LEGGINGS are a clothing item that everyone needs in their wardrobe.
The best leggings will be comfortable, supportive and flattering on every body shape, and we’ve put some of the hero brands to the test.
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Flimsy, see-through leggings are a thing of the past, as there’s a whole world of high-quality options that don’t compromise on style.
From fitness activities to running errands, a pair of leggings have become the ultimate throw-on-and-go fashion item.
They pair with everything from chunky knitwear to fitted tops, and they’re my go-to for wearing at home when I still want to feel put together.
High-waisted leggings, flared styles and sculpting options are all popular, and scrunch-bum leggings are also trending for enhancing the silhouette.
We’ve put a selection of styles through the ringer to see if they’re worth the money, from Gymshark, Halara, Tala and more.
Best leggings at a glance:
How I tested
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There are a few important features to consider when searching for the perfect pair of leggings.
Firstly (and most importantly), a good pair of leggings need to be comfortable.
As a fashion item that will be worn to the gym or for lounging at home, they need to be stretchy enough to wear for long periods without digging into the skin.
One hurdle that leggings often fall at is having a see-through design, and I was closely keeping an eye on the quality of each pair.
I also considered any special features, including sculpting styles, sweat-wicking properties and how they feel on the skin.
I wore the leggings for visits to the gym, long walks, and for lounging at home, to determine whether they work as fashion all-rounders.
Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings
Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings, £45
Pros: Comfortable, supportive waistband, sweat-wicking, flattering on the waist, wide range of colour options
Cons: Expensive when full price, slightly tight on the waist
Rating: 5/5
I’ve been wearing Gymshark leggings for years, and they’re yet to disappoint me.
The Vital Seamless Leggings are not only a brand bestseller, but they’re also my new favourite.
Featuring sweat-wicking technology and breathable mesh dots, they’re comfortable even after intense workouts, and I don’t ever need to worry about sweat patches.
The feature I love the most is the supportive ribbed waistband.
It sits high on the stomach, sucking me in without ever feeling suffocating.
For more cinching styles, read our roundup of the best high-waisted leggings.
Gymshark’s leggings have mastered the balance between comfort and style, smoothing out lumps and bumps around my waist and thighs, while still remaining comfortable enough to wear for long periods.
At full-price, the leggings are on the expensive side, but Gymshark often has big sales with price drops of up to 50%.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XXS-XXL; Colours available: 11 colours, Fabric: Nylon and elastane
BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings
BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings, £52
Pros: Stretchy, sweat-wicking, nice colour, smooths lumps and bumps, subtly shapes the figure
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
BetterMe is best-known for its health coaching app, but branched out into the activewear space in 2022.
I tried the brand’s High Impact Mesh Leggings, and I honestly can’t fault them.
Firstly, I’m obsessed with the dark green colourway, but the pair also comes in burgundy, black and ivory shades.
The leggings have a stretchy design that feels so soft on the skin, with a high-rise fit that flatters the figure.
The waistband and mesh detailing are why they’re so comfortable for wearing all day, and I’ve been reaching for them to exercise and for running errands.
Made from nylon and lycra, they give light tummy control, and I’ve noticed how much they smooth out my thighs.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XS-XXL; Colours available: Four colours, Fabric: Nylon and lycra spandex
Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings
Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings, £25
Pros: Flattering, comfortable, shaping/slimming, stretchy, soft, cool and breathable, V waist
Cons: Limited colour range
Rating: 5/5
These leggings are perfect for yoga and pretty much any other occasion, too.
They’re silky soft and cosy but still lightweight and breathable so that you won’t overheat during a workout.
I love the flattering V-shaped waistband; it’s unique and has a nice twist on a regular pair of black leggings.
But also, it makes your waist smaller and your bum look lifted.
The leggings will pair perfectly with running trainers, and we tested some of the best styles.
At the moment, it only comes in black and brown, but hopefully Marks & Spencer will launch more colours soon.
Leg length: Full, Size range: 6-24; Colours available: 2, Fabric: Polyester and elastane
Halara UltraSculpt High Waisted Scrunch Bum Leggings
Halara UltraSculpt High Waisted Scrunch Butt Leggings, £30.95 (was £50.95)
Pros: Lifts the bum, sculpts the figure, compression to smooth out bumps, good selection of lengths and colours, currently on sale
Cons: Ruching is quite visible, feels tight
Rating: 4/5
Halara is the TikTok-famous brand that even Taylor Swift is fan of, and I tried UltraSculpt Scrunch Butt Leggings.
Featuring compression for shaping, a V-shaped waistband and an ultra-high waist, the stretchy leggings are just as comfortable as they are flattering.
The all-over compression held me in while smoothing out unwanted bumps, and the black colourway is ideal for both exercise and everyday wear.
The leggings feature padding and ruching that lifts the butt, and while the design is quite discreet, I would prefer if it was completely invisible.
Halara currently has a huge sale on, where shoppers can save up to 80% sitewide, and the sculpting leggings are reduced by £20.
Read our full Halara leggings review.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XS-XXL; Colours available: 20 colours, Fabric: Nylon and elastane
TALA SkinLuxe High Waisted Flared Legging
TALA SkinLuxe High Waisted Flared Legging, £59
Pros: Flattering flared leg, waistband doesn’t fall down, super soft, easy to put on, comfortable, back pocket with zip, lightweight, sustainable (made from recycled nylon)
Cons: Only available in four colours
Rating: 4/5
TALA’s SkinLuxe flared leggings have been one of our favourites for a while now.
Flared jeans are so in right now, and so are flared leggings.
Not only are they trendy, but this shape is really flattering on the waist, thighs and bum.
They’re great for accentuating curves without being skin-tight.
I wear this pair all the time, as they’re ideal for WFH and then heading out for a walk with friends.
They’re also great for hardcore workouts, especially on days when you’re feeling a little bloated or feel like covering up a bit more, as the high waist will not roll down.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XS to XL; Colours available: 4 colours; Fabric: Recycled nylon and lycra
What to wear with leggings?
There are two reasons why leggings are a wardrobe staple.
Firstly, they’re comfortable for every occasion, and they can be worn with just about anything.
For lounging at home and running errands, leggings can be styled with T-shirts, knitwear and trainers, but they can also be teamed with various activewear for trips to the gym.
Leggings also make a great base for layering during the colder months, and they look effortlessly stylish paired with longline coats and a crossbody bag.
Building a capsule wardrobe means finding timeless clothing items that can be styled in multiple ways, and leggings are the item that does just that.
How to style flared leggings?
Flared leggings have made a comeback in recent years, and they’ve become a popular choice for everyday and loungewear.
Traditionally worn for yoga, the wide-leg style could be thrown on for any occasion, giving me of an elevated feel than traditional leggings.
The design is also flattering on every body type, and they look stylish paired with tank tops, cropped T-shirts, cardigans and leather jackets.
Tala, the clothing brand founded by influencer Grace Beverly, is known for its figure-flattering flared leggings.
It has a range of flared styles available on the site to pair with crop tops, sweatshirts and more.
Do Gymshark leggings run small?
Gymshark leggings are usually considered to be true to size, but the sizing is largely down to the individual styles.
I tested Gymshark’s Vital Seamless Leggings (the brand’s bestseller), and I found the design to be exactly true to size.
It’s always worth reading the product reviews before taking the plunge to determine how accurate the sizing will be.
