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As January approaches, I anticipate three pairs of shoes waiting at our entrance—two standard sizes and one tiny pair. A high chair will take the place of the dining room table centerpiece, and a thoughtfully designed nursery will take over the walk-in closet, while an infant bath will sit snugly alongside a collection of striped washcloths and assorted shampoos for him and her. Everything is shifting—and it has to. Yet, there’s one aspect I refuse to alter, in tribute to the version of myself that preceded this: my wardrobe. Curse the maternity pants; I’ve made it through eight months without resorting to them.
Vogue’s Preferred Non-Maternity Pants
Discovering I was pregnant with my husband back in early April felt like a breeze during the first trimester. That is, until my belly started to expand (less like a Mylar balloon and more akin to a hot air balloon), making it ever more challenging to avoid actual maternity pants and stick to my reliable trousers.
Somehow, I’ve managed to keep my word with a few easy fashion-savvy tips. For trousers, opt for low-rise; you’ll want a waistband that sits beneath the belly rather than at its center. Take my advice: anything higher is not comfortable for both your expanding figure and your wriggling little one. You know what’s even better? Pants with a drawstring waist! Why fend off button mishaps (which become invisibly difficult as the belly grows), or zippers that jam (and ruin your day), or waistbands that press into your newly shaped belly button? On particularly uncomfortable days, I’ve turned to voluminous and stretchy balloon pants—my deepest appreciation goes to Alaïa for pioneering the trend that keeps on delivering. While I haven’t indulged in maternity pants, I’ve made a special exception for jeans—you’ll soon understand why.
From pull-on styles and drawstring designs to low-rise silhouettes, these are the top maternity pants available, brought to you by a Vogue writer currently enjoying her third trimester (and a whole lot of macaroni and cheese).
The Pull-On Pants
Pull-on trousers embody ease and effortlessness. While the act might be relaxing, the outcome is undisputedly stylish. There are budget-friendly options from Donni as well as more luxurious selections from Khaite and Dries Van Noten, all ideal for seasonal wear. I still recall the moment I traded my “crispy pants” for a pair without belt loops. The relief was instinctive.
Leset
Kyoto Carpenter pants
Donni.
The Thermal crop pants
Toteme
woven wide-leg pants
Dries Van Noten
satin straight-leg pants
Banana Republic
drapey pull-on pants
The Balloon Pant
This fall and winter, styling balloon pants will be a breezy endeavor—pair them with oversized knitwear, black ballet flats, or flowing scarves. Transitioning from high fashion to everyday attire, these playful yet sophisticated pants have altered our perceptions of styles and structures. Initially, I assumed they wouldn’t flatter my changing body. Yet, what instead I found was a new sense of freedom—this newfound shape has a purpose. As summer gives way to autumn, I’ve matched these versatile pants with everything from T-shirts to cashmere sweaters, tailored ladylike jackets, and now, lightweight coats.
The Row
Bellana silk pants
Alaïa
draped Balloon pants
