Best Fabrics for Making Leggings

There once was a great debate whether leggings were pants or not, and now people all around the world wear them. Women wear them for everyday activities or for working out, and men also wear athletic leggings, typically under their workout shorts for compression or as an extra thermal layer when temps are low. The selection of performance fabrics at Mood is just what you need to pick the best fabric for an active lifestyle. If you’re looking for more comfortable legging fabric for everyday wear, we have that too. 

Know what you’re looking for when shopping for legging fabric by using these guidelines:

• 4-way stretch for mobility 
• At least 20-30% vertical stretch so that there’s enough stretch at the joints
• Fabric that holds its stretch (it should contain polyester, lycra, or spandex to avoid sagging)
• Thicker fabric will prevent stretching that becomes see-through
• Compression fabric will smooth out bulges on problem areas

1. Athletic Knits & Compression Jersey 

   1. typically polyester or spandex knit
   2. these fabrics are breathable, mediumweight, and retain their color when stretched

2. Polyester Spandex

   1. prepare for comfort and mobility, perfect for performance or casual wear
   2. This fabric is a popular choice for yoga and workout apparel. **The honey textured spandex created the viral TikTok leggings that are tummy tucking, anti-cellulite, squat proof, and more. 

3. Polyester

   1. very elastic, so it holds its shape well. The yarns are very strong and last and hold up well. Other properties include abrasion and wrinkle resistance. The list keeps going with stain and heat resistance, low absorbency, and resistance to fading or bleaching. Additionally, polyester is more moisture-wicking compared to nylon.
      1. Polyester with a heavier weight is ideal for colder months.
      2. Wicking polyester is available and offers a different weave on the inside that has sweat-wicking properties.

4. Fleece Lined Polyester

   1. This fabric offers a compression style effect with a soft, fleecy touch on its underside and a polyester look on the outside. 

5. Nylon

   1. This fabric is abrasion and stain-resistant. It’s very durable and easy to clean, highly elastic, resilient, and resistant to mold and mildew. It’s built to outlast the sweat and movement from daily activities and high-intensity activities. 

6. Cotton Spandex or Cotton Lycra

   1. a common type of legging that offers a soft hand
   2. Additionally, it’s breathable and comfortable. Cotton leggings alone have some minor cons, like lack of resilience and inability to wick away sweat. Cotton spandex is a more suitable combination.

7. Wool

   1. for climates with brutally cold temperatures
   2. Wool leggings will keep cold pockets of air out, holding all the warm air in.