The best maternity jeans combine everyday style with comfort and support during your pregnancy. As a nation of jean lovers – more than 70 million pairs are old each year – most women have a wardrobe brimming with denim (I’ve got more than 20 pairs). But when your regular jeans no longer fit, getting dressed each day can suddenly become a struggle you didn’t see coming.
My first trimester was during the height of summer, so I had a few months where loose-fitting dresses and maternity leggings were on rotation and jeans didn’t get a second thought. But as we ease into transitional dressing, I am very much missing that staple item in my wardrobe.
So, finding good denim options has been part of my pregnancy mission and, I’m happy to report that I’ve found a fantastic selection to fit all maternity requirements. Plus, as a self-confessed denim snob, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re in good hands.
Speaking to Ilouity founders Fanny Herngren Rosén and Asli Tunhammar about why they created their maternity denim brand, they said it was born from experience when “finding proper jeans to wear during and after our pregnancies turned out to be an impossible task.” Both being denim lovers, the options available on the maternity wear market simply didn’t hold up, and they believed that no woman should lower their standards because of motherhood.
I couldn’t agree more. So, after weeks of testing pairs on my growing bump, I’ve rounded up my pick of the best maternity jeans on the market. Keep reading for my top buys that deliver on comfort, style, and everyday wearability.
How I tested
In order to accommodate women leading multifaceted lives, it was important that the jeans held up to a multitude of scenarios. For context, I was testing on my 20- to 22-week bump, with twins may I add, and looking for comfort, the softness (and stretchiness) of the fabric, and overall style.
- Day-to-day wearability: After wearing each pair for more than a week – from my commute into London to lounging about the house and a few trips to the hospital for baby scans – I can confidently say I’ve found the best maternity jeans out there. Maternity-friendly jeans come in many forms, with lots of different styles available to suit our multifaceted lives. I wanted a pair of jeans that were as comfortable on busy days out or long trips as they were when relaxing at the weekend.
- Stretch: I also tested regular jeans that have a good amount of stretch and give which will see you through postpartum, too. When it came to fabrics, I looked for a blend of cotton and elastic for that all-important stretch and flexibility.
- Over-the-bump styles: I found maternity jeans designed to sit over your bump, testing the comfort and support these styles offered. I didn’t want to feel constricted or uncomfortable with fuller coverage.
- Under-the-bump styles: I also included the dedicated under-the-bump maternity jeans that impressed me the most, considering the waistband, comfort and compression each pair offered.
- Value-for-money: I looked for styles that offered the best value for money, whether pleasingly affordable or investment styles that you could wear during another pregnancy.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
I am an experienced journalist, stylist, editor, and consultant, best known for my fashion, travel and maternity style reviews. As a pregnant woman, I believe that a pregnancy wardrobe shouldn’t compromise in the style stakes, whether it’s a fashion-forward pair of leggings or pyjamas that could easily be worn outside the house. Having thoroughly tested all the best maternity jeans throughout my own pregnancy, I know exactly what to look for when it comes to comfort and style.
The best maternity jeans for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Spanx mama ankle jeans leggings: £80, Asos.com
- Best budget buy – M&S collection maternity over bump: £19.50, Marksandspencer.com
- Best for luxury – Paige Cindy maternity straight leg: £245, Paige.com
- Best boyfriend jeans – Ilouity 04 boyfriend fit in wash blue: £146, Ilouity.com
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Spanx mama ankle jeans leggings
Best: Overall maternity jeans
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Black and Indigo
Design: Skinny and over the bump
Why we love it
- Can wear after pregnancy too
Take note
- Can look more like leggings than jeans
When it comes to innovative shapewear, Spanx reigns supreme, so I had high hopes for its jean-leggings hybrid. I opted for my usual size, which is a small, as they are made from a stretch-jersey fabric that has plenty of give for a growing bump. Although skinny jeans might be being left in the past for now, there’s a need for them (especially when it comes to wearing knee-high boots – I always struggle tucking jeans into long boots when there’s too much excess fabric, and these do the job nicely giving a smooth, seamless tuck).
Thanks to the generous stretch, they felt like leggings as opposed to jeans, and they had the nicest over-the-bump waistband material on any of the styles I tried – ribbed and oh-so-soft. The price point is bridging the gap between high street and high-end, but you generally get what you pay for – and in this case, it’s a pair of great quality, comfortable jeans that make a good investment for your post-partum days too.
Buy now £80.00, Asos.com
M&S collection maternity over bump
Best: Budget maternity jeans
Sizes: UK6-20 and three different lengths
Colours: Black and indigo
Design: Skinny jeggings and over the bump
Why we love it
- Affordable price
Take note
- Difficul to get on and off
I was a little surprised by M&S’s lack of maternity clothes. For such a huge high street retailer, I expected more options, but the jeggings were a good start. I tried size 8, which felt very secure on my legs and bump, but being skinny jeans without a huge amount of stretch, I found them quite difficult to get on and off, which isn’t easy with a big bump in the way. I thought they looked cute styled with an oversized shirt and ballet pumps, and they would look good tucked into knee-high riding boots and a shearling aviator jacket for days in the country. For just £19.50 they’re a bargain option for skinny jeans lovers.
Buy now £19.50, Marksandspencer.com
Paige Cindy maternity straight leg
Best: Luxury maternity jeans
Sizes: W23-W34
Colours: Light blue and mid-wash blue
Design: Straight leg and over the bump
Why we love it
- Premier fit and fabric for an ultra luxe feel
Take note
- Very high price point
Marrying premium fits with exclusive fabrics, the founder of LA-based label Paige wanted to create timeless pieces that would fit seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe. Not cutting any corners on the maternity line of denim, the Cindy straight-leg jeans are made from the customer-favourite vintage denim wash, which will make mums-to-be feel a million dollars. Forget having to break in your denim with any of Paige’s styles, the denim is so soft and stretchy that they will feel perfectly lived in from the first minute. The elastic panels mean they grow with your bump and they fit like a normal pair of mid-rise jeans at the front with a zip and button fastening, so you can wear tops either tucked in or out. The only downside is the pretty hefty price tag, but you’ll get good wear out of these postpartum too.
Buy now £245.00, Paige.com
7 For All Mankind bootcut maternity slim illusion
Best: Fashion-forward maternity jeans
Sizes: W23-W32
Colours: Dark blue and black
Design: Bootcut and over the bump
Why we love it
- Fashion-forward design
Take note
- Not suitable for early pregnancy due to oversized bump panel
The brand 7 For All Mankind is known for its best-selling wide flared jeans which are designed for women who want the most stylish styles in their denim collection. The small offering of maternity denim delivers for mothers-to-be who don’t want to compromise their fashion sense and continue to rep stand-out styles.
Made from an exclusive slim illusion fabric that offers both high stretch and high recovery, this Seventies style silhouette still feels fresh today when styled right. I wore my usual size but the secret over bump panel on the larger size, and wasn’t a tight fit on my 20-week bump, although I’m sure bigger bumps will benefit – and I would have preferred functioning pockets. That said, they were easy to slip on and the length is perfect for taller girls, as with any flared trousers, they need to have some extra length for wearing with heeled boots.
Buy now £190.00, Selfridges.com
Ilouity 04 boyfriend fit in wash blue
Best: Boyfriend maternity jeans
Sizes: EU34-48
Colours: Light and dark vintage wash
Design: Boyfriend with elasticated sides
Why we love it
- Great style for the weekend
Take note
- Fabric isn’t soft or stretchy
Ilouity founders Fanny and Asli couldn’t find proper jeans to wear during and after their pregnancies, so they created their own label to help women feel themselves and maintain their personal style during parenthood.
The first thing that drew me to Ilouity’s 04 style was the fact it was the only boyfriend style I could find. The relaxed fit is perfect for the weekend when worn with an oversized T-shirt and trainers and the organic cotton fabric is GOT-certified. While I love the brand’s story and the sustainability credentials, this fabric was neither soft nor stretchy, so it wasn’t as comfortable as others I tried, but the side elastic panels sat comfortably under the bump. I wore 36W 32L, which gave me the desired effect, although I could have sized up if I wanted a more baggy boyfriend fit.
Buy now £146.00, Ilouity.com
Ilouity 02 fit flare jeans
Best: All-rounder
Sizes: EU34-48
Colours: Blue, white, blue
Design: Flared fit and over the bump
Why we love it
- Very flattering and comfortable to wear all day
Take note
- Order online only
As a brand that specialises in maternity jeans and was created by mothers, I was pleased the founders really nailed this fit and flat style on the head with both fit and fabric. The brand’s design did much better in the fabric department compared to the 04 jeans, as it was made from stretchy cotton that felt a lot nicer on the skin. These had an over-the-bump band as opposed to the side elastic, which I found fitted securely all the way around and had a slight space to be able to tuck in your vest or T-shirt. I loved the slightly shorter length for wearing with pointed ankle boots and they kept their polished structure throughout the day, there was no baggy denim after a few hours – my pet peeve.
Buy now £146.00, Ilouity.com
Citizens of Humanity Neve low slung relaxed jeans
Best: High-end maternity jeans
Sizes: W23-W34
Colours: Seven different washes
Design: Low slung
Why we love it
- Can be worn pre- and post-natal
Take note
- Expensive price tag
These jeans may have an eye-watering price tag, but I’ve been living in them for the last few weeks and don’t intend on taking them off. I liked that they’re not strictly maternity jeans, which made me feel like I could honour my personal style more and not feel restricted to having to wear a stretchy waistband. As they are low-slung, they fit underneath the bump and have a more relaxed fit, so you can wear your usual size. I went for a size 27 for slightly extra room in case my hips went along for the ride with my ever-expanding belly, and found them to fit great, with a little extra room too. These felt most like ‘me’ and I love that they come in seven different washes – one in every colour, please.
Buy now £228.00, Freepeople.com
Gap high waisted wide leg utility jeans
Best: Non-maternity jeans
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Colours: Black and blue
Design: Wide leg and elasticated waist
Why we love it
- They’re non maternity jeans so you can feel like yourself
Take note
- Might be too big postpartum
Gap’s maternity line is no more, but it still has a really good selection of wide and loose denim. As these are regular jeans, I decided to size up to a medium so they would sit comfortably around my bump, but even then there was plenty of room to see me into the next trimester. Thanks to the wide elasticated waistband, I found them easy to get on and the super soft denim was not rigid at all. The utility-style pockets were a bonus as a lot of maternity jeans are without pockets entirely and I liked the cool edge they offered. Bonus points have to be given because you can wear any top you desire with these jeans as you won’t need to hide a giant waistband.
Buy now £55.00, Gap.co.uk
What are the best maternity jeans?
It’s impossible to pick a favourite here as so many styles deserve a gold star. But, for overall comfort and price point, Spanx mama ankle jeans deliver on both fronts and we guarantee they’ll be reliable throughout your pregnancy and beyond. For something more affordable, check out Gap’s offering, which will see you through pregnancy and into the postpartum period in style. My maternity denim collection is finally looking up.
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