Leggings worth getting trim for
Need some gymspiration? Here’s our pick of the new season . . .
ASELF-CONFESSED exercise addict, I’ve purchased a lot of sports leggings over the years. In fact, before writing this I did a quick audit of my workout kit and counted ten pairs currently in active service.
These days I’m a dab hand at picking up a good pair, but it wasn’t always so.
Take the pink snakeskin-effect pair bought from a supermarket a few seasons
back. Amazing, I thought. Cheap, on trend (animal print was in at the time), fun bit sexy. All wrong. The pattern add inches to my hips and, most mortifyin they were completely see-through when subject to any kind of tension — a fact that became apparent half-way through a yoga class in a mirrored studio.
It really is worth spending as much time
and money as you can afford finding good leggings. More expensive pairs tend to be cut better than cheaper ones (so no digging in and no baggy bits) and the fabric will hold its shape after washing.
My second piece of advice, fashion fans, is not to pay attention to athleisure trends — I refer you to my pink snakeskin mistake. Just because a particular look received a standing ovation on the catwalk, does not mean it will work in your local gym.
as a rule (unless you are extremely willowy and toned), I would avoid prints entirely. However chic they look online and however expensive the fabric, the pattern will distort and stretch unflatteringly over the bits of your body you like least.
another important point to note: matte, cotton-like fabrics may look comfortable and breathable, but they will absorb moisture and you’ll end up with unsightly sweat rings. choose a sweat-wicking pair, where moisture is spread out across the surface of the fabric and can evaporate into the air.
In terms of flattering your shape, follow the same rules you would use when buying any piece of clothing. a dark colour from hip to calf or ankle (like the reebok ones pictured far left) will make your legs appear longer, whereas colour blocks that cut off at the thigh will shorten them. and an ‘illusion’ panel at the side can slim hips or, conversely, if in a lighter shade than the inner panel, give them some curve.
Finally, a word of warning about a concerning trend on sports websites for low-waisted cuts. Go high. Every time. Like with patterns, low-waisted styles look fabulous on sports models with rock hard glutes and washboard stomachs, but on the rest of us? Not so much.