Last Updated on October 15, 2020 by Kimberly Stroh
If there was one maternity clothing item that would recommend that every pregnant woman invest in, it would be a great pair of maternity leggings. They’re such a versatile piece of clothing that can take you from exercise to a casual day out. There are some great options, from many brands, so you can exercise on any budget. You don’t have to spend a ton to get a decent pair of maternity leggings.
Where To Find Maternity Leggings For Workouts
Now that I’m on my third pregnancy, I can tell you how much the maternity clothes market has changed since my first pregnancy. You used to be stuck with 1-2 retail shops and not many online options. Moms now have more options than ever before.
I’ve been running while pregnant, so I like to look for more athletic options when it comes to my leggings. I always prefer a little been of spandex in my leggings so they stay put and move well with me. Usually the cheaper maternity leggings will be more cotton, while more luxe options have lycra or spandex included.
Most retailers are great about shopping online and you can easily make returns for free. So don’t feel pressured to get to your nearest retail location for shopping. As you head into your third trimester especially, easiest options are always the better ones!
How To Wear Leggings Every Day
Like I said, leggings are so versatile because they can take you from working out to a day out. They’re a wardrobe staple and become essential when you’re pregnant.
When styling your leggings, you can pair them with a tank for workouts, maternity tunic that’s belted for a day out or a casual sweatshirt. When I’m not working out, I like to cover my tushy.
For shoes, when you’re not working out, add a pair of ballet flats or booties. Cropped styles even go well with sandals too. You can really mix it up because they’re so versatile.
Switch up your look often with a leggings outfit that includes:
- long
- ankle length (also known as 7/8 length and my favorite)
- cropped
- joggers
- high-waisted (a non-maternity style that pregnant women can wear)
- midi
- moto
Leggings also make for a great postpartum must-have, when you’re packing your hospital bag. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, don’t wrinkle and (most importantly) comfortable. Many C-section mamas prefer a high-waisted legging. It offers some great support after you deliver.
How To Make Your Leggings Last Longer (wash after wash)
A common complaint about maternity leggings is that they wear too easily. They’re stretched over your belly and have double the effort. Plus, we tend to wear them more often due to the lack of other options.
Here are some tips that will help extend the life of your maternity leggings:
- Read the care label and wash them according to label instructions
- You can wash leggings on a gentle cycle and even place them in a lingerie bag
- Turn leggings inside out when washing them
- Wash in cold water, on gentle cycle and don’t use fabric softener
- Hanging your leggings to dry is the best way to maintain their shape. You also don’t want them to shrink or change shape for the belly region.
13 BEST Maternity Leggings – Cheap To Luxe & Everything In-Between
From cheap to luxe, here are the best maternity leggings for pregant women to wear, that will take you from workouts to daily wear. Belly Bandit has made a name for themselves as being a leader in maternity and postpartum care for women. They actually started by creating postpartum belly wraps and expanded their line. With this 2-pack, you're saving money from the regular price and you get the two lengths. They're going to offer plenty of belly support. Take them from maternity workouts to postpartum lounging. Motherhood Maternity has been around for gerations, offering maternity styles and collaborations with celebrities. They're always making maternity fashion that's affordable. The full length is great to wear with sneakers or you can even pair them with some cute booties. Faux leather is a hot look and quite trendy. They're not going to go the extra mile and last you for running workouts, but they're sleek and stylish. I love the look of the faux leather against a chunky sweater in the winter. Check out the athletic look on these! I love the stripe. They're designed for movement and have a full panel too. Maternity leggings that are budget-friendly are easy enough to purchase in multiple colors. Raise your hand if you don't like full panel? ME! Especially during the summertime, I get too hot with full panel leggings. I like to buy an under the belly legging for warmer months. Some women say that under belly rolls on them. Some women only buy under belly. It's all personal maternity leggings preference. This one wins for cheapest maternity leggings! From Walmart, you can score a two-pack of leggings for under $15. When they're so affordable, you can stock up on several packs OR replace them if they wear out. From the house of Spanx, you can now buy maternity fashion. They're famous for faux leather leggings and now you can purchase the maternity version. Spanx, when washed properly, will wear like iron. I have several maternity legging from them that I'm still using 3 pregnancies later. Don't let curves stop you from getting your leggings on. Motherhood Maternity beats the competition again with these plus size leggings. They come in multiple lengths too! They're a soft supple cotton to take you from working out to a day out. Beyond Yoga has a fantastic maternity line and they have frequent sales too. The Spacedye look has subtle detail and look textured. They're NOT just for yoga either. I wear them for my long runs. One of my favorite brands, Athleta, sadly doesn't make maternity clothes. However, Athleta is owned by Gap. So I wear Gap Maternity for the same feeling and style of leggings that I love when I'm not pregnant. Check out this cute print too! They also have solid colors, but the prints are too fun. The Moto style is more fashion than function, but still offer all of the comfort you need. I love the moto look with a trendy jacket and tunic top. Add a pair of ballet flats for a killer daytime look! For all of my ladies who are pregnant in the wintertime, you're going to adore fleece-lined leggings. They are life changing if you're constantly cold. Yes, you can wear them for light workouts, but the fleece is probably too warm for longer workouts. Last, but not least, an AMAZING deal from Nordstrom. For less than $100, you're going to get 4 basic black maternity pieces (that includes maternity leggings). If you're a First-Time Mom, you can't go wrong with this investment. Start with this pack and add some color in your accessories.
Beyond Yoga Maternity Empire Waisted Spacedye Midi Leggings (Black/White) Women's Casual Pants
