A silly question about the fit of maternity pants

katietopaz · November 2014

So I finally bought a couple pairs of maternity jeans, Destination Maternity is having a great sale this week. They're so, so comfortable! I wore them for the first time today and was consistently feeling like they were slipping down a little, and not wanting to stay sitting high enough. I didn't think they were very loose when I bought them, but I also didn't want to buy super-snug since I'm hoping they last through my pregnancy. They're full panel, and whether I roll the panel in half or leave it covering my whole bloaty stomach, I still feel like the denim part wants to fall down off my hips.

My silly, clueless-FTM question: did I buy the wrong size and/or style? Or is this a common problem with maternity pants? Or is that just the way that you're supposed to wear maternity pants?

tinalovescauliflower · November 2014

Hmm. I have this problem with my Destination Maternity jeans if I've worn them several times before washing, since the panel stretches out with wear. I would think if you're having slippage when they're fresh and new that you may need a smaller size. Did you buy based on your pre-pregnancy size?

katietopaz · November 2014

@tinalovescauliflower The way this store sized pants was by S/M/L/XL, not numbers. I tried a couple of sizes, but the next size down seemed so snug I was worried that it wouldn't fit me later in pregnancy. From what you said, I wonder if there was too much of a difference between the two sizes even if it didn't seem like it when I tried them on.

tinalovescauliflower · November 2014

They told me what pants sizes theirs corresponded to when I went in and that helped me make a decision. I did actually buy the smaller of the two sizes that fit me.

It may just be that their cuts aren't quite right for your body. I've heard good things about the old navy maternity pants, and when I tried some on the panel definitely felt more snug.

sweetieheart32 · November 2014

I am a FTM and just bought maternity pants a few weeks ago from Target (full panel) I got my pre-pregnancy size and they are so comfortable and wonderful. They do fall down just the tiniest bit every once in a while, but it's totally worth it to me. My regular jeans were becoming uncomfortable even fully unzipped with a belly band. Maybe once we get bigger bellies the maternity pants will stay up more. That's just my 2 cents.

katietopaz · November 2014

@soyboy It feels like the jeans fit correctly through my thighs and butt, and even in my hips when they're pulled up to the right spot, but I wonder if there's something about the fit in the hips and panel that isn't quite right for my body type like you mentioned, @tinalovescauliflower

The other pair I bought are skinnies and definitely a little more snug. I'll be curious to see if I have the same problem or not. I've tried on one or two pairs of Old Navy's maternity pants (the selection at that store wasn't great) and I remember them being very comfortable, but the styles I tried on ran really long. Maybe I should give ON another shot, at another location.

Jillibean68 · November 2014

SoyBoy said:
I had this issue until I had a real belly. I had to keep pulling them up (doesn't matter the brand and they were my pre pregnancy size) until I was like 6-7m along.

I'm currently in maternity jeans now, even though I could wear my regular ones with a belly band, but I love the comfort of my maternity jeans. Totally worth the frequent 'pulling up' to me.

This.

locdglory · November 2014

I have the exact problem, except as a waitress, having your pants fall down constantly is very annoying. I'm also 5 ft tall and I don't see many petite maternity pants under $40. Really sucks. Although I did put my belly band over the panel today and they stayed up pretty well today.

alleycat39 · November 2014

I am having the same problem! I bought the Indigo line and the Jessica Simpson line there last week. When I wore mine last night, I felt like they were slipping down by the end of the night. Maybe I should've gone a size smaller? But I agree with you, the size smaller felt snug in the dressing room. I am hoping that everyone is right about when our bellies get bigger, the pants stay up better!

I also bough 2 pair of Ann Taylor Loft maternity jeans this week and even in my pre-pregnancy size, they seemed way too big, especially the area connecting to the belly panel.

I feel like there is going to be a lot of trial and error going on for a few weeks now!

FreddyisReady · November 2014

AFwifelife said:
When you get an actual belly, they stay up much better. I'm constantly pulling up my maternity jeans now but I know with DS, I didn't have that issue after 24+ weeks.

This.

In the meantime, try a belly band with the maternity pants. It makes it a bit more snug in the belly and they don't slip as much.

krissycole510 · November 2014

I also went to destination maternity and splurged on a pair of designer full panel jeans. They are the best jeans I've ever owned. If they weren't $235 I would buy ten more pairs. For anyone who is interested, the are AG dark skinny jeans. The salesperson saw me walking around clueless and came over to help. She said they got the best reviews from moms to be. Tried on a bunch of other equally expensive pairs, but these were the softest and most comfy. I bought my pre pregnancy size (European number) and they don't slip at all. I literally want to wear these pants every day!

trislee · November 2014

locdglory said:
I have the exact problem, except as a waitress, having your pants fall down constantly is very annoying. I'm also 5 ft tall and I don't see many petite maternity pants under $40. Really sucks. Although I did put my belly band over the panel today and they stayed up pretty well today.

@locdglory I'm 5' also! I did make a pair of target ankle dress pants work as actual pants, but I had the most luck at a children's resale shop. They had a maternity room and a whole section of petite mediums! Walked out with three pairs of jeans, a pair of dress pants, and two shirts for $46. That's what I would've paid for one of them new. It's worth a shot.

Edited because I said I was five inches tall. Yeah, no.

loloyoyo26 · November 2014

I ended up doing what @FreddyisReady‌ did. I felt like my regular pants with a belly band fell down slightly more times than meternity pants. So then I tried belly band with maternity pants and it was a perfect solution. I went to motherhood maternity for jeans and found that as I'm showing a little more I don't need the belly band with certain cuts of pant.

babydalhoff · November 2014

I tried some cheaper ones from kohls and then ended up spending a lot more on a designer pair after the same problems mentioned here. You really get what you pay for! They are soft, comfortable, & fit much much better AND stay up with my smaller bump!

Lezzie82 · November 2014

I know this is slightly off topic but does anyone HATE their belly bands??? I've tried at least three different brands, two from maternity stores and one from Target. They bind me and make my belly itch like crazy!!! I just can't stand the feeling of them.

forevervickers · November 2014

I bought pretty snug to fit because the full panel is made to grow with you, and the pants stretch. I had a pair that kept falling down that were a size bigger from my last pregnancy and thy just weren't going to work! So glad I went and bought a smaller size and am super comfy now!

DivinesMum · November 2014

Full panel will always fall down no matter the size. Try the pants and jeans with elastic sides. These stay put.

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