
Figure8 Moms Guide to the Best Maternity Leggings
Why wear pants when you can wear leggings? This is especially true when you are pregnant. It’s
impossible to beat leggings when it comes to comfort and versatility. Though you should hardly notice them once they
are on, selecting the right maternity leggings deserves a moment of thoughtful consideration. After all, nothing in
your closet will get more wear than your maternity leggings.
How do I shop online for leggings?
We get it; shopping online for leggings can be mind boggling. There are so many to choose from
and, they all look pretty similar. Here’s where we step in to help! As buyers and as moms, we’ve tried out nearly
every maternity legging there is available. We have compared them all and selected the very best in this short list
of the best maternity leggings for your various mom-occasions.
First, we’ve separated maternity leggings into two categories of leggings:
Maternity leggings as pants: These are truly opaque leggings that can be worn alone as pants, with short tops, tanks and even just a sports bra.
Maternity leggings for layering: These are lighter weight leggings that are perfect for teaming up with tunics, tops and dresses, but are not really opaque enough to be worn as pants.
Which type of legging is best for maternity - Underbelly or Overbelly?
Underbelly Maternity Leggings: These are low rise and have no belly panel. As your belly
grows, they sit below your bump.
Overbelly Maternity Leggings: These are high-waisted maternity leggings that have a belly
panel that fully covers your belly. Many of these panels can be folded down when you prefer to wear them underbelly.
We are asked this question all the time and it really comes down to preference.
- Advantages of Underbelly Maternity Leggings:
- Cooler during warm months
- Sometimes it’s all your itchy belly wants
- No visible waist line under sheer/light colored tops
- Advantages of Overbelly Maternity Leggings:
- Most secure fit all the way through your 3rd trimester when your belly tends to push down low rise styles
- Offers varying degrees of belly and back support
Best Maternity Leggings that Can be Worn as Pants
Best Everyday Cotton Maternity Leggings
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly Overbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: Premium weight organic cotton stretch jersey
95% Organic cotton 5% Elastane
INSEAM: ∼28"
Also available in 3/4 Length Legging and Under-Belly Legging
WHY WE LOVE IT:
These are hands-down the best quality cotton leggings we’ve ever put on and so comfortable we’ve been living in them since. Made with premium weight organic cotton stretch jersey, there’s definitely no show-through here. They even smooth your legs and butt! GOTS organic certification lets you rest assured that you're wearing a safe and sustainable fabric. If you want to get through your pregnancy with just one pair of leggings, these are definitely the ones!
Best Everyday Maternity Leggings
With Belly & Back Support
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly Overbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: Medium weight seamless with slight sheen
95% Lyocell 5% Elastane
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Much more than your typical maternity legging. These seamless knit leggings give you extra support in your belly and back. From personal experience, we can tell you, putting these on will make you feel like someone lifted up your belly, gave you a back massage, smoothed your legs and gave them a little squeeze of energy. These leggings make great every day pants as there is no show through.
Best Maternity Activewear Leggings
With Strong Back & Belly Support
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly Overbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: High weight with medium sheen
Body 73% Polyester, 27% Spandex
Waistband 87% Nylong, 13% Spandex
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Figure 8 Moms and medical experts agree – these are the ultimate belly support maternity leggings! Medically endorsed to help with lower back and pelvic pain associated with pregnancy, these leggings give your growing belly a tuck and lift. Worn by US champion runner Alysia Montano. You can expect these to stay up without adjustment, even for your toughest work outs. We love how they smooth your legs and butt in all the right places and continue to do so after baby. There’s absolutely no show through with these high weight leggings. C-Section moms – the waist seam of this legging is designed to dip extra low to keep from irritating your scar.
Best Maternity Leggings for Work
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: Sustainable material: 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane
INSEAM: ∼26"
FIT NOTE: True to size
WHY WE LOVE IT:
A growing belly gravitates towards leggings. There is nothing like a pair of maternity leggings that gives you the best of both worlds - a professional look, with the comfort of a legging. These premium heavyweight organic cotton leggings sculpt and flatter your legs and can be appropriately paired with anything, even a shirt and blazer. We love its cute ankle length inseam that pairs well with many different shoes or boots.
Best Fleece Lined Maternity Leggings
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: 43% Cotton, 52% Polyester5% Spandex
INSEAM: ∼28"
FIT NOTE: True to size
WHY WE LOVE IT:
We love to be warm during cold winter months. These maternity leggings feature super soft fleece-lining without adding any extra bulk. We also love its under belly waistband that gives you the flexibility to wear these while pregnant and after you have your baby.
Best Maternity Leggings for Layering
Best Over/Underbelly Knit Maternity Leggings
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly Overbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: Knitted
95% Lyocell 5% Elastane
WHY WE LOVE IT:
This buttery soft legging is the perfect lightweight layering legging for you if you prefer the feel of soft knit over seamless. This legging offers the versatility of both underbelly and overbelly fit and will be indispensable post-delivery when you want to wear something loungey and comfortable. Made of Lyocell Tencel fabric made by Lenzing, you have the assurance that you are wearing a safe and sustainable fabric.
Best Bamboo Knit Maternity Leggings
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: Knitted
86% Viscose Bamboo, 10% Polyamide, 4% Elastane
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Fast growing bellies often get itchy. This ultra soft viscose bamboo legging is the thing to wear when you don’t want anything over your belly. Bamboo fabric is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic and soothing to the skin.
Best Everyday Wool Maternity Leggings
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BELLY SUPPORT
COVERAGE
WAIST Underbelly Overbelly
INFINITE FIT Maternity Post-maternity
FABRIC: Light weight soft wool heathered knit
94% organic wool (mulesing-free) and 6% elastane
INSEAM: ∼26"
FIT NOTE: True to size
WHY WE LOVE IT:
This is the best everyday organic wool maternity legging. It is lightweight and feels sooo warm. This legging offers the versatility of both underbelly and overbelly fit and will be indispensable post-delivery when you want to wear something loungey, comfortable, and warm. You can fold down the waistband and wear it under belly as well. Wear these well beyond pregnancy.