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Currently expecting my first child, I was feeling quite overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new items I'd need to purchase in the near future. The one piece of maternity wear that other mums kept recommending was a good pair of maternity leggings. They're comfy, easy to style and will quickly become your wardrobe staple, they said, as you can dress them down with an oversized tee or jumper, or smarten them up with a shirt or fitted top. Initially, I wasn't sold on the idea – aren't all leggings super stretchy? But as my bump grew, my favourite Adanola pair started to feel tight, and at five months pregnant, I realised that leggings designed for a growing belly might be necessary after all. So, I've tested several pairs from the high street to find the best ones, and here are the winners... £40 from Lovall I hadn't come across the clothing brand Lovall until I began my search for maternitywear, but it's a name that frequently pops up, reports the Mirror . The site offers a vast array of maternity leggings in three different lengths, and after trying a few, these are the ones that won me over . Crafted from a buttery-soft material, with no front seam and a band that fully covers the bump (so no tight waistband), they're incredibly comfortable and feel luxurious . I even wore them on a 16-hour flight and they remained super comfy throughout, with no slipping down, digging in or going baggy at the knees. The only way they – and, indeed, most of these on this list – could be improved is if they had a side pocket for your phone, my favourite feature of my pre-pregnancy Adanola leggings, and something I've really come to rely on. £65 from Sweaty Betty Sweaty Betty's maternity leggings were highly recommended to me by a fitness enthusiast, who still wears theirs even after having their baby. If you're familiar with Sweaty Betty's popular Power Leggings, you'll recognise this fabric. Made from recycled textiles, it's incredibly thin and lightweight as well as being breathable, sweat-wicking and not at all see-through; it really feels like second skin . The features I appreciate most, however, are the slim pocket in the left-hand side for your phone, and that the back still lies quite low (no bunching up by your sports bra). Being such light material, however, they do show up lumps, bumps, VPLs and camel toes slightly more. They also aren't very warm in these chilly months. Some shoppers have reported that they don't offer enough bump coverage during the later stages of pregnancy, but for now, these are my go-to for low-impact exercise . For a cheaper alternative, MyProtein's MP Women's Maternity Leggings , £34, were also recommended by said sporty friend. £37.50 from Jojo Maman Bébé Another recommendation from a friend, I found these to be similar to Lovall's in terms of comfort: soft, thick (a fraction thicker than Lovall's) and hold their shape well . The wide waistband fits comfortably over the stomach, with the lower seam sitting neatly underneath the bump. The main difference, however, is the length. When I first put these on, I had to double check if I'd ordered a tall length by mistake (I hadn't; they only come in one leg length), as they're not only long on the legs but come up very high over the bump too. At 5'8", they're actually the perfect full length fit for me, but it's something to be aware of if you're shorter. I find them to be another excellent everyday pair , suitable for lounging, running errands and leisurely walks alike. The two-pack is good value for the quality, too. £32 from Lovall Leggings might not be your go-to for warmth during the chilly season, but these are a game-changer; think of them as a hybrid between leggings and tracksuit bottoms. If you're expecting and will be in your second or third trimester during winter, these are essential. They're soft and cosy with a fleecy interior , providing instant warmth from the moment I slipped them on, keeping me comfortably snug while working from home in my chilly house. The thickness of the fabric means they don't sculpt the body as well as others, and I did notice some bagging and bunching around the crotch area. The waistband is also quite tight – presumably to keep the heavy fabric from slipping down – so I'm unsure if they'll last me right up to nine months – but currently, I can't get enough of their snuggly feel . £68 from ASOS These maternity leggings from the iconic shapewear brand came highly recommended by a fashion editor friend who swore by them and their faux leather counterpart during her pregnancy, claiming they offered the most comfortable fit over the bump. As expected from Spanx, these are very form-fitting; they're not as compressive as its usual shapewear, but definitely require some effort to squeeze into. I'd strongly recommend sizing up – the size M I have is supposed to fit a UK size 12-14, but being a fairly average size 12, I found that I could only just fit into these. However, once they're on, they really do flatter your figure . They smooth the body and give you a great silhouette, with no VPL or front seam. Are they the comfiest? No, but they're the closest I've found to a smart or – dare I say it – sexy, pair of black maternity leggings, and you could definitely dress these up for work or an evening out. While I'm not sure how long I'll be able to fit into them before giving birth, I also think they'll be useful afterwards too. £19.50 from Marks and Spencer Made from 95% cotton and 5% elastane, this two-pack is very good value and very soft , with no tight seam digging in around the bump. However, they're definitely not as high quality as the others on this list; they feel quite thin (great for warmer months, but a little chilly to wear now), bunch up a bit around the crotch, and you can really feel the waistband when they're on. I'm wearing the short length here as my chosen length (regular or long) was out of stock and, while I was expecting these to therefore be almost pedal pusher in length, they're actually not a bad fit on me (good to know there's some flexibility if your preferred length is also unavailable).
