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The Ultimate Guide to Leggings: Styles, Body Shape Fits, and Best Brands in the UK & USA

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Leggings have evolved far beyond the gym. Today, they are fashion staples in both casual and performance wardrobes—from office-friendly ponte styles to ultra-high-waisted compression leggings. Whether you’re navigating the high street or browsing luxury activewear, the key to unlocking the perfect pair lies in understanding your body shape, fit preference, and styling intention.

In this guide, we break down every major style of leggings, explain what suits each body type, highlight the best UK and US brands (high street to designer), and show you how to get the perfect fit every time using Tellar.co.uk—the UK’s leading free sizing tool.

🧵 Legging Styles: Explained

1. Classic Full-Length Leggings

  • End at the ankle.

  • Ideal for everyday wear, yoga, or styling under tunics and dresses.

  • Works for all body types—just check rise height and waistband design.

2. 7/8 Length Leggings

  • Cropped just above the ankle.

  • Great for petite frames or warmer months.

  • Pairs well with trainers, slides or boots.

3. Capri Leggings

  • End mid-calf.

  • Suited for intense workouts or summer styling.

  • Best for lean or rectangular shapes—can visually shorten legs.

4. High-Waisted Leggings

  • Provide core support and waist definition.

  • Flattering on curvy or apple-shaped figures.

  • Works well for tucking in tops and smoothening midsections.

5. Compression Leggings

  • Engineered for muscle support, performance, and recovery.

  • Best for athletic builds or activewear use.

  • Often tighter, with firmer seams and sculpting panels.

6. Ponte / Faux Leather Leggings

  • Heavier fabric, structured finish—perfect for dressing up.

  • Ideal for pear, hourglass and rectangular body types.

  • Use for smart casual or office wear.

7. Seamless Leggings

  • Minimal seams; ideal for comfort and layering.

  • Flattering on all shapes due to smooth lines.

  • Can be styled as loungewear or workout wear.

👗 Leggings for Every Body Shape

🔸 Hourglass (Defined waist, balanced hips and bust)

  • Opt for: High-waisted leggings with stretch and medium compression.

  • Avoid: Low-rise or overly thin fabric that slides or gaps.

🔸 Pear (Narrower shoulders, wider hips)

  • Opt for: Structured, darker leggings with built-in support.

  • Look for: Wide waistbands that prevent rolling.

🔸 Apple (Broader midsection, slimmer legs)

  • Opt for: Supportive high-rise styles to smooth the waist.

  • Choose matte, opaque fabrics to avoid cling.

🔸 Rectangle (Straight up and down)

  • Opt for: Bold prints, panelling or mesh inserts to create curves.

  • Choose scrunch bum seams or shaping contours.

🔸 Petite

  • Opt for: 7/8 or cropped lengths to avoid fabric bunching.

  • Choose lighter fabrics and vertical designs.

🔸 Tall

  • Opt for: Full-length or tall-range cuts with extended inseams.

  • Try layered looks or stirrup leggings for added structure.

🇬🇧 Best UK High Street Brands for Leggings

🔹 Sweaty Betty

  • Renowned for sculpting Power Leggings with bum-sculpting seams.

  • Offers inclusive sizing, plus short and long lengths.

🔹 M&S Goodmove

  • Affordable, breathable fabrics and practical zip pockets.

  • Wide waistbands and anti-chafe design.

🔹 Boden

  • Luxe ponte leggings and structured everyday styles.

  • Smart enough for workwear while remaining comfortable.

🔹 Arket / COS

  • Minimalist, neutral-toned leggings with superior stitching and natural fabrics.

  • Great for city-style and capsule wardrobes.

🇺🇸 Best USA Brands for Leggings

🔹 Lululemon

  • Legendary Align leggings for softness and sculpting.

  • Extensive style range for yoga, running, training.

🔹 Athleta

  • Inclusive sizing and sustainable fabrics.

  • Everyday, crossover, and performance ranges.

🔹 Alo Yoga

  • Streetwear-style leggings with fashion-first detailing.

  • Known for high-rise fits and shiny or mesh-panelled options.

🔹 Outdoor Voices

  • Comfortable colour-blocked sets and all-day stretch.

  • Great for gentle movement and lounging.

👑 Best Designer Leggings

🔸 Ernest Leoty – French tailoring meets technical fabric. Luxe but understated.

🔸 PE Nation – Fashion-forward styles with bold prints and panelled fits.

🔸 Koral – Glossy, futuristic designs perfect for high-end athleisure.

🔸 Year of Ours – Sportswear meets streetwear with crossover waistbands and ribbed textures.

🔸 Isabel Marant Étoile – Elevated ponte and textured leggings for modern layering.

🧩 Fit Tips for Leggings

  • Waistband: High-waist or crossover designs hold you in and lengthen your frame.

  • Gusset panel: Prevents camel toe and improves comfort.

  • Inseam: Shorter inseams for petites; longer inseams or stirrup styles for tall bodies.

  • Opacity test: Bend over in front of a mirror—quality leggings should never go sheer.

Pro Tip: Choose technical fabric blends (like nylon-elastane) for workouts and ponte or modal blends for everyday wear.

🔍 How Tellar.co.uk Helps You Get the Perfect Fit

Sizing varies widely across legging brands. You might be a size S in Alo Yoga, a 10 Long in M&S, and a 6 in Lululemon. Don’t guess—Tellar.co.uk makes it easy to get your best fit in real time, across 1,500+ brands.

💡 What is Tellar.co.uk?

Tellar is the UK’s leading free sizing tool. It matches your body measurements to each brand’s actual sizing data, giving you your ideal size based on how the garments are cut—not just what’s on the labelInstruction on Posts

.

✅ How It Works:

  1. Create a free profile using your bust, waist and hip measurements.

  2. Use the Store Size Lookup to check your size across any brand: Sweaty Betty, Lululemon, Athleta, COS, Whistles and more.

  3. Get instant size matches—no downloads, no guesswork, no more returns.

 Get Started Today:

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Leggings are one of the most versatile and personal items in a wardrobe. Whether you're building a capsule wardrobe or upgrading your activewear, choosing the right cut, fabric, and fit for your body shape makes all the difference.

With Tellar.co.uk, you'll never have to second-guess your size. From UK high street favourites to premium American brands, Tellar gives you the tools to shop smarter and dress better.

 Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start now at Tellar.co.uk.

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The Ultimate Guide to Leggings: Styles, Body Shape Fits, and Best Brands in the UK & USA