Leggings have become a wardrobe staple, offering a comfy, versatile alternative to pants or shorts. These skin-tight, stretchy garments can be worn by both men and women as part of casual attire or exercise wear. A variety of fabric choices are available, including cotton-lycra, wool, polyester and nylon. Some leggings are designed more like tights, smooth around the waist and lower torso, while others resemble pants, with a distinct waist, pockets and reinforcement in the crotch area.
Aside from their versatility, one of the key benefits of leggings is that they look super chic when paired with a dress shirt or tunic top and heels or loafers. They also make a comfy and stylish workwear option, especially when paired with a knee-length blazer in the winter or a sweater dress during the summer.
Some of our favorite leggings are also incredibly comfortable to wear and stand up well after repeated washings. For example, our Best Overall Pick pair of black opaque leggings has a thicker feel to it than other pairs we tested but still feels soft both inside and out. The black color stays true after washing, too. The front and back pockets are small but still offer enough room for a credit card or keys, and the gusset is designed with an unbroken line so that it’s less likely to tear at the crotch.
Other leggings that stand up to regular wear and washing include a pair of jeggings that are designed to look like skinny jeans but are made from spandex, making them more comfortable to wear for long periods. The jeggings we tested have a high-rise waistband, making them flattering on the stomach and hips. They’re also very stretchy, which makes them comfortable to wear while working out and are available in a wide range of colors and in a petite size with an inseam of 23 inches.women’s bamboo leggings