Having now gone through pregnancy and postpartum twice, I can confidently say that there’s a thought that creeps into every new mom’s head about four or so weeks into newborn life. Sure, wondering when you’ll sleep again, or when you can wear an outfit without the fear of spit up may be front of your mind. But there’s also this question: “When can I wear jeans again?”
Your body has been through this huge change, and none of us have come out the other side looking quite like we did pre-pregnancy. I know for myself, two C-sections left me feeling incredibly self-conscious of my midsection, often making me opt for dresses instead of pants. But, with a toddler and newborn, it’s hard to argue that jeans are probably the most functional choice for daily life as a mom.
With that in mind, I embarked on a quest to find the best jeans for postpartum use. Jeans that would make me feel confident, provide a comfortable option, and work during this season of my life. And throughout two postpartum experiences, I feel like I finally nailed the best options across all budgets.
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How I reviewed and rated these jeans for postpartum
Obviously, there’s no lack of jean options out there to choose from. When looking for the best jeans postpartum, I stuck to three main qualities. I was looking for: comfort, structure, and flattering.
In general, the best jeans I’ve found for postpartum wear have a decent amount of stretch, usually around 1-3% elastane. The stretch helps so you don’t feel like you need to suck in to get them buttoned.
For postpartum specifically, I have also found a high-rise or mid-rise waist to work best. Having the jeans hit above or at the natural waist helps to support your midsection. A must postpartum (we just grew a human, after all!) A soft waistband and a higher waist help to smooth out the midsection, providing support and a flattering shape.
A flattering cut is also key. I leaned towards relaxed or straight-leg styles, which ride the line between comfort and style. To me, these never look too baggy or too tight (though you will find one pair of skinnies on here—I am a millennial, after all). So, here are the jeans and my reviews. They range in price from a budget-friendly $50 option to a $250 investment pair, with a few others in between. Allowing you to find the one that’s right for you.
Quince Bella Stretch Skinny Jeans
- Pros: Incredibly comfortable, a perfect alternative to leggings
- Cons: Heavy elasticity doesn’t provide much support for postpartum belly
Listen, I’m a millennial, so a pair of skinny jeans is just always going to be in my closet. Since most skinny jeans are, well, skin tight, I wanted something particularly comfortable–and that’s where Quince’s stretchy option came into play. The Quince Bella Stretch Skinny Jeans are not kidding around with the “stretch” in the title—I probably could’ve gone down a full size in these and been okay.
The high-rise is stretchy and covers the midsection (though it’s so stretchy there’s not a huge amount of support), and the slim ankle makes the pants ideal for wearing with boots in the fall and winter.
When I want something with the comfort of leggings, just a little less casual, these are what I always go for. And, honestly, the price is pretty hard to beat!
Price: $50
Sizes Available: 24-33 (available in 26, 28 inseam)
Comes in 7 colors/shades
Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise 90s Relaxed Jean
- Pros: Rides the line between structured and comfort
- Cons: Popular style, sizes sometimes sell out
As a ’90s kid, no company has made quite as monumental a comeback in my adult life as Abercrombie. Who would’ve thought the jeans my mom loathed buying (“Why are they all ripped?!”) when I was a kid would come in clutch as a grown mother myself.
The Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise ’90s Relaxed Jean is a particularly great pick. The high-rise sits above your natural waist, giving gentle support and smoothing over the midsection. The relaxed legs also give you room in the thighs and legs, which is ideal for comfort when you don’t want to be wearing something tight.
While I rarely like a more relaxed leg (I always feel like it makes me look bigger, which I’m self-conscious about), these ride the line between loose-fitting and feeling like you’re swimming in them.
Price: $90
Sizes Available: 23-38 (in Extra Short, Short, Regular, Long, Extra Long)
Comes in 29 colors/shades (depends on size choice)
Quince Bella Stretch Relaxed Jeans
- Pros: Comfortable, available in a variety of inseams for the perfect fit
- Cons: Heavy elasticity doesn’t provide much support for a postpartum belly
Two relaxed options in a row! I would put Quince’s Relaxed Jeans as a great alternative to Abercrombie’s version, just at half the price. The two styles perform very similarly (both also come in a variety of inseams and lengths, so you can find your perfect fit), but I’d say Quince’s has just a bit more stretch.
The stretch provides maximum comfort (something I’d say is a perk for all of Quince’s jeans), but I do feel like it makes it so there’s a little bit less support and smoothing on the midsection than Abercrombie’s version. If that’s not a must-have for you, then Quince is a fantastic pick. But if it is, it may be worth opting for the Abercrombie Relaxed Jeans instead.
Price: $50
Sizes Available: 24-33 (available in 26, 28, 30, 32 inseam)
Comes in 3-5 colors/shades (depends on the inseam you choose)
PAIGE Annessa Jeans
- Pros: A huge variety of sizes and colors makes it easy to find your perfect pair.
- Cons: Very expensive, you’ll want this to be a pair you could see yourself wearing for years.
Whenever you hear about quality, luxe jeans, I feel like PAIGE is always in the conversation. And at a higher price point, I wish I could say the glowing reviews were wrong—but they’re very much not.
The Annessa Jeans come with a high-rise and wide leg, with a slightly relaxed fit that just somehow comes off as effortlessly stylish. There’s a high amount of stretch with this bestselling pair of jeans, which makes them feel as comfortable as wearing your favorite pair of leggings.
While, as a true millennial, I’m not typically a fan of wider jean styles, I can’t help but love the look and feel of these.
Price: $249.
Sizes Available: 23-34, 16W-28W (also available in 27″ and 31″ inseam, plus size, and petites)
Comes in 18 colors/shades
My Favorite Daughter Valentina High-Rise Cigarette Ankle Jean
- Pros: Supportive yet comfortable, incredibly flattering.
- Cons: The price point puts these firmly in the investment jean category. Reviews also share that the different colors each seem to fit differently.
This was the only pair on this list that I actually found a few months ago by Googling “best jeans postpartum.” Several commenters on a Reddit forum touted the magic of the My Favorite Daughter Valentina Jeans, sharing that they were flattering in all the right places, and yet incredibly comfortable for postpartum.
In all honesty, the reviews made these seem like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants jeans, so I was skeptical at best. But, lo and behold, I may have hit the jackpot with the best pair of jeans I own.
The style is extremely high-rise, with a slim straight leg. They’re fairly stretchy, and yet never feel they’re losing their shape as I wear them (after a few months, anyway!).
Now, I will say, I picked up the color Madison on sale, and while my size fit perfectly, several reviewers noted that each color of the jeans seems to fit differently. So make sure to keep that in mind if ordering!
Price: $149-$218
Sizes Available: 23-34
Comes in 4 colors/shades
DÔEN Diana Jean
- Pros: Quality design that will last year after year
- Cons: Pricey – a definite investment piece. Also, button fly won’t be popular with those who prefer a zipper
My first true “investment” pair of jeans, the DOEN Diana Jeans have lasted me a couple of years of wear. They’ve been with me during pre-pregnancy, postpartum … even early pregnancy until jeans were no longer a valid option!
Made with 100% organic cotton, the Diana Jean don’t have a lot of stretch, which may seem like an odd choice to pick for postpartum wear. But, hear me out! Instead, the slightly stiffer material loosens with wear, giving you a fairly personalized fit. The straight ankle design makes them flattering and easy to wear with just about any outfit.
The price point is high, there’s no doubt. But if you want a quality pair of jeans that will last you years, the Diana has some definite potential.
- Pros: Affordable, stretchy, and comfortable
- Cons: Have gotten stretched out and lost shape over the course of wear
When it comes to affordable, flattering jeans, few brands do it better than Old Navy. While there are plenty of styles to choose from, I personally have loved the brand’s curvy line, especially their High-Rise Ankle Jeans.
Available in a wide range of sizes, you can choose your length and size, so I was able to opt for my petite size for a great length. The ankle hits at just the right spot, with no surprises on sizing. (unlike some brands, I typically am always able to take my regular size at Old Navy)
Made with medium stretch, the jeans are comfortable and great to wear in the day-to-day with a newborn and on-the-go toddler. One drawback is the longevity of wear. I have had these jeans since pre-pregnancy, and found that they’ve definitely lost some shape over time. While not a dealbreaker, something to keep in mind if you’d prefer to just invest in a pair of jeans that will last years without losing shape.
Price: $49.99
Sizes Available: 00-30 (available in petite, regular, and tall)
Comes in 4 colors/shades
Sezane Le Crop
- Pros: Flattering fit, especially for shorter legs. Structured yet comfortable.
- Cons: Sizing isn’t nearly as inclusive as many other brands, some colors come with button fly.
As someone who is short and curvy, my immediate reaction to this wide leg style was a big old “no.” Even looking at pictures and examining how they make me look, I’m not entirely sure how I feel on the style.
But, simply based on how well they fit and feel, I am giving the Sezane Le Crop really high marks. The jeans somehow manage to both keep their structure, yet never feel anything be comfortable. The cropped design makes the legs hit at the perfect point for my 5’ 2” frame, and the high waist is flattering.
Fit aside, I am also completely enamored with the embroidered design, which elevates the look from my normal pair of denim jeans.
Marea Overalls
- Pros: Timeless design, incredibly comfortable for postpartum
- Cons: Run on the longer side – shorter frames (like mine) may need to roll up legs or get tailored.
I took a major break from overalls from probably ages 8 to 30. But, once I started wearing them again, I remembered the absolute comfort and joy that come with the closet staple. They’re easy to design any outfit around, and an incredibly cozy staple for postpartum life.
While I own a few pairs (Free People and Old Navy both make excellent oversized versions), my favorite is the more structured Marea Overalls (which come in the perfect and yet hardest to find color of denim blue).
These have a vintage wash, with a front bib and relaxed fit. I started wearing them in warmer weather immediately postpartum, and still love to wear them with a light sweater underneath.
While not jeans, it’s also worth shouting out the brand’s Scout Overalls, a fun sherpa option that are hands down the comfiest thing in my entire closet (and the perfect fit for outdoor kid sports games).
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Morgan Flaherty, Contributing Writer
Morgan is full-time writer, editor, and mom. She lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, and one very sassy cat. Along with her work as a contributing writer for The Everymom, her writing has appeared in Well + Good, InStyle, Scary Mommy, Byrdie, and Baby Chick.
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