The Great Big Legging Post: Best Leggings For Everything
If you search “leggings” on my blog, you’ll see that we’ve talked about them A LOT over the years. From finding the perfect pair of faux leather leggings, to shopping the best tops to pair with those leggings, activewear favorites and most recently my fleece legging review — to name a few! I’ve decided it’s time to create one destination where all of my tried and true favorites can live together in harmony. 2020 has allowed me reevaluate my wardrobe in so many ways, leggings quickly becoming something I wear on a daily basis. Today I’m breaking down my preferences for different occasions because NOT all leggings are created equally.
I always do my best to showcase a range of price points throughout all of my posts but after years purchasing, wearing and washing leggings (more on that below), I truly believe that you get what you pay for. I personally notice a difference in fit, fabric and longevity. I’m a firm believer in investing in wardrobe staples that are worn frequently and to take care of them.
COAT (L) | SIMILAR SWEATER (EXACT ONE IS SOLD OUT) | FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS (XL) | SUNGLASSES | PURSE
FINDING THE PERFECT PAIR + FIT
Before we continue, I must reiterate that these styles are all based on my preferences, proportions and an extra large dose of trial and error. If you decide to purchase any of these styles and they don’t work for you, that is OKAY! Just please promise me that you won’t let it discourage you from trying new styles in the future! Deal? Deal!
If your leggings roll down on you from the waistband when you sit or bend over, it’s usually a telltale sign that they’re too big, too small or simply not the right style for you. I prefer high rise but maybe you prefer more of a mid rise? Something to consider. I know this doesn’t narrow down much but being aware of your body and your proportions can help guide your next move. If you think sizing up or down will be an issue for how the garment fits the rest of your body, it may be time to try a new style. For example, many of you have raved about Zella’s Live In High Waist legging so I was SO excited to try but found the fabric and seaming on the crotch didn’t work right on me. So onto the next!
HOW TO AVOID VPL’S
I’d also like to give another shameless plug for Soma’s Vanishing Edge Underwear, my favorite remedy for visible panty lines (VPL’s)! Once adjusted properly, they do not move or show- even underneath the thinnest of fabrics. I wear these underwear the majority of the time underneath dresses, jumpsuits and ESPECIALLY leggings of ALL types. You can read more about my favorite styles here. For extra protection, opt for darker colored undies to avoid any see-though moments.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR INVESTMENT
One of the best things I’ve learned through my experience with undergarments is that what you use to wash them is VERY important (more on that here). The same goes for other garments in your closet. When you invest in your clothing, they should last you. The detergent you use and how you wash your items can significantly help extend the lifespan…which is a better return on investment and reduces your cost per wear. Who can argue with that? I swear by FOREVER NEW Stretch Active Wear Liquid Detergent, I wash all of my athletic clothes together with this stuff. Because of this, I truly believe this is why I have had some pairs of leggings for years even though I wear them to the ground!
FOR WORKING OUT:
I’m very particular when it comes to what I like wearing while getting sweaty. The fit and fabric has to be comfortable, breathable and I don’t want to think about adjusting them. A few of my favorite brands include:
CORE 10 | XS-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $50
Favorite styles: Spectrum Yoga High Waist 7/8 Crop Legging, Nearly Naked Full-Length Yoga Legging with Pockets and the “Build Your Own” Leggings where you can choose your fabric, length and waistband style! These are good, versatile leggings for low to high impact at a great price. I am weird and can’t sweat in what I lounge in so I have a separate pair just to “hang” in.
GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE | XXS-6X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $80
Favorite styles: High-Rise Pocket Legging (shorter inseam), Compressive High-Rise Legging
LULULEMON | 0-20 (I WEAR 12) | UNDER $100
Favorite styles: Wunder Under High-Rise Tight, Wunder Train High Rise + Fast And Free Tight II
I’ve been buying from the “We Made Too Much” sale assortment, I was really shocked how much I ended up loving these leggings from my try-on in December ‘20. I particularly love these styles for my stationary bike riding and yoga/stretching.
SPANX | XS-3X (I WEAR XL) | UNDER $120
Favorite styles: Every.Wear™ Icon 7/8 Leggings w/ pocket + Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings I particularly love these for compression while strength training and weight lifting. I wear the Every.Wear ones on the bike a lot too.
VUORI | XS-XL (I WEAR L) | UNDER $100
Favorite style: Elevation Performance Legging
FOR MORE COLD WEATHER LEGGING STYLES, VIEW MY FLEECE LEGGING POST HERE!
FOR LOUNGING, DAILY WEAR + WORKING FROM HOME:
CORE 10 | XS-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $50
Favorite styles: Spectrum Yoga High Waist 7/8 Crop Legging, Nearly Naked Full-Length Yoga Legging with Pockets and the “Build Your Own” Leggings where you can choose your fabric, length and waistband style! As I said above, I have designated colors for working out and lounging. One of the few pairs that cross over to both categories!
LULULEMON | 0-20 (I WEAR 14) | UNDER $100
Favorite style: Align Pant
After trying these on recently, I completely understand the hype and quickly realized they’re not meant for getting sweaty. They’re definitely more of an athletic fit but they feel like you aren’t wearing anything. I’ve purchased at full price and unique colors from the “We Made Too Much” sale assortment.
LYSSE | XS-XL, 1X-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $60
Favorite style: Flattering Cotton Legging (XS-XL), plus sizes available here!
I’ve been talking about these for YEARS. They’re my favorite non-athletic legging by far, they have a nice tummy compression to keep everything smooth and held in (but not too constrictive, just the right amount of support). I’ve owned them for years in black but recently got the navy (midnight) color and love!
VUORI | XS-XXL (I WEAR L) | UNDER $100
Favorite styles: Clean Elevation Legging + Performance Jogger (XL, up to XXL- technically not leggings but I HAD to sneak these in here because I wear these and least twice a week). The Clean Elevation leggings are SO soft, they’re truly like butter. Not constrictive whatsoever, perfect for keeping it comfy!
YUMMIE | XS-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $40
Favorite style: High Waist Tummy Shaping Legging
If you love the look of the Lysse ones but don’t want to spend as much, these are a close runner up. They are a little bit thinner (may want to consider sizing up if you’re curvier) and don’t have as much tummy support but they are great. I’ve worn these since 2016 - not kidding!
BLANKET SCARF | SWEATER (XL but could’ve done L) | MULES | SIMILAR MULES | JEAN-ISH LEGGINGS | SIMILAR BLACK LEGGING FAVORITE | HOOPS
FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO FEEL A LITTLE FANCIER BUT STILL WANT TO WEAR LEGGINGS:
COMMANDO | XS-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $100
Favorite style: Perfect Control Faux Leather Leggings + Perfect Control Leggings
I’ve featured this brand a number of times throughout the years, you may recognize them most with my faux leather leggings content. They take some effort to get into them but trust me when I say they are worth the wiggle!
LYSSE | XS-XL, 1X-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $60
Favorite style: Flattering Cotton Legging (XS-XL), plus sizes available here + Vegan Leather Leggings
While these are mentioned above, I definitely think you can wear these out of the house and dress them up although I consider them more of a daytime / casual legging. Be sure to style them with a longer length top, some ideas posted here.
SPANX | XS-3X (I WEAR L) | UNDER $120
Favorite styles: Jean-ish Leggings, Faux Leather Leggings (XL) + Perfect Black Pant Collection
The Jean-ish Leggings are truly one of my favorite pairs of pants/jeans/leggings of all time. They are so comfortable, have tummy support but have pockets on the butt so NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW THEY ARE LEGGINGS! For all of your corporate cuties, you have to check out the Perfect Black Pant Collection because they are work friendly (in a few different silhouettes - not all skinny leg) but provide the comfort and light shaping of leggings. Many Spanx styles also come in petite and tall lengths!
And that’s a wrap! I should’ve warned you this post was a beast but I at least hope it was helpful. I’d be happy to elaborate on any of the styles mentioned above as I wear all of them on rotation as I built up my collection over the years. I will be sure to add to this list as I discover more. All of the outfit details on the images can be found just beneath each photo in smaller font. What clothing or undergarment item should I cover next? As always, thanks for reading and allowing me to be your go-to gal! xx CMK