Maternity Jeans
Shopping for the Perfect Pair
Every mom-to-be needs at least one pair of great-fitting maternity jeans. Finding the perfect pair will make you feel great and look great – a feat that is sometimes very hard to accomplish while you are pregnant! Whether or not you work outside of the home, your maternity jeans are going to get a lot of wear. Chances are you are going to want to wear your maternity jeans around the house, and when dressed up for date night or when going out with the girls.
A pair of jeans is a great first maternity clothing purchase. Why? A good pair of maternity jeans can be worn early in pregnancy and will last your entire pregnancy. Plus, you never know when your belly will pop overnight, leaving you with nothing to wear for the day! Finding jeans that are perfect for you is easy when you keep in mind these few simple rules:
Hit your local maternity boutiques!
Maternity boutiques specialize in dressing your bump. The best-kept secret about maternity boutiques is the denim! Offering prices for every budget, boutiques carry designer maternity denim as well as denim made by long-standing maternity brands that have mastered how maternity denim should fit. This denim will look amazing on you and keep growing with you throughout your pregnancy. Many boutiques offer knowledgeable, helpful staff, so be sure to let them guide you to the pair that is best for you.
Try on a few different styles!
It takes a little bit of effort, mamas, but you’ll quickly have a good idea of what you want once you start trying them on. Trust me, it is so worth finding the perfect pair for your body. There are different panels to choose from – underbelly, over-the-belly, and invisible panel. A medium-to-dark wash bootleg jean with an underbelly fit is the most universally flattering maternity jean, but do not discount a straight-leg or skinny maternity jean. Keep an open mind. You might find that you prefer an over-the-belly panel. Note that many designer jean makers also make a maternity version. So, if you don’t want to give up your designer denim during your pregnancy, ask if your favorite pair comes in a maternity version.
Buy your jeans to fit!
Resist the urge to buy your jeans oversized. Now is the time when you need a pair of jeans that will fit you perfectly. Maternity denim styles are designed to grow with you. You can buy them at any stage of your pregnancy. The last thing you want is a droopy, baggy jean when you are pregnant! You jeans should make you look and feel fabulous. The perfect jean will elongate your legs and hug you in all of the right places.
Pay up!
As is the case with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Sure, you can pick up a pair of jeans along with your loaf of bread at your favorite national discount chain. These jeans have their purpose, but are they going to keep their shape and last all nine months? Usually not. Now, I am not saying you should dip into your savings account to buy your maternity jeans. Thankfully, there are great options to suit every budget. If you can swing it, spending a little bit more money on your maternity jeans will pay you back ten-fold by how great you look and feel. You can always go a little cheaper on your maternity tops or even borrow some from a friend.
Look in your rearview mirror!
Make sure you check out how your butt looks in a 3-way mirror and ask a sales associate or friend to help. Remember, most people see you from the backside. Remember to try on your maternity jeans with a maternity top so you can cover up the panel and see the full look. If you can, try on your jeans with the shoes you would most likely be wearing with them.
Take a hike!
Walk around the store and make sure the jeans feel good around your belly. Bend over in them. Sit down in them. You don’t want any pinching. Take your time and make sure they feel good all over. Check the store’s return policy. You might even want to take a couple pair home and wear them around the house with the tags on.
Nip tuck!
It’s normal to get alterations on your denim. Most women need to do this! Chop off the length, sew the pockets shut, etc. It’s worth it to make your denim feel perfect.
Once you have found your perfect pair of maternity jeans, follow these simple steps when caring for them.
- Do not put your jeans on by pulling up on the panel. Pull up from the denim. This protects the panel.
- Turn your jeans inside out when you wash them. This will protect the detailed wash of your jeans.
- Wash on COLD! Hot water can make your jeans shrink and the wash bleed.
- DO NOT DRY in the dryer! The heat from the dryer destroys the very fabric that gives your jeans the stretch and shape that makes you look so hot. Lay them flat or hang them up to dry. If you must, tumble dry on low for no more than 10 minutes.
- If you have a jean with a really dark wash, soak in one cup vinegar to one gallon water overnight. Wash as instructed above. OR wash alone with no detergent but ½ cup salt instead.
