Choosing Yoga Leggings

Yoga leggings can look much the same on a product page. The difference often becomes clearer once you look at the fabric and length.

Some pairs are light and stretchy. Others feel thicker or have a smoother finish. You will also find plain colours, bright prints, side pockets and different styles around the waist.

Take a look through the full set of photographs before choosing. The front picture may show the colour well, but the side and back views are usually better for seeing the fit.

Full-Length or Cropped?

Full-length leggings normally finish near the ankle. Cropped pairs sit further up the leg and often around the calf.

Cropped styles are useful when you prefer less fabric around the lower leg. Full-length leggings give more coverage and work well with T-shirts, hoodies and longer yoga tops.

Where measurements are available, they will give you a better idea than the words “cropped” or “full-length” on their own.

Waistband and Fit

The waistband can vary quite a bit between pairs.

Some leggings have a wide band that sits higher on the waist. Others have a narrower band and sit closer to the hips. There may also be a small pocket, drawstring or seam around the top.

Leggings should fit close to the body. They should not need to be stretched as far as possible to get them on. A pair that is too small may pull around the waist, knees or seams.

Colours and Prints

Plain black leggings are easy to wear with almost anything, but there are plenty of other colours across the collection.

Printed leggings can look slightly different once worn because the pattern stretches with the fabric. The placement of the print may vary a little as well, especially when each pair is cut from a larger patterned material.

Colours can also change slightly between photographs and screens. A pair that looks bright under studio lighting may appear darker in normal daylight.

Pockets and Seams

Some leggings have a pocket on one or both legs. Others have a small pocket hidden inside the waistband. Many pairs have no pockets at all.

Side pockets may hold a phone, although the size and depth will depend on the design. Waistband pockets are normally smaller.

The stitching can change the look too.

Washing and Care

Have a look at the care label before washing.

Different fabric blends may need different temperatures. Printed leggings and pairs with plenty of stretch may also need a gentler wash.

Wash similar colours together, especially when the leggings are new. Avoid strong heat unless the label says tumble drying is suitable.

Let them dry fully before folding them away.

Check Them in Daylight

Leggings can look quite different under bright lights.

A pair may appear completely solid indoors but look lighter in front of a window. Pale colours and stretched prints may also show more than black or navy fabric.

When trying them on, check the back in normal daylight. Bend forward and move around rather than only looking while standing straight.

Underwear can make a difference as well. 

Pockets Are Not All the Same

A side pocket sounds simple, but the size can vary a lot.

Some are deep enough for a phone. Others are better for a card, key or folded note. Check the photographs to see where the pocket finishes and whether the top looks loose or fitted.

Think about whether you actually want to carry your phone while moving. A heavy phone may pull on lightweight fabric or feel uncomfortable against the leg.

Pockets can still be useful on the way to class, during a walk or when wearing the leggings casually.

A Few Things to Check Before Ordering

Before choosing, go back through the photographs and look at more than the colour.

Check the waistband, pocket position, seams and leg length. Read the size guide rather than relying only on your normal clothing size.

The fabric composition and washing instructions are useful too. They can give you a better idea of how stretchy the leggings may be and how much care they need.

High, Mid or Low Waist

The words “high-waisted” can be a little vague.

On one person, the waistband may sit just below the belly button. On someone else, the same pair could come much higher. Your height, shape and torso length all make a difference.

Some people like a deep waistband because it gives more coverage. Others find it too warm or too noticeable and would rather wear a mid-rise style.

Side photographs are useful here. They usually give a clearer idea of where the waistband sits than the front image does.

Seams and Stitching

Seams are easy to miss when you are looking at a small product photograph, but you may notice them much more once the leggings are on.

Some pairs have simple stitching along the inside leg. Others include curved seams around the hips, thighs or back. Printed leggings and styles made from several panels may have more stitching again.

The number of seams is not really the issue. Where they sit and how they feel is more important. A bulky seam in an awkward place can become irritating, particularly during a longer class.

Look through the side and back photographs before ordering. They usually show the construction more clearly than the main front view.

Fabric and Feel

It is hard to judge fabric from a screen. A pair can look soft in the photographs and feel quite different when it arrives. Some leggings are light and almost silky.

Others have more weight to them and feel a little firmer. You may like the lighter sort for a warm class, but prefer something thicker when the weather turns cold.