Nowadays, leggings are nice to have whether you're pregnant or not. But, when you're standing on your feet all day, going to work, or attending your favorite virtual yoga class while a human's growing inside you, comfort becomes a must. You may think you can get away with your stretchy, comfortable pre-maternity leggings, and you likely can! But, maternity leggings are specifically designed with extra stretch and compression for maximum support and comfort to cradle your growing belly. Basically, there are three main styles of pregnancy-friendly leggings out there–over-the-bump, under-the-bump, and non-maternity pairs. Here’s what you need to know about ‘em, and some tips on how to choose the best maternity leggings you'll never wanna take off. Why We Like It: They're as comfortable for workouts as they are for lounging, and they fit even the tallest pregnant person.

Girlfriend Collective Seamless Maternity Legging: While these leggings were opaque and downright comfortable, they pilled easily and lost color after a few washes. As their name suggests, maternity support tights provide added support for your bump during pregnancy. Many support tights have a front panel that cradles your bump and grows with it throughout your pregnancy. Opaque maternity tights With your body changing daily throughout your pregnancy, you may be wondering what size maternity leggings you should buy. In most cases, you should be okay with buying your pre-pregnancy size as they're designed to accommodate your growing bump. While some plus-size leggings only go up to size 3X, this style from Girlfriend Collective impressed our analysts with its size inclusivity, ranging from XXS to 6XL (designed to fit 22" to 53" waists). You can also choose between two inseam lengths: 28.5" to hit at the ankle or 23.75" to sit above the ankle. What makes maternity leggings different from the tens of leggings you already have in your cupboard drawer? Well, these leggings are specifically designed for comfort during pregnancy.Before you start buying maternity tights, it is helpful to know what to watch out for when you start shopping to ensure your new maternity tights last throughout your pregnancy and keep you comfortable at all times. Here are some factors to consider when choosing maternity tights: Material They have extra fabric on the waistband which either goes over or under your lovely growing bump. This means that you won't have the discomfort of the material digging into your body. What size maternity leggings should I buy? Comfort: Our reviewers give a comfort score based on their experience. They also have the opportunity to answer open-ended questions to provide more insight about how the leggings felt.

Under-the-bump maternity leggings: Instead of having extra fabric to cradle your growing belly, these are the low-rise jeans of maternity leggings–they’ve got a very stretchy waistband that hits under, not over, your bump. Some mamas-to-be love 'em, while others find over-the-bump styles to be way more supportive and comfy, so it's def a matter of personal preference. Kindred Bravely Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Support Leggings: We loved how they fit comfortably postpartum but thought they were too restrictive at nine months pregnant.And thanks to Covid and the quiet luxury trend that's having a moment, leggings are now socially acceptable 24/7. The best maternity leggings at a glance: As the temperature drops, don't say good-bye to all leggings and tights, but instead embrace fleece-lined leggings that'll keep you warm and cozy all winter long. While they may look just like your typical workout leggings, these pairs have a super soft fleece interior to provide extra insulation. Whether you're traveling, hitting the slopes or just outdoor dining, fleece-lined leggings keep you cozy while still looking chic. If you are searching for plus size maternity tights, you will be pleased to know that they are available. Maternity tights are available in all women’s tights sizes, so you can simply select your usual size, and you should find that they fit you perfectly. Benefits of choosing maternity tights

Pilling resistance: Our Martindale abrasion tester rubs swatches of fabric together 1,000 times to see if the fabric will stay smooth or develop unsightly pills. We absolutely think you should treat yourself to a pair of non-maternity leggings you can wear in early pregnancy and then return to after delivery. The Lululemon Align High-Rise Pants are made with a buttery-soft nylon and Lycra elastane blend that provides solid coverage. Even though it's not technically a maternity style, this popular pair is lightweight and stretchy enough to fit your growing bump throughout each trimester. Not only is it perfect for pregnancy, it's also ideal to wear during the postpartum days and beyond, making it a great investment in the long run. If you want the warmth of wearing leggings combined with the convenience of wearing tights, choosing fleece-lined maternity tights is an excellent idea. Choosing maternity tights with a fleece lining will keep your legs cosy on a cold day and are perfect for wearing throughout autumn and winter. Compression maternity tights Wondering whether you need maternity tights? The answer to this question is a definite yes! While you may be able to squeeze into your normal tights for the first few months of your pregnancy, you will soon find that they dig into your waist and don’t stay in place as your bump grows.The wide, double fabric waist panel on the Storq Signature Maternity Leggings provide plenty of support and keeps them in place. While the leggings’ panel covers a pregnancy bump completely, there is still plenty of room to accommodate more growth without any sagging or moving around. In addition, the panel fits over or under the belly, so that you can wear them comfortably postpartum, even after a C-section. The modal jersey and spandex fabric is cozy and incredibly soft, and the leggings pair well with various sweaters, tank tops, and other pieces. They’re also available in several colors and patterns, and range in sizes from Petite to 4X-Large. A downside for our 5’2” editor was the loose fabric around her ankles that she had to roll up. Overall, however, we found these leggings were durable and supportive during any activity. Construction : Analysts inspect the leggings, playing close attention to the feel of the fabric, the type of waistband, whether the seams are raised or flat and whether there's a gusset at the crotch. These features let our experts know which activities they're best suited for. The test included a light walk of approximately 15 to 20 minutes, at a brisk pace when possible, to see how the leggings performed when moving around. We paid attention to whether the leggings stayed put, started to sag, or felt uncomfortable. We also took note of whether the fabric felt soft against the skin or caused chafing. We set a timer for 60 seconds and moved around to determine if the waistband shifted.