Since the discovery of skin-tight lycra in the early 80’s, leggings have transformed from exclusively athletic wear to a timeless wardrobe staple for the modern woman who prioritises comfort and versatility. And that’s not to say style is compromised in the process; a good pair can not just grant you accessibility but even flatter your entire silhouette.
It’s probably enough reason to why celebrities and style mavens have effortlessly worked their favourite pair into their off-duty looks. But before that, procuring one with the right fit and fabric would be the instrumental step. Below, Vogue shares our legging edit, as well as how to pick out your perfect pair, whether it be for the gym or for your next brunch soirée.
Fabric
Depending on your needs, the fabric of the leggings is crucial to how comfortable you want to be. From lightweight stretchy to moisture wicking compression, choosing the right the material is key. Pro-tip: nothing beats touching the fabric in real life to get to know the hand feel and material. If you’re simply looking to casually lounge and run daily errands, spandex or cotton blend leggings may be the best pick as they cling comfortably like a second skin, and feel buttery soft upon touch. For those wanting a good pair of workout leggings, be on the lookout for synthetic materials like polyester or nylon as they provide more compression and use moisture wicking technology to maximise breathability during high intensity workouts. However, do make sure to give it a good wash after each workout (check the care instructions) as synthetic fabrics has a tendency to retain sweat, which makes it highly susceptible to unwanted musty odour.
Length
Finding the most flattering length of leggings can be difficult depending on your physique. Ankle length leggings creates the illusion of elongated legs and a chic silhouette, perfect for hitting an early morning HIIT class to a casual day in the office. If you’re looking for a little more breathability during high intensity workouts, 7/8 leggings that crop around the shin transitions effortlessly from a light jog around the neighbourhood to running errands at the grocery store.
Avoiding the cameltoe
The nightmare of every legging wearer: the much dreaded cameltoe. A good rule of thumb is to understand the anatomy of a pair of leggings, and most importantly, look out for the gusset. Simply put, the gusset is a tiny piece of fabric (usually triangular or diamond shaped) between the pant legs at the crotch that increases flexibility and range of movement. Opt for leggings that has a thick gusset and strong seams as it helps redistribute the fabric. Another alternative to completely dodge the cameltoe would be to pick a pair of leggings without a front seam, which tends to be a popular choice of leggings among gym-rats and yogis, or check out this TikTok approved cameltoe hack below.
@sophiaedmunds Never gonna #gatekeep my hacks for the girls ✨. #hack #girls #gym ♬ Paper Planes – M.I.A.
The bend over test
Though it’s always convenient to shop for leggings online, the only guaranteed way to truly judge a pair of leggings fairly is to try them on in real life. In fact, the bend over test has been a tried and true method of ensuring any underwear or skin doesn’t show through when hitting the squat rack. Simply hit the changing rooms and bend over, or do a few squats to find out if the fabric passes the test or sheers out.
Vogue Recommends
Check out our best selection of leggings for every occasion below.
1 / 20
Long legs for days: P.E. Nation leggings, $120
Stay stylish and comfy with a pair of statement leggings that elongates the figure for that supermodel strut. Made from recycled polyester and nylon, these leggings are a surefire staple to add to your wardrobe to keep your workouts sustainably chic.
Available at Farfetch.com.
2 / 20
Long legs for day: Off-white split leggings, $840
Embody your inner diva in these understated flared leggings by Off-white. The iconic Off-white paneling down the sides and extra-long length creates the illusion of longer legs, while giving you full range of movement. Style these flares with a simple crop sweater for the ultimate comfy and chic airport fit.
Available on Farfetch.com.
3 / 20
Long legs for days: Live The Process leggings, $180
Sport these extra-high waisted seamless leggings to pull off the Lily-Rose Depp ballet-core look, along with a pair of elegant ballet flats to show off the cutout detailing at the heels
Available on Farfetch.com.
4 / 20
Athleisure with an emphasis on leisure: Skims cotton leggings, $93
A Kardashian favourite, and understandably so, these cotton leggings are buttery soft and cameltoe-resistant for lazy lounge days and grocery runs. Dress it up with a matching bra and throw over a white shirt to elevate the look.
Available at Net-a-porter.com.
5 / 20
Athleisure with an emphasis on leisure: Balmain cotton blend leggings, $400
Made from 90% cotton, the House of Balmain never fails to deliver timeless pieces to add to your closet. Wear these leggings during work-from-home days if you’re struggling to leave the comfort of your comfy pajama pants.
Available on Farfetch.com.
6 / 20
Athleisure with an emphasis on leisure: Skin cotton-jersey leggings, $132
Sustainable and organically sourced, these Pima cotton leggings by Skin were made with utmost care and consideration for your comfort. What we really love about it? It’s reversible so you can switch between a teal blue and stormy grey shade for varying looks.
Available on Net-a-porter.com.
7 / 20
Staying basic with a twist: Marysia leggings, $240
You can never go wrong with a basic black pair of leggings, why not take it up a notch with a scalloped hem to keep things fresh? Keep it cute and casual by showing off the hem with a pair of platform flip-flops.
Available at Farfetch.com.
8 / 20
Staying basic with a twist: Koral + David Koma stretch jersey leggings, $409
Y2K-esque cutouts are back for good and we’re all for it. Known for his seductive and body contouring pieces, show off some cheeky leg with these leggings by Koral in collaboration with designer David Koma.
Available on Net-a-porter.com.
9 / 20
Staying basic with a twist: Track & Field leggings, $244
Play around with textures in these cut-out Track & Field leggings. Throw these leggings on with a vintage band tee and an oversized flannel for a casual yet elevated OOTD.
Available on Farfetch.com.
10 / 20
Party on the waist: Live The Process shorts, $80
We can’t get enough of the Y2K cut-out trend, even for our leggings. Show off and accentuate the waistline by pairing these bike shorts with a crop top and sporty sneakers. Made with four-way stretch fabric for optimal sweat-wicking, these supportive shorts will power you through your next spin class.
Available on Farfetch.com.
11 / 20
Party on the waist: Versace performance leggings, $760
These back-to-basic leggings by the House of Versace, lined with the Maison’s iconic emblem and Greca motif at the waistband are sure to turn heads no matter where you go.
Available on Farfetch.com.
12 / 20
Party on the waist: Year of Ours nylon leggings, $170
Sport these Year of Ours leggings, featuring a lace-up detailing at the waist to look extra cute for your workout and accentuate the waistline.
Available on Net-a-porter.com.
13 / 20
Keeping it functional and flattering: Beyond Yoga midi leggings, $137
Headed by a female-centric team with versatility in mind, these buttery soft leggings (with pockets!) cater to sizes up to 4XL for lounging and working out for you to live your best life. Better yet, every piece from Beyond Yoga is made consciously with sustainability in mind.
Available on Beyondyoga.com.
14 / 20
Keeping it functional and flattering: The Upside yoga leggings, $123
Say goodbye to flimsy waistbands sliding down, these leggings are built-in with a tie band to make sure everything stays put in your next workout. The stretchy fabric along with the slim cut makes these babies extra figure-hugging to show off the fruits of your labour.
Available on Farfetch.com.
15 / 20
Keeping it functional and flattering: adidas by Stella McCartney polyester leggings, $195
Designed with a zip-pouch at the back for jogs around the neighborhood, these leggings made by Adidas in collaboration with Stella McCartney is the epitome of fashion meeting function.
Available on Farfetch.com.
16 / 20
Gym junkie must-have: Anya Active Cloud Classic Leggings, $55
Locally found activewear brand Anya Active has been on our radar as an up-and-coming favourite for quality leggings that don’t break the bank. Set out to empower women to lead a more active lifestyle while embracing their body types, Anya Active’s inclusive sizing caters to women from size XS to 3XL without compensating quality.
Available on AnyaActive.com.
17 / 20
Gym junkie must-have: Nike leggings, $102
A staple brand in every fitness junkie’s closet, these Nike leggings are sure to serve you well in every workout imaginable. To re-create a Kendall Jenner post-pilates inspired look, layer over an oversized pullover with sneakers.
Available at Farfetch.com.
18 / 20
Gym junkie must-have: Sweaty Betty cropped leggings, $100
Specializing in top-quality activewear, Sweaty Betty has made its name known among frequent gym-goers for its bum sculpting leggings and sweat-wicking fabric with sizes up to XXL. From high-intensity workouts to lightweight yoga, these leggings are sure to last you a long time.
Available on Farfetch.com.
19 / 20
Cult classic and celeb favourite: Lululemon cropped leggings, $174
From deadlifts to the downwards dog, these Lululemon leggings are perfect for any occasion if comfort is your first priority. Renowned for their quality sweat-wicking technology and weightless fabric, you’ll be shocked at how these feel like a second-skin even when you’re sweating it out.
Available on Lululemon.com.hk.
20 / 20
Cult classic and celeb favourite: Aloyoga airlift leggings, $180
As seen on supermodels like Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, you can’t go wrong with a pair of figure-hugging leggings from the cult brand Alo Yoga. Pair these leggings with a matching sports bra to complete the supermodel post-workout look.
Available on Aloyoga.com.
