If you’re anything like us, these days you have more pairs of leggings in your wardrobe than jeans. And it’s easy to understand why. A good pair of leggings are comfortable, versatile, and easy to wear even if you’re not working out. (Plus, after living in them throughout lockdown and beyond, we’re kind of attached at this point.) If we’re picking favourites though, high-waisted leggings have to be our preferred style, as they streamline your silhouette whether you’re wearing them with a sports bra to workout or underneath an oversized button down shirt to work from home. We’re not the only ones who prefer high-waisted leggings these days, either. A quick Google search offers a staggering 68 million or so results, offering up everything from high-waisted yoga leggings, high-waisted leggings with tummy control, sculpting leggings, and more.
“I absolutely swear by high-waisted leggings and literally never wear anything else, whether I’m teaching or working out myself. For me, I find high waisted leggings to be the most flattering and definitely the most practical option,” Bethany Naan, a “barre and ride” instructor at Psycle told POPSUGAR.
While there are plenty of options out there, not all high-waisted leggings are created equal. You want to find a pair that won’t wrinkle around the bottom or slip as you squat. You want the waistband to have a bit of compression but not be so tight that it messes with your digestion. If you prefer light-coloured leggings, you’ll definitely want to consider a pair made from moisture-wicking fabric to avoid sweat patches. Oh, and probably most importantly? We always want our leggings to be completely squat-proof. Even if the design is on point, we don’t make a purchase unless they pass this test.
“Personally, I prefer a softer fabric for barre workouts and a slightly thicker fabric when I am riding a spin bike, so that there is no danger of them being see-though when I’m teaching under the lights, up on the podium,” Naan explained. “I also always look for a fabric that dries quickly, as I sweat so much when I teach. Leggings with minimal seams are also great as they then just feel like another layer to your skin, with no uncomfortable zips of fastenings. I’m often in leggings all day long, so my absolute non-negotiable is that they don’t fall down and fit quite snug around the stomach, but with a comfortable waistband.”
To help you on your search for a good pair of high-waisted leggings, we rounded up our favourite styles that tick all the boxes mentioned above, in a range of sizes for every body shape and a range of price points for every budget. From
eco-friendly options to leggings made specifically for yoga, running, and weight-lifting, keep reading for the high-waisted leggings that made the cut.
juststrong.com
Juststrong Jet Black Just Strong Leggings
Juststrong’s Jet Black Just Strong Leggings boast over 2,200 thousand 5-star reviews on the brand’s website, and it’s no surprise why. The brand stocks a decent range of sizes – from 8 to up to a 20 – and the leggings are made from a thick, durable fabric that is 100% percent squat and slide proof (so you can deep squat without worrying about them going anywhere or going see through).
We also appreciate the company’s ethos, which is “just strong for women”, and celebrates women supporting women no matter your walk of life, your background, or your sport.
loveleggings.com
Love Leggings Energise Thunder 7/8 Sports Leggings
The Love Leggings Energise Thunder 7/8 Sports Leggings won’t disappoint when it comes to the comfort factor, as let’s face it, some high-waisted leggings can be a bit uncomfortable and rub across the waistband after lounging in them all day.
In addition to comfort, the Love Leggings feel supportive and secure, even when HIIT training. We appreciate the fact they come in three leg lengths and feature pockets that are big enough to slot your smartphone, wallet, and keys into. But even more, we appreciate the fact the brand offers up to a size 28.
nailahfitness.com
Nailah California Blue Seamless Second Skin Up-Lifting Leggings
If your budget doesn’t quite cut it to the price range of Alo leggings, then the Nailah California Blue Seamless Second Skin Up-Lifting Leggings are the next best thing. They feature a smooth seam design for zero interference, along with moisture-wicking technology and a bum-lifting silhouette (trust us when we say our butt has never looked so good in leggings before). The waistband features Nailah’s signature tummy control, which is tight, but not so constricting that it pinches – we found it feels nice and supportive around your stomach and back. We are hoping they might bring out even more sizing soon, as currently the leggings only go up to a large.
Lululemon.co.uk
Lululemon InStill High-Rise Leggings
Lululemon’s newest yoga leggings are certainly something to get excited about. The Instill Tight High-Rise are buttery soft, available in a number of wearable colours, and the waistband is a high rise in the front and even higher at the back for additional coverage on curvy silhouettes. We hope more brands follow suit, as this is a total game-changer.
“What’s so special about the InStill High-Rise?” We hear you ask. Well, the clever people over at Lululemon spent nearly two years developing the proprietary InStill’s SmoothCover fabric. Designed with yogis in mind (although, they’re great whatever activity), the breakthrough fabric delivers a hugged sensation (it holds you in all the right places) that fits like a second skin and won’t feel too restricted or loose. It’s just the right balance of stretchy and supported, so you can focus on your yoga practice – not whether your leggings can handle your lizard stretch.
nike.com
Nike Yoga Dri-FIT Women’s High-Rise 7/8 Leggings
We’re big fans of the Nike Yoga Dri-FIT Women’s High-Rise 7/8 Leggings, which offer a sculpted fit. They’re made from an extra-soft fabric that features at least 75% recycled polyester fibres and are constructed with the special Nike Dri-FIT technology that shifts moisture away from your body, as sweat patches around the crotch area is not what we want.
Available in black and fuchsia, we adore the latter as it’s exactly what we need to brighten up those dark months when everything is so grey outside. These leggings are designed for yoga, but they feel so soft and cosy that you’ll want to wear then all the time. The stretchy high waistband is super comfortable (no rubbing goes on here) and features a subtle “V” shape design at the back for a perfect bum-shaping silhouette.
lucashugh.com
Lucas Hugh Limited Edition Axis Leggings
the Lucas Hugh Limited Edition Axis Leggings are certainly pricy, but they also tick all of our boxes when it comes to high-waisted leggings. High-rise waistband? Check. Flattering? Check. Quick drying? You can be rest assured these won’t leave any embarrassing sweat patches after even the sweatiest bootcamp class, thanks to the added ventilation panels and breathable fabric. Stylish? A resounding yes! We love the array of colours available (nine in total, with our favourite being the burnt orange and black) and the reflective chevron details around the waist, which was inspired by the bound detailing of boxing wraps.
wearetala.com
Tala Zinnia Seamless Leggings
The Tala Zinnia Seamless Leggings are not only ethically produced and made from sustainable fabrics, but they’re also built to provide the ultimate comfort and support when you hit the gym, or even if you prefer your leggings to just lounge in at home. Tala is praised for being a brand that offers ethical, affordable activewear that flatters pretty much every body shape and size, and the Zinnia Leggings are no exception. The high-rise waistband is perfectly sculpted and offers the right amount of stretch and compression, so you’re not pulling them up constantly midway through a run. We absolutely love the range of soft pastel colours available, too, so much so that we’re buying them in every hue.
adidas.co.uk
Adidas Own The Run Block 7/8 Recycled Running Leggings
Love running? Then you’ll want to step out in the Adidas Own The Run Block 7/8 Recycled Running Leggings out on your next run. These leggings are made from sustainability-sourced fabric that are moisture-absorbing due to the brand’s “Aeoready technology” and the added mesh leg inserts cool you down out on your strides. In addition to a high-waist fit, these leggings also feature a drawcord that helps ensure they stay in place no matter your run pace. They have a zip sweat-guard pocket to hold your phone, but if your smartphone is on the larger size, then you might struggle to fit it in. The sizing options are pretty great too, as they’re available in standard, plus size, petite, and tall sizings.
uk.maisonlejaby.com / jean luc michon
Maison Lejaby Inspire Collection Black Leggings
Maison Lejaby’s activewear is just as flattering and finely constructed as the brand’s fan favourite lingerie, and we’re obsessed with the Maison Lejaby Inspire Collection Black Leggings. Made with sustainability in mind, the leggings are constructed from recycled X4J fibre, which is the most durable eco-friendly workout fabric we’ve come across (in the past, we’ve some recycled fabrics can be quite thin and not last after numerous times in the washing machine).
Expect a snug high-waisted fit, sitting just above the belly button, while the hemstitched side bands deliver a stylish touch for the gym and beyond.
johnlewis.com
Under Armour HeatGear Armour No-Slip Waistband Leggings
Clock up the miles in these Under Armour HeatGear Armour No-Slip Waistband Leggings, which are made from the brand’s sweat-wicking and lightweight HeatGear fabric that won’t weigh you down, no matter how sweaty they get. We would say these are definitely for more high-impact workouts than mat-based classes, as there isn’t as much stretch for yoga moves. But saying that, the wide waistband isn’t supertight and it’s chafe-free.
