Leggings vs Tights: Let’s Clear it Up!

TEAM KNIX / STYLE WELLNESS

Leggings are a basic garment that most of us have in our closets. Perhaps you like to layer them under dresses or long sweaters. Maybe you wear them on weekends, working from home or lounging. Or perhaps you have the activewear variety, worn for everything from yoga to running, athleisure, gym, or pro sports.

But although they’re literally all around us, some of us remain a little confused about what leggings really are. Are they a garment, or are they underwear? Are they the same as tights? Are they appropriate? Let’s take a closer look...

What Are Leggings (or Yoga Pants)?

Basically, leggings are opaque (not see-through) skin-tight pants. 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 (aka yoga pants) are usually made of cotton and lycra, though they now come in an astonishing range of finishes (shiny, matt), 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 (aka yoga pants):

  • 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 yoga pants/leggings
  • Leggings come with varying rises of waist (similar to jeans), including:
    • High waist rise
    • Mid-rise
    • Low-rise
  • Unlike tights, they do not cover the feet; they end at the ankle

Are You Wearing Tights, Not Leggings?

Tights (aka pantyhose) are usually different from leggings. For one, they’re usually much more opaque (even thicker tights will usually have some degree of see-through). And, of course, tights encapsulate your feet too.

While both tights and leggings can be used for layering (e.g., you can wear leggings under a dress), tights are not designed to be worn as ‘pants’ the way leggings can be. The gusset and seams are not generally designed to be on display (never mind the fact they’re usually more see-through than you’d want your outerwear to be).

Tights are also usually more fragile than leggings. They can catch and tear more easily. For the most part, we think of tights as a finishing touch to an outfit rather than being part of the outfit. There are also different kinds of tights, some of which we’ll outline below:

Sheer Tights or Hosiery

Designed for the spring/summer months, sheer hosiery has a ‘second skin’ appearance and will help conceal skin flaws by giving you light coverage (think of it as a fabric tinted moisturizer for your legs.)

Fishnet Tights

Fishnet stockings date back to the early 1900s and were seen as a more risque style choice of flappers and showgirls. They were later co-opted by pop and rock musicians as a more subversive choice than mother’s pantyhose. But they have become much more mainstream since then. Within the style, there is also variety on the size of the “netting,” all the way to whale net stockings with a much looser net pattern.

Opaque Hosiery

Opaque tights are heavier and ideal for winter. Opaque tights with a higher denier can sometimes look as thick as leggings, but the way the top/gusset is constructed is not designed to be seen.

Slimming Tights

Just like leggings and shapewear, hosiery can have slimming properties thanks to panels of lycra or other stretchable material. Slimming effects are usually concentrated around the tummy, derriere, or thighs.

Lace, Embellished, or Patterned Tights & Hosiery

These were all the rage in the 1980s and have had a resurgence with countless styles and hues available. From rhinestone embellished to embroidered details, full lace, or even crochet style, there are countless looks to play with!

At-a-Glance: The Difference Between Leggings and Tights

Leggings vs tights, everything you need to know about the difference between leggings and tights in this handy table:

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Leggings

Tights

Category

Clothing

Underwear 

Also known as

Yoga pants

Pantyhose

Wear with...

Wear leggings for everyday wear, layering with other clothes, wearing as pants, ath-leisure and workout gear

Usually worn under skirts and dresses for a dressy look or in colder weather

Wear when...

Year-round: Leggings often have moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool and dry

Usually worn under skirts and dresses for a dressy look. Wearing tights will also keep you warm in colder seasons.

Opaqueness

Not see-through / opaque

Some degree of see-through / not opaque

Design

Simple, skin tight, pull on “pants”

Pull ons that encapsulate the feet

Material

Thick, elasticized material cotton, spandex

Tights are made of elasticized polyester blends

Length

Usually ankle length, but also available in 7/8 length and crop (or mid-calf)

Full length, encapsulating the feet

Compression

Can have compression, either all over or in zones

Can have compression, either all over or in zones

Colors

Many options

Many options

Care Instructions

Machine wash, following care instructions. Skip the dryer.

Treat as delicate. Hand wash or use a protective laundry bag.

Where it Can Get Confusing: “Running Tights”

Okay, now we’ve established that tights and leggings are entirely different things, let’s bring back the confusion. Some people call ‘leggings,’ ‘tights,’ or ‘running tights,’ or ‘yoga tights.’ They’re probably more likely to call tights ‘pantyhose.’ 

This naming convention is sometimes due to regional differences (the same way the Brits call chips, crisps, and fries, chips).

More and more though, this confusion is clearing up, and more and more people are calling leggings simply that.

Whether You Wear Leggings or Wear Yoga Pants... Some FAQs

Why Are Some Leggings See Through?

Yep, we’ve all seen them. And maybe we’ve realized it’s even happened to us. Leggings can sometimes be see-through (or become see-through after much laundering). Usually, this is the result of cheaper materials breaking down over time.

Leggings should NOT be see-through.

To protect your leggings, machine wash them on cold and hang them to dry. Dryers can cause a lot of damage to clothes that contain a lot of lycra, causing the lycra to break under high temperatures.

You might also want to avoid using softener on leggings. Softener can coat the surface of synthetic materials, leaving a kind of residue on it that can also compromise the moisture-wicking properties of performance leggings. (Softener is best used for cotton and linen items, like towels and bedsheets.)

Why Do Leggings Have a Bad Reputation?

Ugh, hopefully, they don’t! If they do, it’s likely because women’s bodies sometimes make people feel uncomfortable, and leggings are form-fitting. In our opinion, these are antiquated viewpoints not worth consideration.

The only other reason leggings can have a bad reputation is because they can become see-through (see previous questions) and that’s definitely not a good look. To avoid this, invest in quality.

What Does 7/8 Length Mean?

Legging lengths similarly differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. But the 7/8 length is basically 1/8 shorter than full-length leggings. It is designed to sit just above the ankle (and therefore, will show some skin between your legging cuff and your footwear).

The 7/8 length is most people’s preferred length of legging. Many say it is the perfect length to elongate the leg, whereas cropped leggings can make you seem shorter.

But again, where it falls on you, will depend on your height versus what your manufacturer considers standard. It’s best to look for inseam measurements (usually in inches) to be completely sure where 7/8 will sit on you.

Conclusion: Tights and Leggings, You Probably Need Both

Leggings are a wardrobe staple for many of us. Whether we layer them or wear them with a simple tee, work out in them or lounge in them, wear them to work or reserve them for the weekends, leggings are pretty indispensable.

That doesn’t mean that leggings completely replace tights. Tights are a great undergarment or finishing touch to an outfit. There’s a place for both, depending on the season, the look you’re going for, and your own personal style and preference!

Basically, leggings and tights are both here to stay!

Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on March 1, 2022.

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.