moms-to-be either—even more after your wee one arrives. So make sure the care instructions for your leggings are pretty straightforward. You should be able to toss them in your regular laundry and simply hang lay flat to dry. Because most leggings are made with moisture-wicking materials, you’ll usually find they dry pretty quickly. And that should be it! Any more than that, and we’d move on to other options.

Moisture-Wicking Fabric

Your hormones can do a number on you when you’re pregnant. And if you’re expecting during the summer months, expect to feel the heat more than you usually do. The best maternity leggings that will keep you cool and dry are important; this means sweat-wicking and moisture-wicking properties and breathable fabric. UTIs can also be a factor during pregnancy, so staying clean and dry ‘down there’ can also help if you’re prone to UTIs.

Value for Money

Everyone is on their own budget, so you will probably have a price range in mind when you go shopping. If you’re on a budget, we would double down on the recommendation to stick with a basic black legging. This might mean you can spend more on higher quality because you’ll get more wear out of this style. 

Also, remember that quality and comfort are often tied to price, so if you want a pair of maternity leggings that will stand up to your entire pregnancy (and postpartum, too), it might make sense to invest a little more. Value for money doesn’t always mean the cheapest option, and with the best maternity leggings, you'll sometimes find it’s the cheap ones that become transparent or get baggy in unfortunate ways.

Introducing: The Knix BlissFit™ Maternity Legging

Yes, we’re a little biased, but we designed the Knix BlissFit™ Maternity Legging to check all these boxes. Indeed, we think these are the only bottoms you’ll need for your new journey. Designed with your changing body in mind, these go-to seamless leggings are made with super stretchy BlissFit™ fabric for the perfect fit at every stage of your pregnancy. A wide waistband and reinforced lower back ensure you feel comfortable and supported every step of the way.

How they fit: The seamless knit fabric and tummy panel allows extra space and stretches to adapt to body shape. These leggings have a high-waisted style and a full-length leg. Reinforced X-pattern ribbing across the lower back for extra support where you need it most.

• Sizes: S to XXXL
• Colors: Black and indigo
• Care instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors, do not bleach, do not dry clean, do not iron, lay flat to dry.
• Return policy: Our Maternity & Postpartum Collection is eligible for return or exchange within 30 days of delivery.

Earlier in the article, we also urged you to read reviews, so here’s what our customers have to say about the BlissFit™ Maternity Legging:

“This is my 2nd pregnancy and I wish knix had been making these during my first. I love them so much. Putting them on is just like getting a big hug. Pure comfort and ease, when everything else is uncomfortable lol…” - Ana M.

“These maternity leggings have been a lifesaver. All those days when you're too uncomfortable to put on anything else, these are your pants. No other leggings I have compare. I've been wearing them since I was 12 weeks pregnant, and I'm currently 29 weeks. I ordered a large so I had space to grow, and I'm glad I did. I'm currently 5'9" 194lbs, belly measuring at 30 weeks pregnant and they still fit me perfectly as they did when I was 12 weeks (approx 175lbs). The material also hides mild cellulite, so that was huge for me as I don't feel self conscious in them with my pregnancy weight gain. These will be so comfy when I'm post partum too. They are worth every penny!” - Megan K.

“These leggings make me want to do laundry so I can wear them again - they’re that good! So soft, so comfortable and after several washes, they keep their shape & feel just like the first wear. They feel a lot more supportive than other leggings though the support is minimal. They look great, I love the color. I wear a M (my size before pregnancy), 5’6 145 lbs when I started wearing these at 15 weeks barely showing. Today, I’m 33 weeks with a belly measuring 39in around & they still feel great and like they could expand more.” - Nikita

What to Wear Under Maternity Clothes: Leakproof Underwear

Because leggings are skin-tight clothing, you may wonder what to wear beneath them when you’re pregnant. Some women also experience light bladder leaks during and after pregnancy. Understandably that can cause anxiety and discomfort. 

Good news: Leakproof underwear can help absorb any sweat, discharge, or urine leaks, or spotting you may experience during (or after) pregnancy. Here are some great options:

1. Super Leakproof Boyshort

The Super Leakproof Boyshort - switch from relying on disposable panty liners to wearing incredibly comfortable and machine-washable boyshort underwear that will protect you every day of your pregnancy and beyond!

These full-coverage boyshorts provide extra coverage through the hip and bum and sit slightly higher than our bikini silhouette. The ultra-thin & absorbent gusset is 9” long, providing confident coverage in the front and behind. The fabric is designed to feel snug at first but relax with wash and wear for a perfect fit.

• Sizes: XS to XXXXL
• Colors: 18 colors and patterns

Here’s what our customers have to say:

“These, along with either Knix underwear, are all I’ve been wearing since pregnancy started. So comfy and not constricting. These ones I plan on wearing in postpartum. I love Knix, they are totally worth every penny.”

“Love the freedom these leakproof panties provide. They are comfortable and really colorful. They protect from urine leaks very well”

2. Super Leakproof Thong

The Super Leakproof Thong - switch from relying on disposable products to wearing incredibly comfortable and machine-washable underwear.

The thong provides a mid-rise silhouette with minimal bum coverage. The ultra-thin & absorbent gusset is 8-9” long, providing confident coverage in the front and behind. The fabric is designed to feel snug at first but relax with wash and wear for a perfect fit.

• Sizes: XS to XXXXL
• Colors: 19 colors and patterns

What our customers say: “Comfortable, invisible under clothes and keeps you dry all day!”

Shop our entire leakproof collection here.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.