Hop on the hottest athleisure trend.
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It's time to welcome back a classic Y2K trend on the rise: the flared legging. Whether you call them flared leggings, yoga pants or just workout leggings, they are comfy and stylish, easily taking you from the studio to the street.
Popularized by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, flared leggings are truly for everyone. They are incredibly comfortable to wear when exercising, lounging or putting together a casual fall 'fit. Fitted through the leg with a bootcut bottom, flared leggings are easy to style with chic sneakers, classic sunnies and a leather jacket. Or embrace the athleisure look with a matching sports bra top. We love leaning into the 2000s vibe with UGG boots too.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has tested over 36 different pairs of leggings, including flared styles, compression pairs and more. We evaluated each pair in our Lab to assess factors like durability, stretch recovery, washability and moisture-wicking capabilities. Dozens of consumer testers wore these pairs during their workout routines and everyday lives, giving feedback on comfort, style and fit to help us find the best flared leggings to buy.
After you read through our product recommendations, continue reading to check out our shopping guide and learn more about how we test flared leggings.
Lululemon's flared leggings feature the brand's buttery soft Nulu fabric (the same stuff used in the brand's best-selling Align leggings) for the ultimate comfy pair. The super high waistband provides excellent coverage ideal for light exercise or casual wear. Currently, this style is only available in a 32.5-inch inseam, which the brand says is best suited for wearers between 5'3" and 5'8". We love that the brand offers complimentary hemming if you want a shorter pair.
Our testers generally give high marks for Lululemon leggings and they especially loved this pair and the split hem version too. One tester said, "They fit like a second skin," and another said, "I never thought I could pull off yoga pants, but I feel so confident in these!"
Sizes: 0-20 | Materials: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra elastane | Colors: 12 | Rise: Super-high
RELATED: 10 Best Lululemon Leggings, Tested and Reviewed
While flared leggings may be a celebrity trend, you don't need to spend a fortune to cop a similar pair. This style from AFITNE on Amazon costs less than $30: nearly a fourth of the cost of other featured pairs. There are two waistband pockets, one in the front and one in the back, to hold keys or credit cards. We appreciate that the brand uses flatlock seams for a more comfortable fit that won't chafe, especially when exercising.
This pair is a favorite of GH Commerce Editor, Jacqueline Saguin, who says they feel "buttery smooth." She loves that "the flattering fit makes them perfect for lounging but also sneaking into real outfits." Note that some of the color options listed on Amazon come in just a capri-length version.
Sizes: XS-3X | Materials: 75% Polyester and 25% spandex | Colors: 18 | Rise: High
Upgrade your yoga practice with a pair of soft yoga pants that'll move with you during your flow. This pair of flared leggings from Athleta is one of the few pairs we tested that's available in both tall and petite inseams. One 5'8" tester with a 33-inch inseam said, "Finally! A pair of yoga pants that aren't awkwardly short on my tall frame."
Athleta's Elation leggings aced our Lab tests and are popular among testers for their compressive fit at the waistband with a soft, brushed feel. This pair has a looser fit through the leg so you never feel squished. The ultra-high waistband has a mesh inner lining to keep it in place, which is especially important during a yoga flow.
Sizes: XXS-3X with tall and petite inseams | Materials: Nylon/lycra | Colors: 2 | Rise: Ultra-high
Impressively lightweight and breathable, Aerie's crossover waistband flare leggings are a great pick for running errands or lounging at home. The crossover waistband is unique and flatters your waist's shape with a stylish touch. Testers loved wearing this pair but found that it's not compressive enough for high-intensity exercise.
Available with regular (32-inch), long (34-inch) and short (30-inch) inseams, this pair has minimal compression and a breathable feel although it was a bit see-through in Lab evaluations. One tester reported, "They were so comfortable and not tight like other workout leggings."
Sizes: XXS-XXL with long and short inseams | Materials: 88% Nylon, 12% Elastane | Colors: 4 | Rise: High with crossover waistband
Alo Yoga may be a favorite activewear brand of celebs, and many GH editors and analysts can be found wearing Alo Yoga outfits too — because they perform well in our tests. Also available in a 7/8 version for wearers 5'5" and under, the best-selling flared legging has a more fitted shape than other flared leggings with a secure high-waisted fit. This pair offers enough compression for exercise while still being comfy enough for casual wear.
Testers loved how they looked in this pair, saying, "My legs have never looked better. Plus, I look more put together than just wearing my everyday leggings." This pair is ideal for someone who wants to look put together when leaving the gym or a workout class. The matte fabric feels soft and comfortable but does hold onto pet hair, according to testers.
Sizes: XXS-XL | Materials: 87% Nylon, 13% Elastane| Colors: 4 | Rise: High
Testers credited this pair of Spanx yoga pants with making their "butt look amazing." It's made with the brand's signature sculpting fabric for an added booty lift. Spanx may be best known for its shapewear, but the brand's activewear line was a favorite among testers for the high, compressive waistband that testers said was "very flattering."
The material held up great in our Lab tests and proved to be fully opaque (totally squat-proof!). There is no center seam in the front which helps prevent camel toe. The snug, compressive fit was "too tight" for some testers who reported that this pair isn't ideal for lounging in.
Sizes: XXS-3X with petite and tall inseams | Materials: 68% Nylon, 32% Elastane | Colors: 3 | Rise: High
Available in sizes up to a 6XL, this pair from Girlfriend Collective has the best size-inclusive range on our list. In our Lab testing, the Girlfriend Compressive Legging aced every Lab test, and testers loved its snug fit. One tester said, " I felt very confident wearing these because they flattered my body with a perfect fit."
The brand uses recycled water bottles when making the material for these leggings making it a more sustainable purchase. Because they're more fitted throughout and fully opaque, this pair is great to wear when exercising. One tester said, "The fabric is much thicker and has a soft, almost-brushed texture. I think they’d be great for fall weather/colder days." Note that colors and sizes regularly sell out with this popular style.
Sizes: XXS-6XL | Materials: 79% recycled plastic bottles (RPET) and 21% spandex | Colors: 5 | Rise: High
People with petite frames and shorter legs know the struggle of finding the perfect pair of pants only to have the hem drag all over the floor. These flared leggings from Halara come in petite sizing to help achieve a proper fit — plus, they start at just $35. They have a slight flare that doesn't overwhelm smaller frames, according to online reviewers.
The fabric kept its shape after the stretch recovery test in our Lab but did show some signs of pilling in our abrasion test. The material feels a bit thinner compared to higher-end pairs. Testers loved the legging version of this pick, saying they feel "so soft," and they earned high marks for staying in place during exercise.
Sizes: XS-3X with petite inseams | Materials: 79% polyester and 21% elastane | Colors: 11 | Rise: High
Split hems offer a unique, trendy look and have the added bonus of showcasing your footwear. This pair from Carbon38 has a fitted look throughout with a bold split hem on the bottom. The material is designed to feel lightweight and breathable for a barely-there feel. With light support, this pair is great for everyday activities and is comfy enough for lounging. It's available in a range of shades, including burnt orange, dark green and taupe.
Sizes: XS-XL | Materials: 81% Nylon 19% Spandex | Colors: 7 | Rise: High
To really encapsulate the full Y2K look, you need a pair of fold-over flared leggings. This pair from SKIMS reimagines the trend with a stretchy jersey fabric for the ultimate lounge pant. While most leggings only use synthetic materials, this pair is made with 90% cotton for a softer feel. Note that cotton doesn't wick away moisture as well as synthetics, so this pair is best suited for casual wear instead of workouts. Because of the foldover waistband, this pair can be worn with a mid-rise or low-rise fit. All sizes have a 32-inch inseam.
Though we haven't tried this pair yet, we have tested a variety of SKIMS products, including shapewear and everyday basics. Testers especially love the brand's attention to fit and style.
Sizes: XS-4X | Materials: 90% Cotton, 10% Spandex | Colors: 6 | Rise: Low to mid with foldover waistband
Designed specifically for chilly weather, this cozy pair from Outdoor Voices features the brand's FrostKnit fabric that has a brushed interior to help trap heat. Great for outdoor hikes, winter sports or just lounging at home by the fire, these leggings have a compressive fit that helps keep this pair perfectly in place no matter the activity. They flare below the knee for a more flattering fit, according to online reviewers. This pair has a 31-inch inseam across all sizes.
Sizes: XXS-XXXL | Materials: 36% Lycra, 34% Nylon, 30% Polyester with brushed interior | Colors: 3 | Rise: High
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is comprised of fitness product experts who test all types of workout apparel including leggings, sports bras, yoga pants, workout tops, bike shorts and more. When testing flared leggings, we evaluate them both in our Lab and with consumer testers.
We laundered each style five times according to its care label to evaluate any shrinkage or changes in appearance. Using a swatch of fabric, we stretched it to a standard length to rate how well the fabric returned to its original shape. Lastly, we wear each pair of leggings under the same light to rate each pair's opacity.
Testers wear the leggings during their workout routines to ensure that each pair is comfy to wear when exercising. They wore each pair during at least three different workouts before giving feedback on comfort, fit, appearance, ease of putting on/taking off and more.
The above selections are based on Lab and consumer testing, product expertise and brands with previous top performance.
Before purchasing a new pair of flared leggings, we recommend keeping the following considerations in mind:
✔️ Occasion: Consider when and where you plan to wear the leggings. For workout pairs, opt for moisture-wicking performance materials while lounge or casual wear styles can feature softer, cozier materials.
✔️ Length: Most flare leggings we tested were only available in one inseam. For shorter or taller wearers, we recommend opting for a style with different inseams like the following pairs:
✔️ Material: When wearing flared leggings for higher-intensity exercise, opt for sleek, smooth fabrics that will wick away sweat. Synthetic materials tend to have excellent moisture-wicking capabilities. Soft, brushed materials and cotton are ideal to wear as loungewear or for light exercise and casual, everyday wear.
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she has overseen in-Lab and consumer testing for a variety of activewear. She personally tested dozens of pairs of flared leggings for this story as well as sending samples to consumer testers. With a degree in fiber science from Cornell University, Emma is a product quality expert, evaluating workout leggings, sports bras and walking sneakers.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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