Leggings vs Pants

Womenswear can be a confusing category. We’ve written elsewhere about the difference between leggings and pantyhose or leggings and tights. This time, though, we’re talking about the difference between leggings and pants. 

Are leggings pants? If not, what’s the difference? And where do yoga pants come into it? Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Leggings?

Basically, normal leggings are opaque (not see-through) skin-tight garments. They usually pull on and off (no zipper or other fastening), and while they may have pockets and other accents, most are unadorned with any pockets or seams beyond the seam that runs around the inner legs.

Leggings are usually made of cotton and lycra, though they now come in an astonishing range of finishes (shiny, matte), lengths (ankle and cropped), colors, cuts, and even materials (from plain cotton to denim-looking “jeggings” and even leather).

Key things to note about leggings:

• They’re opaque (i.e. not see-through)
• They come in different lengths, including:
• Full length
• Ankle-length, also known as 7/8 length
• Cropped
• Leggings come with different waist rises (similar to jeans), including:
• High waist rise
• Mid-rise
• Low-rise
• Unlike tights, they do not cover the feet; they end at the ankle

How to Wear Leggings

Fashion leggings are usually skin-tight, but it is totally possible to wear them and still cover any area you may not want to be exposed. Some worry about visible panty lines. At the end of the day, this is your call. 

But here are some suggestions of how leggings are commonly styled and worn.

Wear Your Leggings With a Tunic

Way too short to be a dress, but too long to be considered a regular top. Tunics are also often pretty boxy in their cut, some would even say shapeless. So, a tunic works great with leggings. They’ll help balance out the volume on top and give you a flattering silhouette.

...Or a Long Shirt

If you love an oversized shirt (whether it’s a crisp, white classic shirt or a soft, cozy flannel number), you’ll find a perfect pairing in leggings. If you want to dress the look up, you could opt for leather (or leather-look) leggings. 

A Short Dress

Ever buy a short dress, get it home and find it’s just a bit *too* short? Or ever struggle to find the right way to wear your favorite short dress when you’re either running around, it’s windy, and/or you want to ride your bike? Leggings to the rescue! 

Or a Long Dress, Too…

It might sound strange to wear leggings under a long dress and indeed, it is a little trickier to pull off. But long dresses with leg slits or asymmetric hemlines can be worn with leggings. This is a great way to dress the outfit down a little for daywear or office wear.

Try Them With Knee High Boots and a Sweater

One of my personal favorite combinations is leggings with knee-high boots (or over-the-knee boots) and an oversized sweater. This look always feels easy, cozy, and still pulled together.

Leggings Also Look Great With All Kinds of Jackets...

If you love the simple combo of leggings and a tee or simple sweater, shake that look up with different jackets. The combination will take on completely different looks when you pair it with a blazer, as opposed to a jean jacket. Or with a leather biker jacket, compared to a cargo jacket.

Or With Tees and Trainers

Sometimes, it’s the simplest thing: A perfect white tee, a great pair of sneakers, and you’ve got a great look. Top it off with a crossbody purse and a pair of sunglasses, and voila - you’ll have a look that’s timeless and ageless, with clean lines for an always chic vibe.

And (Of Course!) They Make Great Activewear

Whether you’re doing downward dog, running 10k, or just going for a gentle stroll, leggings are the natural apparel to reach for. Indeed, we all fell back in love with leggings via yoga pants (which quickly became non-yoga pants, too). But they’re still there for that. Pair with a light top or even a cropped sports bra, and look for moisture-wicking materials to help keep you dry and free from chafing.

Leggings and Yoga Pants / Yoga Leggings: Any Difference?

Sometimes, the terms ‘leggings’ and ‘yoga pants’ are used interchangeably.

However, yoga pants (or athletic leggings) are usually designed specifically for exercise, so they might be made with performance-enhancing features in mind. For example, they might also be made of sweat-wicking materials, have pockets for keys or devices, or fit higher in the waist for bending and stretching. They may also have compression or compression zones (see the following section.)

Oftentimes these features also make them comfy and convenient. So if you’re guilty of wearing your leggings and yoga pants even when you’re not working out (or even every day) don’t feel bad about it - we’re right there with you!

How to Wear Yoga Pants / Yoga Leggings

You can wear yoga pants the same way you tend to wear plain fashion leggings, though the ‘performance’ nature of their fabric makes them less versatile in terms of dressing up. That said, you can wear yoga pants whether you’re doing downward dog or brunch.

So, while originally designed for the gym or yoga studio, we’re all used to seeing yoga pants as popular daywear (thank the athleisure movement!) A tee or sweatshirt and some cool sneakers with yoga pants is a no-fail look for a weekend (or, let’s face it, a weekday!) The list of yoga pant styles is seemingly endless. 

Compression Leggings (AKA Compression Pants or Compression Tights)

The term “compression” in clothing is not regulated, so it can fall on a spectrum. Compression clothing includes socks, leggings, shorts, and sleeves. Compression materials put pressure on different parts of the body (the amount of pressure can vary). Some compression garments are all-over compression, and some (like Knix activewear leggings) have compression zones.

The purpose of compression pressure is to improve blood circulation, which can help with athletic performance, reduce fatigue and even aid with muscle recovery. Compression leggings or yoga pants usually look “sportier” than regular leggings. They will usually have a thicker waistband and are often high rise. You may notice more panels on the legs as well. 

The materials of compression yoga pants will look less like 100% cotton, and you’ll probably notice greater elasticity, which may make these items look much smaller on the hanger.

What Are Stretch Pants?

Pants generally pull on like leggings but have a lot less stretch and zip, or close with buttons, at the crotch. Pants may also be called trousers, and jeans can also be considered a kind of pant.

Pants come in a vast variety of styles. They can have wide-legs, straight legs, flare or be bootcut, boyfriend style or even have a more relaxed fit. They can have a high-, medium-, or low-rise at the waist and also come in different lengths. The list of styles truly goes on. 

Pants can also be made of different materials: You can find leather pants, denim, cotton, silk, and all kinds of woolen and synthetic blends.

Pants can also be skin-tight or very tight. Those kinds of pants are often called stretch pants or stretchy pants. And while this may sound like a good description for leggings, it may also refer to tight pants that still have some kind of zipper or closure at the crotch, which leggings don’t.

And, unlike yoga pants or activewear leggings, stretch pants are generally not designed with exercise in mind. They do not generally offer the same sweat-wicking or compression features.

So, Leggings vs Pants, Or *Are* Leggings Pants?

It’s hard to be unequivocal about the definitions of certain garments. All these terms evolve, and there will always be individual designs that blur the lines and cause confusion (like footed leggings, stirrup style leggings, or jeggings!)

If pants are any garment that covers the legs, then yes, leggings are pants. And, let’s be candid, more and more of us are choosing leggings as our ‘go-to’ everyday wear pant style.

While some may not consider leggings as appropriate pants for all situations, we don’t really subscribe to policing what women (or anybody) wear. 

However, if you consider that pants pull on but fasten with some combination of buttons and/or zippers, then maybe you will think leggings or yoga pants are different from “pants pants.”

In summary, it all seems pretty subjective and not worth picking fights about. 

8 Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Yoga Pants

Even though leggings are a pretty simple garment, there are a lot of choices out there, and you might be overwhelmed when you start shopping for them. Here are some of the choices you’ll have to make.

1. Length

Leggings generally come in different lengths, and various brands may label those lengths differently. Basically, you’ll have full length, ankle length, and cropped. But because what’s full length on one person may be too long on another (ankle length is often full length on my 5ft 2” frame), more brands are using inseam conventions. 

This means you’ll find length labeled the same way you do with jeans (31”, 26” all the way to a very cropped 17”, as an example).

Basically, be clear on the look you’re going for. Do you want to show a little ankle? Do you want to show a little bit of your lower calf? Or do you want full coverage?

When you find a legging you love, you might want it in different lengths. I love cropped leggings in the summer. But when I’m tucking leggings into boots, I want full length. Start with the length you’ll wear most often! Ankle is often the no-brainer length.

2. Rise

Similar to jeans, leggings come in high, medium, and low rise. Again, this is a personal choice. Some women love feeling held in by a high-rise legging (especially when they’re doing activities that involve a lot of bends, like yoga). Others like to show a little midriff and opt for a medium rise. 

Your taste in jeans is a good indicator here, as is the activity you’ll be wearing leggings for. When all else fails, go for comfort.

3. Material

Leggings come in lots of different materials, from matte cotton materials (sometimes blended with lycra) to shinier, more spandex-y materials. The look you choose will depend on how you’re going to wear your leggings.

You can also find leggings in materials like leather or "pleather" (aka faux leather leggings), which has become a popular look for fall fashion. There are also leggings that are designed to look like jeans, but offer the comfort of leggings (nicknamed “jeggings.”)

Leggings can also be made to offer gentle shaping (or compression) to give you a smoother silhouette. Regardless of shaping properties, many of us like the feeling of being a little “held in,” especially when exercising (but let’s be honest, also whenever).

Finally, there are leggings with sheer mesh panels that show a little more skin (usually around the calves). These add visual interest while still keeping you more covered up than shorts.

4. Pockets & Seams

The classic legging is a very simple garment. Two legs. That’s about it. 

But leggings today might have more panels, seams, and pockets to choose from. Some of these elements are pure design, but some also add to the performance of the garment (gently shaping, etc.) Athletic leggings, in particular, add practical pockets (for devices and keys) so you can be hands-free when running or working out.

Obviously, the more simple leggings tend to “fade” in an outfit - they’re a great supporting actor to another garment. Whereas more detail draws the eye in and makes the legging more the hero of the outfit. So decide whether you want the classic streamlined legging or one with more bells and whistles; know what look you’re going for.

5. Activity Level

If you’re buying leggings for lounging, WFH-ing, or even sleeping in, no judgment from us!!

However, if you’re buying leggings to work out in, do pay attention to specific design features and how they might impact performance. There’s nothing worse than leggings that begin to slip down when you’re out for a run (which has happened to me). Or leggings that are too low-rise to bend over in your yoga class.

So think about when you’re going to wear them. If you’re a big outdoor adventurer (or live in a colder climate), you might want leggings that are thicker than those you’d wear in the hot summer. 

6. Opaqueness

In our opinion, leggings should never be see-through. Indeed, a lot of their bad reputation comes from the fact that cheaper leggings can be see-through (or become that way after a few washes).

But good-quality leggings should be solid. When you get new leggings, make sure you check that they’re not see-through. I know it sounds hilarious, but even bend over to make sure they don’t become see-through back there when stretched (ask a friend if you need to!)

7. Pattern & Color

It’s natural to default to thinking about black leggings. They’re classic and a mainstay in most of our closets. But, of course, leggings also come in different colors, patterns, and materials. This includes leather (or its vegan lookalike equivalent), leggings with mesh panels, all manner of colors and patterns, etc.

While a statement pattern might be great for a yoga class (and indeed practical if you’re - for example - running at night), most often, these choices will come later. Our recommendation? Lay down the basics first with your perfect pair of black leggings.

8. Price & Quality

We’re all on a budget, so it’s natural to want to find a deal when you’re buying leggings. After all, what’s so difficult about making a simple pair of leggings? Shouldn’t they be relatively cheap?

Unfortunately, as with so many things in life: Buyer beware the cheapest option. Often, these are the leggings that will become transparent after a few washes. Or they will lose their shape, becoming baggy in the bottom or legs. You may also find the color fades quickly, so your perfect black leggings soon become a sad, gray version of themselves.

All in all, if you want leggings that will hold their shape, color, and opaqueness, spending a little more will go a long way. You’ll be the best judge here. But do try leggings on and keep an eye on them as they wash. Soon you’ll be able to separate the real deal from the pretenders.

Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on March 5, 2023.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.