5 best leggings: sculpting & flared styles from £25
The best leggings will be comfortable, supportive and flattering on every body shape, and we've put some of the hero brands to the test.
2
Flimsy, see-through leggings are a thing of the past, as there's a whole world of high-quality options that don't compromise on style.
From fitness activities to running errands, a pair of leggings have become the ultimate throw-on-and-go fashion item.
They pair with everything from chunky knitwear to fitted tops, and they're my go-to for wearing at home when I still want to feel put together.
High-waisted leggings, flared styles and sculpting options are all popular, and scrunch-bum leggings are also trending for enhancing the silhouette.
We've put a selection of styles through the ringer to see if they're worth the money, from Gymshark, Halara, Tala and more.
Best leggings at a glance:
How I tested
2
There are a few important features to consider when searching for the perfect pair of leggings.
Firstly (and most importantly), a good pair of leggings need to be comfortable.
As a fashion item that will be worn to the gym or for lounging at home, they need to be stretchy enough to wear for long periods without digging into the skin.
One hurdle that leggings often fall at is having a see-through design, and I was closely keeping an eye on the quality of each pair.
I also considered any special features, including sculpting styles, sweat-wicking properties and how they feel on the skin.
I wore the leggings for visits to the gym, long walks, and for lounging at home, to determine whether they work as fashion all-rounders.
Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings
Cons: Expensive when full price, slightly tight on the waist
Rating: 5/5
I've been wearing Gymshark leggings for years, and they're yet to disappoint me.
The Vital Seamless Leggings are not only a brand bestseller, but they're also my new favourite.
Featuring sweat-wicking technology and breathable mesh dots, they're comfortable even after intense workouts, and I don't ever need to worry about sweat patches.
The feature I love the most is the supportive ribbed waistband.
It sits high on the stomach, sucking me in without ever feeling suffocating.
For more cinching styles, read our roundup of the best high-waisted leggings.
Gymshark's leggings have mastered the balance between comfort and style, smoothing out lumps and bumps around my waist and thighs, while still remaining comfortable enough to wear for long periods.
At full-price, the leggings are on the expensive side, but Gymshark often has big sales with price drops of up to 50%.
BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings
BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings, £52
Pros: Stretchy, sweat-wicking, nice colour, smooths lumps and bumps, subtly shapes the figure
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
BetterMe is best-known for its health coaching app, but branched out into the activewear space in 2022.
I tried the brand's High Impact Mesh Leggings, and I honestly can't fault them.
Firstly, I'm obsessed with the dark green colourway, but the pair also comes in burgundy, black and ivory shades.
The leggings have a stretchy design that feels so soft on the skin, with a high-rise fit that flatters the figure.
The waistband and mesh detailing are why they're so comfortable for wearing all day, and I've been reaching for them to exercise and for running errands.
Made from nylon and lycra, they give light tummy control, and I've noticed how much they smooth out my thighs.
Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings
Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings, £25
BUY HERE
Cons: Limited colour range
Rating: 5/5
These leggings are perfect for yoga and pretty much any other occasion, too.
They're silky soft and cosy but still lightweight and breathable so that you won't overheat during a workout.
I love the flattering V-shaped waistband; it's unique and has a nice twist on a regular pair of black leggings.
But also, it makes your waist smaller and your bum look lifted.
The leggings will pair perfectly with running trainers, and we tested some of the best styles.
At the moment, it only comes in black and brown, but hopefully Marks & Spencer will launch more colours soon.
Halara UltraSculpt High Waisted Scrunch Bum Leggings
BUY HERE
Pros: Lifts the bum, sculpts the figure, compression to smooth out bumps, good selection of lengths and colours, currently on sale
Cons: Ruching is quite visible, feels tight
Rating: 4/5
Halara is the TikTok-famous brand that even Taylor Swift is fan of, and I tried UltraSculpt Scrunch Butt Leggings.
Featuring compression for shaping, a V-shaped waistband and an ultra-high waist, the stretchy leggings are just as comfortable as they are flattering.
The all-over compression held me in while smoothing out unwanted bumps, and the black colourway is ideal for both exercise and everyday wear.
The leggings feature padding and ruching that lifts the butt, and while the design is quite discreet, I would prefer if it was completely invisible.
Halara currently has a huge sale on, where shoppers can save up to 80% sitewide, and the sculpting leggings are reduced by £20.
Read our full Halara leggings review.
TALA SkinLuxe High Waisted Flared Legging
BUY HERE
Pros: Flattering flared leg, waistband doesn't fall down, super soft, easy to put on, comfortable, back pocket with zip, lightweight, sustainable (made from recycled nylon)
Cons: Only available in four colours
Rating: 4/5
TALA's SkinLuxe flared leggings have been one of our favourites for a while now.
Flared jeans are so in right now, and so are flared leggings.
Not only are they trendy, but this shape is really flattering on the waist, thighs and bum.
They're great for accentuating curves without being skin-tight.
I wear this pair all the time, as they're ideal for WFH and then heading out for a walk with friends.
They're also great for hardcore workouts, especially on days when you're feeling a little bloated or feel like covering up a bit more, as the high waist will not roll down.
Leg length: Full; Size range: XS to XL; Colours available: 4 colours; Fabric: Recycled nylon and lycra
What to wear with leggings?
There are two reasons why leggings are a wardrobe staple.
Firstly, they're comfortable for every occasion, and they can be worn with just about anything.
For lounging at home and running errands, leggings can be styled with T-shirts, knitwear and trainers, but they can also be teamed with various activewear for trips to the gym.
Leggings also make a great base for layering during the colder months, and they look effortlessly stylish paired with longline coats and a crossbody bag.
Building a capsule wardrobe means finding timeless clothing items that can be styled in multiple ways, and leggings are the item that does just that.
How to style flared leggings?
Flared leggings have made a comeback in recent years, and they've become a popular choice for everyday and loungewear.
Traditionally worn for yoga, the wide-leg style could be thrown on for any occasion, giving me of an elevated feel than traditional leggings.
The design is also flattering on every body type, and they look stylish paired with tank tops, cropped T-shirts, cardigans and leather jackets.
Tala, the clothing brand founded by influencer Grace Beverly, is known for its figure-flattering flared leggings.
It has a range of flared styles available on the site to pair with crop tops, sweatshirts and more.
Do Gymshark leggings run small?
Gymshark leggings are usually considered to be true to size, but the sizing is largely down to the individual styles.
I tested Gymshark's Vital Seamless Leggings (the brand's bestseller), and I found the design to be exactly true to size.
It's always worth reading the product reviews before taking the plunge to determine how accurate the sizing will be.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Sun
I lost 4st on Mounjaro but I'm trolled for still eating pizza smothered in chips, cheese & curry sauce – I won't change
AN influencer says she's been trolled for still eating her favourite pizza, smothered in chips, cheese and curry sauce. Thin-fluencers who drop a massive 4st on a weight-loss jab typically celebrate by showing off salads and smoothies but Chlo Mckernan is proudly tucking into Scotland 's most outrageous takeaway instead. 2 The Scottish TikToker, who's shed 4 stone on Mounjaro, has gone viral again after revealing she's still demolishing her beloved 'pizza crunch pizza'. For the uninitiated, a 'pizza crunch' is a chip shop legend in Scotland, it's essentially a slice or half pizza dipped in batter, deep-fried until crisp, then often served as a 'supper' with chips. Chlo's twist is to add a mountain of cheese, then drench the lot in curry sauce for the ultimate carb coma.. While some viewers may be horrified, plenty were drooling in the comments. 'That looks amazing, I want one,' one fan gushed. Another admitted: 'Omg I've never seen this, it looks insane.' Chlo, who has over 35,000 followers, posted her creation on TikTok, saying: 'Some things Mounjaro can't change.' The clip shows her unwrapping the beast of a meal, molten cheese smothering a pile of chips, before pouring curry sauce over the lot. It's not the first time she's shown off her guilty pleasure. She says critics previously trolled her, predicting she'd pile the pounds back on in no time. I've lost nearly 6 stone in 9 months on fat jabs - trolls call me 'lazy' & say it's the 'easy way out' but I don't care But Chlo's having the last laugh, clapping back that she's kept the weight off for two months and isn't about to give up her favourite dinner. 'That won't stop just because I've used Mounjaro as a tool,' she told followers. 'I love my food and this is my fave.' Mounjaro, which is known as the King Kong of jabs, is now being prescribed on the NHS in the first anti-obesity rollout of its kind. It is said to suppress the appetite, making people feel fuller for longer. Such injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese - with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over. One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on a person's weight. The reality of Mounjaro Although many have boasted about weight loss success since using Mounjaro, last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a fortnight. A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs. The common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration. And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas. Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said she had a seizure after taking high doses of Ozempic. The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its 'top priority'. Lilly UK stressed: 'Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data. 'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
The Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Sun
Jack Grealish's girlfriend Sasha Attwood dazzles in elegant red dress as fans brand Man City Wag ‘absolutely stunning'
SASHA ATTWOOD swapped City blue for United red as she dazzled in an elegant dress. Jack Grealish 's girlfriend wowed her 319,000 followers on Instagram with her latest post. 7 7 7 Sasha, 29, spent some of the summer holidaying with her man and baby daughter Mila. The brunette beauty caught the eye on her travels as she stunned in a plunging red dress. She looked incredible as she stood on a balcony overlooking a picturesque bay. And fans were left in awe of her, with one saying: "Beautiful." Another added: "The dress is everything." A third commented: "Lady in red." Alongside fire and love heart emojis, more reacted: "Wow. Absolutely stunning." Sasha is no stranger to a stylish outfit, previously hitting the headlines in a latex dress and when looking classy at Man City and Man Utd Wags night out. Grealish, 29, is her childhood sweetheart and they met aged 16 at a school in Solihull. Sasha has gone on to become a model and influencer, having worked with brands like Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing. Grealish is set to leave City this summer after being snubbed of a spot in their Club World Cup squad and he is currently training alone. Reports suggest that Everton are leading the race to sign the England star and have approached him over a season-long loan. The Toffees are in talks but a deal is proving complex due to his £300,000-per-week wages. 7 7 7
Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Telegraph
‘I'm glad my wife still swings with younger men – I've lost my stamina, so it's good to outsource'
Sitting under an umbrella at a beachside restaurant in the south of France, Matthew* and Emma* are enjoying their ice-cold white wine and oysters. They look like any other affluent, happily married couple as they chat away. But they're far from conventional. The couple, who have two grown-up children, are indeed happily married – but they attribute that in part to the fact they've had sex with thousands of other people throughout their relationship. In fact, they're so enamoured with the swinging scene that the restaurant they're at is in a village in the south of France notorious for wild sex parties. They spend much of their time there in the luxury three-bedroom property they bought 25 years ago when they decided to leave the UK, and their yacht is moored in the marina. They've been in the swinging lifestyle for over 35 years and their marriage has never been monogamous. Swingers from the get-go 'I met Matthew when we were both 17 at a mutual friend's party,' explains Emma, 55. 'He always says he knew I was the one within seconds of meeting me, I was probably only a minute or so behind. We just clicked. 'It wasn't that he was good-looking, although he is, it's his whole manner, he's hilarious and incredibly charming, the room lights up when he walks in.' But within months of the couple starting to date, Matthew broached the fact that while he loved Emma, he didn't want to be monogamous. 'I wasn't exactly thrilled,' admits Emma. 'For me, I'd found the man I wanted to be with and sharing him hadn't been on my radar. But I was in love and so I kept an open mind, listening as he explained that far from wanting to cheat on me, he wanted it to be a joint adventure, that we'd both sleep with other people. After much soul-searching I agreed to explore.' 'I was highly sexed from the off,' says Matthew. 'I lost my virginity when I was 14 and I was fortunate that women seemed to find me attractive and I loved that variety, the thrill of a new body will never lose its allure. 'I loved Emma, but I knew what I was like and wanted to be honest,' he adds. 'I don't know whether it was non-negotiable and I'm just grateful she didn't test that out.' Personal ads The couple admit it wasn't easy at first to find like-minded people. Although swinging in the UK is now becoming more accepted – apps for the non-monogamous such as Feeld have seen a 550 per cent increase in paid membership in the past three years – back in the late 1980s and 1990s, it was still a very clandestine affair. 'The only way to find other couples was through personal ads in mags like Rendez-Vous that you found in adult shops,' recalls Matthew, a retired businessman. 'You'd look through the ads, then reply to a mailbox number with a few Polaroids and wait to get a letter back. It's the only time I can remember being excited to see the postman! 'It took months to find the first couple and we eventually met in a hotel in London,' continues Matthew. 'The mixture of emotions when it was clear the chemistry worked between us was indescribable. We went from drinks to the room we'd booked upstairs and then the action started. 'I'm completely straight, but I'm not squeamish about being close to another man and Emma is more fluid, she enjoys playing with women despite being basically straight. 'That first experience was everything we wanted, immensely sexy and naughty, it's a very highly charged experience because you are challenging your emotions. A lot of very successful men enjoy it, because they are so in control in the other parts of their life and you have to relinquish control in this situation.' A willing participant It was also eye-opening for Emma. 'Matthew was the leader in all of this – but I was interested, I'm highly sexed and I loved the sensation of sex with more than one person,' she admits. 'So although it would never have occurred to me and I was surprised when he first broached it, I was – and still am – a very willing participant.' They are still best friends with that first couple – they've been through weddings, funerals and christenings together and their adult children are best friends too. They all know about their parents' sexual activities, although without any graphic details. From that initial encounter, Matthew and Emma continued exploring. They discovered clubs such as Les Chandelles in Paris – back in the 1990s it was frequented by the rich and famous including A-list actors and politicians. 'Again we had to send a letter with Polaroids requesting to be added to the guest list,' says Emma. 'Being accepted made you feel special. I loved it there, it was beautifully decorated and very sexy – I must have slept with most of the footballers in one very famous local team at the time. 'In some ways, I miss those days when it was difficult to arrange things – the anticipation heightened everything,' she adds. 'There used to be private parties in London too, where you'd be accepted on the guest list and then wait to hear the venue through a text message a few hours before the party started.' Jet-setting for sex As time has passed Emma and Matthew have gathered a huge circle of friends through the swinging community and they've attended parties all over the world, some costing thousands of pounds and others nothing. 'We've lost count of how many people we've had sex with,' admits Matthew. 'It is thousands each though and Emma's had more than me. We started out with lots of rules and boundaries, but soon learnt that in the heat of the moment anything goes. 'But, we have one firm rule, that we go together and leave together and we've never broken it and never will. It's what we both want – first and foremost we are together and we are more in love now than when we got married aged 21.' For Emma, swinging has had another unexpected bonus. 'I'm incredibly shy in 'normal' life,' she says. 'I used to go with Matthew to business events and hang behind him, hoping no one would talk to me. But among swingers I feel very comfortable and become extroverted.' Recently they attended Spicy Island, an event where a whole island in Croatia is hired and over 600 swingers attend. ' I slept with a 25-year-old man when I was there and it was amazing. I look after myself, watching what I eat and exercising regularly, and I love the fact that I've still 'got it' – it would be hard to give up that validation. But we recognise that when we were in our 20s and 30s we were 'the beautiful people' and now we aren't and can't expect the same attention, so it's naturally all slowing down. Matthew jokes that he's glad younger men still fancy me as he's no longer got the stamina to keep going all night so it's good to outsource! 'But who knows what the future holds. I can't imagine being 75 and still having the energy for it. We both love sailing and golf and I suspect those hobbies will continue for longer than the swinging. 'It has been an amazing part of our marriage though and I think it has helped us stay as happy as we are. It's not just that we are fulfilled sexually, both as a couple – we still make love once or twice a week alone – or with a group. But also because we really communicate, you can't swing and not be very open with each other, as you have to nip any jealousy or resentment in the bud.' Emma admits there were a few times when the thought swinging was a bit too much, saying, 'There were times I struggled, particularly when the children were young and I was exhausted, and Matthew was suggesting a trip to Chandelles in Paris. The thought of the journey was exhausting let alone having sex. But I soon got into the swing of it once I was there!' But for the most part, the couple have enjoyed the secretive world they live in – and proved that the couple which plays together, stays together. 'For us it has always been glamorous. We were so fortunate, in that we were wealthy and beautiful so we could always pick and choose where we went and who we played with. 'The scene has changed a lot over the years. These days we could join a website when we arrive back in this country and within a matter of hours be hooking up with another couple. 'In some ways, it's better as it's more accepted so you don't have to be secretive. Although, we'd still never come out to our families and vanilla friends, as we'd still be judged unfavourably as it's the younger generation that's changed, not ours.'
