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Though we’ve long settled the “are leggings pants?” debate (yes, shut up, of course they are), the quest for finding the perfect pair of leggings to make it through the gym, an afternoon running errands or some time cuddling up on the couch is still an eternal one. After all, how can you really be sure they can withstand your sweatiest and most intense spin class and your most low-key binge-watching days?
When hunting for your new favorite pair of leggings, there’s plenty to consider: Is the fabric breathable? How does it handle sweat and all the smells that come with it? Is the waist comfortable? Does it have pockets? You want something that will work with the rest of your wardrobe but also probably don’t want to look in your drawers and see different versions of the same pair looking back at you. There are plenty of prints, designs and styles that can keep your leggings, sweatshirt, and sports bra combos looking fresh and cute.
Here are a few of our favorite versatile leggings to keep you comfy no matter what your day has in store. Once you find the right fit and vibe for you, you’ll never want to let them go — and, okay, you probably will want to buy three more identical pairs, let’s be real.
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d+k active Match Point Tight leggings
Image Credit: d+k active. Functionality and style go hand in hand with these supportive leggings from d+k active. They suit any high-performance activity and still make you look cute while doing so. Plus, this high-waisted pair is an eco-friendly choice for your collection.
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Amazon Core 10 Women’s ‘Build Your Own’ Yoga Pant
Image Credit: Amazon. With different waist and height options, these leggings are designed for you to find the custom fit for your own body. Amazon also lets you try on before you buy for select styles and covers, which never hurts.
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Salutation Stash Pocket Softluxe Tight
Image Credit: Athleta. Break up your plain black leggings uniform with this pair from Athleta. The design adds a cool dimension and a nice pop of color — even if the bright red isn’t your style.
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90 Degree By Reflex Ankle Length High Waist Power Flex Leggings
Image Credit: Amazon. With a number of cool colors to choose from (that can still stray from the basic black) and a high-wasted nylon and spandex design, these are a great pair to pick up. They’re also washing machine safe, because who has time for anything but that?
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Old Navy High-Waisted Elevate Compression Leggings
Image Credit: Old Navy. Whenever I travel I almost always throw an extra pair of Old Navy leggings in my bag. They’re simple (but thick and not a see-through risk), super comfortable and go with everything — but also aren’t going to break the bank.
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On-The-Go High-Waisted Legging
Image Credit: Fabletics. The design of this pair from Fabletics is cute and color-blocked, which we love for when you want to have a slightly more elevated workout look. Plus, they are chafe resistant (hell yeah), breathable and offer UPF protection.
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Zella Mamasana Live In Maternity Ankle Leggings
Image Credit: Zella. When hunting for a pair of maternity leggings, you’ll want something that feels secure and stretchy without squeezing you too tight.
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Athleta Elation 2 in 1 7/8 Tight
Image Credit: Athleta. A big deal in the “leggings aren’t pants” debate is about hiding any potential camel toe (which is why conventional wisdom would have you wear a longer top to cover your butt and front). But if you’re still nervous about showing a bit too much, a pair with the added skirt can make you feel just a bit more comfortable.
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Lululemon Align™ High-Rise Short with Pockets 8″
Image Credit: Lululemon. Are shorts leggings? Yeah, in this case they are. Even if the VSCO girl look is a bit young for you, a bike short-style is a cute, less sweaty approach to a daily pair of leggings. They’re great for tossing in your gym bag or throwing on to do a load of laundry when you’re down to your last few pairs of pants (a mood). Plus, pockets that are functional enough to hold your phone without looking weird.
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THE GYM PEOPLE High Waist Leggings
Image Credit: THE GYM PEOPLE at Amazon. Tie-dye, but make it fashion. You don’t need to go full summer camp, but you can have an understated (but still fun) play on the look. Plus the fabric is soft, makes you feel supported the whole time, and has over 37,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
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Colorfulkoala Women’s Leggings
Image Credit: Colorfulkoala at Amazon. If you believe “the higher the waist, the closer to heaven,” you’ll love this cozy pair from Amazon. They’ll stay in place and keep you feeling supported — but also let you breathe.
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