Tried and Tested: The Very Best Leggings on the Market, Reviewed by an Editor

There are a few pieces in my wardrobe that can be considered true staples, but the one piece that people are always surprised to see crop up in my everyday outfit rotation is a pair of leggings. Once exclusively reserved for lazy sofa days and pilates classes, leggings have since evolved from something you run errands in to a sleek sartorial choice thanks to the ascent of capsule wardrobes. Now, leggings have even gone so far as to earn their place in fashion circles, too.

Don't believe me? Check out the myriad of influencers, editors and industry insiders have styled black leggings with everything from oversized blazers to slingback heels. That's right, the humble legging is now considered appropriate for the office, dinner outings, the runway and it still remains the backbone of many of our comfy, everyday ensembles. Not bad for a jersey basic, right?

It’s not just in London where leggings reign supreme. Over in Los Angeles, members of the celebrity style set are styling theirs with slipper shoes, while New Yorkers are layering stirrup leggings over dainty kitten heels or pointed-toe slip-ons. (If you're curious how to make these combinations work, look no further than our comprehensive guide to perfecting a chic leggings and flat shoe outfit.)

One of the most desirable factors about owning leggings is how the silhouette endures season after season. In the depth of winter, wear them with a sumptuous cashmere sweater and knee-high boots for a sophisticated way to mitigate the elements. As temperatures increase, peel back the layers and match your leggings with Mary Janes and a polo shirt, wearing white socks and a matching headband to channel your inner Bella Hadid or Brigitte Bardot.

As they provide a foundation for an inexhaustible amount of pairings, it’s wise to invest in the best leggings available. Considering fit, stretch, support and fabric, I've done the legwork for you (pardon the pun) to ensure you’re stepping out in the most stylish and best-suited option.

While we've already outlined how to wear leggings, after searching the net, scrolling through social media and asking my fellow editors, I tried on all the leggings worth testing and came out with these nine worthy winners. So whether you're looking for leather leggings for an evening out or the best active pair to pack in your gym bag, keep scrolling for my tried-and-tested review of the leggings worth spending your hard-earned cash on.

The 9 Best Leggings to Buy, As Reviewed By A Fashion Editor

1. Most Comfortable Leggings: Adanola Ultimate Leggings, £40
2. Most Affordable Leggings: H&M High Waisted Legging, £10
3. Most Stylish Leggings: Commando Classic Legging, £195
4. Best Workout Leggings: Lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant 25", £88

1. BEST FASHION LEGGINGS: COMMANDO

Style Notes: First things first, a brand that delivers on the kind of leggings you can wear for any occasion—Commando. The classic black leggings in stretch cotton are ultra-thick and have a built-in internal waistband (that doesn't roll down), but the star of the show is the brand's faux leather and patent leggings.

The leggings come in dozens of colours, styles, sizes and finishes, perfect for tucking into leather knee-high boots and pairing with chunky knit. If you've ever struggled with finding a pair of leather trousers that fit properly, start here.

Whether you're trying Commando leggings in jersey, denim, cashmere or even a maternity style, the fit around the waist is always impeccable, and there's a whole host of outfits you can build around this one key piece.

SHOP COMMANDO LEGGINGS:

2. BEST ACTIVE LEGGINGS: LULULEMON

Style Notes: The first thing I notice when I pull these Lululemon leggings on is just how much they stretch, and believe me, that is a very good thing. The extreme elasticity means that these leggings behave like a second skin, and as the focus isn't heavy compression, you can really bend and move in these without restriction.

Where I would want a fashion legging to suck everything in, these feel like you're wearing nothing at all, and that is a testament to the soft, brushed finish and light, breathable fabric that is perfect for any workout from yoga to cardio, especially in the wintertime.

SHOP LULULEMON:

3. MOST COMFORTABLE LEGGINGS: ADANOLA

Style Notes: There's a reason that you'll always spot Adanola clothing out on the streets on weekend mornings or as an essential airport outfit. If you're looking for a pair of leggings that you can comfortably wear all day without even feeling like you're wearing them, these take the top spot.

Smoothing without constricting and with a flexible fit, these are the kind of leggings I want pull on the moment I get home, but it helps that they're elevated enough to wear out to brunch too. It's about time we had loungewear that looks as good as it feels.

SHOP ADANOLA:

4. BEST STRETCH AND SUPPORT LEGGINGS: VUORI 

Style Notes: When I conducted a straw poll in the office for the best leggings for me to road test, Vuori got an immediate mention. My intro to the brand is the Daily Legging, and after wearing these adjustable leggings, it's clear why they're popular. As someone who always struggles to find trousers and leggings that fit properly around the waist without the dreaded gap, Vuori has come up with the perfect solution—a tie-waist legging that grips and supports movement with a little added lift. Never again will you find yourself pulling up your leggings because of sag; these will hug your body for the perfect fit.

SHOP VUORI LEGGINGS:

5. BEST SCULPTING LEGGINGS: WOLFORD

Style Notes: If you've already tried Wolford's premium hosiery or stretch basics—arguably the best tights on the market—you'll have an idea of what to expect from the leggings, too. Before Skims was even a glint in Kim Kardashian's eye, Wolford set the agenda for smoothing, body-sculpting pieces to act as the foundation for an everyday wardrobe, and despite the brand's The W active range being the ideal workout clothes, the thick, waist-cinching, body-hugging fabric makes their leggings luxe enough for formalwear. Out of all the pairs of leggings on this list, these are the ones with the firmest support and are well worth paying a little more for to get the best silhouette.

SHOP WOLFORD LEGGINGS:

6. BEST AFFORDABLE LEGGINGS: H&M 

Style Notes: Seeing as many of the leggings on this list cost around the £80-£100 mark, I also have an affordable option to rival those premium offerings. H&M's activewear might not have been put through the same rigorous performance tests as the specialist sportswear brands, but I'm immediately impressed by just how good they look and feel. Whereas many high-street brands produce leggings that go sheer and stretch, H&M's are surprisingly thick, stretchy and cotton-soft. At under £15 for a pair, you might as well stock up.

SHOP H&M LEGGINGS:

7. BEST SPLIT-HEM LEGGINGS: AJE ATHLETICA

Style Notes: Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner both own a pair of split-hem leggings, so naturally I immediately wanted split-hem leggings. Such is the power of this stretchy trouser-loungewear hybrid. The sliced cut is a unique design trick that elongates the leg. These toe the line between casual and chic, and make leggings acceptable for evening dressing in the process.

SHOP AJE ATHLETICA LEGGINGS:

8. BEST STIRRUP LEGGINGS: TIBI

Style Notes: In the world of contemporary New York-based label Tibi, leggings are considered a "WOF" or a "without fail". This is a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with, which is why I've found myself completely enamoured with the brand's interpretation of stirrup leggings. This pair features a slimline side zip and a gorgeous buckle detail at the ankle to really drive the equestrian aesthetic home.

SHOP TIBI LEGGINGS:

SHOP MORE STIRRUP LEGGINGS:

9. BEST SEAMLESS LEGGINGS: SPANX

Style Notes: Of course, it would be remiss of me to not mention seamless leggings in this list. As this silhouette continues to grow in popularity outside of the gym floor, I've found myself gravitating towards the stylish offerings from Spanx. Each features the label's pioneering CoreSure Tech™ technology, fusing each of these high-performance pieces with a sculpting finish.

SHOP TIBI LEGGINGS:

This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.