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Years ago, I vehemently supported the argument that yoga leggings are not pants. They are leggings, meant for exercising, full stop. That was, of course, before I had children. Oh, how times have changed. Motherhood irrevocably altered my perception of how yoga leggings (including maternity yoga pants, thank you) could be worn. And, quite frankly, it turned my entire sartorial identity on its head.
These days, I wear leggings during yoga. I wear them when I lift weights. I wear them when I go for a walk, when I head to Target, when I pick up the kids from school, and pretty much anywhere else I need to be between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Yoga leggings are at least 60 percent of my identity. And at no time was this made more clear to me than during both of my pregnancies.
Pregnant people already sacrificing so much—sleep, certain medications, maybe even sushi and coffee! At a certain point, most of us can’t even go for long walks due to how frequently we need to pee. The least we can ask for are maternity yoga leggings in styles that move with our changing bodies. And, for the love of all things maternal, we also want—no, need—to appear passably stylish, feel comfortable, and exert our right to have pockets.
Thankfully, maternity clothes have come a long way in the last decade, and with leggings now a mainstay in wardrobes everywhere, we can breathe a sigh of relief. I recently consulted with various parents about their favorite maternity yoga pants for everyday wear and working out. Following are the ones we couldn’t stop talking about.
Best Maternity Yoga Pants
Keep in mind that different bodies, bumps, and budgets want different characteristics in maternity yoga leggings.
Move Fave (Price Be Damned)
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Love The Bump Maternity Pocket Midi Legging
$110 at Beyond Yoga $108 at Amazon
At a glance:
87% Polyester, 13% Elastane
Pros and Cons
⊕ Extra roomy belly panel for all trimesters
⊕ Pockets
⊕ Super soft and stretchy
⊗ Inner thighs may pill and wear
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Overstretch when washed & dried often
I was a Beyond Yoga devotee well before I was pregnant, so it makes sense that I’d turn to their maternity yoga pants styles. But I’m not the only person I know who’s infatuated with their buttery soft Love The Bump leggings. These were the most-cited faves among all the moms surveyed––the people’s choice, if you will. One tester said, “I loved how they were super soft, supportive but not constricting, and stretchy without losing shape.”
Made from Beyond Yoga’s ultra-soft spacedye fabric, the Love the Bump leggings have 4-way stretch to move with your body (and stretch when you grow!). They’re also moisture wicking, boast UV sun protection, and can be machine washed and dried. They’re snug but not too tight.
My only complaint? Due to how much I love them and wear them (ahem daily), I wash them often, which can lead to the fabric degrading more quickly than usual. I try to let them air dry when possible, but when you’re doing at least one load of laundry per day (how do babies make so much dirty laundry?), it can be hard to keep track of what needs to be pulled from the dryer. Plus, more than once I’ve had to retire a pair that had worn too thin at the inner thigh. Even still, I love them—and continue to wear them well past the fourth trimester.
Best Budget
Old Navy Maternity Full-Panel PowerSoft 7/8 Leggings
At a glance: 77% Polyester, 23% Spandex
⊕ Accessible price
⊕ Array of colors
⊕ Pockets
⊗ Lifespan is less than more expensive leggings
Multiple yoga moms gave a shout out to these easy-to-move-in maternity yoga pants. “They’re durable, affordable, and they have POCKETS,” raved one mom. She also mentioned they’re “excellent for yoga and exercise” and she wore them “for weeks postpartum.”
Another mom felt these were absolutely worth the price but included the caveat that they’re for short-term use. That limited lifespan was a deal-breaker for some who otherwise loved the maternity leggings. “It’s decent quality, but probably not something I could use two years down the road,” explained one tester, noting that the PowerSoft eventually lost its shape with pregnancy.
As for me, I love leggings that hit just above the ankle, as this one does, and the ample coverage provided by the full panel. They’re an ideal option if you don’t want to invest a ton into maternity wear.
Most Stylish Everyday Leggings
HATCH The Ultimate Before, During & After Legging
At a glance: 80% Bamboo Viscose, 20% Spandex
⊕ Comes in prints and solids
⊕ Moisture-wicking bamboo blend fabric
⊕ C-section friendly (no rubbing)
⊗ No pockets
⊗ May not hold up as well in the wash
⊗ Pricey
Remember that thing I said about wearing leggings as pants? These leggings are the perfect pair for stylish everyday wear. They come in both a chic houndstooth print or rich, solid neutrals that immediately elevate any sartorial state. Whether you’re tossing them on with a chunky sweater and flats or pairing them with a workout top for a brisk walk, these work in or out of the yoga studio, although one user prefers them for everyday wear over workouts given that they’re slightly less snug than some brands.
If you do workout in them, they’re moisture-wicking and Oeko-Tex certified for those concerned about what goes in your fabrics (and on your body!). They’re also C-section friendly, too, meaning they won’t rub against a sensitive scar.
HATCH also makes a black kick flare silhouette for moms-to-be seeking a more modern silhouette.
Best Non-Maternity Leggings
Lululemon Align Super-High-Rise Pant
At a glance: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane
⊕ Great for before, during, and after pregnancy
⊕ Lightweight with second-skin softness
⊕ Versatile styles
⊗ Pricey
When I was pregnant with my first child, I refused to buy maternity clothes. That is, until one day at around 32 weeks I realized I didn’t own a single article of clothing that fit my ever-expanding figure except my Lululemon Align leggings. Though these aren’t actual maternity leggings, the Align are worn by many throughout all three trimesters. One user said, “I wanted to get as much wear from my existing clothes as possible, and thanks to the flexibility of the Align material, I was able to.”
Due to the almost weightless and buttery soft fabric known as Nulu, the style is optimal for practicing yoga, stretching, walking, as well as lounging. (“Forgiving” was the word used by one tester.) Align also offers styles with pockets, a flared-leg silhouette, or ribbed fabric in multiple rises, lengths, and colors. Basically, there’s an Align for just about everyone.
If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality pair of leggings, these are an option for those who want to avoid the full-belly maternity panel—or the limited-time usage maternity yoga leggings—at all costs.
Best Maternity Onesie
FP Movement x Hatch Never Better Onesie
At a glance:
21% Elastane, 79% Nylon
⊕ Easy to wear
⊕ Effortlessly stylish
⊕ No sagging waistbands
⊗ No pockets
⊗ Deep V-neck may not be great for larger busts
Multiple mammas mentioned this FP Movement x Hatch collab, which also includes an array of figure-loving pieces including a bump-friendly puffer and long-sleeve running top. The onesie, however, got the most props from yoga moms who wanted a one-and-done look. One mamma, an instructor at a yoga-meets-boot camp-style fitness class, even taught in this onesie for a while. It has four-way stretch and is designed to be breathable, allowing for light-to-medium intensity workouts.
Consider this to be a perfect solution for the person who wants to feel tucked into her workout gear from head to toe. Plus, how cute would this be underneath a chunky sweater?
Most Lightweight
BONVIGOR Over The Belly Bump Maternity Leggings
At a glance: 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex
⊕ Extra-high belly panel
⊕ Extremely lightweight
⊕ Breathable
⊕ Affordable
⊗ No pockets
⊗ Less support than many athletic leggings
When my wallet just couldn’t bring myself to invest in another pair of pricey maternity leggings, I turned to these on Amazon. To be honest, I had low expectations as I’d been burned by cheap leggings before. But when they arrived, I was shocked. They’re soft, extremely stretchy, and able to keep their shape. The featherweight feel is like wearing next to nothing and they are incredibly breathable—traits that make them perfect for hot yoga, which I discovered in the fourth trimester. Plus, they come in in 14 colors. Due to the exceptionally thin fabric, the leggings absorb sweat quickly, meaning they’ll likely need a wash with every wear.
So whether you’re in search of added comfort during your yoga practice or simply wanting to live in leggings beginning day one following that positive pregnancy test, these options are someplace to start.
