How we pick our products
Welcome to our big leggings test 2023. Here we present all the leggings we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.
We want to make your buying decision easier and help you find the best leggings for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should be aware of when buying leggings.
Summary
- Leggings come in different stretchy materials.
- They are versatile and not only suitable for sports.
- The possible combinations range from casual to chic.
The Best Leggings: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying leggings
What are leggings suitable for?
The comfortable trousers with elastic waistband can be used for various purposes and therefore there are:
- Sports models for running or gymnastics
- plain cotton versions as a modern substitute for tights
- Wool leggings as a warming layer under trousers
What size do I need?
You can find a rough guide to which measurements are important in this table:
| waist | hip | inside length | size suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57-60cm | 82-85 cm | 77,5cm | XXS |
| 61-66cm | 86-91cm | 78cm | XS |
| 67-72cm | 92-97cm | 78,5cm | S |
| 73-78cm | 98-103cm | 79cm | M |
| 79-85cm | 104-110cm | 79,5cm | L |
| 86-94cm | 111-117cm | 80cm | XL |
| 94-104cm | 118-125cm | 80,5cm | XXL |
As leggings are made of stretchy materials, some manufacturers only offer their models in one size! But don’t let this confuse you.
How can I combine leggings?
A sporty pair of leggings with a logo print is best combined with a T-shirt or hoodie and casual sneakers.
But leggings also look great with a dress or skirt. Depending on the season, they can be a short or longer version.
Long blouses and tunics combined with plain leggings will probably never go out of fashion.
Where can I buy leggings?
But you can also find leggings in all shapes and colours online. There are offers ranging from sporty yoga pants to glittery party versions. You’re sure to find what you’re looking for on Amazon and Asos, no matter if you’re looking for simple or flashy.
How much do leggings cost?
Many models range from €8-18. In any case, a simple pair of cotton leggings is always cheaper than a sports version from Adidas or Nike.
Unusual models or colours often end up in sales, so you can also find real bargains there!
Decision: What types of leggings are there and which is the right one for you?
Classic variant
Classic leggings are usually made of a cotton/jersey fabric and can be worn and combined in many different ways.
However, make sure that the top is above the bottom, as many leggings are even slightly see-through and you can otherwise see the underwear.
Sport Leggings
Since sports leggings should go through and withstand more movements, good seams are really important.
Combined with a sports bra or a short top in the style of the pants, you will always cut a good figure and attract attention at the gym.
Buying criteria: Use these factors to compare and rate leggings
In the following we would like to show you which factors you can use to compare and evaluate leggings. This will make it easier for you to decide whether a particular pair of leggings is suitable for you or not.
In summary, these are:
- Material
- Type
- Comfort
- Shape retention
- Design
- Details
Material
There is actually not only one “classic” leggings material. Depending on the intended use, they can be made of the following fabrics or. Fabric combinations:
- Lycra
- Nylon
- Cotton / Jersey
- Imitation leather
- Denim fabric (for jeggings)
A relatively high spandex content is also very typical for tights, it gives the pants their stretchy properties.
Type
Depending on the type of leggings, there are some special features:
| Type of leggings | Special feature | Styling suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Capri (3/4) | Shorter version, ends just below the knee | Great with oversize tops, in warm temperatures |
| Shaping leggings | Made of shaping material | Ideal under dresses and tighter skirts |
| Leather leggings | Made entirely or partly of materials with a leathery texture | Perfect as a party companion, with a chic top and high heels |
Comfortable to wear
Leggings are often referred to as a comfortable substitute for trousers, and rightly so! The stretchy materials follow your every move and you don’t feel constricted.
The elastic waistband, which can be wider or narrower depending on the model, provides support and is much more comfortable than the fastening of jeans.
Shape retention
Unfortunately, it is quite possible that your leggings will lose their shape over time after being worn and washed very often. However, this is due to the nature of the material spandex, which is constantly stretched through wear.
So it can happen that your beloved leggings start to slip and no longer fit as snugly as they did at the beginning.
With high-quality materials, however, this “wearing out effect” sets in much later than with very inexpensive models.
Design
When it comes to design and patterns, there’s really nothing that doesn’t exist in leggings. From stripes and dots to bright colours and logo prints to photo prints, there is no lack of imagination among manufacturers.
Depending on your taste and personal style, you will find a suitable model. Leopard and other animal prints are still very popular, but some prefer shiny leggings or wet-look versions.
Whether you choose a 3/4 or 7/8 length is entirely up to you. The shorter versions are recommended for shorter women, as they visually lengthen the leg in combination with high heels.
Details
The versatility of leggings comes not only from different colours and shapes, but often from small details.
Here, the choice is also almost unlimited: Lace at the end of the leg, rivets at the side seam or exciting cut-outs, so whether your look should be more rocky or playful is entirely up to you!
Facts worth knowing about leggings
History of leggings
Many people associate the emergence of leggings with the aerobics wave in the 80s, which brings to mind colourful and garish images.
But leggings existed long before that and were worn by women and men to protect themselves from the cold and injuries to the leg.
They wore legwear made of suede, also called “chaps”. They protected the rider from the thorns of bushes and cacti, bites and ticks.
What do you wear underneath?
Leggings sit very tightly on the body, so to avoid unsightly marks on the underwear there are two options:
- Seamless knickers or panties
- Thongs
If you do this, your leggings will become a second skin. If you wear a blouse or a longsleeve that reaches over your bottom, you’ll always be on the safe side.
Do-it-yourself leggings?
The DIY trend doesn’t stop at your favourite comfortable trousers. That’s why you’ll find lots of instructions and freebooks on the internet to sew yourself!
Alternatives: tights & jeggings
If you prefer to have your feet covered, you should go for tights. Even classic tights cannot be replaced by leggings in some cases.
Jeggings, on the other hand, are hardly inferior to leggings in terms of comfort and are considered a jeans substitute because they are made of a stretchy denim fabric and also have back pockets.
Jeggings combine the comfort of leggings with the look of jeans!
Care instructions
The high spandex content that makes up leggings needs special care to stay in shape for as long as possible.
Therefore, when washing, keep temperatures low (~30°) and avoid detergents with bleach. Instead, use a colour or mild detergent.
You will often find additional information on the care labels, such as not using fabric softener, as this can cause the fibres to stick together, which in turn has a negative effect on the elasticity of the trousers.
Image source: unsplash.com / rawpixel
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