Yoga pants have been rising in popularity ever since the pandemic. You can find photos of celebrities such as Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner sporting this lounge staple. If you're on Tiktok, you've probably spotted many Tiktok stars wearing them as well.
If you're the kind of person who wants to stay trendy, you've probably gone shopping for them as well. But if you have, you've probably been confused by the yoga pants vs. leggings conundrum. They're the same thing, right?
This isn't the case, but it's understandable if you're confused. Don't worry! Read on, and we'll set your mind straight.
What Are Yoga Pants?
A lot of people wear yoga pants as standard loungewear. You can still wear yoga pants in this way. However, they weren't designed for relaxing around the house.
Manufacturers designed yoga pants so that they would be the perfect exercise clothes. To do this, designers have to choose the materials they use carefully. The wrong materials would leave athletes in some serious emotional and physical trouble.
Design Specifics
The suitable materials had to be stretchy to accommodate exercise movements. They also have to have good moisture-wicking properties. This would prevent sweat from drenching the pants and making exercisers uncomfortable.
In addition, materials used to make yoga pants are usually not see-through. Exercisers could easily embarrass themselves if they wore such materials. The materials are also more durable for the same reason.
Many yoga pants also don't have a front seam. It's a good idea not to have this, as front seams can cause camel toe to appear. And seams are likely to rip and expose everything.
What Are Yoga Pants Made Of?
Manufacturers make yoga pants from blends of materials. These blends include fabrics like lycra, nylon, spandex, and polyester. But the exact blend of materials differs between types of yoga pants.
Types of Yoga Pants
Along with differences in material blends, yoga pants also differ in style. You can learn more about these types in the list below.
- Flare yoga pants
- Harem yoga pants (loose)
- Above-the-knee yoga pants
- Over-the-foot yoga pants
- Ankle-to-waste tight yoga pants
What Are Leggings?
Manufacturers did not create leggings to be workout clothes. The original purpose of these pants was to keep the users warm. People were supposed to wear leggings under their pants for an extra layer of warmth.
And people did wear leggings this way when they first appeared. However, many people just wear leggings as pants now.
Despite this, you can still see the original intention of leggings. Just look at the materials that manufacturers use to make these pants.
Design Specifics
Leggings usually don't get baggy or short like yoga pants do. But the tightest leggings will probably be looser than the tightest yoga pants.
But that doesn't mean that they'll easily fall off your legs. Leggings often have tight waistbands that keep them in place.
Leggings shouldn't be completely see-through. However, they can be thinner than most yoga pants. So you have to be careful.
Another thing to keep in mind is that leggings are not as durable and stretchy as yoga pants. You shouldn't wear them for heavy activity situations.
What Are Leggings Made Of?
You can find leggings made of synthetic materials like nylon, spandex, and polyester. You'll find that these are more durable and stretchy.
Wool
Wool is another choice. These can come in handy during the cold winter months. It's a very warm material.
Cotton
Then there is cotton. Leggings made of this are trendy and comfortable. Unfortunately, however, they're not very durable.
Faux Leather
People wear leggings made of faux leather more because they look stylish. Reportedly, they're not as comfortable as leggings made of other materials.
Types of Leggings
As with yoga pants, you can also find several different styles of leggings. Supposedly there are even more styles of leggings than yoga pants. We'll list a few of these different types here, though.
Notice how experts have grouped leggings more by their colors and materials than their cuts.
- Faux leather leggings
- Nylon leggings
- Cotton leggings
- Spandex leggings
- Wool leggings
- Black leggings
- Neon leggings
- Patterned leggings
Yoga Pants vs. Leggings
So now, let's fully settle the matter. We'll compare the differences between specific types of leggings and yoga pants. This should help you know which type of pants you're about to buy.
Flared Leggings vs. Yoga Pants
Keep in mind that yoga pants don't have to be tight. The pant legs of flared leggings and yoga pants could both widen out around the ankle. You may also find that they have similar patterns on them.
You would have to grab the fabric and stretch it to find the difference. Yoga pants should have more stretch and give. You may also want to consider the thickness of the material you're looking at.
Over-the-Foot Leggings vs. Yoga Pants
Manufacturers do not make leggings that go over the feet. There's no point in having these. The straps that go over the feet cannot warm up the feet.
Faux Leather Leggings vs. Yoga Pants
They do not make faux leather yoga pants. Faux leather is far too constrictive a material. If manufacturers made faux leather yoga pants, they couldn't act as yoga pants.
Over-the-Knee Leggings vs. Yoga Pants
All leggings stretch from the ankle to the waist. You shouldn't find leggings that are as short as shorts.
Try Our Yoga Pants and Leggings
So wear yoga pants if you're doing exercise and leggings if you want to look stylish. Some leggings can be better for exercise, and some yoga pants can be stylish. But overall, the yoga pants vs. leggings argument is exercise clothes vs. fashionable casual attire.
If you want yoga pants or leggings, we have both here at Stelle. Check out all our women's activewear.
