OK, I’ll admit it: in my first pregnancy I lived in maternity leggings. It felt like a rite of passage, and when else do you have an excuse to live in Lycra with absolutely zero intention of working out?
This time around, however, I’ve been shunning my much-loved leggings for maternity trousers – and it’s been a game-changer for my pregnancy style and confidence.
Any pregnant women will attest that you don’t necessarily feel like your best self during the nine months you’re carrying, but you can still tap into the dopamine dressing trend (that’s dressing to make yourself feel good). A flattering and comfortable pair of maternity trousers are the ideal way to do just that – you just have to know where to look for them.
Best maternity trousers at a glance
- Best black maternity trousers: MAMA Flared jersey trousers, £24.99, H&M
- Best leather-look maternity trousers: Maternity Leather Look Over Bump Leggings, £25, M&S
- Best chinos maternity trousers: Cotton Blend Grey Maternity Chinos, £49, Seraphine
- Most comfortable maternity trousers: ASOS DESIGN Maternity Jersey Palazzo Beach Trouser in Black, £26, ASOS
- Best maternity trousers to wear to the office: MAMA Trousers, £13, H&M
If you’ve stocked up on your maternity jeans, maternity knickers and have more maternity dresses than weeks of pregnancy left, it’s time to invest in some maternity trousers. Whilst I’m by no means suggesting that you break up with your trusty maternity leggings (and I certainly shan’t be), adding a few pairs of maternity trousers to your pregnancy wardrobe will help you keep things fresh. Here at GLAMOUR, we are all about shopping wisely with sustainability front of mind, which is why we implore you to invest in items you’ll love enough to wear repeatedly over the next nine months. In fact, we’ve included lots that are also designed to be worn post-partum or you can even hand them down to your pregnant friends or a charity shop when you’ve finished using them.
Swayed by the power of maternity trousers? I’ve curated an edit of the very best maternity trousers, including everything from a pair of under the bump jacquard flare trousers perfect for a babymoon, to kick flare trousers ideal for running errands day-to-day – ultimately, our edit proves maternity wear doesn’t have to be basic.
How we tested the best maternity trousers
Our Website Director tried a plethora of maternity trousers throughout every trimester of her pregnancy and marked them on style, comfort and longevity. Whilst she quickly grew out of some of the more purse-friendly offerings, she did find plenty that lasted her right until her due date and beyond (because every new mum knows your body can take months to readjust to its pre-pregnancy shape).
Trousers designed for mums-to-be tend to fall into two styles – they’re either designed with a thick band, usually made from a jersey fabric that covers (and stretches over) your stomach, or they’re cut to sit below the bump with an elasticated waistband. Comfort preferences aside, she found that maternity trousers with a band looked best teamed with a long-line top or jumper to cover it, while those that sit below the bump looked great with a (stretchy) bodysuit or fitted top.