Every girl knows a good pair of leggings are worth their weight in gold. However ladies (and gentlemen if you wear them), please always, always do the squat test when purchasing leggings, especially workout ones.
I’ve seen a few more girls out running the past few weeks (yay! Always a good thing) and at the gym doing something other than cardio (yay! Always a good thing!). I’ve also seen not that I look, more knickers on show. Like yesterday. Cycling back, weaving my way through some runners, one girl I noticed had great form and…red knickers. Her leggings were so sheer I could see what style and colour she was sporting! If that was me I would have been mortified! Not even wearing any underwear or just thongs excuse from being sheer. I’ve witnessed that too. I prefer seeing knickers. Guys, please wear pants (underpants for any Americans). What do you do? Do you tell them? ‘Excuse me, err, erm, I’ll just come out with it, I can see your knickers when you squat/deadlift?’ or ‘Hey, your leggings are see through. I can see your pink polka dot knickers!’! Or do you let them be? Maybe it’s intentional. Who knows!
So here are my tips when buying workout, running, gym, yoga, cycling leggings:
Perform the squat test
Very simple. Try the leggings on, face away from the mirror, squat, look over your shoulder, check to see if you can see your knickers. Can’t see them? They’ve past the test! Do some kicks, lunges, downward dogs to check out the fit and movement. Jiggle around. A good pair will will feel like second skin.
Shop Around
Try on as many brands as you can. No one manufacture is the same size, so going up a size might not be the answer. The waist might be too big, leg hem too wide, saggy on the bum. Cheaper brands as a rule are more sheer and less durable. More expensive brands are geared towards sport (wick away sweat, performance, non chafe, non stink) but that doesn’t mean expensive always equal quality. They can still fail the squat test, feel scratchy, flimsy or simple not worth the price. Read reviews, see what others think. If most reviews are negative, generally it’s a bad pair. That said, we’re all different body shapes so shop around! What works for you, might not work for you friend.
Wear Underwear That Matches The Leggings Colour
Black knickers for black and other dark colour leggings. Nude knickers for lighter coloured and white leggings. Shop around too for knickers that don’t show that VPL! That’s unless you’re not bothered by a VPL.
And Don’t Forget
To invest in a good sports bra! I can’t understate how important it is to look after your girls. I see girls running in unsupportive bras, bikinis and all I can think is ouch! Too much bounce can permanently over stretch delicate ligaments which can lead saggy boobs. Even small chested girls. Shop around, try on as many as possible. Think outside regular sports bras too. Girls like me who were born in the boobs queue and not the booty queue, you don’t have to wear 2 or 3 sports bras at once for support. Been there, done that, returned the t-shirt. Regular lingerie brands like Panache now offer sports bras from 28D to 40GG. They’re not as cute as say Lululemons or Fabletics but they mean business. Serious business, 83% reduced bounce.
What do you look for when buying leggings, sport bras or workout gear in general? Fit and performance are what I look out for.