Leggings — Notes on a Wardrobe

We’ve all reached saturation point when it comes to column inches revealing the secrets of dressing for WFH. How much help do we really need when it comes to elasticated waistbands and oversized knitwear? That being said, one of the questions I get asked most frequently is ‘what are the best leggings to buy?’. So, whilst I’m not going to sit here and tell you what sweater to spill your cereal down or what tracksuit bottoms to invest in (although, I have it on good authority that Pangaia are far and away the best), it seems we do still want help when it comes to leggings. And when the price can reach triple figures, you’re going to want to know it’s worth it before you invest.

First up, the caveat. My recommendations are based on three straightforward principles: all leggings must be 1) high waisted, 2) dark in colour, and 3) not be priced in the triple figures. Whether you’re running or doing the downward dog, no one wants to have to worry about that flash of soft flesh so always look for high (or even super-high) waisted styles. Secondly, I would urge you to resist the patterned styles (there is a reason they’re often discounted). Paler colours tend to be more anatomical than is strictly pleasant for elastane, whilst patterns on your legs often serve to shorten you and make your legs look chunkier than they actually are. You’re after a plain dark colour – black, deep navy, burgundy or khaki.

So, now we’ve got that out of the way, here are my recommendations.

Best for Training Outdoors

Sweaty Betty’s Power Gym Legging, £75, sweatybetty.com

The Sweaty Betty Power Gym Leggings (£75, sweatybetty.com) come in three different lengths: Full (great for the 5’9” and taller), the 7/8ths (which works out as full length for those of us around 5’5”-5’7”) and the cropped (only available in black) so are great for a wide spectrum of heights. Leggings are most flattering when they leave around an inch of skin between the shoe and the hem without causing any bunching. When you find that optimum length on you, stick to it. That little bit of skin on show does wonders for lengthening legs – and that’s true of leggings, jeans and trousers. The Power Gym Leggings also have a generous zipped back pocket and a side pocket so are perfect for holding keys and a phone when you’re out and about.

LNDR Limitless — Best for that Super Sucked In Effect

LNDR’s Limitless 7/8th Legging, £98, lndr.uk

I’ve mentioned before the power clever Instagram marketing can have on me. LNDR’s social media marketing is stellar: they somehow nail my mood every time. That being said, they also manufacture some really outstanding gymwear. LNDR’s design focus is on sculpting and compression. Their Blackout Spotless leggings (£88) are a bit like Spanx (including the way they recommend that you roll them on like tights), with almost completely hidden seams and a high, wide waistband. Whilst I love the waistband (and they’re vastly more comfortable than a pair of Spanx), I actually find the absence of seams on my increasingly lumpy derriere unflattering. In turn, I prefer the Limitless 7/8ths legging (£98).

Lulu Lemon Wunder Under — Best for Stopping that Jiggle

LuluLemon’s Wunder Under High Rise Tight, £78, lululemon.co.uk

LuluLemon’s founder and former chairman infamously said “Quite frankly, some women’s bodies just actually don’t work” for leggings in reference to complaints about their yoga pants turning sheer when the wearer undertook some basic yoga poses. If the Wunder Under is anything to go by they seem to have rectified this particular problem. The thick fabric (specifically the super soft Full-On Luxtreme, or even thicker Full-On Luon) feels especially protective over the ass, so is great at minimising the jiggle during cardio. The Wunder Under is another seam-free style, which means that there are no unsightly lumps of flesh bulging either side of the seams which has happened to me with other LuluLemon products. My experts suggest sizing down for even more support.

Reebok’s Lux High-Rise Perform Leggings (£55, reebok.co.uk) have an impressive compression quality that stems from their 28% elastane interlocked composition. Coupled with the high waist-band they leave the wearer feeling completely secure – just what we’re all after when working out. I’m not a fan of the mesh panels on the lower rear leg (for ‘Targeted Ventilation’ as Reebok calls it – not entirely sure what ventilation is required on my lower calf) but at least they’re at the back, so aren’t as distracting as some panels that can come half way up the leg.

M&S GoodMove — Best on the High Street

Marks & Spencer’s Go Train High Waisted 7/8th Gym Leggings, £29.50, marksandspencer.com

The Go Train High Waisted 7/8th Gym Leggings (£29.50) from Marks & Spencer’s new GoodMove collection are a winner in the style stakes. They’re made from a good quality, thick (but importantly breathable) fabric and come in navy blue or black. So far, so good. Sadly, they don’t have a draw string at the waist so are better on bodies that are straighter or rounder through the middle, if you want to avoid having to hoick up your trousers half-way around the park. They do come up small though, so go up a size.

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