tiny bubbles blog top 5 style leggings for working from home (from a gal who has worked from home in the fashion/sporting goods industry for over 10 years:)

Marcella Fredericks

May 19, 2020·8 min read

brace yourself… i am about to share 3 months’ worth of research that included: torn flesh wounds, skin rashes, my foot punctured by a safety pin, and loads of sweating because shopping (for leggings), is in fact cardio!… i am bringing to you my top 5 leggings for working from home — the research was tough y’all but the timing is right.

i tried on 36 pairs of leggings from 17 different brands, three different stores and zappos.com — it was savage!

brands tried on: joylab (target), c9 (target), colsie (target), all in motion (target), athleta, zella (nordstrom), nike, adidas, adidas originals, spanx, beyond yoga, aloyoga, sweaty betty, old navy, outdoor voices, vuori, lulu

first, a disclaimer, there is a lot of confusing terminology in the athleisure/activewear world, as there is no industry standard. each company decides on the name that they use to describe the legging and length so one company might call it a legging a capri, yoga pant or tight (i am going on a quest to change this!). research is key! the product description should indicate the length and if not email me at tinybubblesblog@gmail.com and i will find out! in fact, this is such a huge problem, i have decided to dedicate an entire blog to the topic! but, for the purpose of this blog, i am focusing on full leggings (over the ankle 8/8 length). you typically wear these in the fall and winter because they keep you warmer. also, important to note, some leggings are specifically for working out (which i will include in my descriptions below) but many women also wear these for “athleisure” as well. honestly, you decide. your leggings, your style, your rules.

#5 women’s lounge leggings by colsie™ one of target’s new private labels $17

PROS:

• price value cannot be beat! $17
• high waist is flattering on most (not all) body types
• no camel toe — #blessings
• not see thru
• stays in place
• wear for colder days as the material is a bit heavier; these are NOT for working out or you will sweat to death in all the wrong places

CONS:

• not sustainable/fast fashion; if eco-friendly is important to you stay away from target or other “fast fashion” retailers unless they have specified it as “eco”
• stretches out after wearing

#4 women’s sculpted high rise leggings — “all in motion” (private label athletic brand for target) $30

***sidenote: i was very disappointed to learn that c9 the champion brand for target, is not renewing their contract after 2020 (champion/c9 was by far one of my favorite brands that would have been featured had it not been discontinued :( “all in motion” is the replacement and so far so good.

here is your legging with a pocket ladies!

i do not love pockets on me because they make my hips look wide, however, function trumps flattery on this style.

PROS:

• a workout legging for $30 cannot be beat
• can also be worn for athleisure if you choose
• high waist is flattering on most (not all) body types
• no camel toe
• not see thru
• stays in place (no falling down)
• UPF50+ material so you can wear in the sun; also moisture wicking
• available in plus sizes

CONS:

• not sustainable/fast fashion
• flatseams can irritate the skin
• flatseams can also be unflattering depending on placement

musical interlude: put your fave leggings on and DaNcE!

for your quarantine jams playlist click here — (working on an at-home cardio dance class for this playlist TBD!)

but i digress, back to leggings….

#3 z by zella high waist daily leggings

*zella is nordstrom’s private label and the brand is awesome! reasonably priced, on-trend and good quality) available at nordstrom rack for only $26.97!

PROS:

• everyday athleisure legging or workout legging for only $27 with massive price value
• nordstrom and nordstrom rack both carry zella so you can find newer, more on-trend styles at nordstrom but that also means more $$$; nordstrom rack will carry more core basics and past seasons that sold well
• high waist is flattering on most (not all) body types
• no camel toe
• not see thru
• stays in place (no falling down)
• you can have a glass of wine if you are shopping for leggings as i did at nordstrom (except covid19 might put a wrinkle in that plan depending on what state you live in)

CONS:

• not sustainable/eco-friendly
• quality is good for the price but these need to be replaced every 6–9 months if you are wearing them regularly and hanging to dry
• more of a “shiny” material so looks more “athletic” versus “athlesiure” (this really isn’t a con, more of a matter of preference)
• drinking too much wine at nordstrom and buying more leggings than you need because wine

#2 spanx look at me now seamless leggings $69

my go-to leggings if i “want to dress up” i literally have all the camo colors and i replace them after a year because i wear them so much! spanx are probably the most versatile in terms of athlesiuire.

here are a few of the ways i style mine.

look #1 pure athleisure

look #2: sporty chic // athleisure

look #4 sporty casual

look #3 happy hour is calling — a more dressed up look with boots or pair with heels

PROS:

• so versatile, dress up, dress down look cute all the way around ;)
• super comfortable
• good quality — i have had mine for over 2 years
• high waist is flattering on most (not all) body types
• spanx gets an A+ on stomach suckage in
• no camel toe
• not see thru

CONS:

• they are a much thinner material if worn a lot without updating might become see thru
• tend to fall down a little bit, but i am okay with that because they make up for it by making my stomach appear flatter

pro tip: INVEST IN LAYERING TANKS (ribbed and cami) found most anywhere target and old navy seem to have the best selection and lowest prices and i don’t feel bad buying these items as “fast fashion” because i keep them for years!

and now the moment you’ve all been waiting for….

DRUMROLL PLEASE….

the winner for best fitting, most flattering legging that make you look and feel like a million bucks is …..

y’all it was a TIE…

i know, i know but everyone likes options right?! i honestly could not decide, i love these two brands’ leggings so much. OPTIONS!

#1 beyond yoga’s spacedye caught in the midi high waisted legging $97

*continue reading for the other #1!

PROS:

• super cute with hoodies, great for game days (if we ever have them again) and working from home they can be dressed up with a sweater or a button down/flannel
• flattering high waist sucks you in
• simple — no seams that chafe
• no camel toe
• they last, they do not pill and they keep their shape — blessings on blessings hal lay lu

CONS:

• my girlfriend who is around 5'3 ish, probably closer to 5'4 purchased the XS and it was too long so if you are shorter and on the petite side, i would recommend the 7/8 length which will likely fit like a legging to the ankle
• $97 is spendy but honestly, these are worth it imo — they maintain their shape, stretch and color but make sure you either hand wash or wash on gentle and hang dry

also at #1 alo yoga high waist vapor legging $128

sultry and sophisticated with a more shiny material you can dress up or down

PROS:

• love, love, love the dark camo print, i love wearing with high tops
• the fit, the fit, the fit-flattering on the bootie and the tummy, hugs and holds like a second skin
• flattering high waist sucks you in, their words, “front-smoothing panel for commando comfort” totally agree commando comfort
• ultra-sleek & breathable performance (vapor) fabric — will not keep you warm in the winter but outstanding in the spring and summer
• moisture-wicking & antimicrobial
• no camel toe
• love the logo placement

CONS:

• might be too long for some shorter frames
• the sizing is perfect but if you don’t like that sucked in feeling size up
• $128 is spendy but honestly, these are worth it imo — they are versatile, comfortable and super flattering!

so there you have it! next up are tights (some people call them capris- it’s all so confusing but tights are my favorite and what i basically live in 325 days of the year!

ps if you are looking for athleta or lulu, you’ll see those in my next blog on my fave tights/capris!

pps at some point i will review sports bras, unfortunately during my trying on of leggings, i tried this contraption on and nearly lost an eye due to the straps and the cardboard tag that could double as a razor and almost left me scarred.

as always, thank you for reading! tiny bubbles official blog will be launching soon so there will be a destination for you to get all things athleisure, cool kicks, and beach vibes!

peace, love and prosecco,

marce :)