Jeans·8 min read

10 Jeggings You’d Never Know Are Jeggings, So You Get the Style of Jeans, Minus the Restriction

jeggings
Design: theSkimm | Photos: Universal Standard, Free People, and Spanx
April 25, 2023

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If you’re not about to give up the whole athleisure lifestyle, you’re far from alone. When given the option to hang out in comfy, stretchy workout clothes, most of us are more than inclined to do so—especially over stiff jeans that dig in and leave marks on our waistlines. The good news is, we can still count on jeggings like look like jeans—those stretchy, legging-like pants that look like denim and can be dressed up or down, but actually feel buttery soft and smooth without restricting our insides.

Best jeggings, at a glance

While you probably remember the less-sneaky pocket-printed jeggings from the early 2000s, we’ve come a long way since then. Today, jeggings are *actually* stylish, made to trick any onlooker as tight, fitted jeans that’s much more comfortable than their denim counterparts.

What are the benefits of jeggings?

“Jeggings can really accentuate and highlight your figure while still allowing you ample room to move around and stretch,” says Ali Levine, celebrity stylist and founder of the podcast Everything With Ali Levine. “They also don’t exhaust you like a regular pair of jeans that you have to struggle to put on and take off.” According to Levine, anyone can stand to benefit from owning a pair of jeggings: “Really anyone who wants to hype up their figure without feeling restricted would love a pair of quality jeggings.”

That said, finding the right pair of jeggings is not always easy, so we’re sharing some of the best ones on the market today that will make you rethink your actual denim for good.

Shop the best jeggings

Best splurge
jeggings
Spanx

These jeggings that are so soft...

Sizes: XS-3X (available in regular, petite, and tall lengths)

Spanx is well known for its leggings that come in all sorts of textures, so it’s no surprise that they make a top-notch jegging. These jeggings feature Spanx’s signature hidden core-shaping technology that sculpts and support while they’re on, perfect for tucking in a bodysuit or other form-fitting tops. They fall right at the ankle, so they’re comfortable and stylish when worn with both boots or heels. Another plus is that you can toss this pair in the washer and dryer, which makes cleaning and upkeep simple. And while the price tag is a bit steep, trust us—they’re worth every penny.

Colors: 3

Material: 69% cotton, 26% polyester, 5% elastane

Pros:

  • Interior shaping panel

  • Multiple inseam lengths

  • Soft fabric

Cons:

  • More expensive

Buy it
Best maternity jeggings
maternity jeggings
Motherhood

These stretchy jeggings you can dress up or down...

Sizes available: XS-XL

The entirety of Motherhood is a safe haven for moms-to-be. Not only are its offerings super stylish and comfortable, but also affordable, which is a huge plus when you know you’ll only be wearing these garments for a handful of months at most. These jeggings have a soft feel and a wide waist panel that fits over your growing tummy.

Colors: 4

Material: 70% cotton, 26% polyester, 2% rayon, 2% spandex

Pros:

  • Wide jersey waist

  • Stretchy

Cons:

  • Only one length

Buy it
Best jeggings without buttons
jeggings
Universal Standard

These bottoms with a four-way stretch...

Sizes available: 00-40

If you’re someone who hates buttons on your pants, this one is worth the purchase—especially at such an affordable price. It has an adjustable elastic waistband with decorative front pockets that don’t take up any room. They look like your favorite pair of slim-fit jeans, just without the discomfort.

Colors: 3

Material: 74% cotton, 21% polyester, 3% viscose, 2% elastane

Pros:

  • Adjustable pull-on waist

  • Stretchy

  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Limited inseam lengths

Buy it
Best jeggings for curves
jeggings
American Eagle

This option with an easy-to-style design...

Sizes: 000–20 (available in x-short, short, regular, and long lengths)

If you have curves, you’ll want to at least try on this pair of jeggings, which are designed to comfortably accommodate your hips and booty. They look like regular jeans, but have a super soft and stretchy fabric that lets you move around freely and feel comfortable enough to walk or even run in them. The waistband is also stretchy for a comfortable but not constricting fit, and the jeans are designed to keep their shape wear after wear.

Colors: 2

Material: 61% cotton, 21% rayon, 10% recycled cotton, 7% polyester, 1% elastane

Pros:

  • Super stretchy fabric

  • Stretch waistband

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say they run large

Buy it
Best flared jeggings
flared jeggings
Free People

These stylish pants you'll want to wear all the time...

Sizes: 24-32

Flared jeans never looked so fierce as they do in this pair of jeggings from Free People’s FP Movement Collection. They’re so flattering and form fitting without being restraining in any capacity. Just note, the pants only come in regular lengths.

Colors: 2

Material: 22% polyester, 23% rayon, 2% spandex, 53% cotton

Pros:

  • Elastic waistband

  • Mid-rise

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say they run long

Buy it
Best for going out
skinny jeans
Amazon

These jeans with a cool vintage look...

Sizes: 2-28 (available in short, medium, and long lengths)

Here’s another pair of jeggings without the button or too-tight feeling that makes you look forward to the very moment when you can take them off. They sit perfectly at your heel, which makes them ideal for wearing when you’re going out, whether with heels, flats, pumps or sandals. They also come in a ton of different colors and washes, so it can be fun to purchase a few and mix and match if you really like the fit.

Colors: 19

Material: 78% cotton, 20% polyester, 2% elastane

Pros:

  • Pull-on

  • Tummy-slimming panel

  • Stretchy

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say the waist runs small

Buy it
Most affordable
jeggings
Amazon

This pick with pockets...

Sizes: S-XXL

The Amazon reviews on this pair of jeggings speak for themselves—it boasts more than 25,000 five-star reviews! They’re super inclusive, ranging from S-XXL, and have excellent stretch all while maintaining their fit and integrity even after several washes. They run true to size and come in five different shades. At under $25, adding them to your wardrobe is a no-brainer.

Colors: 5

Material: 78% cotton, 19% polyester, 3% spandex

Pros:

  • Pull on

  • Stretchy

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say they shrink after washing

Buy it
Best for petite sizes
jeggings
Amazon

These jeggings with a wide elastic waistband...

Sizes: 0-22 (available in short and long lengths)

These pull-on jeans are full length and created with maximum stretch and without a button or zipper. They come in 13 different shades to pretty much cover all of your styling needs and have five pockets—three of which are functional. Reviewers say that they hold up for several washes and conveniently come in a wide range of sizes, including short lengths for petite folks. And they are slightly cropped, hitting just at the ankle with a slightly distressed hem, so you won’t have to worry about rolling them up or hemming them yourself.

Colors: 13

Material: 64.5% cotton, 32.5% polyester, 3% elastane

Pros:

  • Pull on

  • Stretchy

  • Pockets

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say they have a chemical smell when they first arrive

Buy it
Best crop-length jeggings
jeans
Spanx

This pick you'll want to buy more than one pair of...

Sizes: XS-3X (available in regular, petite, and tall lengths)

These Spanx jeggings are crop-length, which can be hard to find in the jegging department. These offer maximum stretch with a lightweight material made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and Lycra elastane. You can toss these right in the washer and dryer and expect them to hold up for a while, never shrinking or falling apart in the heat. Since they are a capri length, they are perfect for warmer temps when you want to show a little leg. Otherwise, opt for a full-length pair when the weather dips.

Colors: 5

Material: 91% cotton, 7% polyester, 2% Lycra elastane

Pros:

  • Pull on

  • Wide waistband

  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Pricey

Buy it
Best medium-rise jeggings
skinny jeans
Mavi

These pants with a smooth feel...

Sizes available: 24-34 (available in 30, 32, and 34-inch lengths)

Mavi is known for its ultra-comfortable jeans, so it only makes sense that it would have a pair of jeggings that tend to sell out over and over again. This one is a mid-weight denim that sits perfectly below your belly button, but not too low to be considered low-rise. They have a smooth texture, a ton of pull, and tend to hold their shape well so you don’t have to worry about them getting too stretched out. Truly the Goldilocks of jeggings.

Colors: 1

Material: 66% cotton, 16% modal, 16% polyester, 2% elastane

Pros:

  • Super soft fabric

  • Contoured rise

  • Pockets

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say the rise is lower than expected

Buy it

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