Why every woman should own a pair of seamless leggings—whether she works out or not

From pastel colors to leopard print, certain activewear trends hold the spotlight only for a season or two. Then, there are those with staying power such as seamless. (No, I’m not talking about the delivery food app.)

Whether they advertise it or not, many top workout labels like Varley, Alala, Alo, and more create leggings, bras, and tops from seamless textiles. In technical terms, that equates to a fabric that is knitted in a circular fashion before the pattern is cut and stitched together. “Seamless doesn’t mean ‘no seams’, it means fewer seams because of this production process,” explains Andrew O’Sullivan, chief marketing officer of the Swedish activewear brand, Casall.

“Seamless garments are really flexible, both in the fabric and styling.” —Andrew O’Sullivan, chief marketing officer of the Swedish activewear brand, Casall

“Seamless garments are really flexible, both in the fabric and styling,” O’Sullivan adds. “The fabric is figure hugging and moves in harmony with the body, providing the opportunity to style across the day from wake up, to work, to work out, to wind down.”

Alissa Benishai, founder and chief executive officer of Phat Buddha, started her line seven years ago and has been a leader in the seamless space ever since. “The consumer is more educated now than ever before and has discovered the pure luxury and comfort of wearing a seamless garment.”

As the boundaries between work wear, streetwear, activewear, and loungewear continue to blur, seamless pieces fit in across all categories from head-to-toe workout looks to street style-inspired attire. “[It] goes beyond the studio,” says Benishai. “[Seamless] styles achieve an undeniably high-fashion edge with attention to color and high-end design elements while still maintaining comfort and wearability.”

To O’Sullivan, getting dressed is increasingly about wellness as consumers seek to balance both comfort and style. “When the progressive woman gets ready to work out, she chooses an outfit that can seamlessly transition from the gym to the rest of her day,” he says. “Seamless looks perfect with a denim jacket to and from the gym, thrown on with a classic white shirt, or matched with your favorite crewneck,” he adds. Options, in other words, are endless. If you’re searching for seamless leggings, here are the pairs we’d pick.

Phat Buddha Jefferson Street Legging, $99

Available in sizes XS/S and M/L

Xersion Lounge Seamless Leggings, $10

Available in sizes S to XL

Target A New Day Women’s Solid Cotton Blend Twill Seamless Leggings, $18

Available in sizes S/M and L/XL

Athleta Halasana Seamless 7/8 Tight, $70

Available in sizes XS to XL

Varley Quincy Legging, $110

Available in sizes XS to L

Forever 21 Active High-Waisted Leggings, $15

Available in sizes S to L

Casall Seamless Rib Tights, $91

Available in sizes S to L

Adidas By Stella McCartney Training Seamless Tight, $105

Available in sizes XS to L