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Fitted, long black yoga pants are the little black dress of the fitness world. They’re a practical and eminently versatile fashion staple that dominates every fit woman’s workout wardrobe. Black yoga pants perform at the vinyasa studio or the gym, and transition into a street-style look when worn with flats, heels, or boots.
And while color, print, and wild details have made yoga pants more chic than ever, the category’s most coveted item is still the basic black legging that performs both sculpting and wicking magic. Here are 12 great takes on the fitness fashion must-have that we’re all sweating in…
Scroll down to see the best yoga pants from your favorite brands.
Michi NY Pulsar Leggings, $180
The indie brand’s been a hit for its boudoir-inspired collection, made for someone fashion forward and athletic. The Pulsar Leggings have mesh panels that provide a bit of peek-a-boo and treadmill sex appeal, while serving a flattering function by “carving” out a slimming pattern on your legs. And these black pants aren’t just for show: the almost silky, four-way-stretch fabric is wicking and ideal for dance cardio to Megaformer workouts.
Yoga Smoga Tippy Toe Legging, $96
Yoga Smoga’s MO is making high-performance, modern clothing that retains a connection to yoga’s ancient Indian roots. The seriously technical fabrics are eco-engineered shade of black that’s uber dark, opaque, and incredibly flattering. (But its probably too thick for workouts on 90-degree days.) With this look-good technology also comes a feel-good message—the company supports Namaskar, a foundation that benefits economic, health, and education in the remote villages of the Himalayas.
C9 Champion Women’s Premium Leggings, $39.99
They may be shinier than a high-end brand, and they don’t quite shape and flatter in the way that the compression fabric used by the big yoga brands do, but they’re really comfy and last a long time for how down-right inexpensive they are.
15Love Slim Legging, $78
The hot indie brand debuted on the scene with bright-colored pants and has rolled out must-have tie-dye prints. But their black four-way stretch leggings have a high-caliber fitness following, including Lis Halfpapp of Exhale, whose legs looks like those of a 20-year-old ballerina in them while teaching CoreFusion. The wide flat waistband bisects your backside in a way that’s incredibly flattering.
Athleta Sculptek Leggings, $98
Ideal for the modern fitness maven, these elegant, mid-rise tights move with you on the Megaformer or the yoga mat. They’re a winning combination of design details (no seams!) and technology: the fabric has zero “pinch points” and utilizes the best sweat-wicking and odor-resistant formulas on the market right now. Another huge plus: there’s zero chance the person behind you in class will be able to see through them.
Lululemon Wunder Under Pant, 98
Lululemon created the defining pant in this category with the Wunder Under. Designed for yoga, running, or everyday wear, the second-skin legging gave women fashion-forward fitness wear and body (or booty) confidence in the same (yoga) breath.
Get them in Full-On Luon, a denser (almost winter-weight weave), that’s midnight black and new this fall. It’s soft, not shiny, and super supportive.
Splits 59 Kym Full-Length Tights, $92
The multitasking pants from this super-popular indie brand have been popping up in boutique fitness studios across New York and the country. Yes, they wick away sweat, but they also have chic design elements like a low-rise waist and seaming that makes your tush look terrific. You’ll want a few pairs.
Beyond Yoga Essential Gather Long Legging, $88
We’re obsessed with the extra length and ankle-ruching that gives these pants a cool, bunched-up look. And the softness of these pants—made of Peached Supplex—gives them a very cozy quality sans shine. This, and the placement of the logo at the top of the waistband, means you can absolutely wear them on a night out with none being the wiser that they’re suitable for yoga.
Lorna Jane Ankle Biter Tight, $105.99
Australia’s leading fitness-fashion line, which launched a slew of stores on the West Coast a couple years ago, makes this cute, very on-trend pair of workout pants. The black and white design detail pairs perfectly with a track jacket (they’re everywhere right now) and the sheer panel will help you keep your cool during a HIIT class.
Under Armour Cold Gear Fitted Legging, $50
Running outside year-round? As temperatures drop, the brushed-knit performance pants trap heat to keep you warm. The high waist is nice if you regularly experience pants that slip lower and lower on a long run. They may compress more than they stretch, but the fabric isn’t chafing. And bonus: this athletic pair doesn’t scream “I just came from a race or the gym” with tons of reflective material for those moments when you just want to wear them with tall boots and long cozy sweater.
Sweaty Betty Power Legging, $105
While the UK-based brand makes tons of chic workout clothes with beautiful design details, from lace to prints, you might just want to pull on this simple pair of Sweaty Betty leggings the most. They’re incredibly light and game—they enjoy boot camp, yoga, and long walks on the beach—and they really do wear well with many workday pieces, like an hip-skimming button-down, jacket, and jewelry. And since they’ve opened boutiques in the States, we have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of them.
Want something to pair with your leggings? These cheeky tees will make you the popular girl at your next class. And these are the sneakers that have been all over New York Fashion Week.
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