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InStyle / Marcus Millan
Somehow, over the past twenty or so years, leggings have gone from occasional workout wear to an everyday staple. Depending on the cut and material, you can wear a good pair of leggings everywhere from the dentist’s office to the dance floor, something that makes investing in a good pair well worth the price. More and more companies are getting into the legging game, too, trying new fabrics, pocket placements, waistband thicknesses, and lengths.
So how do you know what the best pair is for any given occasion? And beyond that, if you’re plus-sized, how do you know what brands even make leggings in a full range of sizes, since — sadly — precious few actually do? We spoke to a few fashion experts and legging aficionados to get their picks, all of which are shoppable below.
Best Overall
Athleta Salutation Stash Tight
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Athleta
What We Love: This versatile pant is perfect for everything from yoga to school drop-off.
What We Don’t Love: We wish it came in sizes bigger than a 3X.
A high-waisted set of leggings that keeps everything secure, whether you’re dancing, stretching, or just lounging on the couch, Athleta’s Salutation Stash Tight is a well-loved favorite of in-the-know shoppers.
Jessie Diaz-Herrera, a plus-sized fitness instructor and dancer who goes by @CurvesWithMoves on Instagram and TikTok, says they’re one of her favorites for everyday use. A self-described “apple shape,” she loves the thick waistband, which she says never rolls down. The Powervita fabric is light and breathable, and Diaz-Herrera says she can wear them all day “without feeling like, ‘Oh my god. It’s too much.’” She also loves that they have pockets, because who doesn’t love pockets? “I actually had a pair of Nikes that I loved but then I realized that, ‘oh my god, these don’t have pockets,’” she says. “I loved how luxurious they felt, but I just can’t do it.” For length, shoppers have their choice between three — capri, 7/8, and full — in three sizing categories — regular, petite, and tall. So, basically, it would be difficult not to find a perfect match.
Size: XXS–3X in regular; XXS–L in petite; and XS–XL in tall | Fit: Close to the body with a high-rise waistband | Available Length: Capri, 7/8, and full | Colors: 9
Best Black
Vitality Cloud II Pant
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Vitality
What We Love: These pants feel great thanks to their lack of front seaming.
What We Don’t Love: They’re mid-weight, meaning they’re a little heavy for hot and sweaty workouts and a little light for throwing on under a long sweater in the winter.
At this point, every brand that makes leggings makes them in basic black, and, for the most part, they’re all pretty good. What makes Vitality’s Cloud II pant stand apart, though, is its four-way stretch fit, its flattering rear seam, and its marshmallow-soft fabric. The brand calls them “squat proof,” meaning the waistband won’t roll and the butt doesn’t turn sheer, no matter how tight they are. They’re also sweat-wicking and antimicrobial, meaning they won’t get too stinky or damp, even after a hard sesh at the gym.
Size: 2XS–4XL | Fit: High-rise | Available Length: Regular, short, and long | Colors: 16
Best on Amazon
THE GYM PEOPLE Thick High-Waisted Yoga Pants
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Amazon
What We Love: These leggings are affordable, durable, and have pockets.
What We Don’t Love: They’re fast fashion.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy purchase, Amazon has a respectable selection of plus-size leggings. Users’ favorite is the Thick High Waist Yoga Pants from The Gym People, which buyers say are “super comfortable” and “way better than I was expecting.” They come in a wide range of colors, and they have a pocket big enough for most cell phones, which is always a nice perk.
Size: XS–3X | Fit: High waist with a pocket | Available Length: Full | Colors: 36
Best Affordable
Leggings Depot High Waisted Leggings
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Amazon
What We Love: They’re under $20.
What We Don’t Love: They tend to be a little sheer, so they’re best for under long shirts or in dark rooms.
There are times — when you’re putting together a Halloween costume, let’s say — when you really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a pair of leggings. If you’re just looking for a bargain pair of leggings, you can’t go wrong with Leggings Depot’s high-waisted leggings. With over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, these leggings are a crowd-pleaser, even if the construction is maybe not what you’d get if you were willing to fork over a little more. These might not last you the next 10 years, but if you’re looking for a perfectly solid way to fill a quick need, these will get the job done.
Size: S–5X | Fit: High-rise | Available Length: Capri, full | Colors: 39
Best Cotton
Just My Size Plus-Size Legging
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Amazon
What We Love: Breezy cotton lets your lady parts breathe.
What We Don’t Love: They’re only available in black and gray.
Produced by the cotton-loving people at Hanes, these Just My Size leggings are almost entirely made of breathable jersey, for those days when your body just needs a break from stretchy nylon and spandex. A comfortable, wide waistband keeps the top of the leggings in place, while flatlock seams keep chafing at bay. The ankle-length cut is flattering and cute, especially when paired with low socks and a nice clean pair of tennis shoes.
Size: 1X–5X | Fit: High-waisted | Available Length: Ankle | Colors: 2
Best Flared
The Giving Movement Flared Softskin100 Leggings
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The Giving Movement
What We Love: The flare on these is perfect: Noticeable enough so that it looks cool but subtle enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing your mom’s old bell bottoms.
What We Don’t Love: There are no pockets.
A sleek and stylish legging that gives just a bit of a kick out around your ankle, The Giving Movement’s flared Softskin 100 legging is perfect for low-impact workouts, bopping around the mall, and hanging out at home. They come in 11 colors, including a beautiful emerald green and a nice dark midnight plum, as well as two lengths, meaning that no matter how tall you are, you should be able to find a flare that works for you.
Size: XS–3XL | Fit: Close to the body with a flare beginning below the knee | Available Length: 30.5, 33 inches | Colors: 11
Best Stirrup
Barkwood x Eloquii Faux Suede Leggings
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Eloquii
What We Love: Ankle stirrup means you can get a really snug with no possibility of roll-ups.
What We Don’t Love: They only come in one color, collegiate blue, which is pretty, but kind of limiting.
A serene, faux suede pair of pants that would be perfect for work, a night on the town, or a first date, the Barkwood x Eloquii leggings are truly a marvel. They look great with the matching top or with anything else you want to throw at them, and the ankle stirrup means you can tuck them into whatever shoes — from heels to boots — without having to worry about the bottoms sliding up and down your calf.
Size: 14–32 | Fit: High-rise, with elastic only in the back | Available Length: Full | Colors: 1
Best Compression
Shapermint Tummy Control Leggings
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Amazon
What We Love: Part shapewear, part actual clothing, Shapermint’s leggings pull double duty in your wardrobe.
What We Don’t Love: Shorter length means they’re not great for tall gals.
If you’re the type of person who likes your clothes to fill more than one role, consider Shapermint’s Tummy Control Leggings, which are both pants and shapewear. The leggings’ tummy control panel is designed to make wearers look slimmer and more streamlined, while also helping that waistband stay firmly in place. The pants offer a great general level of compression as well, which makes them great for long flights, car rides, or just whenever you might want to keep swelling at bay.
Size: S–4X | Fit: High-waisted with tummy control | Available Length: Ankle | Colors: 6
Best Shaping
Popflex Crisscross Hourglass Leggings
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Popflex
What We Love: The super high waist gives wearers an hourglass shape.
What We Don’t Love: The style is only offered up to 3X.
Trying to give yourself a Kim Kardashian Booty or a Megan Thee Stallion shape? Popflex’s Crisscross Hourglass Leggings could help. The pants’ ultra-high X-style waist pulls the wearers’ midsection in while accentuating their hips and butt. In fact, they went viral in the past for their fit and booty-enhancing seams.
Size: XXS–3X | Fit: Super high-waisted and tight throughout | Available Length: 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31 inches | Colors: 4
Best Faux-Leather
Sanctuary Runway Leggings
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Sanctuary
What We Love: Faux-leather style makes these pants look super rock ‘n’ roll.
What We Don’t Love: A limited range of sizes means these won’t work for all bodies.
Always loved Sandy’s sleek and sexy look at the end of Grease? Consider picking up a pair of Sanctuary’s Runway leggings, which will undoubtedly help you embrace your inner pink lady. These mid-rise, faux-leather pants are form-fitting and functional, with a pair of functional back pockets that make them look like a sort of legging-jean hybrid. They’re easy to get on, don’t get too sweaty no matter how long you wear them, and offer plenty of stretch for when you want to get your groove on with Danny Zuko at the big carnival.
Size: 1X–3X | Fit: Mid-rise with back pockets | Available Length: Full | Colors: 3
What to Keep in Mind
Fabric
When looking for leggings, think about the fabric’s stretch and durability. Terez founder Zara Terez Tisch says that for her company, fabric is of the utmost importance not just because they want to pick out stuff that looks cute, but because “you want your fabric to have the qualities that bring ease to the fact that you chose to wear leggings.” As she explains, “You want comfort, breathability, and compressions in areas so you feel like you’re getting a nice hug.”
You also want a fabric that can mold or stretch to fit your specific body — whether you’re apple-shaped, pear-shaped, or straight up and down. Some fabrics have more give than others, so choosing something with a four-way stretch is always a good idea.
It’s also important to think about a piece of fabric’s recovery time, with Sanctuary's co-founder Debra Polanco telling us that it’s important to not just think about how a pair of leggings looks the first time it goes on but to test or consider how it’ll last over time. No one wants a baggy bottom or a stretched-out waistband — especially on a pair of leggings.
Fit
When thinking about what leggings to buy, consider your body first and foremost. What size are you? What shape? Is your torso long, or do you have legs for days? Unlike a lot of other pants, leggings often come in a wide range of cuts, lengths, and fits, meaning you’ll hopefully be able to get a pair that really fits how you’d like.
If you’re on the shorter side, that means opting for either a crop or 7/8 length, which 5-foot, 1-inch tall Diaz-Herrera says works like a full-length pant for her. “I want to make sure my leggings don’t bunch at the bottom,” she says, adding that as someone with an “apple shape,” she’s also always looking for a thicker waistband. “Someone with a pear shape wouldn’t have as much of a problem holding up leggings, but for someone my size, thinking about that can be useful,” she says.
Function
Are your new leggings for lazy Sundays on the couch or are they for your upcoming months of marathon training? Know what you’re buying for and purchase accordingly. “More compressive leggings are better for runners because they’ll hold up during a long run and typically they won’t slide down as much,” says Laura Berens, founder and CEO of Love & Fit. “Stretchier leggings are great for casual outings or yoga.”
Regardless of your compression level, Berens says buyers should always look for “great reinforced stitching on the pockets and seams, moisture-wicking fabric, and something that is easy for you to wash and dry.”
Your Questions, Answered
How often should I wash my leggings?
That depends on what you’re wearing them for. If you wore your favorite pair to the gym, then you’re going to want to wash them shortly thereafter, even if they’re not that stinky. Since they fit so close to the body, they often absorb germs and bits of sweat and skin, so it’s always worth giving them a spin in the washer.
If you’re just wearing leggings on a plane, though, you might be good to wear them again, provided they didn’t get stained or soaked. That’s helpful for packing too: You can get twice as much wear out of the same pair of pants, saving you precious suitcase space.
When you wash your leggings, Berens says that hang drying will increase most pairs’ longevity, though you could also tumble dry them on low. Most importantly, she says, is to, “make sure you are not washing them with Velcro, jeans, or anything that would snag them.”
What’s the difference between capri, 7/8, and full lengths, and when would I want to wear each one?
That’s entirely based on personal preference. While height is a factor if you’re looking for full-coverage, some people just like capris when they’re sweating it out at the gym while others like their entire leg to be covered up.
Why Shop With Us
Marah Eakin, the author of this article, has been a journalist reporting on entertainment, fashion, and culture for almost 15 years. She’s a mom, a sometimes fitness enthusiast, and an at-home worker, meaning she knows her way around a good pair of leggings. She estimates she’s owned dozens in her plus-sized life, and she knows the perks and perils of a not-so-great waistband.
For this roundup, she interviewed plus-sized fitness instructor and dancer Jessie Diaz-Herrera, Terez founder Zara Terez Tisch, Sanctuary co-founder Debra Polanco, and founder and CEO of Love & Fit Laura Berens.
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