Your Guide To Different Types Of Leggings

So much more than loungewear, leggings have become an undefeated off-duty staple. Not only for the gym or even running errands, but for your week and weekend wardrobe. Reigning supreme on the comfort front, style with smarter pieces like a breezy oversized shirt in the summer and a rollneck, blazer and boots in the chillier seasons.  

What Are Leggings?

Leggings are skin-hugging leg attire that can be worn alone or as a layer under other garments. Traditionally stretchy in nature and used to keep their wearer warm, they’ve branched out into a variety of lengths, styles, fabric and designs.

What To Consider When Buying Leggings?

When contemplating which leggings to buy, there are three main points you might want to consider: the length, the style and the fabrics used. You’ll also want to keep their purpose in mind: gym leggings will offer different benefits to loungewear leggings.

Legging Lengths

Different lengths of leggings serve different goals. As well as considering what level of coverage helps you feel comfortable, it’s also important to consider when and where you’ll be wearing them. Here’s our rundown:

Full Length Leggings

The classic style everyone knows and loves, full-length leggings offer coverage that doesn’t compromise when it comes to comfort. They run towards the ankles and are often fitted with an elasticated waist to sit close against your skin.

Cycling Shorts

Perfect for popping on in warmer weather, cycling shorts (or biker shorts) are above-the-knee leggings that are perfect style to wear in the heat, and effortlessly double as a helpful underlayer to slip under dresses and longer skirts for added coverage. They’ll help you nail the athleisure aesthetic, too!

Capri Leggings

A noughties revival that’s making a (welcome) comeback in leaps and bounds, capri-style leggings sit at knee length and provide freedom for movement in abundance. While offering slightly more coverage than cycling shorts, capri leggings are much shorter than a classic full-length pair, presenting you with the best of both worlds.

Legging Styles

Leggings come in a variety of styles, each one offering its wearer a different demeanour! Here are some types you might consider while searching for your go-to pair of leggings: 

Flared Leggings

Do you like your leggings with flare? Us too! A trending style that emerged from the cult favourite “yoga pants”, flared leggings are a relaxed take on classic full-length leggings. They flare from the knees towards the ankle (hence the name!) for a form-flattering fit.

Slim Fit Leggings

The most traditional style going, slim fit leggings are perfect for when you want to frame your legs with a skin-tight garment. Whether you wear them with baby tees for casual dressing or as a layering option under longer skirt styles, their versatility knows no bounds.

Wide Leg Leggings

Trend-led and utterly stylish, wide leg leggings are fondly regarded as a newfound wardrobe staple. Offering all-day comfort, the elasticated waistband provides a cinched silhouette that drapes into a wide leg fit for a casual off-duty look.

Compression Leggings

Compression leggings are, in our opinion, the most practical of the bunch! Offering support and stability to your legs, compression leggings promote an increase in blood flow and muscle oxygenation, aiding in post-workout muscle repair. Their moisture retaining fabric also absorb sweat, keeping you dry during intense training sessions.

Workout Leggings

Designed with exercise in mind, workout leggings are the ones you’ll turn to when you’re on the go. With added stretch that’ll help them move as you do, they're perfect for when you’re hitting the gym or heading out on a run. Looking for leggings that keep up with your lifestyle? Check out our range of activewear leggings.

Leggings Rise Types

The waistband of your leggings is equally as important as the length and style. Depending on where you like yours to sit will determine what pair of leggings will suit your needs best. Let’s look at some options when it comes to the rise types:

High Waisted Leggings

Perfect for those who love other above-the-waistline garments like high-rise jeans, high-waisted leggings offer greater coverage compared to other styles, such as classic mid-rise leggings, and are ideal for elongating the appearance of your legs.

Maternity Leggings

Made for mums-to-be, maternity leggings are designed with added stretch in the waist that’ll expand as your tummy does, providing comfortable support for both mum and the baby bump. Expecting a little one? Have a look at our maternity leggings for styling inspiration during your pregnancy journey.

Tummy Control Leggings

Looking to accentuate your waist in a stylish fashion? Tummy control leggings are an excellent choice! They offer a held-in fit that’ll help flatter your silhouette, all the while providing coverage and support during wear.

Legging Fabrics

Cotton Leggings

The standard when it comes to legging fabrics, cotton is a soft, cosy choice of material that is known for providing a comfortable fit and feel for the wearer. You’ll typically experience this fabric in classic all-rounder jersey-style leggings.

Thermal Leggings

Ideal for cooler temperatures, a pair of faux-fur or fleece-lined leggings (known collectively as thermal leggings) are designed with a soft inner lining that helps trap warmth, keeping you feeling comfortable and cosy from the moment you slip them on.

Faux Leather Leggings

Utterly chic, faux leather leggings are perfect for dressier occasions. The leather-look fabrication of these leggings is sleek and are far less bulky than trousers options. In short? They’re great for nights out and special occasions alike!

Jeggings

Jeggings are a chic, comfy combination of jeans and leggings. They’re often designed with denim-like fabrication, but benefit from the close-fitting design of classic leggings.

Legging Features

Last (but by no means least!), the features of leggings may determine what you get out of wearing them. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering leggings:

Leggings With Pockets

Combining style and practicality, leggings with pockets are perfect for keeping your phone and keys close by when a bag or a jacket just don’t go with your outfit plans. Ideal for jogging or hands-free errand runs, leggings with pockets are a must-have for casual dressing.

Seamless Leggings

If you’ve got sensitive skin or just simply don't get on with the feeling of seams, opting for a seamless pair of leggings helps ensure a streamlined look and feel that won’t interfere with your activities. These options are especially great for working out in!

Mesh Leggings

Made with breathability in mind, mesh panelled leggings are perfect for exercising in. Offering less opaque coverage in areas of the garment, they’re also great for when you want to show a peek of skin in your outfit of choice.

Tips for Finding Your Perfect Pair Of Leggings

Here’s some handy tips for finding leggings that fit you like a glove!

While your leggings won’t fit you like your jeans and trousers might, they’re still a great tool to give you a starting idea of what sizes in leggings are likely to be your perfect match. If you’re typically a medium in these garments, this is normally a good indicator that you’ll be looking for medium sizing in your leggings!

Although they offer a tighter fit than your go-to jeans or trousers, you may use your existing bottoms as a sizing indication when picking the perfect leggings. If you’re typically a medium in these garments, this is normally a good indicator that you’ll be looking for medium sizing in your leggings!

Keep styles in mind when shopping for your body type – slim fitting leggings are great for framing your legs and accentuating curves, while flared and wide leg options are designed to bring balance to your bottom half.

Leggings Care Guide

Caring for your leggings will typically depend on their material composition. When in doubt, check the care label to see if it’s alright to chuck them in the washing machine at a temperature of your choice, or whether a hand wash will do them a treat.

To prevent pilling, we recommend washing your leggings inside out, which will prevent excessive abrasion against the fabric. Too late to prevent the problem? Simply run a fabric shaver a few times over the offending sections, and you’ll find them looking refreshed in mere moments!

FAQs

How Should My Leggings Fit?

Depending on your preferences and where you plan to wear them, you may opt for a pair that’s looser around your legs or sits higher up on your waist. As a rule of thumb, leggings should feel, near enough, undetectable when worn, with no digging, pinching or slipping down – think of them as a second skin!

Why Is Getting The Right Size Of Leggings Important?

Getting the right size of leggings is crucial! A pair of leggings that are ill-fitting can not only leave you feeling uncomfortable, but they might interfere with what you’re doing, especially when it comes to high-energy activities and workouts. There’s a chance they become too sheer when you slip into a too-small pair or slip down as you move if the pair you pull on are too big.

Can You Wear Leggings At Work?

This can depend on your workplace’s dress code. On most occasions, leggings are considered a casual garment that’s typically worn during out of office scenarios.

So, you’re all clued up on what pair (or pairs) of leggings you’re hoping to get your hands on. Now it’s time to check out our range of women’s leggings and get ready to find a style you’ll love to show up and show out in!