Finding the best leggings to add to your wardrobe is no easy feat. There are gym leggings, yoga leggings, honeycomb leggings - basically every type of legging imaginable - on the market, which makes selecting the best one a little tricky. Luckily, we've created a guide that'll to help solve all your legging dilemmas. And there's a lot of them.
heat's best leggings at a glance:
Best black leggings: Adanola Ultimate Leggings, £39.99 on Adanola
Best scrunch bum leggings: SLIMBELLE Women Scrunch Push-Up Gym Leggings, £26.99 on Amazon
Best TikTok viral leggings: RIOJOY Women Gym Waffle Leggings, £16.99 on Amazon
Ever since the days of lockdown, the "everyday legging" has been sneaking its way into our wardrobes again. We're honestly happy to say they are BACK in a big way. If you get yourself a good pair, they're soft, flattering (especially scrunch bum leggings...) and will go with anything. What's more, you can do pretty much ANY activity in them.
Fancy doing a few star jumps in the middle of the day? Cool, because you're wearing leggings. Accidentally fall asleep at 6 pm? Cool, because you're wearing leg-to-the-gings. Fancy high-kicking your housemate for eating your cheese? While we can't condone that, leggings are definitely the appropriate outfit.
We've rounded up the best leggings that are perfect for your every day, whether it be living room yoga or out running errands. Or both.
SHOP: The best leggings that will soon become your err-day uniform
Best black leggings
adanolaadanola.com
Description
Before all else, the number one priority for your leggings collection is a black pair. With a pair of black leggings, you can perfect any casual-booty-popping outfit. If you haven't heard, everyone at heat, including myself, is absolutely obsessed with this leggings brand, so much so that we did a whole Adanola try-on review.
My review for the Adanola Ultimate leggings: "They are high-waisted and don't fall down hurrah! They are good for brutal leg days, pilates, walking, sleeping and meeting friends for coffee. I'm a size 10 and went with a size S, which fits me perfectly, but they are the type of stretchy material that you could probably go a size up or down and they would still fit (but don't hold me to that! Please!) If you're unsure about your sizing, they have a handy guide on their website."
Read our full Adanola leggings review
Read our complete guide to the best black leggings to shop here.
Best scrunch bum leggings
amazonDescription
Zara McDermott's favourite Amazon leggings come in almost every colour, and we can confirm that they are both high-quality and bootylicious. Emphasize those cheeks with the aforementioned scrunch bum seam.
Amazon review: "I am 5ft tall. US 4/UK 8. I typically order all my workout leggings in a small but these were way too suffocating. I returned and bought in a medium and they are much more breathable. The quality is amazing. No camel toe. Super flattering on the 🍑. Definitely order up. The material is very stretchy but for comfort, I would get a medium. I bought three pairs: dark grey, grey/blue, and teal."
Read our complete guide to the best scrunch bum leggings to shop here.
Best TikTok viral leggings
amazonDescription
Another bum-sculpting miracle-maker, this exact pair of leggings has been recommended by influencers all over TikTok, as well as Molly-Mae to Olivia Neill in her YouTube video titled 'I asked influencers what to buy on Amazon'.
Amazon review: "These are gorgeous (if, like me, you like loud and bright colours and designs); they fit very well: the waistband comes up nice and high so that the seat of the leggings covers the whole of a real woman's bum - unlike most women's trousers, which for some unfathomable reason only come up to the (usually flabby) area below the navel, contributing to the infamous muffin-top. These leggings are long, but you can just push them up at the ankle.
I bought these for Pilates and yes, of course, you can do squats in them - thanks to the ruching on the back there is plenty of room... I think the fabric is reasonably robust, but due to the nature of the weave, it could possibly catch, eg on long (finger)nails or large clunky rings."
Read our complete guide to the best TikTok leggings to shop here.
Best maternity leggings
www2.hm.com
Description
Ultra comfy and at a spectacular price point, H&M comes throoough with the MAMA maternity leggings. You get a two-pack of leggings for under £20, made with soft jersey and organic cotton. The wide panel grows as your belly grows for extended use throughout the trimesters.
H&M review: "These leggings are pretty much all I have been wearing throughout my pregnancy. They are super comfortable and go right up over my bump, so the waistband never digs in or gets uncomfortable. And they're just a great basic piece to have because they can be paired with anything. The only thing I noticed is the legs are a bit long, but I'm on the shorter side so most things tend to be a bit long on me."
Read our complete guide to the best maternity leggings to shop here.
Best gym leggings
lululemonwww.lululemon.co.uk
Description
You cannot have the best leggings round-up without including the Lululemon Aligns. They truly are the most flattering pair of leggings that don't lose their shape. Yes, they are expensive but will last you years. Along with the new Never Fully Dressed gym range, you're going to look fab in your gym selfies.
lululemon review: "Love these leggings. I also have the Align shorts. Both are really soft and comfortable and I mostly wear them for hot yoga classes. They don't stick to you and the banding around the waist isn't restrictive but still gives a nice silhouette."
Read our complete guide to the best gym leggings to shop here.
Best Gymshark leggings
GYMsharkuk.gymshark.com
Description
A cult favourite, and for good reason, too. Once you go Gymshark, you never go back. Plus, the Vital leggings are "made using dope dyeing technology that uses less water, energy and chemicals", so it keeps the planet happy too.
Gymshark review: 4.1 stars based on 3,013 reviews (no specific reviews on site).
Best Gymshark alternative leggings
amazonDescription
We can't get enough of this complete Gymshark camo range alternative from FITTOO. The material feels high-quality and stretchy. You will live in them. They're also available in purple, green and blue camo.
Amazon review: "I was browsing for a Gymshark duplicate for the camo range which is a new take on their FLEX. Their leggings retail at £35 I believe, and these are more than 50% less. The gym shark and this item are basically the same so if you're looking for fashionable gym gear without the huge price tag then I'd go for these. Out of the packet they look really small but do great. I'm a size 10 and small was more than adequate."
Are leggings still in style?
This wardrobe staple made a comeback in 2023, and we couldn't be happier. Who has time for jeans anymore, honestly? Give us comfort only - this is the modern age, after all. So indeed, they are super trendy now, paired with an oversized tee or slinky crop top. Molly-Mae sported a pair whilst on a walk with baby Bambi, whilst Ekin Su braced the Thames wind with a sculpting black number, paired with chunky trainers. Finally, we spotted Sophie Habboo welding a pair of leather leggings, Catwoman style, travelling in a taxi to presumably somewhere hip and trendy.
Are leggings appropriate for work?
Before the pandemic, gym wear was a bit improper in the workplace. You might've got some side-eye action from Susan in finance for not wearing proper trousers. But ever since working from home entered our lives, comfy-loungewear work clothes have been embraced with open arms. Heck, we were doing Zoom calls in our PJs at some points. But now that we are back in the office, how do we dress them up to make a statement?
Layering is key. Always pair them with something slightly oversized on the top, like a long-length blouse, to hide the waistband of your pair that might have a logo etc. Then over the top of that, if it's cold, a cropped leather jacket or teddy coat will look gorgeous. For the shoes - well, anything goes with leggings. Trainers paired with white socks pulled over the cuff, or how about some classic Doc Martens? Finish off the look with some fine piece jewellery, and you're ready to head into the office. Look, if Jared Leto can pull off tie-dye leggings with a bum bag, you can get away with anything.
One more thing - before you leave for work, check in the mirror to make sure your knickers can't be seen through the fabric. You don't want to make too bold a statement to the co-worker walking behind you on the stairs.
Aimee Jakes is the shopping editor across heat and Closer. As well as mainly writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she also regularly chats to celebs about their wellness routines for heat's Self-Care Sunday.