The 4 Worst Kinds of Leggings to Wear to Work Out

Lately, it seems like there’s nowhere you can’t wear leggings. From simply nailing a cool post-gym look to a chic airport outfit and even a night-out, the comfortable option seems to be fashion’s answer to the (ever-so-controversial) decline of the skinny jean—and we’re not mad about it. With so many new uses for the workout staple, designers have responded with new styles that are so sleek and flattering, you forget they’re even leggings.

But, in becoming as wearable outside the gym as in it, some options have been designed without their core purpose in mind: working out. So to get the low-down on which styles to reserve for streetwear and which are pilates-ready, we reached out Danny Harris, Owner and CEO of Alo Yoga (you know, the brand Kendall, Gigi, and countless other it girls can’t stop wearing), and he broke down the four characteristics one should avoid if hitting the gym. 

Scroll through to see what he had to say!

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“The most important part of finding the perfect workout pant is ensuring the fit is right for you and that it caters to your workout! When looking at workout pants, always check the waistband and make sure it works for you. It's best to avoid styles that pinch the skin or hug too tightly, resulting in a muffin top.” — Danny Harris, owner and CEO of Alo Yoga

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“Depending on the workout, avoid leggings with harsh hardware which can result in pinching or chafing - especially for yoga and pilates.” — Danny Harris

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“Workout clothes today often have a lot of seams which make them super wearable and more fashion-forward, but when it comes to working out, we recommend not having seams on the knee bone or the back of the knees as it can cause irritation. From a look perspective—a flat-locking seam is best as they lie flat on the body and look more polished!” — Danny Harris

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“No matter the workout, I always recommend pieces that have wicking or quick drying material, anything without can yield an uncomfortable workout. Also, a gusset or cotton liner is recommended, as they add an extra level of comfort to your workout clothes." — Danny Harris

Continue to shop workout-approved leggings…

How do you feel about the leggings-as-pants trend? Sound off in the comments!

Opening Image: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

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Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.