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Beyond the gym, countless celebrities and supermodels swear by leggings as a street style staple. Here's everything you need to know before purchasing your next pair

Since the discovery of skin-tight lycra in the early 80’s, leggings have transformed from exclusively athletic wear to a timeless wardrobe staple for the modern woman who prioritises comfort and versatility. And that’s not to say style is compromised in the process; a good pair can not just grant you accessibility but even flatter your entire silhouette. 

It’s probably enough reason to why celebrities and style mavens have effortlessly worked their favourite pair into their off-duty looks. But before that, procuring one with the right fit and fabric would be the instrumental step. Below, V ogue shares our legging edit, as well as how to pick out your perfect pair, whether it be for the gym or for your next brunch soirée. 

Depending on your needs, the fabric of the leggings is crucial to how comfortable you want to be. From lightweight stretchy to moisture wicking compression, choosing the right the material is key. Pro-tip: nothing beats touching the fabric in real life to get to know the hand feel and material. If you’re simply looking to casually lounge and run daily errands, spandex or cotton blend leggings may be the best pick as they cling comfortably like a second skin, and feel buttery soft upon touch. For those wanting a good pair of workout leggings, be on the lookout for synthetic materials like polyester or nylon as they provide more compression and use moisture wicking technology to maximise breathability during high intensity workouts. However, do make sure to give it a good wash after each workout (check the care instructions) as synthetic fabrics has a tendency to retain sweat, which makes it highly susceptible to unwanted musty odour.

Finding the most flattering length of leggings can be difficult depending on your physique. Ankle length leggings creates the illusion of elongated legs and a chic silhouette, perfect for hitting an early morning HIIT class to a casual day in the office. If you’re looking for a little more breathability during high intensity workouts, 7/8 leggings that crop around the shin transitions effortlessly from a light jog around the neighbourhood to running errands at the grocery store. 

The nightmare of every legging wearer: the much dreaded cameltoe. A good rule of thumb is to understand the anatomy of a pair of leggings, and most importantly, look out for the gusset. Simply put, the gusset is a tiny piece of fabric (usually triangular or diamond shaped) between the pant legs at the crotch that increases flexibility and range of movement. Opt for leggings that has a thick gusset and strong seams as it helps redistribute the fabric. Another alternative to completely dodge the cameltoe would be to pick a pair of leggings without a front seam, which tends to be a popular choice of leggings among gym-rats and yogis.

Though it’s always convenient to shop for leggings online, the only guaranteed way to truly judge a pair of leggings fairly is to try them on in real life. In fact, the bend over test has been a tried and true method of ensuring any underwear or skin doesn’t show through when hitting the squat rack. Simply hit the changing rooms and bend over, or do a few squats to find out if the fabric passes the test or sheers out. 

Available on Lululemon.com.hk.

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