What’s the deal with over-the-belly maternity pants, ie. pants with “panels”, verses under-the-belly styles? If you go shopping with your mother, she probably looks at the under-the-belly styles with some scepticism. But, if you’re a first time maternity shopper, you think, “Great, these look more like normal pants!” Which style is best? Truth be told, this is a hard one! Some women swear by panels, others treat them with revulsion. I think they both have their pros and cons.
Over-the-belly
Pros:
- Keeps pants up as long as it rides over the largest part of the belly
- Very comfortable when sitting down
- Fits longer if you tend to gain weight in your hips
- Creates a sleek fit, holding everything in like a body-shaper
Cons:
- You’ll see the panel under very light-colored or thin tops
- If you’re tummy becomes very large, you could grow out of the panel
- If the panel is short (ie a half panel), it may not stay up at all in your last few months
- Gets hot in warm weather
Under-the-belly
Pros:
- Well-designed waistbands don’t even look maternity, so you don’t have to cover the band and you can wear them post-partum too!
- Fits longer if you tend to gain weight in the belly
- Avoids adding an extra layer of clothing
Cons:
- Can be uncomfortable if you carry your baby very low or when sitting down
- If you’re thicker through the middle, can create a “bulgy” look
- Tends to fall down when you’re active or bending/squatting
If you’re pregnant for the first time, start off by choosing one of each style. Wear them sitting, exercising, playing etc. and figure out what works best for you!
