The Best Leggings, A Round-Up

Photos: published in Elle magazine

Just like denim jeans and a leather jacket, leggings are a wardrobe essential. They are casual smart. So comfortable and versatile, you can dress them up or down. Opaque leggings can be worn with a big shirt or sweater. Underneath a skirt or dress, they keep you warm in the winter. Leggings are equally chic with ballet flats or boots; and they are great for traveling, since they roll up and take up little room in a suitcase. 

At one time, I loved Victoria Secret's classic leggings. They were 92% cotton and 8% spandex, hit at the belly button and over the hips (so they stayed put!); plus they were fairly thick, opaque and dressy. They often sold for $15 on sale, so I always bought 10 pairs at a time. Moreover, they lasted through numerous machine washings. No longer available, I hope Victoria Secret brings their classic leggings back soon! Why mess with perfection? They have been replaced by their thinner and lower waisted offspring: daily leggings and yoga leggings. 

The closest to VS's classic leggings today are the retailer's Pink label leggings; however the wrinkle for some of us is, they are shorter with a 27-inch inseam.

So where can a lover of ankle-length-basic-leggings turn to buy a decent pair? Leggings soft, opaque and thick enough to wear alone; are not shinny; or athletic looking ... leggings which flatter your legs and are warm in winter, but still thin enough to wear under a dress??

Here are my finds for the best basic leggings right now:

1. Victoria Secret - From the Pink Shop  - 2 varieties: (a) the basic leggings - They are soft and fairly opaque. But as noted, they have a shorter 27-inch inseam. Cost: $19.50, or special - 2/$30. (b) Another choice, Pink's much loved yoga leggings - They are thicker and come in an assortment of colorful wide-waist-bands, but have the limited, 27 ½-inch inseam. (not to be confused with VS's daily and yoga leggings. Yes, it is confusing.) Cost: $34 - $49. 

For longer legged ladies who need a 32-inch or 34-inch inseam ... well, we'll just have to wait for VS to bring them back.

2. Express sexy stretch leggings - At $29.90, they are affordable and feel like the old Victoria Secret classic leggings. Very black, thick, opaque, and soft: 95% cotton - 5% spandex. There are several styles (some with ankle zippers or snaps). They wear longer than 27 inches; I bet they measure 32 inches. They go on sale too, which is great. According to reviews, customers love them despite not understanding why tiny holes eventually develop in the seams. I had the same problem with Express' boot cut yoga pants. (Strange, as I am not a large person.) The leggings are soft, slimming and budget-friendly at $14.95 on sale ($29.90 regularly), thereby earning my blue ribbon. Just know they are not made to last forever, so it's a trade off.

3. Old Navy Women's Fold-Over Yoga Pants - In my opinion, the name is misleading. Yoga pants and leggings are usually two different things. Fortunately, these are indeed leggings, and at $19.90 a pair, they are also blue ribbon worthy. In fact these are my favorite leggings available today. They are 93% cotton and 7% spandex. They are soft, opaque and durable. Better in quality than leggings costing 2-3 times more. By the way, Old Navy also sells excellent traditional boot-cut yoga pants. Stock up!

4. American Apparel cotton spandex jersey leggings - Well-made; a choice of colors, prints and textures; soft, a comfortable cotton-spandex blend; durable. They are heavy enough to wear solo. Cost: $28.

5. Hue ultra leggings with wide waistband - Pricey, but fine basic leggings ... and they are definitely not thin or shinny. So you can pair them with shorter tops and wear them outside the gym. Cost: $34-$44 (depending on seller).

6. James Perce stretch jersey long leggings - I like them very much, but at $68 a pair, they are an investment. Personally, I hate paying so much for basics. I'd rather own several pairs of basics -- like leggings (socks or t-shirts) -- so I can carelessly machine wash and dry them many times over and not really think of them as an investment. But that's me. If a pair of James Perce leggings in my size landed on my desk, I'd be very happy. Who wouldn't?

Without a doubt, good quality leggings at affordable prices are harder to come by than years ago. So if you have a brand to recommend, pleassse share under comments. Savvy shoppers want to know!

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