Spanx Mama Jean-ish maternity leggings: the stylishness of jeans meets the comfort of leggings
Featuring a 'Mama Magic' waistband in a super-soft, stretchy material, these Spanx denim maternity leggings take comfort to new levels of stylishness. But are they worth their hefty price tag? Mumsnet tester Tina put them through their paces.
By Tina Williams | Last updated Mar 21, 2024
Price on writing: £96 | Buy now from John Lewis
Over-bump waistband is super soft and silky
Deluxe fabric delivers a denim look with a leggings feel
No wrinkly knees
Pricey
Tester found they needed to wriggle into them slightly
Not as comfy as other maternity leggings
Price on writing: £96 | Body made from: 69% cotton, 26% polyester, 5% elastane | Waistband made from: 89% nylon, 11% elastane | Machine wash at: 30°C
How we tested
I tested the leggings over several months from the 16th week of pregnancy onwards. During this time I wore them with a variety of different outfits and took rigorous testing notes assessing the maternity leggings for comfort, stylishness, practicality, value for money and sizing accuracy.
Read next: Find more maternity essentials including the best pregnancy tests, stretch mark cream and comfiest pregnancy pillows with our dedicated guides.
Buy now from John LewisI can see myself wearing these jeggings with t-shirts in the spring/summer time. They’re really versatile and easy to wear.
Spanx maternity leggings: what is the sizing like?
I chose a size 10 and started wearing them around 16 weeks pregnant. They weren't too long for me (I'm 5'4 and many leggings often are) so thankfully no wrinkly knees.
I did have to do a bit of a wiggle to fit into these leggings, as the denim isn’t as soft as cotton leggings, but that’s the price you pay for wearing jeggings I suppose.
Related: Find more maternity wardrobe staples with our guides to the best maternity clothes, jeans, bras, pyjamas and underwear
Are these maternity leggings comfortable?
The soft, stretchy cotton sits nicely over my bump and they're cooler than my over-bump mom jeans. In the summer I think these would be much more comfortable than proper jeans.
My main issue with these jeggings is that there are no belt loops or front pockets, it's annoying not to be able to put my phone or keys in a pocket and it also makes it harder to pull them up without stretching the maternity bump band. I end up pulling them up by the back pockets which can be awkward.
How do they compare to other maternity leggings and jeans?
I find the fastening for my under bump skinny jeans a little bit scratchy on my belly, so I usually have to wear a vest top underneath my T-shirt when I wear them. As the temperatures rise (and my bump grows) I think I’ll get too hot wearing two t-shirts and these jeggings will really come into their own.
Can these maternity leggings be worn after pregnancy?
On post-partum days where I want to look nice, while still maintaining some level of comfort, these jeggings will be really useful because the section over my belly is so soft. But I think as my size reduces I’ll probably move back to wearing my regular jeans
How do you wash the Spanx Mama Jean-ish Leggings?
I’ve put them through the wash a few times now and I’m really pleased the results, the denim hasn’t faded at all and the jeggings have maintained a good shape - no baggy knees in sight.
Are they good value for money?
Costing almost £100, I think these jeggings are a little over my budget for jeans. They’re a good wardrobe staple but personally, my shopping weaknesses are jackets and shoes, so I don’t think this would be the fashion item I’d choose to splurge on.
I do think they’re really well made and if you know you’re going to get a lot of use from them, they could be the right choice for you.
Would you recommend them to other mums-to-be?
For a casual everyday item it feels like they come at a high price point. However, if jeggings are a fashion staple for you, then in terms of cost per use, investing in a decent pair might be a good idea.
Overall verdict
The Spanx leggings are really versatile and easy to style, however they are quite pricey. I like how well-made they are and they wash really well. My favourite feature is the section which covers my bump - it's really soft and silky which feels great on days were my skin feels sensitive.
About the author
Tina Williams is the Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet where she leads a team of expert writers and editors to develop Mumsnet Swears By, the home for product reviews and buying advice, where parents test and recommend the products they love. She was previously Mumsnet’s Head of Reviews and developed a comprehensive testing system to rigorously test baby essentials and new product innovations.
About Mumsnet reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing – this includes recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk boards. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.
All prices correct at time of publication