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Being plus-size and pregnant comes with its own set of challenges. I’m not talking about the "medical risks" (those are debatable) — I'm talking about the societal pressures and infringements placed upon us. My experience as a size 18 plus-size pregnant woman has been a fairly positive one — I'm one of the few women who can say she hasn't been shamed at the doctor or mistreated by her peers. But one struggle I do have? Three words: Maternity. Clothes. Shopping.
As someone who loves being able to express herself through fashion, I felt like pregnancy threw me for a huge loop. While I am "lucky" enough to fit into the XL sizes (which are still considered straight sizes) at shops like Motherhood, when it comes to bottoms and this growing belly, it has been a CHALLENGE.
One item in particular I've come to miss over the last nine-ish months? Jeans. Don't get me wrong, I praise the fashion gods every day for making leggings acceptable outwear. But when our closets become limited, and we're feeling less-than-attractive, and we're desperately trying to feel a little human, "real" pants can be a game changer.
Jeans are a struggle for plus-size women as it is — often times we deal with issues like bigger waistbands and disproportionately-too-tight thighs, sizing, and all around lack of variety. Maternity jeans proved to be no different. But what was exponentially worse was the fact that I couldn’t go to a store to try many of them on as almost all of the maternity options for plus-size women are offered exclusively online. Not to mention — they can get pretty dang expensive!
So to help make things easier for plus-size mamas-to-be who might be interested in investing in a decent pair of maternity jeans, I put five popular brands to the test during my 36th week of pregnancy, looking at different cuts across price points, assessing them on fit, style, support, and comfort.
5. Maternity Premium Full Panel Rockstar Jeans, Old Navy
In my experience, Old Navy is one of those stores you hit up for basic essentials and they always run a little bigger for extra comfort. So naturally, my expectations for this maternity jean were high. The two biggest bummers were that it only goes to size 18 and that all their maternity selections are exclusively offered online. Other than that, I was fully prepared to love them.
Maternity Premium Full Panel Rockstar Jeans ($45, Old Navy)
As evident by my face, "love" isn't the feeling I felt.
Despite the fact that my legs looked BANGIN' (and not swollen to high hell for once), these jeans were all-out kinda terrible.
Do you see this godforsaken waistband I'm tugging on?
Take a good, long, LONG look at it.
It's a full band ... that flips down ... with real belt loops and a sharp button.
On what planet is that doable for any size pregnant belly? The sizing wasn't the issue with comfort for me here — it was that GD band.
It was totally unforgiving when I went to sit down.
Aside from its being uncomfortable, sitting was totally unflattering. Instead of supporting my belly, it indented it because of the seam. Plus underneath my fitted maternity top, it looked lumpy and ridiculous.
If they ever decide to connect the jean to the band instead of layering it, I'd buy these jeans in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'd steer clear for comfort's sake.
4. Maternity Crossover Panel Skinny Jeans - Isabel Maternity, Target
These stylish jeans from Target looked super promising. Being the basic bitch that I am, I was pretty hopeful that Target would 100 percent be effective. I've owned countless clothes from Target in my time on this earth and loved that they were pretty affordable. At a surface glance, the only thing I was immediately disappointed in was the fact that they only go up to a size 18.
Maternity Crossover Panel Skinny Jeans – Isabel Maternity ($30, Target)
And here is what I look like in them:
And truth be told? It pains me to my core that I have to say this about anything from Target: I wasn't that impressed.
Let's start with the positives:
I super love the details in these pants. The rips were really perfectly placed and the ankles had a trendy high-low cut to them and the fit in the legs was pretty on point. These jeans are nice and thick, so if you're interested in trying them in the summer, I'd consider skipping.
The negatives were sadly pretty overwhelming.
To start with, the belly band was super uncomfortable, and if you're rocking a "B-belly," I imagine it'd be even worse. For starters, they have two seams running down the front that are definitely visible underneath a maternity shirt.
Sitting down in these bad boys was also a problem. Where the belly band seams with the jean is extremely uncomfortable and digs right into the lower belly. I felt like the moment I sat down I was clawing at the fabric to pull it up comfortably.
The worst offender had to be the crossover paneling in the back.
Clearly, you can see problem one with this is my underwear peeking out (and yes, it is official, dear readers, I've lost all traces of dignity). And furthermore? It just feels weird with that full panel in the front — like something supportive is totally missing.
While Target does offer other side-panel styles, when it comes to this type of banded jean I'd stay far away.
3. Navy Blue Distressed Plus Maternity Jean, PinkBlush
I immediately fell for these full belly panel jeans the moment I laid eyes on them. They were trendy, a great wash, and were available up to a size 3X. People often rave about PinkBlush and claim their plus maternity clothes are well worth the hefty-ish price tag. And as soon as I put them on, I had but one regret …
Navy Blue Distressed Plus Maternity Jean ($68, PinkBlush)
... I should have sized up.
The fit would have been freaking PERFECT if I only knew to go a size above my regular 1X.
The details were totally perfect.
And the material felt like had it been the right size, it would have been mega comfortable.
The only thing I was skeptical about was the belly band.
If I'm going to invest that much in maternity jeans, I want them to grow with my expanding belly, and it felt like it just didn't have a ton of give, nor did it offer a ton of support.
Overall, I'd say once sizing is figured (and anticipate going up a bit), this is a great option for mamas-to-be who want to look trendy.
2. The Honeymoon Mid-Rise Raw Stagger, Good American
Confession: I 100 percent hate-bought these. Khloe Kardashian's overpriced Good American brand jeans recently expanded into a Good Mama maternity line that claimed to be size-inclusive, and I was majorly skeptical. After all, how could someone with a show all about essentially hating fat bodies understand plus-size clothing — let alone plus maternity wear?
The Good American line goes up to a pretty inclusive size 24, so I preemptively sized up to a 20, figuring a Kardashian's clothing line would inevitably run small, and awaited my opportunity to bash these super expensive jeans.
The Honeymoon Mid-Rise Raw Stagger ($159, Good American)
But sadly, it was I who got schooled.
These jeans we undeniably incredible. Not only were they insanely comfortable, the fit was unbelievably on point. The denim itself wasn't too heavy or too light, and I though the wash was perfect. Also, the support was so good, I even felt okay TUCKING MY SHIRT IN.
WHILE NINE MONTHS PREGNANT.
I assumed big bellies always needed full panel support.
But the wide crotch area created a hugging, smoothing effect that allowed me to wak and sit as freely as I would if I were in full panel leggings.
Added bonus? My butt looked incredible, if I say so myself.
The Kardashians know a thing or two about flattering an ass, and man, these maternity jeans were no exception. After months of feeling frumpy, I will say these jeans made me feel almost sexy again.
Realistically, the ONLY thing that would hold me back from buying these is the steep price tag. But then again, being pregnant is a perfectly good reason to treat yo'self, and if purchased in early pregnancy, they may actually be worth the investment.
1. Plus-Size Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans
Motherhood Maternity is without a doubt a staple in every pregnant woman's life, but it wasn't one I expected to rely on. The actual physical stores you can walk into offer the tiniest selection of plus-size options, and online there isn't much more. Luckily for me, I mostly fit into their XL sizing, but when it came to jeans I definitely needed plus.
Plus Size Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans ($50, Motherhood)
Without a doubt, these are my all-time favorites.
I'm in a size 1X and can wear these babies from morning to night. The band is so comfy and supportive and really does look seamless underneath a fitted maternity T-shirt.
The band has a ton of give that allows them to grow with the belly.
And the material is strong enough that this pair could last you from the start of pregnancy. I also felt like these jeans really helped define the shape of my belly — something many plus-size pregnant women struggle with.
While some might think $50 is too much to spend on jeans, I honestly believe they are worth the investment. They are comfortable, plainly stylish, and will be in it for the long haul.
What more could anyone want from her plus-size maternity jeans?
