9 best leggings to live in for 2026 and beyond, tried and tested
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
In case you missed it, a pair of the best leggings is an absolute must-add for your 2026 capsule wardrobes. They've been all over the AW25 and SS26 runways, moving them out of their loungewear-only category and back onto the radar of every fashion person's daily rotations, and honestly? I'm so here for it.
Hermès and Balmain featured black and grey leggings on their catwalks last year, and Celine brought the trend forward again with a handful of pairs in their spring/summer collection.
And, listen, I know their renaissance is probably quite terrifying to eyes of any millennial reading this – but knowing how to style leggings is the key to wearing them in the modern age. Gone are the days of layering them beneath your denim shorts and mini skirts. Trust me.
Whether I'm out on a coffee run, dressing casually for the office, working from home or ticking errands off my to-do list, leggings are the one item I know I can throw on and feel comfy in, but also look polished. And while you might have a hard-to-open drawer already stuffed full of various styles – from flared leggings to fleece-lined leggings and even gym leggings – yes, you could always do with another pair (or several).
How we tested the best black leggings
Glamour staffers are passionate about the leggings they never take off. Whether you prioritise material (buttery-soft and not see-through) or coverage (be it cropped, 7/8, or full-length), we have thoughts on exactly which pairs are worth your coin, as a result of the thorough testing you'll see pictured below. (And yes, there are plenty of Amazon leggings to choose from).
When we were testing the best leggings, we loved pairs that felt high-waisted and supportive, stretchy and buttery-soft against our skin. We washed them, and ensured they didn't fall apart at anything over 30 degrees – and we lounged in them, to check they'd be comfy while binge-watching Netflix. Tough job, but someone's got to do it.
From dreamy activewear yoga pants/yoga leggings to the best maternity leggings, thermal leggings, full-length leggings, and pocket leggings, these are the best black leggings we’ve worn, tested, and loved — and always keep nearby. Read more about how we test here.
- ROMINA INTROINI
Ultimate Leggings
Denise Primbet wearing The White Company.
- Come in black and navy.
- One customer review says the fabric goes baggy after time.
- ROMINA INTROINI
Ultimate Leggings
Mayola Fernandes wearing Adanola.
- Available in regular and tall lengths.
- 8 core colours and 8 seasonal colours available.
- None to note!
Why you can trust me
What I consider to be the best leggings for me might not necessarily be the same for another woman. For context, I'm 6ft tall and a clothes size UK 12 (usually), so not exactly average; I made it a priority, therefore, to spotlight leggings styles on my fellow Glamour colleagues who are of different heights, shapes and sizes with picture try-ons and reviews wherever possible. Because it's important to me as a fashion writer to champion all women.
Collectively, we have made a conscious effort to try out as many of the pairs of leggings you'll see featured in this guide as possible. Combining our own personal reviews with those of other customers – plus pros and cons and other specifications like cost, materials and sustainability – we've managed to narrow our selection down and provide you with 9 items we genuinely rate, plus some extra flared leggings to consider alongside.
Ahead, our full edit of the best women's leggings to invest in immediately.
Best for: Wearing to work/professionally.
Why we love them: Can you wear leggings to work? Yes you absolutely can. This Hobbs pair is proof of that. Wear them with blouses, knitwear, flats and heels for a professional finish.
Fabric: 69% Viscose, 27% Polyamide, 4% Elastane.
Size range: 6-20.
Save when you shop for the best leggings with these Hobbs discount codes at checkout.
Best for: Stretch.
Why we love them: Crafted with four-way stretch, these leggings come in two different lengths (regular and tall) and are suitable for a multitude of activities – or should we say lack of? “They're compressive, so slimming/flattering, yet lightweight, and are seamless at the front so you won't have to worry about the fabric bunching up.” – Mayola Fernandes, Glamour UK's Commerce Writer.
Fabric: 70% Nylon, 30% Elastane.
Size range: XXS-XXXL.
See more squat-proof high-waisted leggings/high-rise leggings here.
Pros & ConsPros- Available in regular and tall lengths.
- 8 core colours and 8 seasonal colours available.
Cons- None to note!
Best for: An on-trend look.
Why we love them: Stirrup leggings are everywhere right now, and are quite honestly the most on-trend way to incorporate leggings into your everyday rotations. Style them with a crisp shirt and oversized blazer, and some chic pumps to show off the ankle detail.
Fabric: 68% Viscose, 27% Nylon, 5% Elastane.
Size range: XXS-XXXXL.
Best for: Completing your ‘to-do’ list in.
Why we love them: “Don't tell anyone but I have actually worn these to work with a shirt over the top before and no one's bat an eyelid – they're that smart looking. Despite owning them for years and washing them tonnes, they never show any signs of wear either.” – Denise Primbet, Glamour contributor.
Fabric: 67% Viscose, 28%, Polyamide, 5% Elastane.
Size range: 4-18.
Pros & ConsPros- Come in black and navy.
Cons- One customer review says the fabric goes baggy after time.
Everyday High Waisted Leggings
Best for: No VPLs.
Why we love them: “I have several pairs of these super soft leggings and they are, by far, my favourites. They're not see-through whatsoever (squat-proof tested), wash well, and come in tonnes of colours, sizes and leg lengths. Tall girl friendly on my 6ft frame.” – Georgia Trodd, Glamour UK's Senior Commerce Writer.
Fabric: 69% Viscose, 27% Polyamide, 4% Elastane.
Size range: 6-28 in regular, petite, tall and extra tall, as well as full-length and cropped.
SPANX SPANXshape™ Faux Leather Leggings
Best for: Wearing with a blazer and baseball cap on the weekend.
Why we love them: Black faux-leather leggings are a staple in our wardrobes, year-round. They add edge to smart looks and polish up your off-duty outfits. These slight compression leggings have a high waistband and finish at the ankle – what would you expect from one of the best shapewear brands?
Fabric: Faux leather synthetic.
Size range: XS-L.
Save when you shop for the best leggings with these Marks & Spencer discount codes at checkout.
Pros & ConsPros- Currently in stock in all sizes.
- On sale.
Cons- No composition/care information listed.
The Row Essentials Woolworth Stretch-Ponte Leggings
Best for: Bigger budgets.
Why we love them: Likely the most amount of money you'll ever spend on a pair of leggings, these ones from The Row are top of the fashion industry's wishlist. Be warned, they're not workout leggings.
Fabric: 87% Polyamide, 13% Elastane.
Size range: XS-XL.
Save when you shop for the best leggings with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.
Pros & ConsPros- They're an investment so they should last.
Cons- Dry clean only.
Best Maternity Black Leggings: Maternity Leggings
Best for: Mums-to-be looking for comfort while pregnant.
Why we love them: The microfibre fabric is seam-free for added comfort but also allows extra movement. The high-waist band is covered and there are ribbed panels to stretch over your pregnant belly.
Fabric: Polyamide 92%, Elastane 8%.
Size range: XS-XXL.
Save when you shop for the best black leggings and other pairs of leggings with these H&M discount codes at checkout.
Pros & ConsPros- Come in four different colours.
Cons- A few customer reviews have said they're quite see-through.
lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant 28"
Best for: Low-intensity workouts/light workouts and errand running.
Why we love them: If you need a high-quality do-it-all legging and aren't worried about spending a chunk of money, the lululemon Align leggings are where you should set your sights. They're bestsellers for a reason and are buttery soft, even after several washes. Perfect for pilates, running errands and everyday wear.
Fabric: 81% Nylon, 19% Elastane.
Size range: 2-18.
Pros & ConsPros- Come in over 10 different colours.
- Perfect for the gym or lifestyle.
Cons- They have a seam to the front.
Best flared leggings, according to editors:
.jpg)
.jpg)
What are the best brands of leggings?
If we had to pick one brand when it comes to the best leggings, we'd probably go for lululemon leggings. While the majority of them are intended for sports uses – made from sweat-wicking fabrics with technicalities like zipped pockets for keys, reflective details and so on – they're adaptable to whatever you need them for.
What are the Amazon leggings everyone is talking about?
Amazon have a few pairs of really great leggings, from scrunch bum leggings to Lululemon-inspired styles. Both have gone viral on TikTok for the same reasons; they're flattering, decent quality, and they're affordable. The best part is, if you're a Prime member, you can get them on next-day delivery.
A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour US but has since been adapted. For more from Glamour UK's Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
