Best maternity leggings for every stage of pregnancy

There are days during pregnancy when just the simple task of picking out an outfit can feel overwhelming. Given that the best maternity leggings can be worn whatever the weather and styled with everything from a T-shirt to a dress, it’s no wonder that most mums-to-be agree that a couple of pairs of maternity leggings are as essential as the best prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.

The best maternity leggings should be easy to pull on over a growing bump and comfortable to wear, with a stretchy waistband that will offer a little added support. Ideally they should last you from when you’re just starting to show up to the moment you're reaching for your TENS machine as labour hits, and beyond!

Whether you’re looking for the best maternity leggings to see you safely through a prenatal yoga class, something a little dressier for date night, or just an ultra-comfortable pair to relax in, there are all sorts of maternity leggings available for every occasion and mood.

We've taken a deep dive into the Mumsnet forums - the largest online network of UK parents - to find their recommendations for the best maternity leggings and we've put several pairs through their paces with rigorous testing and reviews by real pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy.

Here's where to buy the best maternity leggings UK 2026.

Read next: Discover the best pregnancy tests and top-ranking pregnancy pillows according to Mumsnetters.

Are maternity leggings worth it?

For a lot of maternity wear, it is possible to simply go up a couple of sizes in regular clothes, particularly when it comes to smock dresses or oversized T-shirts. However, when it comes to leggings it is advisable to invest in a couple of pairs that are maternity.

As maternity leggings have a specifically designed waistband, they'll stretch to accommodate your growing bump and will therefore hold their shape. The band will also help to cover your bump and keep it supported. However, if you do find that regular leggings are still doing the job, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue to wear them, as long as you feel comfortable.

Remember to check out the pass-it-on and second-hand sites if you’re wanting to save a little extra cash too.

Which leggings are best during pregnancy?

We believe the best range of leggings can be found at LOVALL. They're highly-rated, affordable, available in a good range of sizes and super comfortable. However, not all bumps are equal and you may find that one person's absolute hands down winner is not for you at all. We've made every effort to reflect a range of styles, budgets, shapes and sizes with our round up of the best maternity leggings - so whether you're after seamless, sporty or short, we've got you covered.

What type of maternity leggings are there?

There are a whole range of maternity leggings out there. Some are pretty straightforward offering stretchy, comfortable and supportive clothing whilst others are specially designed with sport in mind.

Leggings don’t have to be solely for casual wear either, and there are options such as leather-look or faux leather which are perfect for when you want to go a bit more glam. You could even pair some of the thicker options with a stylish pair of flats and a shirt or tunic if you’re heading to the office.

When it comes to fit, you’ll need to decide whether you want to wear them over the bump or under the bump. This is down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for you. A lot of mums like the over-the-bump style as it offers a little support around the belly and helps you to stay covered. However, if you’re prone to overheating, you may prefer something that will sit below the bump. Some of our chosen leggings have a band which can be folded down so you can have a pair that does both.

Can I wear regular leggings during pregnancy?

Comfort is key during pregnancy - if your regular leggings are perfectly comfortable, you may prefer to stick with them. However, maternity leggings are specifically designed to accommodate a growing bump so we would recommend that even if you only buy one or two items/staples of maternity wear, they're one of them.

How to choose the best maternity leggings for you

The first thing to consider when choosing the right maternity leggings is where and when you’re going to be wearing them. If you’re heading to the gym or to a yoga class, ones designed specifically for sport are less likely to become see-through when you're moving and stretching.

Remember, you’re likely to feel the heat a little more when you’re pregnant, so it may be worth having a couple of lighter pairs to wear underneath dresses or tunic tops as well. You may also want to have a pair that you can dress up a little so you can remain comfortable but still feel glam on nights out.

Above all, comfort is key, so whatever your preference of style make sure that whatever you buy fits nicely, offers your bump a little bit of support and allows you to move around freely.

How we chose the best maternity leggings

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

Nothing will give you a better sense of whether something is worth buying than an honest, unbiased review from a real parent. That’s why our first port of call is always the Mumsnet forums where we trawl the Talk boards to find out what our Mumsnetters are recommending.

Expert opinions

To help us whittle down our shortlisted products, we also took on board the top tips and advice from experts when it came to choosing the right kind of maternity clothing to keep mums comfortable and supported during pregnancy.

Authentic customer reviews

Finally, we looked at maternity leggings that were ranking highly on bestseller lists and those that had first-class reviews on retailer sites. We took into account what reviewers were saying regarding style and comfort and also selected a range that would be suitable for a number of occasions whether it’s going out, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

About the author

What month should I start wearing maternity clothes?

"From around 18/19 weeks, I started wearing maternity clothes because mine were getting too tight and I didn’t want to stretch them." - Mumsnet user BeingATwatItsABingThing.

Most pregnant women start to wear maternity clothes around the 20 week point of pregnancy - but everyone is different. Some will want to embrace the comfort and stretchiness of maternity wear as early as the first trimester (and why not? You might as well get the most out of them) while others may not need to size up until well into their third. Some women don't show at all!

Whatever your preference and whatever your size, bear in mind maternity clothes have been specially designed with the growing pregnant body in mind, so if you're finding your pre-pregnancy wardrobe a little snug, it's well worth investing in some, even if it's just a few staple pieces.

What are the best clothes to wear while pregnant?

Again, it's a personal choice, but when it comes to pregnancy, being comfortable is high up on most lists - and rightly so. After all, it's hard enough contending with stretched skin, back ache and swollen ankles - no one wants to add a cutting-in waistband or ill-fitting bra to the list!

However, the world of maternity wear has come on in leaps and bounds since the days of unflattering tent-dresses, and we're confident our guide has something for everyone, whether your preference is soft, stretchy leggings, on-trend maternity jeans or sophisticated work-wear.

Is 12 weeks too early for maternity clothes?

Not necessarily - pregnant bodies come in all shapes and sizes and while some women will use the hairband-round-the-button trick at this stage, others will be well into the territory of stretchy waistbands and empire lines by 12 weeks (particularly if it's a subsequent pregnancy or you're carrying multiples).

"The minute I put them on I scolded myself for squeezing into my normal clothes for so long when maternity trousers are the most comfortable thing in the world! The earlier you buy them the lower the cost per wear as well!" - Mumsnetter dinosaurkisses.

Are maternity clothes worth buying?

Maternity clothes can split opinion - some say they aren't necessarily, others have a wardrobe full. It's worth noting that maternity clothes have been specially designed with the changing pregnancy body in mind, and therefore will be able to accommodate a growing bump more comfortably than regular clothes.

However, some women - particularly if they've a smaller bump - may not need many or any maternity clothes at all, while others might prefer to dress in baggier or larger regular clothes. Yes, it may seem frivolous to invest in speciality clothing you're only going to wear for six months or so - particularly in the current climate - but bear in mind in most cases you'll need to size up anyway, and there are plenty of budget maternity wear options available. Plus, with many maternity brands designed with breastfeeding in mind (not to mention they're just so darn comfortable) you may find that six months stretching into years.

How we chose the best maternity clothes

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

Nothing will give you a better sense of whether something is worth buying than an honest, unbiased review from a real parent. That’s why our first port of call is always the Mumsnet forums where we trawl the Talk boards to find out what our Mumsnetters are recommending.

Expert opinions

To help us whittle down our shortlisted products, we also took on board the top tips and advice from experts when it came to choosing the right kind of maternity clothing to keep mums comfortable and supported during pregnancy.

Authentic customer reviews

Finally, we looked at maternity leggings that were ranking highly on bestseller lists and those that had first-class reviews on retailer sites. We took into account what reviewers were saying regarding style and comfort and also selected a range that would be suitable for a number of occasions whether it’s going out, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

About the author

Mum-of-three Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy care and child play content.

Before joining the content team at Mumsnet, Jenny worked as a journalist for newspapers, radio, TV and b2b trades magazines for over a decade. She is also a bestselling sci-fi author (writing as J M Briscoe) and parenting blogger.

As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in buyers' guides such as these, as well as product reviews and expert advice on all things pregnancy and child play related.