When worn right, leggings look like pants or shorts and can be worn with a wide variety of tops. They are also comfortable enough to wear all day, especially if you’re at the gym or breaking a sweat. This is why leggings are a staple of athleisure wear, a style that combines athletic and casual apparel.
This style of leggings is usually a blend of nylon and spandex, with the latter providing stretch. They often have a shiny, metallic (lame), or wet-look appearance, which explains why they’re popular with clubwear and eveningwear. Shiny leggings first appeared as a fashion trend in the 2000s. They were particularly popular in 2008, according to trend forecasters Stylesignal and other fashion outlets.
Leggings can be marketed to either men or women, and they may have different patterns or topics to appeal to the female market. However, they are similar to tights in that both sheathe the legs and may cover the feet and/or waist. Tights, on the other hand, are usually a bit sheer and must be worn under another garment.
Some leggings, such as the pair we tested that are pictured above, can be considered both socks for the legs and pants for the body. They are extremely soft, both inside and out, with high marks in the opaqueness and stretchiness categories. They’re also a good value, with one editor noting minimal pilling after prolonged use and an excellent record at repelling stiff hairs. women’s bamboo leggings
