Black leggings are a wardrobe staple for me in fall and winter. I can’t go even a few days without wearing an outfit with black leggings. LOL But not all black leggings are created equal and I definitely have my favorites. From regular black leggings to faux leather styles, I have a handful of ones that I wear year after year. In fact, I have multiple pairs in some of them because I wear them so often that I need a backup (or two). While some of these black leggings are suitable to work out in, I wear all of them just for day to day life, lounging around the house and running errands. This is my top 5 favorite pairs of black leggings but I did add a few more so it’s more like my top 6 pairs of black leggings.
My Favorite Pairs of Black Leggings
1. Spanx Booty Boost Active 7/8 Leggings
As with all Spanx leggings, these are insanely slimming and super comfortable. A bit thicker so if I do decide to wear them for working out or in the hot weather, they can be a bit too hot. I prefer to wear these mostly in the fall and winter. Additionally, there is no front seam which makes them extra flattering in the crotch area (sorry there is no better way to word that and it’s necessary to know LOL). They also give a bit of a lift for the butt as their name suggests. I personally love these because the length is the best for my short inseam (I’m 5’4″ with really short legs). Spanx also has very inclusive sizing and the sizes range from XS to 3X. Sizing: Runs TTS for me but if you are in between sizes I would size up.
2. Zella Live-In High Waist Leggings
Compared to the Spanx, there is not as much compression in these and the fabric is a tad more dull (the Booty Boost has a very minimal flat sheen to it) yet still super soft. These are a very casual style of legging that I wear mostly with a sweatshirt and sneakers. Zella has a few top rated leggings but this exact style has always been my favorite. There is a wide band around the mid section that feels comfortable but not too tight. And as with the Spanx Booty Boost leggings, these do not have a front seam either. I have the 7/8 length and they are a perfect length for my short inseam. Additionally there are side pockets which always comes in handy. There is a wide range of sizing from sizes XXS to XXL. Sizing: runs TTS
3. Amazon Colorfulkoala Women’s High Waisted Yoga Pants 7/8 Length Leggings with Pockets
These were a random Amazon purchase and HOLY COW THEY ARE AMAZING!!! Under $30 and the fit is almost identical to the Spanx Booty Boost/Zella leggings – slimming and high waisted. They have a dull fabric finish but are still buttery soft with pockets on the sides. They are not full length so if you are tall, they may be a bit cropped but for me the 7/8 length comes right down to my ankle. Out of all the leggings I have recommended over the years, these have been a top seller and continue to be. For the price point, they have an amazing fit and hold up really well. Sizing: TTS
4. Commando 7/8 Faux Leather Control Leggings
Faux leather leggings are a staple for me in the fall and winter. I wear them with so many looks and find they give a bit of an edge to a simple outfit. Commando leggings tend to run VERY long so when I saw they had a 7/8 length, I grabbed them right away. On me they are past full length but still manageable. The high quality leather look on these is closer to a real pair of leather pants which makes them a great option to dress up. I find they don’t look as good when worn with casual pieces so I usually style them in a more elevated way. They do have a middle front seam and can wrinkle a tad in the crotch area but I try to wear them with something long enough to cover that. Even with that slight negative, I absolutely LOVE these faux leather leggings and highly recommend them. And if you are wanting to invest in a pair of leather leggings, I would opt for these instead because they pricing is better yet they still give you that chic look. Sizing: Runs small, size up
5. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings
There is a reason that I have multiple backups of this pair of leggings. I purchased my first pair nearly 7 years ago and they are still my favorite style to wear all fall and winter. The fit is incredibly slimming and super flattering. My only complaint is they run VERY long – even the petite lengths. There is no front seam as with all Spanx leggings which makes them so flattering. For me, these are a more casual style of legging and I don’t really reach for these when I want to dress up. They are my go-to for day to day looks and look great with a tunic sweater or a shorter sweatshirt. Sizing: Runs small, size up
6. Lululemon Align Leggings
A long time favorite for me and I wore this style while pregnant too! The fabric is slimming yet VERY thin which I love. Not thin enough to be see through, either. They still manage to be opaque and hold their shape perfectly. My only complaint is that the 25″ inseam still seems very long on me which is weird but not a dealbreaker. Sizing: Runs small, size up
Another pair of leggings that I have not in black but in other colors that I truly love are the Alo Yoga Airlift leggings. Smoothing, slimming and the finish on them is a great mix between dressy and casual which allows for a ton of outfit possibilities. Though I have never tried any leggings from Girlfriend Collective, I have heard amazing things so I thought I would mention them as well. They have sweat wicking and are made from recycled plastic bottles! Their sizing ranges from XXS to 6XL which I absolutely love! In addition to their regular style leggings, they also have flared leggings which are incredibly popular.
Outfits To Wear With Black Leggings
Cozy Outfits with Black Leggings
Coat | Sweater | Leggings | Hat | Boots | Gloves
Cardigan | Sweatshirt (similar) | Leggings | Sneakers | Sunglasses | Bag (similar)
Jacket | Hoodie (similar) | Leggings | Sneakers | Bag | Sunglasses
These are the outfits types of looks that I like to wear for school drop-off, running errands and hanging out on the weekends. I like to usually wear some comfy athletic sneakers and either an oversized hoodie or sweatshirt. Throw on a belt bag and I’m ready to go.
Dressing Up Black Leggings
Coat | Tunic (similar) | Leggings | Boots
Sweater (similar) | Leggings | Shoes | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses
There are a ton of ways to dress up a pair of black leggings though I prefer to wear faux leather leggings with these looks. These are the outfits where I opt for a pair of pumps or heeled boots and either a long blazer, sweater or cardigan that covers my butt. If you work somewhere that is more business casual, these would all be great options for work.
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