Leggings: how to choose

How to choose leggings

Begin with where you will wear them. A studio pair should move through bends and long holds without needing adjustment, while a running pair needs a waistband that stays flat as you pick up pace and a fabric that feels light against the skin. For cold mornings, a thicker legging with a slim line layers more easily under long tops and tunics. If you carry a phone or key, side pockets are worth looking for; if you prefer a clean line, a wide high waist without pockets keeps the front smooth.

Fit matters more than anything else. The waist should sit at your natural waist rather than on your hip, and a wide band should settle flat without rolling. Because many of our leggings are cut close, choose the larger size if your measurements fall between two. Check the size chart before you decide, and take note of any style that follows Asian measurements, as those run one to two sizes smaller than US and EU equivalents.

Think about colour last, once the fit and use are clear. Black, navy and grey make an easy base for training and layering, while blue, green, red, yellow, pink, purple, white, rose and wine give you a way to bring one colour into an otherwise quiet gym or weekend outfit. A solid block of colour from waist to ankle keeps the line simple, and a matte finish reads calm rather than shiny.

Materials, details and fit

The leggings here use knit, polyester, nylon, spandex, cotton and fleece, with a matte finish across the pieces. The feel changes with the blend: a dense nylon knit gives a close, smooth hold, a brushed nylon-spandex set feels soft against the body, and polyester blends bring a springy stretch for runs and gym sessions. Stretch is the common thread, with features such as high waists, breathable fabrics and lightweight linings appearing across the pieces.

Look at the waistband and the seat as carefully as the fabric. High-waist styles sit at the natural waist and stay flat as you bend and stretch; wide bands smooth the line and keep the leggings in place. Pockets should rest at the hip or sit flush against the thigh without dragging the fabric out of line. A shaped seat can keep the line through the hip clean, while a tapered or slim leg gives a neat finish above the ankle or at full length.

Sizing notes on our product pages are worth reading before you choose. One pair gives a waist of 57-70.3 cm and a hip of 78-92 cm, and because the cut is close, the advice is to take the larger size if you fall between two. Another set follows Asian measurements and runs one to two sizes smaller than US and EU equivalents. Where the stretch is generous, take your usual size and let the waist sit at your natural waist rather than your hip; where both pieces are cut close, allow 2-3cm for manual measurement.

How to style them

For yoga, pilates and studio days, keep the outfit close and simple. A high-waist legging with a smooth matte face works with a fitted top, a loose tee or the matching long-sleeve top in a brushed set. If you like a clean line, choose black, navy or grey and let the waistband do the shaping; if you want more colour, pick one solid shade such as green, blue or wine and keep the top quiet. The nine-length leg on some styles finishes just above the ankle, which keeps the hem clear of the mat when you move.

For runs, gym sessions and cycling, pair leggings with a sports bra and a light layer you can take off as you warm up. Pockets are the practical detail here: a key, card or phone stays close without pulling the fabric out of line. A high-waist sports bra and leggings set takes the guesswork out of matching, while a pocket yoga legging works for a run, a weights session or a busy morning when you are moving between the two.

In colder weather, a thick high-stretch legging earns its place under long tops, tunics and knit dresses. Keep the rest of the outfit simple so the slim line through the thigh and calf does the work, and choose a solid finish that layers without bulk. For warmer days, a lightweight, breathable pair with a matte surface is easier to wear under shorts or a loose tee before and after class. Whichever pair you choose, let one colour lead and keep the rest of the outfit calm.

Care and storage

As general advice, read the care label on each pair before washing. Turn leggings inside out, use a cool cycle and a mild detergent, and avoid overloading the machine so the waistband and seams are not pulled about. Fabric softener can coat stretch fabrics over time, so it is usually better left out. If the leggings have pockets or a brushed surface, check that the wash programme is suitable for close-fitting knitwear.

Air drying is kinder than a tumble dryer. Lay leggings flat or hang them from the waistband in a shaded spot, and let them dry fully before folding them away. High heat can shorten the life of stretch fabrics, so keep them away from radiators and direct sun. If a pair feels damp at the waistband, give it more time rather than folding it back into a drawer.

Store leggings folded rather than hung, so the waistband does not stretch out of shape. Keep sets together with their matching top, and separate dark colours from pale ones if there is any chance of dye transfer. Rotate your pairs through the week so each one has time to rest between wears, and check the seams and waistband now and then for any loose threads.

Standout pieces

• Pocket Yoga Leggings with Tummy Control: Stretchy yoga leggings with pockets and tummy control in a breathable polyester blend, with a moisture-absorbing touch for runs, gym sessions and long days on the move.
• High-Waisted Sculpting Workout Leggings: A wide high waist sits flat through runs and squats, while the dense nylon and spandex knit has a soft matte face and generous elastic stretch.
• Seamless High-Waist Gym Leggings with Pockets: A steady high waist and two pockets keep a key, card or phone close, in a smooth polyester-blend stretch across nine colours.
• Brushed Quick-Dry Yoga Top and Leggings Set: A brushed nylon-spandex set with a long-sleeve top and high-waist leggings, both cut close to hold their shape through every flow.
• Thick High-Stretch Winter Leggings: A thick, warm polyester-blend legging with generous stretch and a solid finish, cut slim through the leg for cold mornings and layered winter outfits.