Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
Maternity leggings can be worn well beyond the house and the yoga mat. With a longer top and the right shoes they work for the office, a long train or flight, a weekend lunch and even a baby shower. The trick is in what you put over them.
Below are seven combinations, from the simplest to the dressiest, plus a few practical tips for Indian weather.
Why a good pair earns its place
Pregnancy changes your shape week to week, and some days your bump feels bigger by evening than it did in the morning. A pair of maternity leggings with a soft, wide panel instead of a narrow elastic waistband gives you room for those changes without pressing on your bump.
For daily wear, look for cotton rich fabric with gentle stretch, an opaque weave that stays non see through when you bend, and pockets if you like carrying your phone hands free. A pair that also fits after birth will get far more wear than one you can only use for a few months.
1. A long feeding top for busy days
The easiest outfit of all: black leggings and a long feeding top that falls over the hips. The extra length gives coverage and a balanced line over your bump, and once the baby arrives the same top works for nursing.
Add white sneakers, a crossbody bag and simple jewellery, and you are dressed for errands, a coffee or a casual office day. Neutral leggings in black, navy, grey or olive mix with almost everything, so a few pairs go a long way. You can browse maternity and nursing tops if you want pieces that work before and after birth.
2. Under a maternity dress
Leggings under a midi or knee length maternity dress add coverage and a little warmth in air conditioned offices, on trains or in north Indian winters. They also make it easier to sit cross legged, climb stairs or get in and out of cars without thinking about your hemline.
Finish with comfortable flats or sneakers. This combination suits clinic appointments, family outings and long travel days.
3. Long kurtis for work
For a polished office look, pair leggings with a straight or A line maternity kurti that falls below the knee. It gives your bump plenty of room and looks put together without being formal.
Stick to solid black or navy leggings for meetings, and add small earrings, flats and a structured tote. The maternity work wear collection has kurtis and tops cut for this.
4. An oversized shirt for travel
On a flight or a long road trip, comfort comes first. Layer an oversized cotton shirt over a soft maternity tank or T shirt and wear it open, or knot it loosely above the bump if you want more shape.
Supportive sneakers and a light tote complete it. A soft panel moves with you when you have been sitting for hours, and breathable cotton helps on humid days.
5. An easy weekend look
Some days you want an outfit that takes no thought. An oversized maternity T shirt or nursing tee with leggings, plus a light denim jacket if it is cool, looks finished enough for grocery shopping, a walk or lunch with family.
6. Dressed up for dinner or a baby shower
Leggings can be festive too. Pair black leggings with an embroidered kurti, a long shrug or a flowing tunic in cotton or modal. Statement earrings and embellished flats or low wedges finish the look for a dinner, a puja or someone else's godh bharai.
7. After delivery
A soft, wide panel is often more comfortable than a regular waistband in the weeks after birth. Wear leggings with feeding tops or nursing tees and a supportive feeding bra for easy feeding through the day.
If you had a caesarean, choose a panel that sits comfortably over or above the wound rather than rubbing across it. The NHS advice on caesarean recovery recommends loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear while you heal.
Practical tips
- Choose cotton rich fabric for hot and humid weather.
- Start with black or navy; both go with kurtis, dresses, shirts and feeding tops.
- Tops or kurtis that fall below the hips give a balanced shape.
- Keep one neat pair for work and outings and another for lounging at home.
- If the belly panel feels warm in summer, pair it with light cotton tops.
- Before you leave the house, check the fabric stays opaque when you sit or bend.
The Mom Store's maternity leggings are 95% cotton and 5% Lycra, with a wide self fabric belly panel without elastic and side pockets, in black, navy, grey and olive.
