Maternity Pants Question

crazychickenlady · November 2014

Good Morning Ladies!

I am needing some advice from you ladies who know more about maternity pants than I do. At 15 weeks, I am needing to accept the reality that my regular pants just are not working for me anymore. While I can manage with a BellaBand, I am just not finding it comfortable and I think it is time to take the plunge and go get some maternity pants.

But I have NO IDEA what I am doing. Some have full panels that cover your belly, some have just a panel down below the belly, etc. For those of you that have experience with maternity pants, what works best? What is most comfortable? Any particular brands/stores that you prefer? I feel so clueless when it comes to this.

topaz7777 · November 2014

Full Panel. The others might be comfortable for now but for me they surely weren't when I was huge. The full panel ones stay up and you can wear them the whole 9 months without having to retire them when you are bigger. I have already had to stop wearing half of my pants without full panels because either they slide down or put pressure in an area that is now uncomfortable.

Sargeantpepper · November 2014

I prefer full panel. I got some from target and motherhood maternity and both brands are comfortable.

cwiceangel · November 2014

I bought a pair of full panel and a pair of below the belly. I'm not over impressed with the below the belly if I'm sitting for long periods. Starts to dig in a bit. Walking is fine. Full is nice because it smooths everything out but if you run hot like @MrsRexManing‌ you might not be that comfy in them. I also fold down the full panel sometimes just so it's not so much. Once the temp drops I'm sure I'll be good with them all the way. I got mine from target...

lindsayanne14 · November 2014

I have both full and demi and liked both at different stages of pregnancy. I would say go with full if you are hoping to use the same ones throughout your PG as my demi fit ones got uncomfortable in the third tri. I personally love Gap maternity pants, they are well made and look good. I also have old navy and some motherhood that are nice too.

catlover790 · November 2014

So far I've only bought the full panel ones because that's what I read on here was the best

. I have a pair of jeans from Target and some from Kohls (I'm cheap! )

I do find the panel kind of itchy, so I've been wearing a regular tank top tucked in underneath. Not sure if I'll be able to do this for the whole pregnancy but it works for now. Happy shopping!

lovemaddux · November 2014

I'm with the rest of the girls, Full Panel all the way. So much more comfortable. The under the belly ones are too tight, dig and just hurt all day long.
I was hoping that might change since I have quite a few of the under the belly ones.
There's a lot to get used to. Especially for this FTM!

Babykells3 · November 2014

I vote for full panel as well. You can roll it down until your belly gets bigger. All my pants are from either Motherhood Maternity or Thyme Maternity.

vickersh1 · November 2014

I bought a pair of demi panel ones from Target and they were ok - I got annoyed that they kept rolling down my stomach. They were a lot more comfortable than my regular pants that were not longer fitting.

A co-worker got me 2 pairs of full panel from Old Navy and I love them! Much more comfortable than the demi. I have since found some gently used maternity clothes through FB and all are full panel and super comfy. I agree with PP though - try them on and see what works for you.

yarnymommy · November 2014

I prefer the full panel. They are way more comfortable. I have on a pair of the under-the-belly pants today and I can't wait to get home from work to take them off. They're too constricting at this point with twins.

jamiesc58 · November 2014

I agree with full panel. I love Gap maternity wear and also get them from Old Navy, Target, and Kohl's. These stores almost always have sales so you can get more bang for your buck!

lexyraejay · November 2014

Full panel, for sure! All of my jeans and leggings are from Old Navy and I have one pair of black pants from Target. I bought everything online because the selection is better and I need long inseams.

ScarletOflaherty · November 2014

Full panel, look for the ones marked 'Secret Fit Belly', they are the best. Stay away from demi panels, they are the debil.

NoraMia · November 2014

FULL PANEL! I got some Old Navy on sale and they are extra comfy...

JAP09-02 · November 2014

I like full panel. I find the under belly ones to not be comfortable. Mine are from Motherhood and they come in different lengths (short, regular, long), but maybe other stores have this too. I don't have a lot of choices where to shop in my city and don't like buying online, so Motherhood is pretty much all I know.

pblge · November 2014

Since we're on this topic, can someone please help me with a maternity pants dilemma? I got these Old Navy pants in a size 4, and they're perfect, although perhaps a little loose. I figure I'll grow into them. BUT I also got these ON pants in a size 6, and they're painfully tight. I know how to sew, and I'll be taking the seam ripper to them soon, but I'm really irritated by this. Which size do I buy next?!?!?!?

RIngReady · November 2014

Full Panel all the way. They can be folded down it he early stages of pg but as you progress you will want the full panel.

I like my Motherhood Maternity work pants and jeans best, but ON for all my casual yoga pants. I did not like my ON jeans or any of my Target clothes, but while I am not heavy, I do have hips ad thighs that Target jeans never seem to accommodate.

amandamarie2 · November 2014

I feel like kind of the odd one out here, but at this point I really prefer the under the belly ones. The full panel is just bulky since I have to roll it down and I hate bulky clothes. FTM so I don't know if my opinion will change later. I bought all my stuff used from my cousin so I have a bunch of both kinds anyway.

JaneShops · November 2014

I second @fabledmabel‌ with the h&m full paneled, currently worn folded down. The jeans there just for my hips & legs better. ON & gap felt comfy but the legs just disney fit well. Liz Lange at target panel was itchy against my skin. I havnt tried other brands, yet

I also got a pair of my favorite jbrand on sale, sized up 2 inches & it's doing its job quite well with room to spare. I can probably wear it post pregnancy as i transition back

lildropofheavn23 · November 2014

Full panel all the way!! The demi panel just makes it look like I have rolls. The full panel smooths everything out and looks great with the tight fitting maternity tops. I tried a pair from the GAP and I hated them. It looked like I had a muffin top. I went to Motherhood and got 2 amazing pairs of jeans.
They cost more than the GAP jeans but they were totally worth it.

DixieNormous330 · November 2014

Old navy full panel.

I've been in their skinny jeans with the full panel for a few weeks now and love them. This week my belly feels a little heavy so I added a bella band and have been really comfortable.

Their book cut are good too for when your legs swell.

jszy10 · November 2014

I really like my target jeans, and I also just recently ordered a pair of full panel from old navy and think they are my fav of the ones I have.

I had some below belly pants given to me and I already at 17 weeks have zero interest in wearing them. I am still folding the panel of my belly bands and full panels over, but at least I have the option to pull the panel up when I get bigger!

I bought 2 pairs of dress pants from motherhood this weekend and swear they feel like soft pajama pants!! Their full panel leggings are great too!

Good luck!! I'm sure every woman is different, based on their body type, but I would stick with full panel, and just fold them over for now if you don't like how high it goes. Much better than buying multiple kinds!

kaylatanya · November 2014

shopping for maternity pants was the worst.

I was trying to find jeans that were reasonably priced. I tried the gap, old Navy, target.. all were a fail. I finally found a pair at H & M. They were under $50, dark wash, skinny jean. after a long day of shopping and trying on multiple pairs. These were the most comfortable. They have the full belly band and don't get saggy bum.

But everyone is different and has a different preference.

Goodluck to you and happy shopping!!!

demirhae · November 2014

I work at destination maternity, so here's my $0.02:
-Buy them early and you'll end up wearing them enough to make it worth it.
-The Jessica Simpson ones are really good, I've been able to wear them multiple times before they get saggy
-Full panel is my personal fav but a lot of women like the under the belly which is hard to find
-If you want to go designer (I recommend if this is your first because you'll wear then no matter what season your next comes in) get them online on sale or during a clearance sale- there's usually a buy one get one free promo once a season
-A good pair of leggings is hard to find, I'm going to get some splendid ones but I wouldn't if I didn't work there and get the discount

carter604 · November 2014

Another fan of the full belly panel here! I just got some super cute ripped maternity jeans on Pink Blush and I've also picked up some dark wash Jessica Simpsons on super sale through Motherhood and some super long ones (I'm tall!) from Thyme Maternity. I can't believe they don't just make all jeans fit up over the love handles like this! I'm a slim gal but have never looked so svelte as I do in my "mom jeans"

mnharkcom · November 2014

I'm a FTM right now but have been wearing my low panel jeans. I plan on wearing my full panel jeans later when I have more of a bump. I bought a million pair and really only wear my old navy jeans. I love them!

FitMom3510 · November 2014

I'm a FTM and bought two paris with full panel at Kohls, no complaints yet I just don't like how you can see the top of the panel under tight shirts but they are comfy. I also got two pairs of full panel leggings from destination maternity when they were buy one get one free and they are amazing and I could live in them.

mapledonuts · November 2014

I just bought a pair of low panel skinnys from Old Navy and they seem ok for now. But who knows what they will be like in a few months.

Anyone have recommendations on black leggings? Something that is not thin and is super comfy? I wear my Zella one's from Nordstrom almost everyday and they are just too tight now

xuxachi · November 2014

Full panel are the must comfy for the belly, but I find that they fall down in the back sometimes. Under belly are uncomfortable when you start to get big (and your bladder small), and they can get saggy too. Basically maternity pants suck. I found a great pair of skinny cords last time at destination and I'm living in those now...that is when I have to get out of my yoga pants. I have to go out and try to find some more pants for the winter - some great suggestions here, thx!

mrsalvidrez · November 2014

I LOOOVE my gap maternity jeans. I don't think I will buy any other brands. Pre-pregnancy I owned mostly gap jeans as well. I prefer the full panel and they have some really cute ones.

Duffgurl · November 2014

I love the full panel personally. I find the other one with that elastic wide band tend to twist and get messed up in the wash.

BigAppleBiggerBelly · November 2014

I hated full panel last time. Even at 41 weeks, the panel would never stay up. I always had to pin the top to my bra, which was a pain at bathroom time.

My favorite pants were skinny jeans from Forever21. I was so disappointed when they discontinued their maternity line. Thirty-somethings need trendy, disposable clothing too!

abc829 · November 2014

FTM here too I love my Jessica jeans with the full panel. The material irritates me though so I throw on a cami and put the panel over that. I literally just bought some H&M full panels 30 mins ago so we'll see how those go.

cwiceangel · November 2014

Also I hate that the band isn't nude. Seriously... Hey here's this nice white maternity shirt... But we gotta make sure everyone knows you're wearing really high waisted pants. Hate it.

dana1047 · November 2014

I second the jessica simpson brand! Super comfy. I also love the skinny jeans they have with full panel.

HZ2012 · November 2014

Another vote for full panel :-h but why don't you just go to the store and see what you prefer? I agree with PP's that maybe now the lower panel may be comfortable, but I can't image that when you're huge they will be too comfortable. The full panel also helps support your big belly once it gets big.

I love Motherhood/Destination Maternity leggings and jeans. When you catch them on sale their reasonably priced. Check out Old Navy too.

crazychickenlady · November 2014

Thank you everyone for your responses!

I definitely plan on going to the store and trying them on, but it is helpful to know that most people find the full panel to work better. I would totally be that person to try them on, hate them, and then go for a demi panel and end up having to buy more later. It is helpful to know that those ones don't work better for later in pregnancy. Thanks so much!

Critter015 · November 2014

I personally cannot stand the full panels. They are just too itchy and restricting for my belly so I wear the under belly ones. I get mine at Old Navy because I have to have longs and it is very difficult to find them. I gain a lot of my pregnancy weight in my hips, thighs, and butt, so by the end of pregnancy I need a bigger size, and the thought of squeezing any of my pre-pregnancy bottoms past my knees is laughable (and pre-pregnancy I wear size 2-4).

NAP1029 · November 2014

I've found that everyone has her preference but I much prefer the full panel for its belly smoothing capabilities. Gap friends and family is this weekend--do it up!

Blergbot · November 2014

I have a pair of second hand underbellies, Loving by Heidi Klum (I think?), and a pair of full panel Liz Lang's. They are both a pain in the butt. I have small hips, and they both fall down constantly. The underbellies fall down a bit more, but they're easier to pull back up, as I find I have to reach down to the jeans portion of the full panels to get them back up. I may try folding them in half and seeing how that goes until I grow into them a bit more. I will agree that the Liz Lang's run large, and I, too, was afraid to go more than a size down (I lost 10 pounds in my first trimester) for fear that I would outgrow them once I get into the third tri.

jodijeff · November 2014

For the office I really like the selection that Loft has to offer. They are very comfortable and well made. They can be pretty expensive but you can frequently find some styles on sale.

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