Last year my leggings collection expanded exponentially. I cleared out all the pairs I didn’t absolutely love and made room for testing a lot of new pairs by brands I hadn’t yet tried. It resulted in a collection of leggings I absolutely love wearing and can highly recommend and today I am sharing the best leggings for women. For sizing reference, I am 5’5″ and typically a Medium or size 6. 

My Favorite Leggings:

Lululemon Align Legging

My #1 pick for best legging by far is the Lululemon Align 28″ legging. It is made of super soft fabric that feels weightless to wear. The fit is high waisted so everything feels tucked in and they don’t ever feel like they’re falling down (a qualm I find with a lot of cheaper leggings and a reason why I believe these are worth investing in). These leggings are my favorite for yoga but I also love wearing them at home for cozy work from home days and they are often what I choose to travel in as well as take hikes or long walks in. I have been wearing these for over three years and my collection has grown to five pair because of how often I wear them. 

The Align leggings come in a variety of colors and styles and retail for $98.

Joggers more your style? Don’t miss the Lululemon Align Jogger which I absolutely love as well and in summer I wear the Align short. I wear a 6 in both the joggers and leggings and size up to an 8 in the shorts. As with all Lululemon items, I recommend sizing up if you are in between sizes or prefer a roomier fit. 

Everlane Perform Legging

Made from a more slick material these are the sportiest fabric of the leggings I own and love. I wear them mostly for BBG workouts. The Perform legging features an extra-high waist, minimal seams, an interior pocket, and lightweight compression with technical sweat-wicking properties making it ideal for workouts. Plus, it’s comprised of 58% recycled nylon.

I wear a size Small in the Ankle length. Regular length is also available. The Everlane Perform Legging retails for an affordable $58 and is available in sizes XXS-XXL. Make it a set with the matching sports bra.

Vuori Daily Legging

If you’re looking for an athleisure legging, look no further than the Vuroi Daily Legging. These feature a high waist, drawstring tie, an upgraded no-slip fit, 7/8 length and cuffed ankles making them equal parts sporty and stylish. These leggings are ultra compressive and supportive so I recommend sizing up. They’re great for yoga, running, hiking, traveling or running errands.

I wear a size Large. The Vuori Daily Legging retails for $84 and is available in sizes XS-XL.

Athleta Elation 7/8 Tight

My second favorite pair of leggings and a best discovery of 2020 for me. These are a great lounge legging but equally great for HIIT workouts or yoga or pilates. They keep everything really tucked in. I wear the Athleta Elation legging in a size Small. They retail for $89. These tights are also extremely size inclusive running XXS-3X. I’ve already bought a second pair!

What’s the difference between the Lululemon Align and the Athleta Elation leggings?

If you like the Lululemon Align legging, you’ll love these. The fabrics are fairly similar with the Athleta ones having a bit more compression which I really appreciate on certain days and the PowerVita fabric is just slightly less soft than the Align legging. Both pair feature hidden key pockets.  I also love that the Athleta Elation tights have no side seems making them extra flattering.

Vuori Rib Studio Legging

I love the ribbed detail atop the Vuori Rib Studio Leggings. They make them super chic to pair with just a sports bra. They never slip and are made from a fabric that really flatters your legs and make them look photo-ready.

I wear a size Medium and they come in XXS-XXL. Available in five colors.

Nike One Lux 7/8 Leggings

These are my thinest pair of leggings but I love them for just that. The fabric feels super luxe and the fabric excels for sweaty workouts. These look great on and are my go-to for workouts. I now have two pair.

Lululemon Wunder Under Super High Rise Tight

Another similar pair I love (and haven’t photographed) are the Lululemon Wunder Under Super High Rise Tight which are also a very sporty fabric but they majorly keep everything compressed in a way that leaves me feeling more fit than I am – ha! They also have a non-super high rise version if that’s more your speed. I wear a size 6.

. . .

And as for some more fashion-y leggings – I thought I’d share my favorites to wear with oversized sweaters in more fashion fabrics.

Commando Perfect Control Faux Leather Leggings

Dress ’em up or dress ’em down. These Commando leggings do it all and have a super authentic leather look and feel. They look equally good with sneakers as they do boots and heels and have a good amount of compression for a flattering fit.

I wear a size Medium. The Commando Perfect Control Faux Leather Leggings retail for $98 and are available in sizes XS-XL.

By the way – another Commando product I love is their High Rise Control Briefs. They are amazing under dresses and skirts – they smooth everything out and keep you feeling tucked in so garments automatically fit and look better.

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

The Spanx Faux Leather Leggings have been in my wardrobe for nearly six years. I love styling them with oversized sweaters and boots or sneakers. They are so comfortable and really incredibly flattering on thanks to the compression and shaping they feature. They have thousands of great reviews and have been a wardrobe staple for years with good reason.

I wear a size Medium. The Spanx Faux Leather Leggings retail for $98 and come in expanded sizes – regular, petite and plus.

What’s the difference between the Spanx and Commando faux leather leggings?

The Commando faux leather leggings look a lot more like authentic leather whereas the Spanx faux leather leggings have a bit of a glossy sheen to them that make them a bit more casual. I think the Commando are better to dress up if you wanted a pair to wear with heels. The Spanx have a lot more compression to them so if you’re looking to feel like everything is being held in – choose the Spanx. I also like the length of the Spanx ones as they tuck seamlessly into socks and then boots as I styled above. I find the Spanx to be a bit more comfortable given they have a lot of stretch. Both are pull on styles.

Spanx Velvet Leggings

If you’re looking for a fancier legging, look no further than the Spanx Velvet leggings. Just like their faux leather counterpart, they feature Spanx’s compression technology so they are comfortable and flattering. The velvet fabric is super soft and holds up well with wear.

I wear a size Medium. The Spanx Velvet Leggings retail for $98 and are available in sizes XS-XL.

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And if you’re looking for a really affordable pair, I recommend the Core10 Spectrum High Waist Leggings which are similar to the Lululemon Align and Athleta Elation leggings but for a much lower price. I find them to a bit long on my 5’5″ frame as a head’s up but they stay put well and are made from a soft fabric that makes them perfect for yoga and lounging.

Do you have a favorite pair of leggings? I’d love to hear what they are so I can try them out!

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