Pregnancy – it's that time in your life when you should glow, but in reality, there's a lot to deal with, not least the whole new wardrobe you have to buy. You've probably thought of leggings, jeans, dresses and underwear, but have you considered maternity tights for a bit of extra warmth and support?
Before you jump straight in, there are a few things to decide on, such as how thick you want to go and the fabric you'll feel most comfortable in. To help out, we've put together a guide with tips on choosing the best pair of tights for your pregnancy. We also have ten recommendations to snap up online from ASOS, John Lewis and Amazon, including compression, footless and colourful pairs to suit every mum-to-be.
Quick List - Top Maternity Tights
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
It's always good to have a few pairs of tights on hand, whether for work or for cooler days when you fancy wearing a skirt or dress – and that doesn't have to be any different once you're pregnant. But before we share our top recommendations, we've going to give you some tips for choosing the right pair of maternity tights.
Buying tights in the right size is key for a comfy fit! While your normal tights might be fine for some of your first trimester, you will find maternity-specific tights to be much more comfortable once your bump starts making more of an appearance.
Like maternity jeans, leggings and underwear, these tights are typically designed to offer over-bump support throughout your whole pregnancy (and even for a while afterwards!), as they feature the same stretchy panel and extra fabric to accommodate your growing tummy, bum and hips.
Maternity tights tend to come in S, M, L or XL, as is usual for hosiery. Most of these are designed so that you can just buy what you normally wear, although some women do like to size up just in case! If you're unsure which size to buy, it's a good idea to check the product description for a measurement chart.
You want to feel as comfortable as possible when you have a little one growing inside you, so, consider the fabric for a good fit. Most tights are made from nylon (sometimes called polyamide), a lightweight, durable material that's comfy too. Perfect for when you're pregnant!
This nylon is then mixed with a percentage of elastane (also called lycra), which gives the tights their stretch. Tights will be more stretchy if they use more elastane, which will be better for your ever-changing body.
Some also mix 1-2% cotton with elastane and nylon. Cotton is soft and breathable, so it can be better for pregnancy, especially during hot flushes. Paying attention to the fabric percentages to help you find the right pair of maternity tights.
As we know, the denier tells us how transparent tights are. To smooth the legs while supporting and stopping chafing on warmer days, pick sheer, see-through tights with a denier under 20. These are usually nude in colour so they're great if you want to give the appearance of bare legs, although they also snag and ladder more easily.
Semi-sheer tights have a denier between 20 and 40. They maintain some transparency of sheer tights but are less likely to ladder or hole. They're the perfect alternative if you don't want to have to replace dozens of pairs during your pregnancy.
Tights with deniers of 50+ are fully opaque. These are the thickest, so you can wear them a while without having to replace them, and they'll keep you warm on cold days. Each style has its benefits, but you need to pick the right one, or ones!
Maternity tights usually come in packs of one or two. If you wear them often, it's better to buy a double pack so you have a spare pair. You might not get around to washing your tights as often during pregnancy anyway, and you won't have to worry about replacing them so quickly if they ladder.
On the other hand, if you're buying them for a special occasion or rarely wear them, a pack of one will do. The tights won't fit as well after your bump starts to go down, and you can save money by just buying one pair. You won't be left disappointed if you think about the number of pairs in the pack.
Sheer tights mimic your skin to look invisible, so you want to make sure they match for a seamless look. It takes some trial and error to find the right pair, but you can buy tights in shades of brown for dark skin, light beiges for pale skin and everything in between.
When it comes to coloured tights, that's completely up to you! Some maternity tights have more colour options than others, unfortunately, but you will be able to find shades of navy, wine and brown if you're looking for something different.
The majority of opaque tights will, of course, be black, so you'll have plenty of choice if you want a few smarter pairs for work or you just prefer the versatility of black.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis & Partners Opaque Maternity Tights | ![]() | Superior Quality Tights That Support From Bump to Baby | |
2 | LOVELYBOBO Maternity Pregnant Women Tights | ![]() | Stay Snug and Stylish in This Two-Tone Set | |
3 | Sofsy Opaque Maternity Tights | ![]() | Silky Soft Italian-Made Tights With a Comfort Waistband | |
4 | Merry Style Maternity Tights | ![]() | The Thicker Alternative to Invisible Tights | |
5 | CALZITALY Opaque Maternity Tights | ![]() | A Choice of Colours to Brighten Up a Winter Outfit | |
6 | Mamalicious Maternity Two Pack Support Tights | ![]() | Two Pairs of 50 Denier for Warmer Days | |
7 | Lindex Maternity Recycled Super Soft Footless Tights | ![]() | Legging-Style Footless Tights Made From Recycled Materials | |
8 | Fiore Maternity Tights | ![]() | An Inexpensive Option in Several Skin Shades | |
9 | CALZITALY Maternity Support Tights With Medium Compression | ![]() | Light Compression to Massage Swollen Legs | |
10 | ASOS DESIGN Maternity New Improved Fit 120 Denier Tights | ![]() | Thick Tights That Won't Ladder Easily |
As well as their superior quality and softness, these tights have two stand-out features. The first is that they'll grow as you glow, thanks to a specially shaped knitted front panel that'll expand and fit your bump.
During pregnancy, your feet can become longer and wider, not to mention they can become swollen. Luckily, these tights have reinforced toes for additional comfort during these special months of pregnancy. For a well-made pair that'll last your whole pregnancy, look no further.
Let's face it – one pair isn't always enough, especially if you're wearing a lot of skirts or dresses during pregnancy. Here's a pack of two tights so you'll have one to wash and one to wear. Plus, you can get them in two different colours to match different outfits!
These thick, legging-style tights have a massive 19% elastane and an adjustable waistband cord, so they'll fit you well whether you're 8 months in or a couple of months post-partum. They're pretty affordable too, so why not stock up with a few to see you through your pregnancy?
The last thing you want when pregnant is a pair of tights that dig into your skin and cause discomfort. These tights have a soft waistband that will cradle your belly but won't dig in or irritate your skin.
Made with care from high-quality Italian materials, they won't sag or lose their shape once you've worn them a few times, making for a good fit that will last the whole of your pregnancy. These silky soft tights also come in a few stylish colours including camel, brown and grey.
Remember what we said earlier about semi-sheer tights? That's right, they're a great alternative to sheer tights if you'd like something a bit sturdier. This pair will maintain their invisible look, only they won't ladder so easily.
These tights have a wide elastic band and a generous 15% elastane, so they won't put too much pressure on your belly either. This makes them ideal for larger baby bumps as your pregnancy progresses. A top buy!
Opaque tights in lighter colours are a great idea for those between-season days, as they won't absorb as much heat as black. With this pair from Calzitaly, you get to have fun with a great range of shades too.
The soft yarn and stretchy support are designed to accommodate your bump for your entire pregnancy, and they feature a flat seam design that won't dig in or leave marks on your belly. The addition of a cotton gusset will also keep you cool and comfy.
These tights from popular maternity brand Mamalicious come in a pack of two, which is great if you wear them often. If you're pulling them on them every day, you're more likely to hole them, plus, you'll have something to wear whilst the others are in the wash!
If you want to wear your tights on warmer days, this ultra-soft pair are a good pick. They're 50 denier so they aren't too thick and warm, but they're durable enough that they won't ladder too easily.
These tights have a high-rise and stretchy waistband that will adjust to your body, making them a comfortable choice that'll last from bump to baby. The footless design makes a nice change style-wise and actually means they'll stay up better than ordinary maternity tights!
The quality is great and they're soft to touch with just the right amount of sheer coverage. The fabric is also made from a recycled polyamide blend, so you'll be doing your bit for the environment by choosing these, too.
These tights are an inexpensive option that is ideal if you're trying to save money for when your little one arrives. Kids can be expensive, so you have to make cutbacks somewhere! They come in a few colours with some darker options, so you're sure to find a skin tone match.
It's worth noting that there is a visible seam that goes up the middle of the tights, which could cause some discomfort and look messy. Nevertheless, they still offer good quality at a reasonable price.
Your legs might tingle, swell and feel tired whilst you're pregnant. These tights have a light compression, which stimulates blood circulation to ease help you feel more comfortable. They also have reinforced toes for extra support and better durability.
Although they have some unique features that aid comfort, the fabric is not as soft as some, which could become irritating if you're wearing them for long periods. These tights may be best reserved for shorter trips out.
Are you fed up with thin tights that ladder easily? When you're saving for your newborn, the last thing you want is to be replacing your tights every day. This 120 denier pair are sturdy and thick so they're a great choice for winter, too.
Although they do have an elasticated waistband and a fair bit of elastane, they have been reported to slip down under some women's bumps, especially when doing a lot of walking. With that in mind, these are probably better during the early months of pregnancy.
No. 1: John Lewis & Partners|Opaque Maternity Tights
No. 2: LOVELYBOBO|Maternity Pregnant Women Tights
No. 3: Sofsy|Opaque Maternity Tights
No. 4: Merry Style|Maternity Tights
No. 5: CALZITALY|Opaque Maternity Tights
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games