When I discovered that Madewell made maternity jeans, an actual happy dance occurred in my living room. Madewell jeans consume the majority of my denim closet; they have been a favorite fit of mine for years. These maternity jeans are so good that I almost wish I were pregnant for a little longer to get more wear out of them… ALMOST. I tried on two of their maternity skinny jeans that came with belly bands, along with their side panel perfect adjustable edition maternity jean. Spoiler alert: it was extremely hard to pick a favorite.
Jeans | Sweatshirt | Hiking Boots (newer version)
Getting dressed can be so hard when your body is changing, so having a good pair of maternity jeans (or two, three??) that actually make you feel good when looking in the mirror IS. WORTH. ALL. THE. DOLLARS. I can’t express that enough. People can tell you that your pregnancy goes by in a flash — but nine months of not feeling confident in your body or comfortable in your clothing can be miserable. I wish someone had told me earlier how investing in a few pieces that make you excited to get up and get dressed would help tremendously.
Jeans | Top | Jacket (similar) | Shoes (similar)
The majority of my pregnancy took place in the summertime, miserably hot, trying to wear as little clothing as possible. When the weather began to cool off for fall, I felt like I was ALIVE again. Not only that, but it was exciting to get dressed again — even if with an extra large belly. Though Madewell’s maternity jeans are a bit more expensive than other options (I tried many lower-end brands first — and now regret doing so), they’ve proven to be completely worth it for me to have in these last few weeks of growing a baby.
Jeans | Sweater (part of a set) | Shoes
A Breakdown Of 3 Madewell Maternity Jean Styles — Let’s Get To The Good Stuff!
1. The Skinny Maternity Jean
The Skinny Jean: Appropriately named, these jeans are your classic fave skinny jean. They fit like so many of my non-maternity Madewell jeans that I love. My regular/non-maternity size (28) fit perfect, and the attached belly band is really supportive. They’re soft, stretchy and perfect for an easy day running errands or playing in the woods.
Sweater: Gotta love this classic Patagonia pullover fleece. My color is from a few years ago, but you can take your pick from a variety of color options here or over here.
Hiking Boots: I scored the older version of these boots a few years ago, and they have been SO good. The hubs and I love to hike, so these babies have seen a lot of trail, and they’ve held up amazingly. The taller ankle style is my favorite for extra support while climbing over rocks and tree limbs, and they have great grip for scaling slippery surfaces.
2. Distressed Skinny Maternity Jean
Distressed Skinny Jean: I shed a happy tear when I saw these distressed black jeans in maternity (with attached belly band). The knee rips are in the perfect place for my long legs, and I love the raw hem. Out of the package, my normal size (28) fit perfectly, but they did bag out a bit after one wear. These need regular washings (+ drying) to keep a skinny fit, or I recommend sizing down if you want that snug skinny fit like the model is rocking.
Top: This FP top is crazy comfortable, light in fabric, and is perfect when I want a loose, oversized look instead of the belly hugging maternity tops. It’s seen a lot of wear while pregnant, and it will get a lot post-pregnancy, too (thank you, buttons for being nursing friendly!).
Jacket: An oversized black jacket is a STAPLE for my wardrobe. It works with so many different outfits and has that effortlessly cool factor. Mine is quite old, but this Topshop version is nearly identical.
Shoes: I’m always picking up new mules when I shop — and actually, my husband has bought me quite a few pairs, too. This is an old worn pair, but I found a very similar option with studs here.
3. Side Panel Adjustable Maternity Jean
Side Panel Adjustable Jean: An alternative option to the belly band, this maternity jean comes with stretchy side panels and an adjustable waistband that allows a customizable fit. I have tried similar pairs in different brands that were not nearly as comfortable, so I was happy to find that this low cut pair didn’t rub on my 35-week belly like the other brands did. This beachy style is one that I probably gravitate towards the most in jeans, and I feel like this will be a good pair to wear during postpartum, too.
Sweater: This top is half of the FP Hailee Sweater Set. It’s not maternity, but is just oversized enough to be a cozy staple while pregnant. The set tends to sell out, but they’ve been restocking different colors all summer and fall!
Shoes: When Birkenstock released the big buckle sandal, I was instantly in love because they were just a tad different than the popular norm. They’re the perfect slip on for the beach, and no matter what others might think, I love wearing them with socks on colder days (thank you Mary-Kate & Ashley).
The verdict?! I LOVE THEM ALL. Which isn’t hard to do because they’re all so different — perfectly covering three very different denim looks so us preggos don’t have to miss our regular jeans as much. If the distressed maternity jean in black didn’t bag out so quickly with each wear, they would be the favorite hands down. But because of that slight downside, I would have to say I’m reaching for the adjustable side panel jean the most!
Xx
Amy
Let’s be friends on Instagram! Sharing my pregnancy journey, professional photo work, a daily dose of optimism + positive affirmations, and the random favorites that fill my days like cats & binging Gilmore Girls. See you there!
Ps. This one’s for the pinners…
