Our mum-to-be has tried out some of the most popular maternity leggings from the high street to discover which ones deliver on comfort, style and value
Currently pregnant for the first time – and fairly overwhelmed by the amount of new things I’ll be needing to buy in the near future – the one item of maternity clothing I was recommended to buy by other mums was a good pair of maternity leggings.
Comfy and easy to style, they’ll become your go to wardrobe item, people said, able to worn casually with an oversized T-shirt or jumper, or made to look a bit smarter when paired with a shirt or tighter fitting top.
At first I wasn’t convinced – surely all leggings are super stretchy, right? – but as my belly grew bigger my favourite Adanola pair were soon digging in, and at five months pregnant, I realised that ones designed to accommodate a growing bump might actually be needed after all. So I’ve tried a number of pairs from the high street in order to find the best ones, and these are the ones that came up top…
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Best maternity leggings for 2025
Lovall Maternity Ultimate Everyday Leggings
£40 from Lovall
I hadn’t heard of clothing brand Lovall until I started looking for maternitywear, but it’s one that comes up a lot in searches. The site does a huge range of different styles of maternity leggings, available in three different lengths, and after trying a few, these are the ones that came out on top for me.
Made from a buttery-soft material, no front seam and a band that goes all the way over the bump (so no tight waistband), they’re incredibly comfy and feel really premium. I even wore them on a 16-hour flight and they remained super comfy throughout, with no slipping down, digging in or going baggy at the knees.
The only way they – and, in fact, most of these in this list – could be improved is if they had a side pocket for your phone, my favourite feature of my pre-pregnancy Adanola leggings, and something I’ve really come to rely on.
Sweaty Betty All Day Maternity Leggings
£65 from Sweaty Betty
Sweaty Betty’s maternity leggings came highly recommended to me by a fitness fanatic, who still wears theirs even after having their baby.
If you’re familiar with Sweaty Betty’s popular Power Leggings, you’ll recognise this fabric. Made from recycled textiles, it’s incredible thin and lightweight as well as being breathable, sweat-wicking and not at all see-though; it really feels like second skin.
The features I appreciate most, however, are the slim pocket in the left-hand side for your phone, and that the back still lies quite low (no bunching up by your sports bra).
Being such light material, however, they do show up lumps, bumps, VPLs and camel toes slightly more. They also aren’t very warm in these chilly months.
Some shoppers have reported that they don’t offer enough bump coverage during the later stages of pregnancy, but for now, these are my go-to for low-impact exercise.
For a cheaper alternative, MyProtein’s MP Women’s Maternity Leggings, £34, were also recommended by said sporty friend.
Jojo Maman Bébe Black Cotton Rich Maternity Leggings 2 Pack
£37.50 from Jojo Maman Bébé
Another recommendation from a friend, I found these to be similar to Lovall’s in terms of comfort: soft, thick (a fraction thicker than Lovall’s) and hold their shape well. The wide waistband fits comfortably over the stomach, with the lower seam sitting neatly underneath the bump.
The main difference, however, is the length. When I first put these on, I had to double check if I’d ordered a tall length by mistake (I hadn’t; they only come in one leg length), as they’re not only long on the legs but come up very high over the bump too. At 5’8″, they’re actually the perfect full length fit for me, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re shorter.
I find them to be another excellent everyday pair, suitable for lounging, running errands and leisurely walks alike. The two-pack is good value for the quality, too.
Lovall Maternity Winter Everyday Leggings
£32 from Lovall
Leggings aren’t always the warmest item of clothing to wear when the weather’s cold, but these are an exception; something between leggings and tracksuit bottoms, if you’ll be in your second or third trimester during winter, these are a must.
Soft and cosy with a fleecy interior, I could feel the warmth as soon as I put my foot into them, and they keep me comfortably toasty when working from home in my cold house.
Being such thick fabric does mean that they don’t cling to or sculpt the body as well as others, and I did notice a bit of bagging and bunching around the crotch. The waistband is also quite tight – presumably to stop the thick fabric from falling down – so I’m not sure if they’ll see me right the way through to nine months – however I currently can’t get enough of how snuggly these are.
Spanx Mama Maternity Leggings
£68 from ASOS
Spanx’s maternity leggings were recommended to me by a fashion editor pal who told me that she lived in these and the faux leather version when she was pregnant as the fit over the bump was the most comfortable she’d found.
As you might expect from Spanx, these are very tight-fitting; they’re not as compressive as its usual shapewear, but definitely a effort to squeeze yourself into. I’d really recommend going up a size – the size M I have a supposed to fit a UK size 12-14, but I’m a fairly average size 12 and I found that I could only just fit into these.
However once on, they really are very flattering. They smooth the body and give you a great silhouette, with no VPL or front seam.
Are they the comfiest? No, but they’re the nearest I’ve found to a smart or – dare I say it – sexy, pair of black maternity leggings, and you could definitely dress these up to wear to work or out in the evening. While I don’t know how long I’ll be able to squeeze into them this side of giving birth, I also think they’ll come in handy afterwards too.
M&S Maternity 2pk Over Bump Leggings
£19.50 from Marks & Spencer
Made from 95% cotton and 5% elastane, this two-pack is very good value and very soft, with no tight seam digging into the bump.
However, they’re definitely not as high quality as the others on this list; they feel quite thin (great for warmer months, but a little chilly to wear now), bunch up a bit around the crotch, and you can really feel the waistband when they’re on.
I’m wearing the short length here as my chosen length (regular or long) was out of stock and, while I was expecting these to therefore be almost pedal pusher in length, they’re actually not a bad fit on me (good to know there’s some flexibility if you’re preferred length is also unavailable).
