I receive a lot of questions about maternity activewear and my response is always that I haven’t bought any maternity-specific workout apparel. I have been able to easily get by with leggings, shorts, bras and tops that I already own in addition to adding a few extra sized-up pieces as pregnancy progresses. The majority of my must-haves for pregnancy are lululemon so I thought it would be helpful to share them.
I’m pretty lucky to spend most of my days in activewear. It’s pretty much my standard uniform given my career teaching yoga and fitness and writing a health blog. 🙂 I consider myself fortunate that I haven’t had to spend a lot of money on maternity clothing given that I haven’t had to get dressed to go into an office. I can only imagine the challenge and expense that it must be.
That said, I know that MANY of you also appreciate the comfort of athleisure and I think you’ll love these lululemon picks for maternity. They have worked great for me for everything from runs to gym workouts to yoga practices to daily leisure. And if you’re not pregnant, don’t worry! None of these picks are maternity-specific and they are my standard uniform when not pregnant too!
MY LULULEMON MATERNITY WEAR! PREGNANCY MUST-HAVES: BRAS, TANKS, TOPS
Clockwise from top left…
- Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank: This tank is so comfortable and plenty long enough to cover the bump. I’m still wearing this tank at 39 weeks and I have been able to wear it in my normal size and one size up throughout all of pregnancy. The lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback is my top pick for maternity workout tanks.
- Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve Crew: this is the short sleeve version of my most favorite long sleeve lululemon shirt ever. It’s a great t-shirt option for summer that is long and stretchy. I recommend sizing up in this one. I even like the sized-up when I’m not pregnant just for a little extra room and comfort.
- Love Tank: this is a great option if you’re looking for something with a looser fit. I also like the All Yours Tank if you’re looking for something with higher neck and even roomier fit. You can go with your normal size or one up in either of these.
- Power Y Tank: (discontinued). The Ebb to Street Tank is a nice replacement if you’re looking for a top with a built in bra. The beautiful thing about the Ebb to Street tank is that it’s seamless, soft and long enough to cover your belly. I recommend sizing up one size for pregnancy to allow belly and boob space!
- Free to be Wild Bra: I have no fewer than 10 of these bras. This style and cut is so comfortable and looks cute layered under tanks. I love that it has thicker straps instead of spaghetti straps. They never dig into me or cause any neck pain/discomfort. You’ll definitely want to size up for pregnancy, maybe even two sizes depending on how much your breasts have changed. This is a pick for ladies who are more in the range of A to small C cups. Note, the Free to Be Wild Bra is also available in a high-neck, long-line style and I love it too!
- Ribbed Long Wrap Sweater – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve layered comfy wraps/cardigans over maternity tanks and lululemon tanks during pregnancy. This long and roomy wrap is a great one to add to your collection!
- Swiftly Long Sleeve Tech Crew: this is one of my top lululemon picks of all-time. I have so many of these long sleeved shirts and they are crazy comfortable. I love them for running, dog walking, errand running…you name it! They’re great for pregnancy because they’re long and stretchy. I can wear this top in my normal size but prefer it sized up for pregnancy.
- Define Jacket: if you need a lightweight layering jacket, the Define Jacket is perfectly stretchy for pregnancy and a nice length to cover the bump late into pregnancy. I would size up here.
- Free to Be Serene Bra: this bra gives you a fun strappy back but offers more coverage in the front than the Free to Be Wild Bra. If you’re more in the range of C to D cup and need a little more support and coverage, go with the Serene. Size up for pregnancy. I also love the Energy Bra for the B-D range. Again, size up for pregnancy.
MY LULULEMON MATERNITY WEAR! PREGNANCY MUST-HAVES: SHORTS, CROPS, PANTS
Clockwise from top left:
- Wunder Train Hi-Rise Crops: this is the legging you’ll want to choose for your pregnancy workouts when you’ll be working up a sweat. Size up!
- Speed Up Shorts: these are nice for running and will sit under your bump comfortably. Definitely size up and note that they are also available in a longer length.
- Align Crops: if you do one thing, whether you’re pregnant or not, PLEASE BUY THE ALIGN CROPS OR PANTS! You guys, I cannot even begin to express to you how comfortable lululemon Align leggings are. I wear them almost every single day. They have been a godsend in pregnancy. The Align crops and pants feature lululemon’s “naked” feel and are so buttery soft…but not see through! The girls at lululemon told me that they are their “unofficial maternity pants” because so many pregnant mamas love them. Note they also come in a super hi-rise which is super bump-friendly. I was able to wear my normal size most of pregnancy but had one or two pairs that were a size up towards the end.
- Align Pants: there are so many options when it comes to Align pants! From colors to the height of the rise to the length of the inseam. My personal favorite is the ankle-length fit but also like longer length that I can hook under my heels (note: I’m a shorty!) And don’t miss the super hi-rise Aligns which are a dream for pregnancy!
- Hotty Hot Shorts: I am a huge fan of lululemon’s Hotty Hot Short. I find that they run big so when I’m not pregnant, I size down. In pregnancy I have worn what would be my regular size in lululemon. These are also available in a longer length.
- Black Align Leggings or Joggers: confession…I never bought maternity jeans! I got by with some stretchy jeggings and black lululemon Align leggings or joggers. I can’t tell you how many times during the cooler months that I wore these with boots and long sweaters/tops.
(Photo Scott Broome Photography)
I hope you guys have found this post useful! Like I said, these are all lululemon favorites that I know I will continue to wear and love throughout my postpartum period as well. I can personally vouch that everything you will find here is so comfy as well as very functional! And if you do size-up for pregnancy and then find yourself with lulu that’s a little too big, I’ve found that gently-worn lululemon sells extremely well online! Just an FYI.
LULULEMON LIKE NEW
Speaking of selling used lululemon online, the brand has now launched a “like new” program where you can trade in gear that you’re no longer wearing for e-credit towards new gear. You can also shop gently worn lululemon at great prices on their website.
Looking for more maternity content?
- 6 Tips for Modifying Your Power Yoga Practice for Pregnancy
- 7 Amazing Yoga Poses for Pregnancy
- Over 30 Pregnancy Favorites/Must-Haves
- Healing from a C-Section: Emotional Recovery
- 10 Prenatal Yoga FAQs
- 5 Things I Learned About Running in the First Trimester
- Second Trimester Half Marathon Recap
QUESTIONS
What are your lululemon must-haves?
Have you experienced the life-changing amazingness of the Align pants?
This post contains affiliate links for which I receive a small commission for the recommendations that I make. Thank you for trusting my suggestions and input! xx
i think i ruined my computer drooling all over it after this post! and i’m just gonna send this along to my family for my bday in July…
loved the round-up!
Haha, I know…lulu can be dangerous…but a perfect birthday suggestion for the fam! 🙂
Hi! I was curious if you have had any issues with the align pant pilling? (Especially any align pants you have purchased recently.) There are several recent reviews about this happening soon after purchase on the lululemon website and was curious to hear if you’ve noticed this at all? (Haven’t purchased this pant yet, but reallyy want to after your post!)
I own several pairs of the Wunder Unders which I LOVE, and just saw (for what it’s worth) the recent reviews on those pants on the Lululemon website are harsh about them falling down. This has not been my experience at all including a new pair in April!
Also, do you have a Wunder Under Luon or Luxtreme preference? I used to always buy Luon but recently have been really loving Luxtreme!
Hi Meredith! I have purchased several pairs of align pants in 2018 and I’ve had no issues with pilling…and I wear them daily and wash them OFTEN! 🙂 I’m not too picky about my fabrics and have a selection of both Luon and Luxtreme! I also don’t have issues with the Wunder Unders falling down.
I used to work for lululemon so i answered this question a lot. The align, wunderunder, etc (basically anything in the luon fabric) will pill if you consistently wear them running, or try to hike a long distance (not just one time, but over repeated uses). They are made for lower impact work outs, like yoga, Pilates, walks, etc. I ran a half marathon in a pair of wunder under crops and they did pill a little between the legs from friction after a few years of wear. Pants made from the slicker luxtreme fabric, on the other hand, are specifically designed for running, long hikes, and higher impact workouts. Lululemon is very intentional about the design of their clothing and the fabrics they choose. Pants like the align are sooooo comfortable and buttery soft for a reason, but because of that are not recommended for frequent running or high impact work outs. I wear my aligns to yoga, running errands, lounging around, and walking the dog. If I’m going for a run I wear a pant made in luxtreme (the pace breaker is my personal fave for running because I like the pockets and I have IT band issues and they are tailored to support the IT band and quads). I’ve run a half marathon and countless distance runs and hikes in my pace breakers and they have never ever pilled. What I always recommend is go into the store and tell them what kind of pant your looking for and for what type of activity- they’re great at helping you choose the right pant for the type of workout you want. Also when you wash all your lululemon, never ever wash with cotton fabric- wash your lululemon in cold water with other synthetic fabrics (I just always wash all my workout clothes together). Hope this helps!
Thanks, this is amazing additional info : )
Hello . Can I ask you would you reccomend align vs wunder under for pregnancy.
Yes, of course! While both Wunder Unders and Aligns are very comfortable, the Aligns are unmatched in their softness and stretchiness.
I am a Lulu addict, so I’m still surprised why I don’t own a pair of Aligns yet! Gotta get on that 😉
Hi! Thanks for such a great post! I was wondering if you have any problems with dog hair sticking to your Lulu pants? I have two German Shepherds and I can’t seem to keep their hair off of anything!
You are welcome! I live my life with lint rollers everywhere for dog hair! 🙂 It’s unavoidable whether I’m wearing athletic clothing or casual clothes!
Yes to Align pants!!!! I read about Align pants for pregnancy on a blog a while back. I’m 14 weeks and just starting to get uncomfortable in my jeans and tighter leggings…so I took a trip to Lululemon and oh my god they are amazing. I’ve worn them non-stop. I think I’m going to have to get another pair or two…went with my normal size, and I think they will work well for a while!!
Can you tell me what workout tops you liked during pregnancy?
Thank you for the recommendations, the Align Pants are sooooo comfortable! I bought three pairs!
I owned two pairs of Align pants pre-pregnancy and was excited to wear them throughout. Now that I am about halfway through, the fit is becoming super weird. They keep slipping down below my bump. Did you wear them up over the bump or below? I saw so many people refer to these as Lulu’s unofficial maternity pants, but I’m not understanding!
Get the super high rise align
Currently 6 days away from delivery and the new Align Joggers are amazing. They have a similar waistband as the crops but a bit more of a relaxed leg. I think they’re newer, so post pregnancy for you! I love them.
I have a pair and I do like them for casual wear! They are comfy! 🙂
I love my Aligns! Did you size up for the Aligns or no?
Yes, but I could also wear my normal size comfortably for most of pregnancy.
Would you recommend sizing up 1 or 2?
1 at the most!
Hi, my sister is currently pregnant so as a treat I want to get her a new pair of Aligns in a size bigger than she usually wears. Would you recommend I get her the super high-rise ones? And is 25” or 28” better (esp. when your ankles swell as I’m told they tend to do)? My sister is tall but small-boned and usually wears a size 4 in Lulus. I have never been pregnant so I cannot really tell what would be more comfortable. Thank you for any advice! 😀
Hi Mimi – I think the super high rise would be nice for pregnancy. I would go for 28″ if she’s taller and you’re looking for a full length pant. 🙂
Thank you so much for your response! I think that’s what I’ll do. 🙂