The best pregnancy yoga tights for the first trimester

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‘What are the best pregnancy yoga tights?’ This is a question I get asked ALLLL the time and given I’ve been pregnant 6 times  and I’ve been teaching pregnancy yoga for 5 years is something I really should already know the answer to.

But I have to admit up until recently, even I was asking my friends… where do you get your pregnancy yoga tights from? 

I decided it was time I finally worked out the answer.  And can I just say there are WAY more options than there were 5 years ago.  When I was pregnant with Eamon I think I just bought those cheap tights from target and off I went. (If I’m being really honest, I was probably doing more couch sitting than yoga back then too!) But now that I’m teaching and practicing almost every day, it’s definitely worth the money to invest in some actual pregnancy yoga tights.

Throughout the first trimester I’ve been road-testing eight different types of yoga tights – some are maternity specific, some are maternity and yoga specific and others are just pants that seem to work for both pregnancy and yoga.

I plan to do a post like this for each of the trimesters, because I imagine as my body changes – my answer to this question will change as well. So here we go… (scroll right to the end for my overall thoughts on all 7)

Lorna Jane 7/8 Maternity Tights in size small (currently only available in full length)

These tights are super soft and light-weight and have definitely been one of my faves throughout the first trimester. They don’t look like maternity tights (once you put a shirt on of course), but they feel like them (I immediately hate any pressure on my belly from the instant I’m pregnant).

Positives: super soft and light weight

Negatives: none that I’ve found so far

Best for: first trimester wear and those looking for tights that don’t scream MATERNITY!

Pass the down dog test?  Yep! No undies on show in these tights.

Investment: 7/8 Tights – $96.99

Full length – $106.99

Maternity + Post-Partum Sports Leggings – 3/4 Black by Cadenshae in small (provided to me by Milk and Love)

I love the look and feel of these tights. They’re silky smooth and very supportive especially around the hips (definitely something I’ll need later on as I’ve previously had issues with SI pain. 

Positives: soft silky fabric and how they support around the hips

Negatives: the website image shows these modelled with the top rolled down. I personally don’t love wearing them like this as I feel like they put too much pressure on my lower belly. They felt great when pulled up but wearing them this way means you definitely can’t fool anyone into thinking that these aren’t maternity tights (if you’re still trying to keep your pregnancy hush hush in the first trimester.)

Best for: I have a feeling these are going to be amazing in trimester two and three when I really need the support around my hips and low belly.

Pass the down dog test?  Easily. While the fabric is lightweight, it’s also surprisingly thick.

Investment: 3/4 Black – $85

Maze 3/4 Pregnancy Maternity Tights – Charcoal in small.

These tights are my favourite for really sweaty yoga sessions.  The fabric copes well heat and they don’t cut in anywhere on the belly (my personal pet-hate about yoga tights during pregnancy).

Positives: Doesn’t cut anywhere on the belly

Negatives: I’m wearing a size small and they’re still a little bit too big for the first trimester. There is a bit too much extra fabric around the low belly, though I’m sure this will come in handy in the next couple of months.

Best for: Sweaty yoga and other workouts – if you’re living somewhere HOT or still like getting your sweat on while pregnant, these tights are for you.

Pass the down dog test?  The thick weave of this fabric means there is no see-through-ness (totally a word!) even when you’re bending over.

Investment: 3/4 tights – $79.95

Fittamamma Ultimate Pregnancy Fitness Capri Leggings in small

I could easily hang out in these all day. Usually I’m a get-out-of-my-tights straight after class kinda girl, but I’ve definitely stayed in these all day.

Positives: I love that these are 93% cotton – I think this is why I have no problem wearing them all day.

Negatives: I’m honestly scratching the barrel here, but I’m not a huge fan of the pink stripe. Which of course, is not a negative at all  because Fittamamma offers these tights with a grey stripe or none at all in the full length.

Best for: Gentle yoga sessions for when you want to be REALLY comfortable. (I.E I know a friend who wears these to watch netflix on her couch). 

Pass the down dog test? Yup, no issues with see-through bits here.

Investment: Fitness Capri pink stripe £54.99 (approximately $95 Australian Dollars)

Glamamama Happy Mum Maternity Leggings in small/medium

While not strictly for yoga, these maternity leggings would work with a longer top and are super soft and comfy.

Positives: super soft fabric and soft elastic under belly fit

These tights are also extra long (which I probably should be putting in the negative section because for me this isn’t great). But I decided I shouldn’t discriminate against the tights just because I’m a short arse, if you’re bless with long limbs – these tights would be perfect for you.

Negatives: these tights are only available in two sizes – small/ medium and large/ extra large. The smaller size is still a touch too big for me at this point, but I imagine they’ll be perfect in a couple of months.

Best for: yin and gentle yoga where you want to be warm (full length) and super comfy (doesn’t cut anywhere)

Tall yogis who need the extra length in the legs.

Pass the down dog test? They’re a touch see-through with black undies, but are easily fixed with neutral colour underwear or a longer top.

Investment: Full length – $54

Queen Bee Trimester™ – Oasis Long Maternity Leggings in Black (wearing size small)

I lived in a pair like this from Queen Bee when I was pregnant with Rory. In fact, I’ve only just let go of my last pair (3 years on) because they were looking a little bit sad from all the love.

Positives: 95% cotton = super comfy to wear and they’re nice and thick which makes them feel like you could wear them as regular pants (you know, once you hit that stage where yoga pants are the only thing that’ll fit)

I also love how low these sit on the belly – whereas most tights sit just below the belly button, these are right down low (which I      love especially once your belly gets bigger because it means you don’t have that weird line across your belly under your shirt).

Negatives: I’m wearing a small and these are still a touch too big for me in the first trimester and the elastic at the top is noticeably bumpy. I imagine this will even out as my belly grows.

Best for: wearing straight from yoga class to the coffee shop or for those looking for tights that will double-duty as active-wear and regular pants.  Throw a long top over these, add some nice shoes and you can definitely wear them out.

Pass the down dog test? With flying colours.

Investment: $47.95

Dharma Bums Black Relax Pants in Small

Full disclosure – these are my fat yoga pants and I wear them pregnant or not. I’ve had these for years and I pull them out whenever I’ve got my period or I’m just having a blah day and need to not be wearing something tight fitting. I’m wearing the 3/4 length but it seems they only sell the full length these days.

Positives: You’ll be wearing these LONG after your pregnancy has been and gone.

Negatives: They’re not technically ‘tights’, they’re more like harem pants in a soft stretchy fabric, though they can be a little hot in summer with all the extra fabric.

Best for: fat days when you can’t stand fitted clothing

Pass the down dog test? Many times over.

Investment: Full length – $85

Overall best pregnancy yoga tights for the first trimester

My favourites in the first trimester have definitely been the Lorna Jane 7/8s and my trusty Dharma Bums Relax Pants.

I can definitely see this changing as my body grows though and it will be interesting to see how each of these tights wear over the months (and many days) of use.   I’ll be back in trimester two and three to let you know how they go.

Do you have a favourite brand of pregnancy yoga tights? Any that I’ve not included here and absolutely must? Please get in touch and I’ll edit and add them to the post.