6 stylish maternity jeans put to the test by real moms

Rating: 4/5 stars These distressed, black skinnies have the full belly band, and are designed so you can remove it post-pregnancy (just take out the stitches). You will end up with a low rise jean when you take out the panel, and it has a real functioning fly. (Bonus: All the pockets are actual pockets!) They also have an extension tab on the side so you can adjust their fit as your belly grows (just like those button tabs you find in toddler jeans). They’re made of cotton and spandex and are machine washable. They’re available in a smaller range of sizes (from 2 to 12), but they also carry plus sizes. Helpful tip: Keep an eye out for Petite and Tall sizes! Colour: Black. $80, motherhoodcanada.ca  If this colour is unavailable in your size, check out their wide selection here: motherhoodcanada.ca/maternity-jeans

The Rockstar skinnies are one of Old Navy’s bestsellers, so we had to try the maternity version with the side panels instead of the full tummy panel. The denim is made of comfortable cotton, polyester, rayon and spandex. They are machine washable and you can put them in the dryer on low (although we’d be a bit worried about the side panels getting out of shape—we’d personally hang to dry.) The fly may be faux and there aren’t any front pockets, but the back pockets are legit.  

Colour: Silver Lake. $45, oldnavy.ca

If this colour is unavailable in your size, check out their other Rockstar Maternity jeans here: oldnavy.ca

Rating: 3/5 stars These jeans come in lots of washes and distressed styles. With lots of fading, whiskering, dark acid washed parts, there’s definitely some dimension on these. They also sport a full tummy panel, copper coloured buttons and rivets and of course, the faux fly and fake front pockets. They’re made of cotton, polyester and elastane, and can be machine-washed. They range in sizes from 2 to 20. Note: Denim retailers are notorious for having great variation in their sizes—a size 8 in one brand might be completely different in another. It’s always a good idea to try before you buy, or make sure they have a great return policy (which, luckily, H&M does—30 days!) And when buying maternity items, make sure they will fit for the whole ride. Colour: Denim Blue. $60, hm.com If this colour is unavailable in your size, check out their other MAMA Skinny Jeans here: hm.com

Rating: 3/5 stars This is the slimmest of Gap’s maternity jeans and this pair comes in Gap’s premium 1969 denim and has a medium stretch. They’re also made of cotton, polyester and elastane with a full tummy panel and range in sizes 0 to 18. They have five pockets and a faux fly (it’s just for show ladies!) This pair is machine washable, but because of the darker wash, comes with the rub-off warning. So do yourself a favour and pre-wash them on their own. This is the most expensive pair we tried but don’t forget: You can always find a sale at the Gap! Colour: Rich Indigo. $85, gapcanada.ca If this colour is unavailable in your size, check out their other Full Panel True Skinny Jeans here: gapcanada.ca

This super stretchy pair is our jegging of the group and, when you hear jegging, that usually means no pockets—but this pair has two in the back! They also have a full tummy panel that scoops pretty low where you would expect the fly to be (there’s no zipper on this pair.) We tried on the dark, thin denim and the fit is very skinny, hence the jegging style. They are machine washable, but wash separately just in case the colour bleeds. Like many of the other pairs we tried, they’re made of cotton, polyester and spandex. The George Maternity Jeggings range in sizes from S-XXL.  Colour: Indigo. $22, walmart.ca If this colour is unavailable in your size, check out their Grey Maternity Jegging here: walmart.ca

Rating: 2.5/5 stars Thyme Maternity jeans come in a stretchy denim that is a combination of cotton, polyester and elastine. The wash we tried has a hint of striation and it’s a skinny-fit with a full belly panel. This is their signature 3-in-1 belly panel that you can wear low (just roll it down), or mid waist (fold it in half) or full (wear it all the way up, Urkel-style). There is no pinchy elastic band at the waist, so it moves with comfort. This pair has real pockets (phew!) and is available in tall and petite sizes, too. Sizes range from XXS to 4XL. Colour: Denim Dark Blue. $70, thymematernity.com If this colour is unavailable in your size, check out their wide selection of slim fit maternity jeans here: thymematernity.com