The best women’s leggings can take you from downward dog to double-shot soy flat white without missing a beat. But, what really makes a pair of pants perfect for both lunch and lunges? Jessica Thompson, Global Brand President at Halara, the athleisure label known for blending performance and comfort in every piece, gave us the lowdown on looking beyond just pattern or price tag. And picking a pair that combines comfort, compression, cut, and culture – the cafe kind!
“It really depends on the individual, their needs, preferences and even their height,” says Jessica. ” A great pair of leggings should flatter your figure, while allowing you to move comfortably and freely. They shouldn’t feel too tight and compressive, but should be fitted enough that the waistband doesn’t slip and that there is no gap between the fabric and your figure.”
And, when it comes to waistbands, and it turns out, most people lean toward one particular style. “It varies from person to person, but high waistbands tend to be a favourite. They offer support and create a smooth silhouette, making them perfect to pair with crop tops or bras. When it comes to length, capri leggings are beginning to trend again, but a classic 7/8 length will never go out of style. Lastly, silhouettes vary these days! Bootcut and flared styles are still trending and can be very flattering, as they lengthen the legs.”
However, even with all the right features, the wrong fit can lead to wardrobe woes. Especially when shopping online. And, Jessica’s seen it all. “Some of the most common mistakes are related to the waistband and the size. A loose waistband will drive you absolutely crazy, so it’s imperative to make sure you’re purchasing the right size so that the waistband isn’t sliding down during wear. Length can also be an issue – if you’re on the petite side, even a 7/8 length could be too long, resulting in bunching around the ankles. And if you’re on the tall side, a cropped legging can fit more like a capri, which isn’t always your intention.”
With jeans collecting dust in drawers and activewear becoming our everyday uniform, the versatility of leggings has never been more relevant. And, according to Jessica, they’ve earned their place as the new denim.
“The versatility of leggings is very comparable to denim! There’s a legging fit, colour, and silhouette for everyone – like denim, they really can be dressed up or down and worn year-round.” That means we can retire our rigid slim legs and unforgiving zippers in favour of softness, stretch and silhouettes that still look the part. Especially when the designs include subtle styling touches that make all the difference.
And, for those who can’t quite dump their denim, Halara’s Flex Denim range reimagines jeans through an activewear lens.
“We developed a super stretchy, lightweight, breathable and cooling denim fabric to create jeans that look like traditional denim but feel as comfortable as leggings. They’re comfy enough to travel in (which in my opinion, is the real test!), while allowing you to look put together.”
And, just like a good denim wardrobe, Jessica says, there are a lot of fun ways to marry style with functionality when it comes to leggings, “I particularly like mesh or lace inserts to make my leggings feel more style-forward and interesting,” she adds.
Of course, form means nothing without function. Aesthetics aside, a solid pair of leggings needs to work just as hard as you do, whether you’re flowing through yoga or going full throttle at spin. “Ultra-soft and stretchy leggings are great for activities like yoga or Pilates that require more flexibility. More compressive, sweat-wicking and durable materials are great for running and high-impact activities where you’re working up a sweat and moving more dynamically.”
Before committing to a new pair, Jessica suggests putting them through their paces – at home. “The best way to test your leggings’ performance is by giving them a little tryout at home. I recommend wearing them for 20 minutes while walking around the house to see if the waistband really does stay up. Do a few squats to see if the fit is the same after doing this kind of movement! See how breathable and comfortable they are during this little wear test to gauge if they’ll be wearable outside of the house.”
Getting that ideal mix of stretch, support and breathability is no accident. Behind the seams, Halara’s secret weapon is clever fabric science, engineered for comfort that lasts well beyond your first wear. “This really comes down to fabric science. Skilled fabric scientists can actually engineer a fabric that has all of these technical elements… That being said, some leggings have a different fabric composition on the waistband area (like our UltraSculp leggings) to provide compression around the belly area, while maintaining a stretchier fit on the legs.”
So next time you reach for a new pair of leggings, think beyond the print or the trend. Consider the fit, the function, and whether they can keep up with your sun salutations, squats soy lattes, and everything in between. Because the best women’s leggings will leave you feeling confident, comfortable and cool enough to settle in fro a quick cappuccino.